Political Science

Nathaniel Birkhead, Head
Brianne Heidbreder, Director of graduate studies

101D Calvin Hall
785-532-6842
polsci@k-state.edu
http://www.k-state.edu/polsci/

Admissions Criteria

To be eligible for admission, a student must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale). Others with at least a 2.7 GPA may be admitted on probation, or on special student category. Admission to the MPA and MA programs and financial assistance are based on academic accomplishment and promise. Admission applications are welcome at any time.

Application Procedure

Go to https://www.applyweb.com/apply/kstateg/to fill out an online application. Supporting documents needs to be uploaded directly with your application.
Supporting materials for domestic students:
- Payment of a processing fee will be required before officially submitting your graduate school application.
- Statement of objectives.
- 3 letters of recommendation [must be originals on official letterhead uploaded directly to your application by your references].
- Transcripts from all previous colleges attended [must be originals].

Supporting materials for international students:
- Payment of a processing fee will be required before officially submitting your graduate school application.
- Statement of objectives.
- 3 letters of recommendation [must be originals on official letterhead uploaded directly to your application by your references].
- Transcripts from all previous colleges attended.
- TOEFL or other English language competency score: less than 2 years old.
- Financial affidavit plus original bank documents: MUST BE CONVERTED TO USD.

International Students: English Language Competency

The Graduate School requires each international applicant whose native language is not English to demonstrate competence in the English language by achieving a satisfactory score (defined below) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Pearson Test of English (PTE). The TOEFL, IELTS or PTE is required to ensure that the student’s progress toward a degree is not jeopardized by language barriers.
The TOEFL (K-State TOEFL school code 6334) is offered several times a year throughout the world by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey.
International applicants are advised to take the TOEFL as early as possible to avoid delays in the processing of their applications for admission. However, the test date should be no older than eighteen months from the application deadline for international applicants.
English Proficiency Requirements
- Applicants who are submitting IBT TOEFL (internet based) scores must have a minimum total score of 79 with no part score below 20 on the reading, listening, and writing sections.
- Applicants who are submitting paper-based TOEFL (PBT) test scores must have a minimum total score of 550 with no part score below 55 on reading or listening sections and a TWE (Test of Written English) score of 5.0 or higher.
- Applicants who are submitting an IELTS score must have a minimum total score of 6.5 with part scores of 6.5 or higher on the reading, listening, and writing sections.
- Applicants who are submitting a Pearson Test of English (PTE) score must have a minimum total score of 58 with part scores of 58 or higher.
- Applicants who do not meet the scores specified above must meet the following criteria during the first semester of enrollment in order to satisfy the English proficiency requirement:
- Applicants with one or two low part scores (14-19 IBT, 48-54 PBT, 5.0-6.4 IELTS , or 47-57 PTE) must successfully complete one or more of the specified classes based on the section of the examination that is below the minimum (20 IBT; 55 on reading or listening sections and a TWE of less than 5.0 on PBT; 6.5 IELTS; 58 PTE):
- Applicants with three part scores below 20 IBT, 55 PBT, 6.5 IELTS, or 58 PTE are required to take the English Proficiency Test (EPT) and successfully complete the English course(s) specified on their EPT score reports.
- Applicants with any one score below 14 IBT, 48 PBT, 5.0 IELTS, or 47 PTE must take the English Proficiency Test and successfully complete full time intensive English.

Financial Assistance

The Department of Political Science has two types of financial assistance available to support graduate study. This includes graduate assistantships and graduate scholarships. The application deadline for all department financial assistance is March 1.

Graduate Scholarships & Assistantships
- The Department of Political Science offers a number of scholarships. These vary in terms of the amount of assistance and the exact requirements of each. To view a list of available scholarships and fellowships and learn how to apply, click here!
- The Department of Political Science also provides financial assistance in the form of a graduate assistantship on a competitive basis in exchange for assistance to faculty with their teaching, research, or administrative responsibilities. Specific assignments to teaching or research depend on the needs and abilities of the graduate assistant, and the needs of the department. Assistantships must be applied for on a yearly basis. For more information and how to apply, click here!
Selection criteria
- Academic performance, promise, and intellectual ability.
- Past performance as a departmental assistant, if applicable.
- Needs of the department faculty.
- Financial need.
Conditions of Assistantship

Graduate assistants must enroll in a minimum of six credit hours per semester and make reasonable degree progress as reflected by at least a 3.5 GPA. During the period of appointment, assistants may not hold another paid full-time position of any kind. The department reserves the right to withdraw support at any time if academic performance falls below the 3.5 GPA, or if the job performance is not satisfactory. The assistantship is awarded for one academic year, assuming all conditions are met. A reapplication is required for each additional year of support.

Amount of Assistantship
- Graduate assistantships involve a stipend, a tuition waiver for up to 10 credit hours per semester and fee reductions. The amount of the stipend changes from year-to-year and may be obtained by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies.
- Graduate assistants are required to work a maximum of 20 hours per week in support of the research, teaching, and administrative activities of departmental faculty and staff.
Award Announcement

All applicants will be notified of the department’s decisions, and award recipients will be asked to acknowledge acceptance formally. Awards are announced mid-April.

Programs

Accelerated

Master of Public Administration

• Master of Public Administration (MPA)

Graduate Certificate

Courses

Political Science

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Kansas State University

Course Catalog