Program Admission Requirements
Requirements and Recommended Preparation
In addition to the university admissions requirements, students applying to the Political and Justice Studies MA program must submit:
• Official transcripts showing successful completion of a bachelor’s degree. Applicants will be expected to have a 2.75 cumulative G.P. A. (on a 4.0 scale);
• Submit a letter of application explaining a statement of personal interest in pursuing a master’s degree in the Political and Justice Studies program. This statement should be specific and include information about the applicant’s short- and long-term goals, and how enrolling in the program may help achieve them.
• Completed applications must be submitted by June 1st for fall admission and November 1st for spring admission.
• Addition material such as confidential letters of recommendation from professional references (e. g. current or former college faculty member, current or former work supervisor, or community leader) and written work may be requested by the program admissions committee or submitted voluntarily by the student for admission consideration.
Students seeking admission to the Political and Justice Studies MA program with a GPA lower than 2.75, but have a strong personal interest in the program may petition to the graduate program admissions committee for admission. The admissions committee takes into consideration strong letters of recommendation from professional references that attest to the student’s abilities in writing and communication skills and concrete examples of the student’s leadership abilities.
An undergraduate major or minor in political science, or a major in one of the social sciences or humanities, including anthropology, economics, sociology, history, philosophy, international studies, black studies, or area studies is recommended. Students may be required to demonstrate competency for graduate work by satisfying the following undergraduate preparatory courses at Governors State University or another accredited university: Foundations of U.S. Democracy (POLS2100) and a research methods course such as SOSC4500. These courses must be completed with a grade of “B” or better and are required in addition to the degree requirements listed below.
It is also highly recommended that students enroll in POJS6100 Theoretical Foundations to Political and Justice Studies and POJS6120 Research Methods, as well as attend a program orientation at the earliest opportunity.
