30 hours (thesis) - 33 hours (non-thesis)

The MA accepts applications for the Fall semester only.* The application deadline for priority consideration for assistantships, fellowships, and other SPIA funding is December 1. Applications received after December 1 will be considered on a rolling basis until February 15. No applications will be accepted after February 15. Inquiries should be directed to the Graduate Office at polgrad@uga.edu or to the Graduate Program Administrator. Applicants should submit their applications to the Graduate School online and include the following:

1) Unofficial transcripts from each institution of higher education attended (except the University of Georgia) 2) GRE score report (unofficial scores may be submitted for application review, but an official score report is required to matriculate to UGA). The UGA reporting code is 5813.**. 3) Personal statement. This should be 1-3 pages and express the applicant’s research experience and interests, career goals, specific interest in the MA at UGA, and other relevant information concerning their readiness for graduate study.

4) CV or resume 5) Three academic letters of recommendation. Letters should be submitted through the online application. The strongest letters will come from faculty who have taught you and/or supervised your academic work and can speak to your work ethic, academic interests and ability, and ability to succeed in a doctoral program. We strongly discourage submitting letters from elected officials and personal references such as clergy or friends. 6) Graduate Assistantship Application, if desired 7) International students: For students whose primary language is not English, proof of English Proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS) is required. Students must submit official university documents as required by the UGA Graduate School. Students will also have to show a certificate of finances upon acceptance to the program.

Applicants should ensure that they apply to the correct MA track when submitting the online application. The MA (thesis) code is MA_PSIA. The MA (nonthesis) code is MA_NT_PSIA.

*When necessary, approved Double Dawg Pathway students may matriculate to the MA in the Spring semester. **Approved Double Dawg Pathway students and applicants who already hold a graduate or professional degree (e.g., MSW, JD, MPA) are not required to submit GRE scores when applying to the MA.

At least twelve (12) hours of the program of study must include coursework open only to graduate students (excluding master’s research and master’s thesis hours).

MA students are not required to declare a major or minor and may take a broad variety of coursework within SPIA. With the approval of the graduate coordinator, students may also work with the graduate program administrator to identify and obtain permission to take courses outside of SPIA.

Students assigned to teaching assistantships must take POLS 7770 Graduate Teaching Seminar. Although not preferred, a section of GRSC 7770 Graduate Teaching Seminar open to all students may fulfill this requirement if needed.

In addition to the required coursework, MA (thesis) students must complete a master’s thesis and thesis defense under the supervision of a three-person faculty committee.

In addition to the required coursework, MA (nonthesis) students must complete an article suitable for conference presentation under the supervision of a faculty member.

Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.

The majority of our MA students go on to pursue further study, either in a PhD program or law school. Our MA graduates have been accepted to PhD programs including those at Harvard University, Georgetown University, Emory University, Duke University, Penn State, and University of Kansas. Our MA students have also earned law degrees from law schools including Duke University, University of Virginia, and the University of Georgia Law School.

For those who are interested in pursuing a career directly after the MA, there are numerous options, particularly in the areas of data and policy analysis. Recent career placements include the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, US Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Department of Defense.

The MA program does not accept transfer credit from other institutions.

The primary source of funding for MA students is graduate assistantships. All applications completed before the priority admissions deadline (December 1) are guaranteed full consideration for these funding opportunities. All applications submitted thereafter (but prior to the February 15 deadline) are considered on a rolling basis depending on funding availability. Graduate assistantships include a tuition waiver (students are expected to pay $25 in tuition per semester + student fees), stipend, partial health insurance subsidy, and a work commitment as either a teaching or research assistant. Due to budget limitations, assistantship funding at the MA level is extremely competitive.

You must apply for SPIA assistantships through the Departmental Graduate Office. Do not contact the Graduate School about financial support. Most graduate assistantships come from departmental funding sources (SPIA assistantships). Students who receive support from the Graduate School must be nominated by their department and go through a competitive process.

To apply, fill out the Graduate Assistantship Application and submit with the rest of your program application. All applicants who submit an assistantship application will be considered for funding. Some additional merit-based scholarships may be available to exceptional applicants and will be awarded at the discretion of the graduate coordinator.

Internships are not required as part of the MA curriculum but are highly encouraged.

Students may wish to pursue a graduate certificate as part of their MA coursework. UGA offers numerous certificate programs that complement the doctoral program of study, including topics such as African American Studies, GIS, International Law, Qualitative Studies, and University Teaching. A full list may be found at https://grad.uga.edu/programs/. Students are encouraged to present their research at conferences, professional meetings, and symposia. SPIA and the Graduate School have limited funds available to defray travel expenses for students who present their research.\

SPIA Graduate Student Association (GSA)

Other programs in SPIA include: MIP Master of International Policy PhD Political Science and International Affairs MPA Master of Public Administration PhD Public Administration and Policy