Michigan State University Department of Poltical Science

Program Admissions and Application Deadlines:
The Department of Political Science at Michigan State University admits students into the Ph.D. program for the Fall semester only. There are two important application deadlines:

December 1 - The Priority Deadline for Applications

If you want to receive full consideration for university fellowships and departmental assistantships, you should submit a complete application by December 1.

May 15 - The Final Deadline for All Applications

The Department will accept applications to the Ph.D. Program until May 15. If you are not interested in receiving financial support, you should still make sure that a complete application is submitted to the Department by the May 15 th deadline.

Application Requirements:
Applying to the Ph.D Program in Political Science at MSU is a two-part process. First, you must apply for admission to graduate study with the Graduate School of Michigan State University. Second, you must submit a complete application for admission to the Ph.D. Program in Political Science directly with the Department of Political Science at MSU. Here is how the process works:

(1) Complete an Application for Admission to Graduate Study through The Graduate School

There are two options available for submitting an application for graduate study at MSU. You can apply electronically or by sending in a hard copy of your application.
Apply online The online Graduate School application is faster, easier, and more efficient than the traditional process. It provides for the prompt receipt and distribution of application information, and it enables you to track the status of your application on-line. The Graduate School application requires a $50 fee, payable by credit card when you submit your application online. Domestic applicants should use the Graduate School's domestic online application; International students should use the international online application.
Submit a hard copy of the application You can print a copy of the Graduate School application, complete it, and mail it into the Department. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to download the form. You can download a free copy of Adobe and install it on your computer. Please indicate your intended field of study (Ph.D. in Political Science; Major Code = 4387) on this form. And, be sure to send a check or money order made payable to Michigan State University in the amount of $50 along with your application to: Doctoral Program Application Department of Political Science 303 S. Kedzie Hall Michigan State University East Lansing, MI 48824

(2) Complete an Application for Admission to the Ph.D. Program with the Department of Political Science

A Department Application Form which includes your personal statement of research/teaching interests.
Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can assess your capabilities for graduate study. You can print hard copies of the required recommendation forms using Adobe Acrobat.
Graduate Record Examination "General Test" scores. All applications must submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), in particular the 3-part "General Test". We do not ask for scores from subject tests. You can obtain more information about this examination at: http://www.gre.org/

Your GRE scores should be sent directly to MSU to the Department of Political Science at Michigan State University (at the address listed below). The institutional code for Michigan State University is 1465 and the Department of Political Science code is 1999.

Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) for non-native English speakers

Applicants whose native language is not English will be expected to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). More information about this test can be found at: http://www.toefl.org/
The Graduate School has set minimum score requirements of 550 on the paper-based test and 213 on the computer-based test. Although the Political Science Department also uses 550/213 as its minimum score requirements, the Department looks much more favorably on applicants whose TOEFL score is 600 or above on the paper-based test or 250 or above on the computer-based test.
Your TOEFL scores, like GRE scores, should be submitted directly to the Department of Political Science (again at the address listed below).

Two official transcripts from each college or university you have attended (both undergraduate and graduate schools).

Mail your Departmental forms and materials to:

Doctoral Program Application
Department of Political Science
303 S. Kedzie
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact Karen Battin, the Graduate Program Assistant ( battink@msu.edu; 517-353-3290) or Professor Saundra K. Schneider, the Director of Graduate Studies ( sks@msu.edu; 517-355-7682).