There are two graduate programs in Political Science.

The Master’s Degree (MA) in Political Science is a 30-credit program (typically completed in 2 years as a full-time student). This program is designed to provide students with the writing, analytical and communication skills often required for professional positions. You can find the program requirements here. You can find the link to admission requirements here.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science is a full professional degree program that typically takes 4-6 years to complete. Roughly half of the graduates of this program have secured careers in academia. Most of the rest of the PhD alumni have lucrative, professional careers in the private sector. A number of our graduates have found success in working in local, state or federal government positions. You can find the program requirements here. You can find the link to admissions requirements here.

You can direct questions about the programs and the department to this email address: psc.gradcoord@unlv.edu

For all our programs applications are made through the Rebel Gateway portal. The application portal link is here. Please note the separate pathways for Nevada residents, out of state US citizens and international applicants. Questions about the Rebel Gateway system and how to upload documents should be directed to: gradadmissions@unlv.edu

All applications are first reviewed by the UNLV Graduate College. Once approved by the Graduate College, applications are forwarded to the departmental admissions committee. Individual faculty members do not have a direct role in the admissions process. It is not necessary to secure the endorsement of an individual faculty member in order to admitted.

Since 2023, the Political Science Department has not required the GRE for applications to any graduate program. If you would like us to consider your GRE score, you may submit it. Not submitting a GRE score will not be considered a negative factor in the admissions decision.

Most students fund their graduate studies through Graduate Assistantships (GA). GA positions typically involve working 20 hours a week as either a teaching assistant or research assistant for a UNLV Political Science professor. GA positions cover most of the tuition and fees for a year of study and provide a small stipend during the academic year (paychecks from September 1 to June 1). You can find a link to a more detailed explanation of GA positions here. A description of the benefits for GAs is here. The application portal for applying to GA positions is here.

If you will be working as a Graduate Assistant, be aware that international students in particular should be prepared to support themselves for the first month or so after arrival. International students often experience delays in processing their initial pay check because of additional administrative requirements.

The Political Science department typically has between 3 and 5 open Graduate Assistantships available. This can vary from year to year depending on budgetary constraints, the variable strength of applicant pool over time, the number and quality of returning PhD students in need of funding, etc. Award of GA positions prioritizes PhD applicants.

All applications are first reviewed by the UNLV Graduate College. Once approved by the Graduate College, applications are forwarded to the departmental admissions committee. Individual faculty members do not have a direct role in the admissions process. It is not necessary to secure the endorsement of an individual faculty member in order to admitted.

No. We have plans for students who come to our PhD program having already earned a Masters Degree and for those coming to us straight out of their Bachelor Degree programs. Students who do not already have a Masters Degree need to take more elective courses once they are in the program, but the requirements are otherwise similar.

The application fee is paid to the Graduate College. You can find their policy about application fee waivers here. The Department of Political Science does not have the authority to waive application fees. We do not have the resources to pay application fees.

Yes, there are a number of additional required materials for international applicants required by the Graduate College that cannot be waived by the Department. You can find a detailed description of these additional requirements here. International applicants should direct questions about the application process and Rebel Gateway to this email address: internationalgrad@unlv.edu.

International applicants are advised to allow for additional time to get their materials together as administrative delays are common. In particular, many international applicants have had difficulty getting their previous universities to submit official transcripts in a timely manner. Also, it is the student’s responsibility to go through the Proof of English Proficiency process here. Credential Certifications can be done according to the process described in the link above about additional requirements (here).

UNLV provides very limited housing for graduate students. You can find a link to the UNLV Housing Office here. The vast majority of UNLV students live off campus. Securing housing is the student’s responsibility.

Newly admitted students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the housing options and typical rent prices in the Las Vegas area.

You can find a link to a commonly used apartment finder app here and here.

You can find a link to the Las Vegas area public transportation system (RTC) here.

UNLV is located in the south-central part of the Las Vegas metropolitan area, just north east of the Airport and just east of the world-famous Las Vegas Strip. The main campus is roughly bordered on the north by Flamingo Rd, on the south by Tropicana Ave, on the east by Maryland Pkwy, and on the west by Paradise Rd.