Graduate Admissions Information

MA IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND MA IN PUBLIC POLICY

Information on the MA in Political Science can be found here. (Note: The MA in Political Science only offers Fall Admission.) 

Information on the MA in Public Policy can be found here. (Note: The MA in Public Policy offers both Fall and Spring Admission.)

MA in Public Policy

Accepting Fall and Spring Admissions

Fall Admissions:

International Applicants: May 1st

Domestic Applicants: July 1st

Spring Admissions:

International Applicants: October 15th

 Domestic Applicants:  December 1st

MA in Political Science

Accepting Fall Admissions Only.

Domestic Applicants: July 1st

International Applicants: May 1st

(Note: Unlike the MA in Public Policy, the MA in Political Science has only a single application period.)

Application Requirements:

A complete application consists of the following documentation:

1. Stony Brook University online application.  Application fee of $100 (Credit Card)

2. Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement:

The Statement should sufficiently describe your reasons for applying to the Master's program in Political Science program at Stony Brook University. Your statement should address:

Research Interests
Background in Political Science
Career plans
Additional interests or information that can assist the admissions committee in evaluating your application.
The Statement of Purpose should not exceed two double-spaced pages (approx. 500 words).

3. Three letters of recommendation:

These letters should be academic, but consideration will also be given to non-academic letters. Letters must be uploaded online by the recommender using the link which will be sent via email. Please do not email them directly to the department.  Letters submitted by anyone other than the letter writer will not be accepted.

4. Transcripts:

Transcripts should be uploaded as part of your application. Additionally, official transcripts are required. Official e-transcripts sent directly from the Office of the Registrar at your isntitution are acceptable. E-transcirpt orders should be sent to gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu.  Please note that all physical mail is being forwarded to an imaging service and sent back to your office digitally; therefore, receipt of physical mail may be delayed.`

Mail should be sent using United States Postal Services (USPS), not other mailing services. Please mail official materials to :

If you have previously attended Stony Brook University, you will not be required to send an official SBU transcript, but are required to upload an unofficial version of the SBU transcript for review purposes. For more details, please visit Grad Admissions.

Additional Materials: 

1. Test Scores:

 GRE scores are waived for the 2025 admissions cycle.

TOEFL/IELTS scores reported directly to Stony Brook (code 2548).

Please visit Graduate Admissions for mimimum test score and language proficiency requirements. 

2. Proof of Permanent Residency is required for students who declare themselves as Permanent Residents.

Completed applications are reviewed by the committee on a rolling basis. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. All application materials are due by the posted deadline.

Click here for the online application

**FEE WAIVERS:
The department does not issue fee waivers. Only applicants meeting the Graduate School fee waiver requirements will be granted waivers. Please see fee waiver instructions within the application: https://graduateadmissions.stonybrook.edu/apply/

In the Graduate Bulletin:   https://www.stonybrook.edu/sb/graduatebulletin/current/admissions/special/waiver.php

Frequently Asked Questions

• Some of my letters of recommendation might arrive after the deadline. Is this acceptable?
  Please note that as soon as you enter your recommender’s e-mail address in your application and save it, they will be sent a link (even if you have not submitted your application). It is therefore recommended that you do this as early in the application process as possible.

  Your letter writers should submit their letters by the posted deadline. Applications with missing letters of recommendation may still be reviewed by the committee for consideration. While recommenders may upload outstanding letters after the deadline, there's no guarantee they will be read by the committee.

• Can letters of recommendation be submitted via snail mail or Interfolio?
  Letters of recommendation should be submitted through the online application system. The department will not accept letters that are emailed directly to us.
• Where should I send my official transcripts?
  2401 Computer Science BuildingStony Brook, NY - 11794-4433

  Phone: (631) 632-4723

  E-transcripts:   gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu

• Can you tell me if you received my transcripts/test scores/letters of recommendation?

  If you have uploaded your transcripts, but we have not received the official mailed versions, your status will show it as either “missing” or “received unofficial.” The system will not show the status of your application as “complete” however your file can still be reviewed.

  Test scores usually take longer as they enter a central database before being manually applied to applications.

• I asked ETS to send my TOEFL scores in a previous year. Do I need to resubmit my TOEFL scores?
  As long as the scores are within the time frame listed above, we should be able to retrieve them.
• Is there any additional information for international prospective students?
  More information for prospective international students can be found here.