Prospective Students Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How much is the application fee and where do I send it?
A: A $70 application fee can be paid via credit card when the online application is submitted. Those making payment by check should make it payable to University of Delaware and mail to: University of Delaware, Office of Graduate Studies, 234 Hullihen Hall, Newark, DE 19716
Q: Will applications received without payment of the application fee be processed?
A: No.
Q: From where do I get official transcripts and where do I send them?
A: Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution and ask that they be mailed directly to the Office of Graduate Studies at the above address.
Q: Where do I send my three letters of recommendation?
A: Letters may be submitted as part of the online application or mailed to the Office of Graduate Studies at the above address.
Q: Where do I send my resume / statement of objectives / personal statement / writing sample / additional documents?
A: These may be submitted as part of the online application or mailed to the Office of Graduate Studies at the above address. Applicants are encouraged to submit examples of written work.
Q: What is the University of Delaware GRE Code?
A: The University of Delaware GRE Code is 5811.
Q: What GRE score do I need for admission to the Department of Political Science and International Relations graduate program?
A: A minimum of 1100 for the combined verbal and math aptitude scores is generally preferred for consideration for admission. While our Graduate Admissions Committee is flexible, students with combined verbal/math scores below 1050 are unlikely to be admitted.
Q: Is TOEFL required for international students with no U.S. degree?
A: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required. A score of at least 600 is preferred for consideration for admission. A score of over 225 is preferred for the computerized test, and 100 for the IBIT test.
Q: What undergraduate grade point average do I need for admission to the Department of Political Science and International Relations graduate program?
A: A 3.0 overall and 3.25 in major field and a 3.5 in any prior graduate work in political science is preferred for consideration for admission.
Q: When are applications due?
A: Those seeking financial assistance should submit a completed application by February 1st. Except for unusual circumstances, all other completed applications should be received by May 15th for admission the following September.
Q: Does the Department of Political Science and International Relations accept applications for Spring admission?
A: No, the Political Science and International Relations graduate program does not accept students for Spring admission. All of our students begin their coursework in September, in the Fall semester.
Q: If I enter as an MA student and later decide I would like to pursue a PhD, what must I do?
A: Master's students in the program who would like to enter the PhD track must pass a two-step PhD qualifying exam that involves an oral defense in the fourth semester and a written exam taken in summer after the second year.
Q: If I meet your above stated minimum criteria for admission will I be admitted to your graduate program?
A: Admission to the graduate program is affected by the number of well-qualified applicants and the limits of available faculty. Those who meet stated minimum academic requirements are not guaranteed admission. The Department of Political Science and International Relations typically receives 75-90 graduate applications each year, and typically admits 20-30 of these.
Q: What are my chances of receiving financial assistance from the Department for my graduate work?
A: Our funding is limited and therefore we can offer full funding packages (teaching assistant stipend and tuition remission) to only a few of each year's admitted students. We also offer funding packages that are tuition remission only. For an incoming class of 10-12 students, we are typically able to provide some level of funding for 7-8 students. For students who enter without any departmental funding and do well, it may be possible for us to provide some level of funding by the second year, if not sooner. Provided students make appropriate academic progress, funding may be renewable for up to four years.