Do I really have to take the GRE? Can I use my LSAT scores instead?
GRE scores are required for every applicant. Scores must not be more than
5 years old. Other test scores can not be substituted.
What GRE scores and GPAs are necessary for admission?
The Graduate Studies Committee considers all elements of the application when
deciding admission. While GREs and GPAs are a very important part of the total
application package, there are no strict minimums and a wide range of GRE scores
and GPAs have recently been admitted. Recently admitted students have had an
average GRE score of around 600 for the quantitative section, 550 for the verbal
section, and 5.0 for the analytical section. Recently admitted students have
had an average GPA around 3.5.
What are my chances for funding?
You are guaranteed consideration of funding only if you meet the January application
deadline. If you are interested in funding, please fill out the Application
for Teaching Assistantship, available from the department. Each year, the Department
of Political Science funds approximately 13 graduate students as Graduate Teaching
Assistants - typically 2-4 of these students are new, incoming students. The
Department also nominates its best applicants for University Fellowships and
Scholarships, but these are university-wide and competitive. Other research
assistant and dissertation fellowship opportunities are available for advanced
students in our program. Please see our Financial
Aid page for further information.
If I do not have a M.A. in Political Science, can I apply directly
to the Ph.D. program?
A M.A. in Political Science from an accredited U.S. institution, or its
equivalent, is a requirement for the Ph.D. You can signal your intention of
pursuing a Ph.D. by applying for the Ph.D. degree, but it will be necessary
to complete a M.A. on the way toward the Ph.D. Coursework in the KU Master's
program is applied to the course requirements for the KU Ph.D. If you already
hold a M.A. in Political Science from an accredited U.S. institution or its
equivalent, you should apply directly to the Ph.D. program.
Will my previous graduate coursework transfer to the KU program?
Our M.A. program allows you to count up to six hours outside the Political
Science Department (including outside KU) toward the requirements. For the
Ph.D. program, courses taken elsewhere that are similar in content and approach
to our courses may be applied to some course requirements, although there is
a limit on the number of allowable outside courses per subfield. These must
be approved by the student's advisor and the Graduate Director and must not
jeopardize the student's preparation for the comprehensive exams.
How long will it take me to complete my degree?
The time is takes a student to complete a graduate degree varies and depends on the number of courses taken per semester and the student’s research interests. Typically, our students complete the MA degree in two years, although it is possible to complete it more quickly. The average time for our doctoral students to complete their degree is 4.9 years. Students with an MA from KU or an equivalent program tend to finish sooner than those entering the Ph.D. program directly.
Can I still apply for fall admission if I have missed
the January and April deadlines?
The Department of Political Science only guarantees consideration of applications
if they meet the January and April deadlines and are for fall semester admission.
Non-degree seeking applications for spring semester admissions will be considered
only if they are complete and are made well in advance of the spring semester.
If I am already in the M.A. program at KU, how do I apply for
the Ph.D. program?
If you are a current M.A. student at KU, you do not have to make a formal
application. Please see the Director of Graduate Studies for details on your
application process. If you already completed the KU M.A. and are no longer
a student, you must go through the normal application process.
What can I do with an M.A. or a Ph.D. in political science?
Individuals with graduate degrees in political science have mastered a wide
range of analytical, writing, and research skills and can pursue careers in
federal, state and local governments, law, business, international organizations,
publishing, nonprofit associations and organizations, campaign management and
polling, journalism, and precollegiate education. Political science PhDs
are also eligible for research and teaching positions in universities and colleges.
Recent graduates from our M.A. program have found a variety of types of employment (at the U.S. State Department and in the Kansas state government, for example). Many others have successfully continued their academic studies in doctoral programs (at, for example, Kansas, Harvard, Minnesota, Ohio State, and Wisconsin). We have also had good success placing our Ph.D. students in recent years at a number of public and private academic institutions (such as University of California State-Chico, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, Northern Illinois, Midwestern State, Northern Alabama, Wichita State, Southeast Missouri State, University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and University of Wisconsin-La Crosse). Ph.D. students have also secured jobs in the private and public sectors (such as in the Department of Defense).
For other questions, please consult other sections of this website or contact the Graduate Studies Coordinator (gradpols@ku.edu) or the Graduate Director (jkaarbo@ku.edu).