Texas Tech University

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 application process for graduate study in political science, please click the APPLY button below.

 Political Science Graduate Study Application Apply Button

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

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 Information

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

 

Department of Political Science

  • Address

    Dept. of Political Science, Texas Tech University, 113 Holden Hall, Boston & Akron Streets, Lubbock, TX 79409-1015 Fax: 806.742.0850
  • Phone

    806.742.3121
  • Email

    pols.webmaster@ttu.edu