1. Performance on the GRE.  The GRE General Test has recently been revised.  We recommend a minimum of 315 for combined verbal and math aptitude scores for consideration for admission.
2. Undergraduate grade-point averages (normally a 3.0 overall and 3.25 in major field and a 3.5 in any prior graduate work in political science).
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. For international students, a TOEFL score (normally at least 600 paper-based or 100 internet-based).

1. According to University policy, to be considered in "good academic standing" a student must maintain a minimum cumulative graduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale each semester.  To be eligible for an advanced degree, a student's cumulative grade point average shall be at least 3.00 and a student's grades in courses counted toward the degree requirements of the program shall equal at least a 3.00.  A grade below a B- will not be counted toward the course requirements for a degree but is calculated in the student's cumulative grade point average.
2. Students should avoid accumulating grades of "incomplete".  A student who fails to remove an incomplete from his or her record by the end of the sixth week of the semester following that in which it was awarded will be considered no longer making normal progress toward the degree.
3. An assessment of each student's performance and progress is undertaken at the end of each fall semester by the Director of Graduate Studies in conjunction with other Department faculty.  The purpose of this effort is to identify any academic problems that may impede progress toward a degree as early as practicable in a student's graduate career, and to make recommendations for appropriate courses of action.

1. Funding is available to graduate students in the form of graduate assistantships (for teaching and/or research), tuition scholarships and University fellowships. These awards are merit based.
2. Students who receive graduate assistantships or fellowships must achieve a grade of B or higher in every course while taking a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester (unless fewer than 9 credits are needed to complete the credit requirements for the degree). Retention of funding from the Department normally requires a student to maintain a GPA of above 3.50. Occasionally there is a re-allocation of funding in December, especially if new resources have come available. In addition, all funding allocations are reviewed each February by the Graduate Admissions Committee, to make funding decisions for the coming year. If a student is in jeopardy of losing funding, the Department will follow University procedures and give written notice of this, and a timeframe in which a student may improve their performance.
3. Students who receive graduate assistantships or fellowships are expected to work 20 hours per week and must satisfactorily fulfill the requirements of their positions. Work may consist of teaching or research.
4. Any student who, in the judgment of the Director of Graduate Studies, with the advice of the graduate faculty, fails to demonstrate sufficiently strong performance in his or her studies, research, and teaching (as applicable) will be subject to the suspension of his or her graduate assistantship, fellowship or tuition scholarship, as per University procedures.
5. Funding is awarded on an annual basis. Students entering the graduate program with funding may anticipate funding for up to four years, depending upon academic performance faculty evaluations, and performance as graduate assistant.  Funding for the spring semester of the fourth year is contingent on successful completion of the dissertation proposal defense.  Per Section 10.b of the Graduate handbook, all dissertation proposal defenses must be held at the end of the spring semester of the student's third year or the beginning of the fourth year (but not later than October 1 of the student's fourth year).  Funding for the spring semester of the fourth year is contingent upon having passed the candidacy examination.  Unfunded students who do not meet this deadline will not be offered teaching opportunities.

Advisement

1. Students will be assigned an advisor by the Director of Graduate Studies.  Students who wish to change advisors are free to do so, but must fill out a change of advisor form available in the department office, obtain the necessary signatures, and return the form to the Graduate Secretary in the Department office.
2. Students are encouraged to have their programs reviewed each semester by their advisors.  More frequent consultation with the advisor is encouraged to insure satisfactory progress towards the degree.
3. Students must keep the Department and their advisors informed of their current contact information.