Application Information
The M.A. program uses rolling admissions so students may begin the program in the fall or spring semester.
NOTE: THE TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS EXTENDED TO FRIDAY MARCH 21, 11:59 PM
TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS FOR THE 2025-2026 ACADEMIC YEAR
Applications for AY 2025-26 TA positions are now open. The application deadline for 2025-26 TA positions is EXTENDED TO 11:59 PM FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2025. See the section "Teaching Assistantships 2025-26" below for details.
A separate Teaching Assistantship application must be submitted in addition to the application for Admission to the MA Program, for new students seeking a TA position
APPLYING FOR ADMISSION TO THE POLITICAL SCIENCE MASTER'S OF ARTS PROGRAM
Rolling Admissions Policy: the MA Program has a rolling admissions policy, allowing students to apply for fall or spring admission. Application materials must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the start of the semester for which admission is sought. For students interested in Teaching Assistantships for the following year, application materials must be submitted by mid-March (usually March 15), and a separate Teaching Assistant application must also be submitted by mid-March.
To Apply for Admission:
First, applicants must apply online to the Graduate School for admission. Instructions for applying to the Graduate School are on the Graduate School website here: Applying for Admission. This application includes your information, the MA Program you are applying for admission to, the application fee, and the names and contact information of three (3) people who know you and your work well and have agreed to complete a recommendation for you. At least two of the three recommenders should be Political Science professors you have taken courses with.
Second, in addition to the online Graduate School application and materials, 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 - as noted above, at least two of the three letters should be 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 bullet point).
- 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, focusing on the sections on Verbal Reasoning and Analytic Writing. The Quantitative Reasoning scores are not part of out admissions decisions. Official GRE scores must be reported to the 猎奇重口 Graduate School.
See the additional information in the section on the Graduate School website.
Teaching Assistantships 2025-26
Academic Year 2025-2026 (Fall 2025 & Spring 2026) TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIPS:
THE TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP APPLICATION DEADLINE IS EXTENDED TO FRIDAY MARCH 21, 11:59 PM
Applications for AY 2025-26 TA positions are now open. The application deadline for 2025-26 TA positions is now 11:59 pm FRIDAY MARCH 21, 2025. See the "TA Application" section of this website for details.
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 Form on this website (linked to below). In addition, M.A. applicants must also have submitted all their materials for admission to the M.A. program by Friday, March 21, 2025 to be considered for a Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026 Teaching Assistant position. The TA application for AY 2025-26 Teaching Assistantships is below.
New M.A. Program applicants should indicate their interest in a Teaching Assistantship position on their online M.A. application form and in the associated statement requesting admission.
Selection Criteria
- Applicants must be fully admitted to the M.A. program by the start date of the T.A. appointment.
- Overall and Political Science GPA. GRE scores are considered for applicants who took the GRE (see "Program Requirements" above).
- Undergraduate coursework (and any graduate coursework) in political science and related fields.
- 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.