Graduate Study in Political Science
at Texas Tech University
Admissions
The admissions process is
selective and we only admit students who show
research potential. Our students often have
significant political science training; however, it
is not a requirement. We admit students primarily
for the fall semester; however, we on occasion will
admit students for the spring semester.
The Department reviews
and ranks students based on a holistic admission
process that includes reviews of students’ academic
transcripts, Graduate Record Examination scores
(GRE), letters of recommendation, and a statement of
purpose. International students are required to
provide their TOEFL scores. These will be used by
the Department to evaluate international candidates.
B.A.-M.A. applicants are not required to take the
Graduate Record Exam.
Applications will be
considered at any time throughout the year. However
to be fully considered for all available financial
assistance, completed applications should be
submitted by January 15 of the year the student
expects to begin graduate study. Applicants to
the B.A./M.A. program should submit completed
applications at least two months prior to beginning
their senior year of undergraduate work.
To begin the application process, please click this link: More Information
Degree Programs
The faculty of the Department of Political Science cover a wide spectrum of political science research in its three major fields: American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations. We offer opportunities for students interested in American Politics to study not only political institutions, such as Congress or the courts, but also political behavior. The Department houses the Earl Survey Research Lab, which provides comprehensive survey research services to the university community and to public sector agencies and organizations. The Comparative Politics faculty provide research and training on a number of critical areas such as political parties, democratization, political behavior, electoral systems, and comparative political economy. They cover regions as diverse as Asia, Western Europe, Latin America, and Post-Communist Europe. The International Relations faculty offer a diverse set of opportunities for students, in particular in security and conflict, international political economy, and globalization. Graduate degree programs include:
Dual Degree Programs
- Master of Public Administration / Master of Arts in Economics
- Master of Public Administration / Master of Science in Environmental Toxicology
- Master of Public Administration / Doctor of Jurisprudence
Fields of Study
Graduate students at Texas Tech are offered a rigorous theoretical and methodological training. Students will be introduced to sophisticated methodological tools to advance their own, personal research interests. The bulk of students’ course work will fall into two fields of study of their own choosing (American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations). Students are also given the opportunity to minor in any one of our major fields, but also in Research Methods, Public Policy, or Public Administration. Working with their faculty advisors, students will have significant discretion over their coursework as well as their future research. More Informstion
Financial Aid
The Department provides significant financial resources. Students may apply annually for teaching assistantships and department scholarships. The Department also provides travel support for graduate students to attend conferences. These funds can be supplemented with monies from the Graduate School. In addition, students may apply for Summer Research and Training Scholarships to fund trips to the Inter-University Consortium for Political Science Research, language study, or research. More Information
Research
The University and the Department provide graduate students with significant research resources for students. The University Library has significant holdings in all political science fields and offers electronic access to almost all essential political science journals. The Library also provides computer facilities for students. The Department funds the graduate-student computer lab that gives student’s access to critical computer and Internet resources.
Job Placement Services
The Department will, at a students request, maintain a placement file doctoral students may use to apply for positions.
The placement file will contain the students vita and other material supplied by the student. In addition to student-supplied material, the placement file will contain letters of reference requested by the student. Unless the student explicitly requests otherwise, and so notifies his or her referees before they compose their letters, all letters of reference will be treated as confidential and will not be available to the student. More Information