Politics

Degree - M.A. in Politics

Fields of Study
  • American Politics
  • Comparative Politics
  • Political Economy
  • Political Theory

Degree - Ph.D. in Politics

Fields of Study
  • American Government and Politics
  • Comparative Politics
  • International Relations
  • Political Economy
  • Political Methodology
  • Political Theory

Dual Degree

  • M.A.-J.D. in Politics/Law
  • Ph.D.-J.D. in Politics/Law

Application Deadlines

Applications and all supporting materials must be submitted online by 5PM Eastern Time. If a listed deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or U.S. federal holiday, then the next business day will be the actual deadline.

M.A.-J.D. Program
  • January 4: Fall admission
All Other M.A. Programs
  • January 15: Fall admission
    • Late applications will be considered if space remains.
All Ph.D. Programs
  • December 18: Fall admission

Dual Degree applicants must submit two separate applications — one to GSAS, and another to NYU Law. Please consult NYU Law Admissions for the J.D. application deadline.

Requirements

In addition to the general application requirements, the department specifically requires:

Test Scores

GRE Required
  • All Ph.D. Programs
GRE Not Required
  • All M.A. Programs. For applicants interested in the pre-P.h.D. track, the GRE is recommended.
TOEFL/IELTS

Applicants must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores (TOEFL preferred) unless they:

  • Are a native English speaker; OR

  • Are a US citizen or permanent resident; OR

  • Have completed (or will complete) a baccalaureate or master's degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English.

Statement of Academic Purpose

In a concisely written statement, please describe your past and present work as it relates to your intended field of study, your educational objectives, and your career goals. In addition, please include your intellectual and professional reasons for choosing your field of study and why your studies/research can best be done at the Graduate School of Arts and Science at NYU. The statement should not exceed two double-spaced pages.

Writing Sample

All M.A. Programs

A writing sample is required. It should be a paper from an undergraduate or graduate class, a chapter from a thesis, or a publication. It should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to analyze a topic insightfully and write clearly. While you are encouraged to submit a writing sample from a political science or related course, it is understood that not all applicants are in a position to do so. It should be written in the English language. The writing sample should be double-spaced and should not exceed 25 pages, excluding references.

All Ph.D. Programs

A writing sample demonstrating academic work in social science is required. This sample might be a paper or chapter of a thesis from your undergraduate career, or a Master’s thesis paper, or a coauthored research paper from a research assistant position. It should be between 25 and 50 pages, double-spaced, exclusive of references or appendix tables. The sample should demonstrate your ability to think analytically about some social science question, and communicate clearly.