Admissions
The Department of Political Science will soon be accepting applications for the MA in Policy Studies program for Fall 2023. The deadline for applications will be January 15, 2023. Please consult the Department of Political Science's website for official information and further admission details once applications are open. Applications normally open in November.
Minimum Requirements:
Applicants who have completed the equivalent of a Bachelor’s degree will be considered for admission to the MA program. Degrees in Political Science or close cognates such as International Relations or PPE are strongly preferred; applicants with other undergraduate majors should normally have at least 30 graded credits of coursework in Political Science. Applicants must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.3 (when converted to the University of Alberta’s grading scale) or equivalent in the last 60 graded credits of academic studies.
Students whom the admissions committee considers promising but insufficiently prepared for graduate work in Political Science may be considered for admission to the MA after completing a qualifying year. Qualifying year students normally complete four undergraduate courses a term (although the requirement will vary depending on the student’s background) and must maintain a grade point average of at least 3.3. These credits do not count toward the MA.
Please note that these minimums do not guarantee admission to the program.
A department recommendation of admission with or without funding is determined by the Graduate Studies Committee, who discuss and rank all applicants. Official offers of admission to the university are extended by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Admission is highly competitive and is based on the quality of materials submitted in the admissions package: statement of intent, writing sample, letters of recommendation, CV, application form, English as a Second Language scores (if applicable) and transcripts.
An application to the MA in Policy Studies must include:
Application Form
To be completed via the University of Alberta online system
CV
Applicants should include a current copy of their CV (or resume). Be sure to include professional, volunteer, and academic experience that relates to policy studies or research and that demonstrates your potential in the three core learning outcomes of the program: analysis, autonomy, and collaboration.
Three Reference Letters
You will be asked to identify three referees to write reference letters on your behalf as part of the online application form. The on-line application has appraisal forms for your referees to complete ("Letter to Support Application for Graduate Admission"), and upload to the online application system. Note: electronic notifications will not be sent to your referees until you submit your application (and pay the application fee), so ensure you submit your application early enough to allow your referees time to submit their reference prior to the application deadline. For students applying to the practicum stream of the MA in Policy Studies program, at least two referees must be academic (such as course instructors) and the third may be professional (such as a supervisor or a manager from a professional or volunteer position). For students applying to the course-based MA in Policy Studies with significant professional experience, up to two letters may be professional references. Letters need to emphasize applicants’ potential for policy analysis and research and should particularly focus on students’ capacity in the core learning objectives of the program: analysis, autonomy, and collaboration. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider this when asking for reference letters from professional sources. Professional applicants who are not recent graduates and have concerns regarding obtaining academically appropriate references should contact the MA Director.
Transcripts
Transcripts are required from each post-secondary institution you have attended.
Statement of Research Interests (or Personal Statement)
Applicants to the MA Policy Studies program should submit a Personal Statement which outlines your reasons for pursuing a research degree in policy studies. Please indicate the program stream to which you wish to apply, outline how your academic, professional and/or volunteer background has prepared you to conduct policy research, describe your research interests and why the program at the University of Alberta is the best place to explore them. Pay special attention to the program competencies, outlined in the learning objectives and outline how you have worked toward developing these competencies thus far in your career and education, and consider how the program can help you build up capacity in these areas. You should also indicate your future career ambitions and explain how the program will help you to achieve your career goals. Ensure that your statement is no longer than two to three pages in length (paper size 8 1/2 x 11", 1" margin, 12 point font).
Sample of academic writing
Applicants must submit a sample of their academic writing, such as a course paper. MA Policy Studies applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit a policy analysis paper. It can be a paper aimed at an academic or policy audience, but it must demonstrate evidence of original thinking and the ability to develop analysis. It should be solely authored by the applicant in English, no longer than 6000 words and employ an appropriate citation system.
Evidence of ESL competence (if applicable)
Since English is the primary language of instruction and communication at the University of Alberta, all applicants must be proficient in English prior to admission. Applicants with degrees/ qualifications in a language other than English may need to demonstrate English Language Proficiency through one of the following exam scores:
TOEFL with a minimum score of 600 (paper-based) or a total of 100 (Internet-based) with a score of at least 20 on each of the individual skills areas; or
MELAB of 85; or
IELTS 7.0 with at least 6 on each band.