Application Information

The M.A. program uses rolling admissions so students may begin the program in the fall or spring semester. 

DEADLINE EXTENDED: Students who are applying for Teaching Assistantships must submit both their M.A. Program application materials and their Teaching Assistantship application by Friday March 29, 2024, 11:59 pm.

Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are on the Graduate School website here: Applying for Admission.

In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School (completing the online graduate application and submitting official transcripts from non-UM college coursework), the Department of Political Science also requires:

• A 300 word statement describing your reasons for seeking the M.A. degree in Political Science at UM.
• Three letters of recommendation, at least two of them from faculty you have taken Political Science courses from. In the Graduate School online application, list your recommendation letter writers and their contact information
  

Program Requirements for Admission

• Admission is based upon the applicant's undergraduate academic record including coursework and GPA, letters of reference, and personal statement.  Optional GRE scores on the Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections are included in the admissions decision for applicants who have taken the GRE (see next).
• GRE scores are not required (except for International applicants; see below). However, for students whose undergraduate coursework includes fewer than 30 semester credits in political science or a GPA 3.2 or lower, we recommend taking the GRE to strengthen the application. Scores on the Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections will be included in the admissions decision; the Quantitative Analysis section is not considered.
• Applicants for the M.A. degree should have the equivalent of 30 undergraduate credits in political science and 3.2 GPA; applicants with fewer political science credits or lower GPA may be eligible for provisional admission to the program.
• Please contact Professor Christopher Muste at christopher.muste@umontana.edu with any questions about the above requirements and the specifics of your undergraduate academic record.  

International Students

All international M.A. applicants must take the GRE, with a focus on the sections on Verbal Reasoning and Analytic Writing. 

See the additional information in the International Admission section on the Graduate School website.

Teaching Assistantships

DEADLINE EXTENDED: The application deadline for 2024-25 TA positions has been extended to 11:59 pm Friday March 29, 2024.

Teaching Assistants provide instructional support for professors teaching large, introductory political science courses in American Government (PSCI 210), International Relations (PSCI 230), Comparative Government (PSCI 220), and Political Theory (PSCI 250). TAs are expected to have some background in one or more of these areas.

M.A. applicants and currently enrolled M.A. students must be fully admitted into the program by the start date of the T.A. appointment to be eligible. To apply for a TA position, complete the online TA Application on this website.  In addition, M.A. applicants must also have submitted all their materials for admission to the M.A. program by Friday March 29, 2024 to be considered for a TA position. 

Online TA Application

New applicants should indicate their interest in an assistantship position on their online application form and in the associated statement requesting admission.

Selection Criteria

1. Applicants must be fully admitted to the M.A. program by the start date of the T.A. appointment
2. Overall and Political Science GPA.  GRE scores are considered for applicants who took the GRE (see "Program Requirements" above).
3. Undergraduate coursework in political science
4. Work and other relevant teaching-related experience

Applicants must also submit a resume of their relevant teaching and other experience as part of the T.A. application. If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact the graduate co-directors.