admissions
The Graduate Program in Political Campaigning is designed to provide students with the basic skills, insights, and experiences that are so critical for success in the ever-changing profession of politics and political consulting. Unlike other programs in professional politics, the University of Florida's M.A. in Political Campaigning combines the best of both academic study and practical experience.
By incorporating academic study in the fields of voting behavior, political participation, public opinion, and political communications; students are presented with a sound theoretical basis that can be used to better understand the "how and why" of political campaigns.
In addition, students enrolled in the University of Florida's Political Campaigning Program also have the opportunity to study with adjunct faculty and guest lecturers who are actively engaged with candidates, parties, interest and advocacy groups, and government at all levels. This combination of academic and practical orientations makes the University of Florida's M.A. in Political Campaigning unique among graduate programs in the United States. Working with some of today's top scholars and political professionals, our students learn to incorporate a broad array of both academic and practicThe requirements and conditions for admission are the same as for those in other M.A. programs offered by the Department of Political Science: a minimum combined score of 1,050 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE); a high level of academic achievement as an undergraduate, with at least a 3.0 GPA (based on a 4.0 scale) earned during the last two years; and some background in the social sciences or related fields. Under unusual circumstances, exceptions to these standards can be made. Relevant work experience, letters of recommendation from faculty or other persons, and a written personal statement by the applicant also will be considered by the Admissions Committee. The deadline for fall entry is April 15, and applications (available online) should be made to the Director of Admissions at 135 Tigert Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
Students also might want to inquire about the possibility of pursuing a joint degree in Political Science and the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Outstanding undergraduate students who have earned at least a 3.7 GPA and a combined verbal and quantitative score of 1200 on the GRE are eligible to apply for our combined B.A./M.A. program. Students in this program may take up to twelve hours of graduate credit that count towards both degrees.
