The combined faculty of the Department of Political Science and the School of International Relations welcome talented students from a variety of academic backgrounds to apply to the Politics and International Relations Ph.D. program.  Applicants are not required to have an undergraduate degree in political science or international relations, but should have completed at least some course work in related fields and subjects, such as political theory, history, statistics, economics, and the like.  Applicants must demonstrate the academic skills and motivation necessary to succeed in a rigorous program of advanced training in Politics and International Relations. 

Admissions decisions are based on a combination of factors.  First, an applicant’s prior academic performance is reviewed carefully, focusing on the kinds of courses taken and the grades earned.  Second, the Committee looks for superior performance on all components of the Graduate Record Examination.  Third, letters of recommendation must be strong and detailed.  Fourth, the applicant’s statement of purpose should convey seriousness, focus, and motivation along with evidence that she or he is familiar with POIR faculty research interests and knows that her or his own interests match.  Fifth, applicants must demonstrate their capacity for research and writing by submitting a suitable writing sample (in English).  Finally, the Committee considers the applicant’s relevant work experience in government, business, journalism, NGOs, and related fields.  A master's degree is not a prerequisite for the Ph.D. program, and the department does not offer an independent master's degree program. It is, however, possible to obtain a master's degree in the department without additional work while completing the requirements of the Ph.D. program.

TO SUMMARIZE, A CANDIDATE FOR ADMISSION MUST UPLOAD THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS AS PART OF HIS OR HER APPLICATION:

Resume/CV
Statement of Purpose (2-pages) [Provides background information and most importanly conveys the research agenda the candidate wishes to undertake in the program, spelling out the field specializations the student would declare if admitted.]
Writing Sample (no page limit) You should select the best representation of your writing and research capabilities. This should be an academic paper that was evaluated by a faculty or other authoritative group or body such as the editorial board of a journal or a selection committee.
GRE Scores This step can be avoided if student requested that ETS mail the scores directly to USC.
Transcripts This step can be avoided if student requested that prior institutions mail the transcripts directly to the USC Office of Graduate and International Admission.

Upon completing the online application, the student must also provide the names and email addresses of the three faculty who will write letters of recommendation for the student. The faculty will in turn receive an email with instructions on how to upload their letters electronically, so that they are added successfully to the student's application.

The academic profiles of admitted students vary, but all applicants should be aware that the POIR admissions process is highly competitive.  Students entering the program typically have a cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.7 or better from an accredited university in the United States, or equivalent credentials from a non-U.S. institution.  In addition, most students score 670 or better on each of portion of the GRE and 650 or better on the TOEFL (for non-native English speakers).

All students admitted receive a full five-year funding package. This package includes two years of fellowship and a combination of teaching and research assistantships that provide a generous stipend along with tuition remission, health insurance, and the waiver of certain fees.  There is no provision for a “pay your own way” option, although applicants holding outside fellowships (for example, certain Fulbright and Ford Foundation fellowships) may be considered for admission.

The deadline for receipt of all materials to be considered for admission is December 1.