Applicants should submit their materials by January 15 to ensure a complete review. To apply, you must use the online application system. All materials required for the application can be submitted via this system.  Applications must include the following:

• A personal statement. This is a statement of your goals and objectives in which you discuss your areas of scholarly interest, any research directions you may wish to pursue, and how your interests and goals fit with those of faculty and the University of Kentucky's Graduate Program in Political Science. This document should be about two pages double-spaced.
• A one sentence statement requesting consideration for a Teaching Assistantship if the applicant wishes to be considered.
• A resume or curriculum vitae
• Three letters of reference from persons who can evaluate your potential for success in our graduate program.  
• One transcript from each University attended
• Writing sample
• TOEFL or IELTS scores if your first language is not English (click here for more information)
• Application Fee ($65 for domestic applicants and $75 for international applicants) 

Please note that all materials should be submitted using the online system linked above.  No materials should be mailed directly to the department.  Also, the applicant may submit unofficial or self-reported documents (e.g., transcripts) for the initial application.  If the applicant is accepted to the program, the Graduate School will then request official documentation.

Applications are reviewed by a Department of Political Science faculty committee (the Graduate Committee), which makes a recommendation to the Department's Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), who is responsible for admissions decisions. Questions about the application process and the status of applications may be directed to the DGS. The Graduate Committee does not have a minimum required score on the GREs or a minimum required Grade Point Average, but takes these into account in any admission decision. The Graduate Committee does not emphasize one aspect of the application over any other, but takes the entire package under consideration, and is motivated in its decision making by the applicant's potential for success in graduate study in general, and our department in particular. 

The department welcomes students with undergraduate concentrations in related fields. In some cases students without an academic background in Political Science may be required to complete additional coursework so as to gain appropriate foundational knowledge.

We especially encourage applications from women and students from minority populations. The University of Kentucky has several special fellowships for minority graduate students. The DGS or the Graduate School's Office of Recruitment may be contacted for further details. Please see here for resources including funding, support, and mentoring for students from diverse backgrounds.

We invite you to visit the department to learn more about our graduate program. A visit gives  prospective students a valuable opportunity to see the campus and our facilities and to meet with faculty and graduate students to discuss interests and goals. In addition, it is a chance to explore the wonderfully livable city of Lexington and its beautiful Bluegrass surroundings. Lexington is a wonderful place to live: a mid-sized metropolitan city bordered by rolling horse farms and home to thoroughbred racing at Keeneland Race Track. To schedule a visit, contact the DGS. 

Can you tell me more about the program and how to apply?
Full information about the program is here.  Please see above for application instructions.

I do not have a Master’s degree.  Am I eligible to apply?
Yes!

Can I pursue an MA in the program?
Our program is designed for PhD students. We do not typically admit students seeking a Master’s degree only.

Is the GRE required?
The GRE is not required for application to our program.

Is the program able to waive my application fee due to financial hardship?
If you are a McNair Scholar or a U.S. veteran, the Graduate School will waive your application fee.  Otherwise, the program application fee is required by the Graduate School so unfortunately it is not something we are able to waive. 

How are students funded in the program?
Our funding comes in the form of teaching assistantships.  You do not need the supervision of a faculty member to apply to the program or to apply for funding, as we do not typically offer research assistantships.  To request consideration for a teaching assistantship, a one sentence statement of request should be included as a part of your application.

Do I need to reach out to potential advisors to see if there is funding and room in their lab?
No.  Our students are funded as teaching assistants and do not need the funding support of a potential advisor to join the program.

What are the language proficiency requirements if my native language is not English?
Here is information on the language proficiency requirement, which is a Graduate School requirement.

How are admissions and funding decisions made?
Applications are reviewed by a Department of Political Science faculty committee (the Graduate Committee). The Graduate Committee takes all aspects into account in any admission decision. The Graduate Committee does not emphasize one aspect of the application over any other, but takes the entire package under consideration, and is motivated in its decision making by the applicant's potential for success in graduate study in general, and our department in particular. Funding also depends on the availability of funding lines in a given year. If you wish to be considered for funding, please keep in mind the January 15 deadline that is discussed in the link above.  This corresponds to a fall start date (when it is typical for a new class to enter.)