University of Minnesota
Department of Political Science
polisci@umn.edu
612-624-4144


Department of Political Science

Home > Graduate Studies > Applying : Application Prodecured and Forms

Application Procedures and Forms

Graduate applications at the University of Minnesota involve two parts —applying to the Graduate School and applying to the Political Science Department. The Political Science Graduate Work Committee decides who to admit to the program. The Graduate School application is used by the University to maintain the standards of the overall graduate program. The Graduate School has final approval over who is admitted, but it has never been the case that someone admitted by the Political Science Department's Admissions Committee was refused admission by the Graduate School.

If you have any questions about any part of the application process, please send an email to papply@umn.edu. Many common questions are answered in our FAQ.

The application deadline is December 15th for all application materials.

Part I: Graduate School

  • Graduate School Online Application (begin the online application), including application fee. This is a separate application from the Department Application Form. Both must be submitted.
  • Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts or academic records should be uploaded directly to the online application. International students should also upload an English translation if the transcript is not in English.Please do not mail in paper copies of your transcripts, there is no need for official transcripts or academic records for initial review. If you are admitted, the University will then request official copies of this material. Click here for important information about uploading your transcripts and credentials.
  • An English Proficiency Exam (TOEFL or IELTS) is required for non-native English speakers who have not spent at least one year at a college in the United States.)
  • The online graduate application includes a set of "Applicant Statements." None of these statements are required by our department. Statement #1 is covered by the "Statement of Purpose" listed below in the Department materials list. Statement #2 is encouraged if you wish to be considered for the Diversity of Views and Experiences Fellowship.

Part II: Department

These may be submitted through the online graduate school application system, in the section called "Graduate Program Supplementary Information," or emailed to papply@umn.edu. Please include your name on each document submitted.

  • Official GRE scores Institution Code 6874; Department Code 1901, 1902, or 1999.
  • A Curriculum Vitae
  • Department Application This is a separate application from the Graduate School application — both applications must be submitted. Download Department Application (MS Word)
  • Statement of Purpose A statement expressing your interests in political science and your purposes in pursuing graduate work, typically 1-2 pages in length. This may be submitted in the online system in place of Statement #1 or in the Graduate Program Supplementary Information section (Upload 1 or Upload 2).
  • One or more samples of your written work Preferably a paper from a political science or related course. No length requirement. Must be single-authored. It is helpful if you include your name on each page, and page numbering.
  • Three Letters of Recommendation Letters of recommendation are processed through the online Graduate School application. If any of your letter-writers have trouble with the online submission system, they can email their letter to papply@umn.edu or mail their letter directly to the Political Science Department address*.

*Send Transcript(s) and/or other Department materials to:
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Political Science
1414 Social Sciences Building
267 - 19th Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Contact Info

Graduate Studies Assistant
Beth Ethier
1408 SocSci
612-624-1187
bethier@umn.edu

Director of Graduate Studies
Portrait: Dara Strolovich
Dara Strolovitch
1408 SocSci
612-624-1028
dzs@umn.edu