We offer an interdisciplinary MA degree in Global Studies for students considering careers in international affairs, international development diplomacy, international organizations, or domestic organizations with an international focus. Our two-year program is on the trimester system. Three terms (one year) is equivalent to two semesters.

The degree program can be tailored to meet the unique professional needs of each student. In close consultation with a faculty advisor, the student develops a program that combines expertise in a specific professional area with interdisciplinary training in Global Studies.

The application deadline is Friday, January 3, 2025 for admission the following Fall term.

International Students: International students are encouraged to apply. Study programs are designed to meet students' professional needs and those of their home countries. As many as half the program's graduate students are international students.

A candidate for admission to the graduate program must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year university and is recommended to have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.30 or better for all academic work.

The Global Studies Graduate Application is primarily an online process. You may upload PDF copies of your statement of purpose and resume. Your recommendation letter writers may upload PDF copies of your recommendation letters. You are responsible for making sure your test scores are reported through Educational Testing Services, and that your official transcripts are mailed both to the Office of the Registrar (degree transcript only) and to the Department of Global Studies (all pertinent college/university transcripts). See address below.

Step One: Before you Apply

1. GRE Test OR a Writing Sample (Indicators of capacity for success)
Traditionally programs like ours have used the GRE as a key indicator of an applicant’s capacity for the kind of focused, informed, and goal-oriented work graduate level study requires. While we see value in this type of assessment, we are aware of its intellectual limits, and we are sensitive to the logistical and financial challenges it may present for people applying to our program. In our experience, we have found that substantive writing samples can offer an equally valid and informative indicator of the potential for success in our program. For these reasons we allow applicants to choose to submit a) GRE scores OR b) a writing sample*.

*If you decide on the writing sample, select your submission carefully in order to give the faculty a good sense of your ability to craft a clear written argument. The sample may be an academic paper (a class paper or thesis), or another format that demonstrates your analytical writing skills (e.g.: a policy brief or published news story). Please do not submit a document longer than 7,000 words (a maximum of 20 pages of double-spaced 12-point font). Shorter pieces or extracts of longer pieces are acceptable. Should you excerpt from a longer work (e.g. an undergraduate or M.A. thesis), please include a brief explanatory note providing the context of the selection and a description of the scope and argument of the larger work. Plagiarized samples will disqualify the applicant. This upload is separate from the "Personal Statement/Written Essay" upload. If you use this option, your application will have two writing uploads.

2. TOEFL or IELTS

International students and applicants whose native language is not English must show proof of language proficiency by passing the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL minimum scores - 575 on the paper-based test or 90 on the internet-based test. IELTS minimum scores - (Academic module) overall band score for graduate admission is 7.0. We suggest you take the exam 4-6 weeks before the application deadline of January 5. We must receive your official scores no later than January 5. Please see the English Language Proficiency Requirement for more information. 

TOEFL or IELTS Waiver - International students who have graduated from an accredited 4-year US university or from one of the following countries: Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom are not required to take the TOEFL or IELTS.

3. Grade Point Average

It is recommended that you have a grade point average (GPA) or 3.30 or better for all college/university academic work.

4. Transcripts

As of 2023, official transcripts are no longer required with application, unless a student is accepted into the program. If the latter, applicants must submit unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities where they received a bachelor's degree and all subsequent degrees, including the University of Oregon.

Applicants who accept their offer of admission and matriculate must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities from which they received a bachelor’s degree or higher. Detailed information about submitting official transcripts is available here. Transcripts must show degrees awarded. Required documents must be sent directly from the institution to the Office of the Registrar. For information on Transcript Requirements and Transcript Submission you may visit the Division of Graduate Studies webpage.

Mailing address: 

Office of the Registrar
5257 University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403

Graduation - If you have not graduated at the time of the application, please send transcripts showing degree completed. If you are accepted for admission, your official degree transcript must be sent as soon as you have graduated.

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Step 2: Apply Online

Ready to apply? Start your application on Slate, the centralized application portal for graduate admissions at the University of Oregon. 

An application fee of $70 (for domestic applicants) and $90 (for international applicants) must accompany this application.

If you are an international student and do not have a social security number, leave that line blank.

Application Fee Waivers

The Division of Graduate Studies may waive the application fee if you qualify. Check out link below to find out: 1) if you qualify, 2) type of waiver for which you qualify, and 3) how to apply for the waiver.

Some waivers are limited; others are unlimited. Check to see which circumstances (if any) applies to you. An approved waiver is not applied to your application until you submit the application. Find the fee waiver here.

Application Components

• Special area: tell us which part(s) of the world you expect to focus your studies.
• Languages (other than English that you can read with competence): please list your second language(s) here.

Uploads:

• RESUME - a comprehensive post-high school employment and educational resume
• PERSONAL STATEMENT - a written essay, composed according to the following guidelines:
  • How your background and experience lead you to an interest in this interdisciplinary Global Studies graduate program.
  • Be sure to mention how you see this program addressing your professional goals.
  • Describe the particular topic or issues you hope to address in your graduate studies, and
  • Discuss how the topic or issues relate to the program, its curriculum, and its faculty.
  • Your written essay should be no more than two pages of double-spaced 12-point font.

Header for both resume and personal statement should include:

• Your Name
• Your Area of Global Studies Focus
• Your Country/Region of Focus
• Language(s) you read with competence

Letters of Recommendation

• We encourage you to take this step early in your application process, to allow letter writers as much time as possible to upload their recommendations.
• Two letters of recommendation (one academic, one professional) from references who can evaluate your academic and professional potential will be uploaded by your letter of recommendation writer after you've completed entering the following information for each: name, position, institution, street address, telephone, and email. Your recommender will automatically receive notice of recommendation request as soon as you submit the recommenders information.

For Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RCPVs)

If you are a Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RCPV), you may apply to enter the Global Studies Graduate program as a Coverdell Fellow. 

In order to receive an application fee waiver, please obtain and include the following items with your application:

Description of Service (DOS) document signed by the country director from the RPCV's country of service- verifying your participation and dates of service.

More information at this link: the Coverdell Fellows Program at Global Studies.

Questions