1.1 Application Procedures and Deadlines

The Department of Political Science considers applications for admission at any time; however, prospective graduate students are encouraged to initiate their applications as early as possible. If possible, applications should be complete by January 15 since several financial awards and fellowships have deadlines as early as February 1.

Applications for admission may be obtained from the Office of Admissions and Records, West Virginia University, PO Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506-6009 or the Department of Political Science, West Virginia University, PO Box 6317, Morgantown, WV 26506-6317. International students should request the application form designated for international students. The completed University application should be sent to the Office of Admissions and Records. The Department application should be sent directly to the Department of Political Science. All applicants must also arrange to have official transcripts of all previous course work sent to the Office of Admissions and Records.

1.2 Grade Point Average

In order to be admitted as a Regular graduate student in the M.A. program, applicants ought to have achieved at least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average at the undergraduate level. Ph.D. applicants are expected to have attained a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and/or a 3.5 graduate GPA.

1.3 Course and Major Pre-requisites

Students admitted to either the M.A. or Ph.D. program ideally should have had a substantial background in political science, some preparation in economics and statistics, and to have demonstrated skill in written composition. In the case of statistics, students should have completed the equivalent of one undergraduate course in statistics as taught in a mathematics or statistics department. The minimal requirements in political science and economics are six credit hours each; however, students may be admitted with any undergraduate major or graduate concentration, although political science, economics, and public administration are the preferred fields. Students deficient in any of these areas may be required to take remedial course work (see Section 4.5).

1.4 Graduate Record Examination (GRE)

Before students are admitted as Regular graduate students they must submit the results of the General Aptitude Sections (Verbal, Quantitative, and Writing) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). On rare occasion, the Admissions Committee will consider a Law School Admission Test (LSAT) score in the admission process, but the requirement that all students take the GRE as a condition of admission is an absolute requirement of the department. The graduate program does not require the specialized or advanced test in Political Science.


Although the GRE may be taken at any time, it is highly desirable that prospective students take the examination a year before the planned time of enrollment. For Fall Semester enrollment, it is common to take the GRE the previous October or December. Information on the GRE may be obtained from Graduate Record Examination, Educational Testing Service, PO Box 6000, Princeton, NJ 08541-6000. Phone: (609) 771-7670. The ETS information booklet for the GRE may be obtained from the Department of Political Science.

1.5 Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL)

Applicants from non-English speaking countries must submit the official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in addition to the GRE. TOEFL results must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions and Records from the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Non-U.S. applicants are required to provide the University with original or certified copies of the applicant's official academic record in the original language of issue, an original or certified copy of official certification of degree in the original language of issue, and official English translations of the applicant's academic record and certification of degree. All of these items, in addition to the application, should be sent to the Office of Admissions and Records, West Virginia University, PO Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506-6009.

1.6 Letters of Recommendation

Students applying for admission program must submit three letters of recommendation. Letters should be from college or university instructors who are familiar with the applicant's academic work. Letters from employers may be submitted, but at least two are required from instructors. Applicants returning to graduate study after an extended absence from college and who have difficulty obtaining academic letters of recommendation, should speak directly with the graduate director. Letters of recommendation should be sent directly to: Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Political Science, West Virginia University, 316 Woodburn Hall PO Box 6317, Morgantown, WV 26506-6317.

1.7 Department Application and Personal Statement

In addition to the University application, applicants for admission must complete and return a separate Departmental Application and Application for Assistantship. This application requires a 200-500 word personal statement. This statement should indicate the intellectual and career goals of the applicant and how this program will aid the applicant's educational plans. The department application should be returned directly to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Political Science, West Virginia University, PO Box 6317, Morgantown, WV 26506-6317.

1.8 Types of Admission Status

Students are admitted on a Regular or Provisional basis. To be admitted in Regular status, an applicant must have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 (for M.A. program applicants) or 3.00 (for Ph.D. applicants), have submitted the results of the GRE, and have completed six hours of economics, six hours of political science, and three hours of introductory statistics. Provisional admissions are not made pending receipt of an acceptable GRE score. Students who apply too late to take the GRE should consider enrolling as a non-degree student for their first semester.


