PROGRAMS, REQUIREMENTS AND DEADLINES

Web: as.nyu.edu/politics
Email: 
      M.A.: politics.masters@nyu.edu
      Ph.D.: politics.phd@nyu.edu

 

Degrees and Fields of Study

Ph.D.

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

M.A.

• American Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations – see Program in International Relations
• Political Economy
• Political Theory

Ph.D.-J.D. (Dual Degree)

• Politics/Law

M.A.-J.D. (Dual Degree)

• Politics/Law

Note: The field of study descriptions may not exactly match the actual program name on the degree that is conferred. Please refer to the GSAS Bulletin section Degree and Certificate Programs as Registered by the New York State Education Department for the actual program name and degree conferred.

 

Application Deadlines

Ph.D. Applications

• December 18, fall only admission

M.A. Applications

• January 15, fall admission
• November 1, spring 2021 admission

Late applications will be considered if space remains.

Ph.D.-J.D. Dual-Degree Applications

• December 18, fall only admission

M.A.-J.D. Dual-Degree Applications

• January 4, fall only admission

All application materials must be received by 5 p.m. eastern time on the deadline date. If an application deadline falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal U.S. holiday, then the next business day will be the deadline date.

 

Application Requirements for Politics

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit a complete application for admission. A complete application includes the online application, academic transcripts, test scores (if required), letters of recommendation, a résumé or curriculum vitae, a Statement of Academic Purpose, and an application fee. Applicants also have the option of providing a short Personal History essay. Please refer to the Instructions section of the online application. In addition, the department specifically requires the following:

GRE for Ph.D. Applicants: GRE general test required. See test score FAQ.  

GRE for M.A. Applicants: The GRE general test requirement is suspended for spring and fall 2021 due to COVID-19. Please do not send us GRE test scores. If you do, the scores will not be reviewed or considered by the department's Admissions Committee. In subsequent terms, the general test is required. See test score FAQ    

TOEFL or IELTS: Either the TOEFL or the IELTS is required of all applicants who are not native English speakers or who do not have a bachelor's or master's degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English. See test score FAQ.  

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 (Ph.D. and Ph.D.-J.D. Applicants): A writing sample demonstrating academic work in social science is required. This would most likely be a paper or chapters of a thesis from your undergraduate career. It should be between 30 and 50 pages, double-spaced. It should demonstrate your ability to think analytically about some social science question, and communicate clearly.

Writing Sample (M.A. and M.A.-J.D. Applicants): 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.

Dual-Degree Applicants: Dual-degree applicants must also apply to the School of Law.

 

The Graduate School of Arts and Science reserves the right to change this information at any time. This document supersedes all previous versions.

 

Last updated September 25, 2020.

 

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