Department of Political Science

Graduate Studies Admission and Enrollment

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. It is not too early to submit applications in January 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. Completed applications should be sent to the Office of Admissions and Records not to the Department of Political Science. All applicants must arrange to have official transcripts of all previous course work sent to the Office of Admissions and Records.

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. students are expected to have attained a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and/or a 3.5 graduate GPA.

Students admitted to either the M.A. or Ph.D. program should have had a substantial background in political science, economics, and statistics, and to have substantial skill in written composition. In the case of statistics, students should have completed the equivalent of one undergraduate course in statistics taught in a mathematics or statistics department. The minimal requirements in political science and economics are six credit hours each. Students may, however, be admitted with any undergraduate major or graduate concentration, including those in the social and natural sciences, 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.

Before students are admitted as Regular graduate students they must submit the results of the General Aptitude Sections (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytic) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). On rare occasion, the Admissions Committee may accept 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. A GRE information booklet is available in the Department of Political Science.

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.

Students applying for admission to the M.A. and PhD programs 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 should speak 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.

In addition to the University application, applicants for admission must complete and return a separate Departmental Application and Application for Assistantship. This application contains a page for 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 Department of Political Science, West Virginia University, PO Box 6317, Morgantown, WV 26506-6317.

Students are admitted on a Regular or Provisional basis. Those admitted on a Regular basis in the M.A. program must have at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA, have submitted the results of the GRE, and completed six hours of economics, six hours of political science, and three hours of introductory statistics. Provisional M.A. students may be deficient in one or more of the above. Provisionally admitted students must remove all deficiencies as specified in the letter of admission, but no later than the end of the completion of the 18th credit hour of course work. A student who fails to meet the admission requirements or who fails to achieve the required grade-point average will be suspended. 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.

By action of the Department of Political Science, all Ph.D. students are routinely admitted on a provisional basis for the first year and a half of graduate work. After the first year and a half (24 credit hours), the student's performance will be assessed and one of the following actions taken: (1) the student will be elevated to Regular status in the Ph.D. program; (2) the student will be elevated to Regular status but encouraged to complete the M.A. only; (3) the student will be terminated from the program. The admission of graduate students either as Regular or Provisional is a decision of the Graduate Faculty; likewise, action to recommend a change in status or termination is a decision of the Graduate Faculty and/or the University.

All admission decisions are made by the Graduate committee. This committee meets approximately six times during the academic year and at least once during the summer to handle admission decisions.

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 $90 per credit hour; for non-residents $313 per credit hour. Students must pay a minimal fee of $68 each semester even if receiving financial assistance or a tuition waiver.

There is very limited University-owned housing for graduate students. The University Housing and Residence Life Office, G-18 Towers, (304) 293-2811, provides information concerning University-owned housing. The Student Life Office in Elizabeth Moore Hall, (304) 293-5611, 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.

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 compulsory. 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.

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, Dr. Robert Duval. The number to call for an appointment is (304) 293-3811 Ext 5299.