You are here
Political Science
The Department of Political Science offers instruction and research in the art and science of politics. Work within the department is organized around six basic fields: American government and politics, comparative politics, public policy, political theory, empirical theory and methodology, and international relations.
Degrees Offered:
- MA, PhD
MA
The department offers an M.A. in Political Science and Ph.D. in Political Science. It also offers an M.A. in Political Science with a concentration in Public Policy, also called the M.A. in Political Science (Public Policy). The department does not accept applications for a terminal M.A. in Political Science unless the applicant wishes to complete the M.A. in Political Science (Public Policy). Students in the Ph.D. program typically earn an M.A. in Political Science at the completion of their second year in the program.
The Master's program for International Affairs has been suspended. The department is not accepting applications for this program at this time.
PhD
The department requires a minimum of 42 hours of graduate level course work in which the student must maintain a B or better average. Of these 42 hours, 39 must be at the 7000 level or higher. In addition, a minimum of 30 credit hours of dissertation work must be completed.
Applicants must:
- Have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (out of 4.0) from an accredited university in the United States, or equivalent credentials from a non-U.S. institution, or a graduate cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Have a cumulative score on the Graduate Record Examination of at least 300 (verbal + quantitative), with a score of at least 153 on the verbal examination. (This equates to 1100 and 500, respectively, under the old scoring system.) Students not meeting the GRE requirements are advised to resubmit their application after retaking the examinations and obtaining satisfactory scores.
- International students must provide TOEFL or IELTS exam scores or show proof of English reading and speaking skills (i.e. coursework, employment, etc.). The department requires minimum scores of 90 for TOEFL and 7.0 for IELTS. If you have completed at least one year of full-time academic study at a U.S. institution or at an institution in a country where English is the native language (i.e., Australia, U.K.) at the time you apply, or if English is your native language, you are exempt from the exam requirements.
- One official copy of your transcript(s) exhibiting the official seal and signature of the registrar from each college or university you have attended must be submitted. Transcripts must be issued directly to Graduate Admissions. They may not be issued to the student.
- Submit three letters of recommendation from members of the profession who can judge your ability to participate in a graduate program. You will be asked to supply the names of your recommenders and their email addresses within the application. Electronic requests for letters will be sent out after you submit your application.
- Provide a statement of professional and academic goals and intent. Prepare your statement as a .doc or .pdf file, and upload it with your application.
All applicants, both MA and PhD, are eligible to be considered for departmental financial support. Applicants will be considered for teaching assistantship positions and a limited number of supplemental fellowships based on merit.
University of Colorado Boulder
Department of Political Science
Graduate Program Assistant
Ketchum 106
333 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0333
Phone: 303-492-7872
Fax: 303-492-0978