Under special circumstances, a student may be accepted into the graduate program even if he or she is deficient on one or more of the above criteria. Such a student would be admitted in Provisional status. A Provisional student must remove all deficiencies specified in the letter of admission by no later than the completion of the 18th credit hour of coursework in the program. At that time, the Graduate Faculty will upgrade his or her status to Regular. A student who fails to meet these criteria by that time or who fails to achieve the required grade-point average will be suspended or terminated from the program.

The decision to admit students in either Provisional or Regular status is made by the Graduate Faculty. Likewise, the decision to change this status or to terminate a student is made by the Graduate Faculty and/or the University.

1.9 Admissions Committee

All admission decisions are made by the Graduate Admissions Committee consisting of five members of the graduate faculty appointed by the Chair. The Director of Graduate Studies and the Chair also serve as ex officio members. This committee meets monthly to consider admission decisions.

Although the admission decision takes into account a number of factors, most successful applicants have at least a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and a combined GRE verbal-quantitative score of 1,000. Applicants who do not meet these criteria are still considered for possible admission.

In addition to admissions, the Admissions Committee is responsible for developing and overseeing the entire admissions process from initial recruitment and contact of potential students to final acceptance. The committee also regularly reports data regarding admissions to the full graduate faculty.

The Director of Graduate Studies serves as the principal contact point for admission inquiries and program information.

1.10 Tuition, Fees, and Other Costs

Unless waived by the University, students are responsible for all tuition, fees, and other costs. These costs vary from year to year and are subject to change without notice. The current tuition for residents is approximately $220 per credit hour; for non-residents $620 per credit hour. Students must pay a minimum fee of approximately $394 each semester even if receiving financial assistance or a tuition waiver.

1.11 Housing

There is very limited University-owned housing for graduate students. The University Housing and Residence Life Office, G-18 Towers, (304) 293-2811, (http://www.hrl.wvu.edu/halls/) provides information concerning University-owned housing. The Student Life Office in Elizabeth Moore Hall, (304) 293-5611, (http://www.wvu.edu/~studlife/), provides information concerning privately owned, off-campus housing. Listings for privately owned rentals change daily so students should check often to see what is available. Since private housing varies in quantity and quality, depending on location, it is advisable for students to arrange for housing in person to assure complete satisfaction with living arrangements.

1.12 Orientation Program

After acceptance into the program, students will receive notification of the Graduate Student Orientation sponsored by the Department of Political Science. This orientation will be held just prior to or at the beginning of the Fall semester. Attendance at this orientation is required. In general, students should plan to arrive on campus sometime during the period August 15-20 of the year in which enrolled. There is no formal orientation program for the Spring semester, although students entering in January will meet informally with the Director of Graduate Studies.

1.13 Course Registration

Students admitted to the program will receive notice of their admission both from the department and the Office of Admissions and Records. Along with this notice will be a Letter of Intent to enroll in the program. The letter of intent should be returned to the Department of Political Science as soon as possible. Course registration will follow thereafter, either at your convenience during the pre-registration period or at the time of general registration at the beginning of the semester. Course registration should be arranged with the department's Director of Graduate Studies. The number to call for an appointment is (304) 293-3811 Ext 5272.

1.14 Advising

The Director of Graduate Studies serves as the advisor for all incoming graduate students. After the first semester in residence, each student will be assigned a permanent faculty advisor for the remainder of his or her program. The permanent advisor along with the student, will make sure all requirements of the program are completed. Advisors will maintain the Plan of Study (Advisor's Checklist) in the student's file. In consultation with the Advisor each student must submit a Plan of Study to the office of the Dean during the first semester of residence. This plan serves as a guide for graduate work, and while not a binding contract, represents the anticipated course of study. It may be modified at any time, subject to the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies, the Department Chair, and the Dean of the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences.

The M.A. student may change advisors at any point up to the M.A. examination. Ph.D. committees may also be changed between the comprehensive examination and the dissertation. While continuity of advisor and committee structure is advised, the selection of an advisor and committee is based on the academic interests of the student, and the department recognizes that these interests may change over the course of a student's program of study.

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