Loyola University Chicago

Department of Political Science

Graduate Admission

Applicants for admission to graduate study must hold a bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours of undergraduate course work in political science or related fields.

Dual BA/MA Program

Acceptance into the dual BA/MA program is based on a consideration of the following:

  • Undergraduate academic record overall and in political science
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • A statement of purpose, not to exceed two double-spaced pages, describing academic interests and professional goals

Dual MA/JD Program

Acceptance into the dual MA/JD program is based on a consideration of the following:

  • Only students already admitted to Loyola’s School of Law may apply to this special program, no earlier than immediately following the beginning and no later than the end of their first year of law school classes
  • The original Law School application will be transferred to the Graduate School (the Graduate Record Examination is not required)
  • A statement of purpose, not to exceed two double-spaced pages, describing academic interests and professional goals

MA Program

Acceptance into the master's program is based on a consideration of the following:

  • Undergraduate academic record, both overall and in political science
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A statement of purpose, not to exceed two double-spaced pages, describing academic interests and professional goals

PhD Program

Acceptance into the doctoral program is based on a consideration of the following:

  • Undergraduate academic record, both overall and in political science
  • Graduate academic record, if applicable
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • A statement of purpose, not to exceed two double-spaced pages, describing academic interests and professional goals

More information is available on the Prospective PhD Students information page

MA and PhD applicants from abroad whose native language is not English are also required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) as part of their application.

Students with MA degrees in political science may apply for admission into the PhD program. Students may be allowed to transfer up to 30 credits of graduate work from another university program based on a department evaluation of the transcript and, when appropriate, a written examination in course-specific fields.

To apply for a graduate program in Political Science, please visit to the Graduate and Professional Enrollment. Application deadlines are as follows:

  • June 1 for Fall Semester registration
  • October 1 for Spring Semester registration
  • Graduate students applying for funding must enter the program in the Fall and must submit all application materials by February 15.

For further information, please contact Professor Molly Melin, Graduate Program Director, at mmelin@luc.edu or 773.508.8647