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Department of Political Science

College of Social and Behavioral Science

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Domestic Graduate Student Admissions

Admissions application

Political Science Department Graduate Admissions Application
 
Application for domestic student admissions to the Political Science Department at the University of Utah is a three-step process:
  1. Complete the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). This exam is required for the 2026-2027 application. 
  2. Submit an application for admission to the University of Utah Graduate School  by clicking on Admissions Application button.
  3. All supporting documents must be uploaded to the online application system called Slate. Do not email or fax application materials. 

Application Deadlines for applicants wishing to begin during Fall Semester:

  • August 1              2026-2027 application opens
  • December 15    Complete GRE. Recommended deadline so scores can be sent and received by the admission deadline.
  • January 15          Application deadline & upload all supporting documents 

 

University of Utah Graduate Studies Admissions Application

An applicant for admission to Graduate Studies must meet the following minimum requirements:

  1. A completed Bachelor’s degree issued by either a regionally accredited, four-year U.S. institution or a comparable institution recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education in one’s home country.
  2. A 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA in the undergraduate career, or otherwise demonstrable academic readiness for graduate-level studies.
  3. Application approval by the Political Science Graduate Studies Committee.

An offer of acceptance is valid only for the semester the applicant is admitted. If an applicant does not register for classes during their admitted term, the applicant must resubmit an admissions application and fee before the application deadline for the semester they wish to begin. Files for new applicants who do not enroll are normally kept one year. Files not reactivated within one year are destroyed.

Once admitted and enrolled, graduate students are required by Graduate School policy to maintain continuous registration during the academic year of fall and spring semesters. If a graduate student must stop, they should file the appropriate paperwork for an "Official Leave of Absence" through the graduate studies director. Students failing to maintain continuous registration and who have not been granted an official leave of absence must reapply for admission to the Graduate School through the University's Admissions Office.

The University of Utah is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in all programs, activities, and employment. Moreover, students may not be denied admission to graduate work solely because they obtained a prior degree at the University of Utah. For additional information, see the U of U Graduate School admissions requirements.

Application

Graduate students may apply to more than one department; however, a separate, complete application must be submitted for each department desired. Applicants applying to more than one program must pay an application fee for each application. Also, applicants applying to joint programs must submit applications to both programs and pay fees for both. The non-refundable graduate application fee for domestic applicants is $55 and for international applicants is $65. Applications submitted after the Office of Admissions' established application deadlines wil incur an additional $30 late fee, even if an academic department has a later deadline.

Application Tracking System 
Track your  application online through your Slate account.  If you are admitted, you will track your application through the University Admissions office website.

Political Science Department Graduate Admissions Materials

Upload the following materials to the SLATE application:

Transcripts of all previous academic work, both graduate and undergraduate must be mailed to the Admissions Office directly from each school attended. Former students must have transcripts sent for work completed since last enrolled. Transcripts submitted for admission become the property of the University and are not returned. Failure to list all institutions previously attended or making false or misleading statements on the application may result in loss of credit and/or cancellation of admission status.

Request one official transcripts from each college and/or University (except the University of Utah) attended, regardless of length of attendance. Upload the transcripts to the online system. Original transcripts will be required by mail if admitted. Mail transcripts to University Admissions:

Office of Admissions
University of Utah
201 S. 1460 E   Room 250S
Salt Lake City, UT   84112

The letter of purpose should be brief, approximately 500 words, and should include your areas of interest within political science, why you want to pursue a graduate degree in political science and any other information relevant to the admissions decision that you would like the review committee to consider, such as career objectives or previous experience.

You will need to have a minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation sent to the department directly from the individuals writing your recommendations. Each endorser should complete the reference form via the Slate application system. The most valuable references will be from individuals who are qualified to evaluate your academic potential as a graduate student in political science. Faculty who know you well are generally the most helpful, but letters from employers or others may be submitted if faculty references are not available.

The writing sample should be a research paper, or other academic paper, you have written that represents your best academic work. While writing samples may be on any topic, the most useful writing samples will be those which show your ability to write clearly and convincingly, cite scholarly sources properly, discuss theoretical or conceptual material and evaluate relevant evidence.

The department provides financial aid, on a competitive basis, in the form of a renewable teaching assistant and research assistant award for a single academic year.  The assistantship includes a stipend, health benefits, and tuition waiver. Check the financial aid section on the Slate application.

An accumulation of education, work experience, credentials, and accomplishments.

Complete the Graduate Record Examination - (GRE) General Test at least one month prior to submitting an application for admissions to the University of Utah Graduate School. The Political Science Department does not require GRE Subject Tests. Applicants who have already completed the GRE must retake the GRE if the test was completed five (5) years or more prior to the date of application.

Take the General Test (computer-based and/or paper-based) only once per calendar month, and no more than five times within any 12-month period.  Request that the report go to BOTH the University of Utah (Code 4853) and to the Political Science Department (Codes 1902 - or - 1999).

Requests for nonstandard testing accommodations must be made through ETS.

Questions

Any questions regarding the application process should be directed to:

Jen Wozab
Graduate Program Coordinator
260 S. Central Campus Drive
Gardner Commons, Suite 3345
Phone: 801.581.8608

Last Updated: 9/17/25