{"id":2371,"date":"2020-12-06T12:43:02","date_gmt":"2020-12-06T18:43:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/political-science\/?page_id=2371"},"modified":"2026-01-06T16:50:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-06T22:50:42","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/political-science\/students\/graduate\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion uwm-p-accordion--icon-left-circle\" data-accordion-prefix-classes=\"uwm\" data-accordion-cool-selectors=\"1\"><button class=\"uwm-p-accordion--toggle-button size-p-md\">Expand All<\/button>\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">How do I know whether to apply for the MA or the PhD?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>The MA program is for applicants seeking broader knowledge of the field of political science as well as training in research design and data analysis suited to those pursuing careers that involve writing, data and policy analysis, and government administration. The MA can be a terminal degree for those seeking such professional advancement, or it can be used as a stepping stone to the PhD program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The PhD program is for applicants desiring to be trained as independent, original scholars. Most PhD graduates seek faculty positions at colleges or universities, though an increasing number are finding success in nonacademic research positions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">What are the different areas I can study as a graduate student? Where can I find out which professors focus on each area?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Students in our program may study American politics, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can <a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/political-science\/about\/directory\">learn more about our faculty and their areas of research and teaching interests<\/a> on our Department&#8217;s webpage<a href=\"https:\/\/uwm.edu\/political-science\/our-people\/faculty\/\">.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">I\u2019d like to see 51ÁÔÆæ and talk to some faculty. Whom should I contact to set this up?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>We&#8217;d love to have you!&nbsp;Please contact the current Director of Graduate Studies,&nbsp;John Reuter, via email at <a href=\"mailto:reutero@uwm.edu\">reutero@uwm.edu<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">Are faculty members at 51ÁÔÆæ accessible to students?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>We pride ourselves on the level of mentorship we provide for our graduate students. Faculty members are always willing to make appointments to meet with current graduate students and many of our advanced doctoral students have offices in the department to further collegial and professional interactions.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">Do faculty ever include students in their research? Do they ever coauthor papers or publications with students?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Definitely. Many of our graduate students have worked with our faculty as coauthors.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">What kind of jobs do graduates from 51ÁÔÆæ\u2019s political science program get?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Our MA graduates have found jobs in government or with non-profit organizations and NGOs as well as in the private sector. Recent MA graduates are now working in forensic data analysis at the FBI, doing data science research for nonprofits, teaching at UW Oshkosh, and pursuing doctoral degrees both here at 51ÁÔÆæ and at other universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Our PhD students have received both academic placements at top universities and colleges across the country as well as non-academic jobs. Recent graduates have received tenure track positions at Bradley University,&nbsp; UW-Green Bay, University of Turku, Kansas State University, and Earlham College.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">Will the specific field in which I hope to specialize have any bearing on the admissions process?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>We look for the best applicants, regardless of area of specialization.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">Is an undergraduate major in political science necessary for admission to your graduate program?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>No. We currently have graduate students who received undergraduate degrees in Sociology, History, Psychology, and Economics, to name a few.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">How are admissions decisions made?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>The graduate admissions committee reviews each and every application. All of the parts of the application will be read, and we base our decisions on the strength of the totality of the application. Successful applicants are those who demonstrate that they are likely to successfully complete the chosen degree program.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">Do you admit students to begin their studies in the spring Semester, or do I have to start in the fall?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>We only allow students to begin in the fall.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--header\">Can you waive the application fee?<\/div><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel\"><div class=\"uwm-p-accordion--panel-inner uwm-u-clear\">\n<p>Unfortunately, we are unable to offer application fee waivers at this time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":10012,"featured_media":8351,"parent":7444,"menu_order":5,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","uwm_wg_additional_authors":[]},"class_list":["post-2371","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - 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