The Department of Political Science admits five to ten PhD students each year, with approximately 40 students in the program at any one time.
How to Apply
The application opens each year on September 15.
Fall 2026 application deadline: January 10, 2026
Required Application Materials
- UO online Graduate Application. The application fee is $70 ($90 international) and is payable by credit card or check. In some circumstances the fee can be waived.
- Unofficial transcripts (all applicants). Upload unofficial transcripts from all colleges or universities previously attended as part of the online application. Unofficial transcripts should show all coursework taken to date and, if applicable, the title of the degree earned and the date the degree was conferred.
- Official transcripts (admitted applicants who accept offer). If you accept an admissions offer and matriculate, you must submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities where you received a bachelor’s degree or higher. Detailed information about submitting official transcripts is available here.
- Statement of purpose. In 2-3 pages, outline your interest in political science and your career plans, and the academic or non-academic experiences that most significantly contribute to the development of these interests and plans.
- Writing sample. A short writing sample (a thesis chapter, a published article, a course research paper, or some other academic writing, etc.) that shows your research ability and writing skills.
- At least three letters of recommendation from former professors who are in a position to evaluate your potential for successful completion of the degree. It is preferable if recommenders are instructors from whom courses have been taken, however, non-instructor recommendations will be considered.
- English language proficiency. All applicants for whom English is not a native/primary language must satisfy one of the following English Language Proficiency criteria in order to be eligible for admission.
Optional Application Material for Fall 2026 Admission
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test scores sent from the testing center.
- CV, resume, or other supporting materials
For questions about the graduate admissions process, contact the graduate coordinator.
Doctoral Program Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn a Master's in Political Science at the University of Oregon?
The program does not offer a terminal master's degree, but PhD students typically earn the master's in political Science at the end of their second year of the doctoral program.
Do I need a master's degree to apply for the PhD program?
Applicants are not required to hold a master's degree in order to apply to the doctoral program.
Am I eligible to apply if I did not complete an undergraduate degree in political science?
The committee takes into consideration previous academic work in political science, but an undergraduate major in political science is not a prerequisite for admission.
What does the admissions committee look for in a successful application?
The department is committed to a holistic review of applicants’ readiness for graduate study. We examine a number of measures, including past academic performance, writing skills, relevant experience, understanding of social scientific methodologies, and capacity to conceptualize research questions.
What does the admissions committee look for in a writing sample?
The committee uses the writing sample to get a sense of various potential attributes, including the applicant's ability to think theoretically and logically, identify interesting research questions, demonstrate research design and/or methodological skills, demonstrate clear written communication skills, etc. The committee will not expect all writing samples to do all of these things, but applicants should select the writing sample they believe best communicates one or more of these attributes.
When does the application open? When is the application deadline?
We accept applications from September 15 to January 10. Admission is for fall term start only.
What is the GPA of successful applicants?
Successful applicants usually have a GPA of 3.0 or higher for all undergraduate and graduate academic work.
Is the GRE required?
No, GRE scores are optional for Fall 2026 admission.
What are the typical GRE scores of successful applicants?
Successful applicants usually have a combined verbal and quantitative score of 300 or above.
Are there additional admissions requirements for nonnative English speakers?
Nonnative English speakers must satisfy the English language proficiency requirement requirement.
Are there additional requirements for international applicants?
International applicants must provide their source(s) of funding and financial documentation to verify they have the capability to pay for the first year of study at the UO by completing the Financial Certification & Immigration Information Form. Find financial information, required documentation, and submission instructions on the Office of International Student and Scholar Services website.
What funding is available to admitted students?
The majority of funding for our graduate students is offered in the form of graduate employee (GE) appointments. These appointments include a tuition waiver, competitive salary, and excellent health insurance benefits. GEs in political science are assigned to work with instructors in the classroom, hold discussion sections, assist with grading, and/or provide assistance with faculty research. Applicants must indicate their desire for a GE appointment on the online graduate application (no additional forms are needed). Review of applications will begin after the January 10 deadline. The department makes every effort to offer GE appointments to new students by March 15.
Can I submit my letters of reference via Interfolio?
Unfortunately, no, the UO's application is not compatible with Interfolio.
Apply to our Graduate Program
Ready to apply? Start your application on Slate, the centralized application portal for graduate admissions at the University of Oregon.