Language Requirements
Qualification Requirements
Admission to the Political Science Ph.D. program at the University of Oklahoma is highly selective. Applicants must demonstrate the ability and motivation to succeed in a rigorous program of graduate study, and must make the case that there is a close fit between their aspirations and the offerings of the Department of Political Science at OU. Furthermore, study for the Ph.D. is a full-time endeavor that demands complete intellectual commitment. Outside employment is not permitted while enrolled in the doctoral program in political science.
The Admissions Committee reviews applications once annually, following the February 1 deadline. Only complete applications are considered. In reviewing applications, the Admissions Committee undertakes a comprehensive examination of all elements of the application file. In addition to the Graduate Admissions application described above, students must submit the following materials with your online application:
Scores on the general test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). While there is no fixed minimum for admission, and GRE scores are only one piece of evidence considered by the Admissions Committee, mean scores for admitted students have been in the range of 300-315 (verbal + quantitative) or higher in recent years.
Three letters of recommendation from persons in a position to speak knowledgeably about the applicant's academic ability.
A statement of about 1,000 words articulating the applicant's specific preparation for graduate study, proposed fields of study and area of focus, and career aspirations. A compelling statement is a critical part of the application, the applicant shoudl invest substantial time in crafting the personal statement.
A writing sample. This sample should be a substantive piece of work that displays the applicant's writing, analytical and research skills.
TOEFL iBT score of 100 or composite IELTS score of 7.0