Explore our Graduate and Professional Programs

Personal statement should describe your research interests and how you think those interests might fit with those of the faculty in the department (typically one or two pages double spaced no more than 750 words), unofficial transcripts, resume, three letters of recommendation, and a writing sample(a paper from a class or some other piece of academically oriented writing that you are proud of.

The Department of Political Science will be accepting a limited number of applications for its PhD program for the 2023-24 academic year from students who have an outside scholarship that includes a stipend and tuition remission. If you think you might be eligible and would like to apply, please contact Professor Yalidy Matos at yalidy.matos@rutgers.edu.

All prospective PhD students must go through the standard application process, with a deadline of January 10 (for admission in September of 2024). See: https://polisci.rutgers.edu/academics/graduate/admissions

• All applicants must have completed a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or a comparable institution in another country.
• A Personal Statement specifying your past experiences, reasons for applying, and your areas of interest. It should explain your intellectual and personal goals, why you are interested in pursuing this degree, and how this degree fits into your intellectual and personal future.
• A Resume listing academic background, work experience, honors, affiliations with professional organizations, papers presented at conferences, published work, language ability, etc.
• Two letters of recommendation. Ideally the letters are from professors and scholars who can speak to the applicant's abilities and suitability for graduate study at the Department of Political Science. Letters from an academic in another discipline or from professionals would also be acceptable.
• One official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended. Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or B average equivalency.
• Interview with UNMA Admissions committee members.

• All applicants must have completed a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or a comparable institution in another country.
• A Personal Statement specifying your past experiences, reasons for applying, and your areas of interest. It should explain your intellectual and personal goals, why you are interested in pursuing this degree, and how this degree fits into your intellectual and personal future.
• A Resume listing academic background, work experience, honors, affiliations with professional organizations, papers presented at conferences, published work, language ability, etc.
• Two letters of recommendation. Ideally the letters are from professors and scholars who can speak to the applicant's abilities and suitability for graduate study at the Department of Political Science. Letters from an academic in another discipline or from professionals would also be acceptable.
• One official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended. Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or B average equivalency.
• Interview with UNMA Admissions committee members.

• All applicants must have completed a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or a comparable institution in another country.
• A Personal Statement specifying your past experiences, reasons for applying, and your areas of interest. It should explain your intellectual and personal goals, why you are interested in pursuing this degree, and how this degree fits into your intellectual and personal future.
• A Resume listing academic background, work experience, honors, affiliations with professional organizations, papers presented at conferences, published work, language ability, etc.
• Two letters of recommendation. Ideally the letters are from professors and scholars who can speak to the applicant's abilities and suitability for graduate study at the Department of Political Science. Letters from an academic in another discipline or from professionals would also be acceptable.
• One official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended. Minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or B average equivalency.
• Interview with UNMA Admissions committee members.

The SC&I Professional Development Nondegree program is limited to those seeking the School Library Media Specialist (SLMS) certification offered through the Master of Information program. The Master of Information program limits non-degree status to students who fit the following criteria:

1. Rutgers MI graduates who did not complete the School Librarianship concentration and/or the education component while completing a MI degree. 
2. Degreed librarians who wish to make a career change to school libraries. If a student completed a MI or MLIS degree and focused on an area other than school library media studies during a program of study, the student will need to complete additional coursework to meet the state requirements for School Library Media Specialist. 

Before completing an application, please reach out to the SC&I Graduate Student Services Office to ensure you meet the criteria for admission: mi@comminfo.rutgers.edu. Further information can also be found on the SC&I website. 

Application requirements include:

• Official MI/MLIS transcripts 

• The State of New Jersey Department of Education evaluation to determine SLMS CE/CEAS eligibility (uploaded as a supporting document)

• $70 Non-refundable Application Fee