Application Process

Application Requirements
Selection Process
Fee Waivers
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Other Questions?

Application Requirements

All students must apply online through the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Domestic Applicants:

The Application Deadline for Domestic Students is December 1st.

Please submit the following items through your online application:

1-2 page Statement of Purpose describing your interest in political science, 2 focus fields of study, and career goals.
Curriculum Vitae/Resume of no more than 2 pages.
Official GRE Scores (University Code for Test Scores: 1592).
A Writing Sample.
3 Letters of Recommendation. Within a few days of submitting your application, an invitation will be emailed to each reference with a link to our online form. Ohio State doesn't accept letters of reference submitted from third parties. If your reference is having trouble submitting the letter, they may email a signed letter of recommendation on business letterhead along with a completed Graduate School Reference Form to gpadmissions@osu.edu.

Submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

Official transcripts from every institution you have attended (additional transcript info here).
- If your transcript will be sent by a U.S. institution and they are not able to send official electronic transcripts, you may order them to be mailed to:
  - Graduate and Professional Admissions
    P.O. Box 182004
    Columbus, OH 43218-2646

Please Note: All supporting documents should arrive within two weeks of the application deadline.

International Applicants

The Application Deadline for International Students is November 29th.

Please submit the following items through your online application:

1-2 page Statement of Purpose describing your interest in political science, 2 focus fields of study, and career goals.
Curriculum Vitae/Resume of no more than 2 pages.
Official GRE Scores (University Code for Test Scores: 1592).
A Writing Sample.
3 Letters of Recommendation.
- Within a few days of submitting your application, an invitation will be emailed to each reference with a link to our online form. Ohio State doesn't accept letters of reference submitted from third parties. If your reference is having trouble submitting the letter, they may email a signed letter of recommendation on business letterhead along with a completed Graduate School Reference Form to gpadmissions@osu.edu.

Submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

Proof of English Proficiency if applicable (University Code for Test Scores: 1592).
- Keep in mind that if you are admitted and awarded a Graduate Teaching Associateship and English is not your first language, you will be required to certify your oral proficiency in English before assuming your associateship duties.
  - Students with a TOEFL iBT Speaking 28 or higher will be certified automatically.
Official transcripts from every institution you have attended (additional transcript info here).
- Send copies of international transcripts, diplomas or degree certificates and English translations in sealed university envelopes to:
  - Graduate and Professional Admissions
    The Ohio State University
    Student Academic Services Building
    281 W. Lane Ave.
    Columbus, OH 43210-1132 USA
- If your transcript will be sent by a U.S. institution and they are not able to send official electronic transcripts, you may order them to be mailed to:
  - Graduate and Professional Admissions
    P.O. Box 182004
    Columbus, OH 43218-2646

Please Note: All supporting documents should arrive within two weeks of the application deadline.

Additional information about the additional requirements to apply to OSU as an international student can be found here.

Each applicant is judged individually on the basis of grades, test scores, recommendations, and the applicant's personal statement. Admission to our graduate program is highly competitive. Students with unique talents and backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Around 12 funded students, recruited from a large applicant pool, enter each year. Most admitted students have an average undergraduate GPA of 3.73, and highly competitive GRE scores. Approximately 70 PhD candidates are currently enrolled in various stages of study.

Students whose native language is not English (and who have not received a degree from an American university) must provide TOEFL scores. The average TOEFL test score for admitted applicants is 112.

Fee Waivers

The Ohio State works with a variety of programs that provide fee waivers to applicants, and also manages several of its own programs. You can learn more about fee waiver programs and check your eligibility here.

International students are not eligible for application fee waivers.

To request a waiver

Check the box in the Application Fee Waiver section of your admissions application (Ohio State's regular or supplemental application) indicating the program for which you qualify.
Complete and submit your admission application. You will not be asked to pay the application fee.
Most waiver programs require additional actions. Select your waiver program from the drop-down below and follow the instructions.

If your waiver request is denied, you will be asked to return to your admission application and pay the application fee. Processing times vary. For most programs, you will receive an email response regarding the outcome of your request within three to five business days.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Application Questions

Do I need to declare a field of study when submitting my application?

Preferably yes, because part of our evaluation has to do with how well your interests fit the faculty in your chosen area. You can also change your mind once you've arrived. If you're really uncertain, though, it's not required. Students will eventually go on to select 2 focus fields.

Do you require a writing sample?

Yes, submission of a writing sample is required. Students typically submit their best piece of academic writing.

Do you require GRE scores?

Yes, GRE scores are required in order to apply for our PhD program.

Is a personal interview required?

A personal interview is not required though applicants who have been admitted are encouraged to visit the department, so that they can speak with faculty members and current students. We encourage prospective students to contact individual faculty at the addresses listed on the Faculty page to learn more about their research areas.

My letters of recommendation may arrive after the deadline. Is this okay?

Yes, supporting documents may be received up to two weeks after the deadline has passed.

One of the people who is writing my letter of recommendation does not want to submit it online. Will you accept it any other way?

If your reference is having trouble submitting the letter, they may email a signed letter of recommendation on business letterhead along with a completed Graduate School Reference Form to gpadmissions@osu.edu.

Program Questions

Can I complete the PhD program as a part-time student?

Our PhD program is designed for full-time study and part-time study is strongly discouraged.

Can I start the program in spring semester?

Admission decisions are made throughout the fall and winter and students enter the program in the autumn semester in all but exceptional cases.

What areas of Political Science can I study at OSU?

For most students, arriving at a course of study will involve selection of two focus fields from among the five fields of American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Methodology, and Political Theory and a course-out minor from either one of the above fields, a graduate interdisciplinary specialization, or a graduate minor.

In addition, students may choose one or more departmental specializations in the fields of Formal Theory, Political Economy, Political Psychology, or Race, Ethnicity, and Gender. More individualized programs emphasizing either breadth or depth may be developed in consultation with an academic advisor.

You can find more information about each focus field area here: https://polisci.osu.edu/graduate/fields-study

How are students funded?

Students in our PhD program typically receive funding support for our 5-year program which includes a tuition waiver and a small stipend for living expenses. You can find more information regarding the fellowships and funding here: https://polisci.osu.edu/graduate/prospective-students/financial-aid

Master's and Post Doctoral Programs

Can I complete a Master's in Political Science at OSU?

Our Political Science graduate program is solely a 5-year PhD program. We do not offer a standalone master's degree. Master's degrees are only available for students who are in our program working towards completing their PhD.

Are Post-Doctoral Fellowships offered in Political Science?

The Department of Political Science does not offer a post doctoral program. However, OSU’s Mershon Center for International Security Studies offers a Post Doctoral Scholar Program. Please contact their department for further information: mershoncenter@osu.edu

Transcripts and Transfer credit

Do you accept transfer credit?

We typically do not allow students to use transfer credit to count towards their two fields of study, but transfer credit may be able to be used towards the total number of credit hours required to graduate by the Graduate School. All students must complete two years of coursework and take the candidacy exams at the beginning of their third year.

I only took 4 credit hours at a certain university. Do you still need my transcript?

Yes, any place that you have received credit from, we will need an official transcript.

Do I need to submit a transcript for credit hours I took in high school?

Yes, even if you received college credit for a course completed during high school, we will still require the official transcript from that university or college.