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Application Information

We admit one (1) cohort each year in the Fall semester. An overview of the application requirements and the process is provided below. 

Application Deadlines - Fall 2025 Enrollments

  • Deadline for Best Consideration for 4+1 Combined Program
    • March 18, 2025
       
  • Deadline for Stand-Alone MA (Standard two-year MA program)
    • Domestic Applicants: March 18, 2025 
    • International Applicants: January 23, 2025

Application Requirements

In addition to the application form, prospective students will submit:      

1: A statement of purpose that explains their interest in International Relations and their plan for using the degree professionally
2: Official copies of all transcripts (MA applicants) OR a unofficial transcript AND a detailed, applicant-generated, academic course plan for the senior year (4+1 applicants)

*Applicants must have earned a 3.0 GPA in all prior undergraduate and graduate coursework.

*International applicants must fulfill all requirements relating to international academic credentials, evidence of English proficiency, financial certification, and visa documentation, as required by The Graduate School.

*Undergraduate work focused on statistics or quantitative methods is preferred.

Standalone MA:

*Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or an equivalent degree from an institution outside the U.S.

Combined 4+1:

*Applicants must be in their junior year of the majors in GVPT, AAAS, CCJ, ECON, GEO, PSYCH, and SOC in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences or a major in the School of Public Health and College of Journalism at the University of Maryland.

*Applicants must affirm completion of ALL requirements for all undergraduate majors and minors by August before their fifth year. All undergraduate work MUST be completed in order to apply to The Graduate School in the summer before the final year. Students will be asked to officially affirm this requirement in their application. Please visit https://gvpt.umd.edu/undergraduate/major-requirements for a description of program requirements for GVPT. Students with a minor, or multiple majors, need to confirm expected completion of each of those undergraduate requirements separately.

 

Application

Standalone MA: Access the Application here

*In order to submit your application, you will need your transcripts and a statement of purpose telling us about your interest and plans for a degree in International Relations. A CV/Resume is accepted. The GRE is not required.

*Be sure to select MAIR in the list of programs in your application, and follow all Graduate School application guidelines.

*After initial screening, applicants will be contacted for an interview with MAIR faculty. An interview is not a guarantee of admittance.

 

Combined 4+1: Access the Application here

IMPORTANT: This application cannot be saved. In order to submit this application, you will need your 2025 – 2026 course plan, statement of purpose, and unofficial UMD transcript. The statement of purpose should be no longer than two typed, double-spaced pages in 12-point font explaining why you are applying to this program and articulate your interest in International Relations. Please also explain how your prior coursework in BSOS, SPH, and JOUR has prepared you for this Masters program.

*Students admitted to the MAIR 4+1 program will complete a minimum of 141 credits, of which 111 will be earned at the undergraduate level and 30 will be at the graduate level. Nine graduate credits (three courses) will be taken during students' senior year of undergraduate studies. The remaining 21 credits (seven courses) will be taken in the year following completion of the Bachelor's degree. Students in their junior year of majors in GVPT, AAS, CCJ, ECON, GEO, PSYCH, and SOC in the College of BSOS or a major in the School of Public Health and College of Journalism can apply to the MAIR program and, once admitted, begin coursework in their senior year. Those BSOS, SPH, and JOUR majors with coursework in international relations, some quantitative methods, and a 3.0 or higher GPA will be most competitive for admission to the MAIR 4+1 program. Once enrolled in the MAIR 4+1 program, students who complete their BA degree will then be formally admitted to the Graduate School at UMD provided they meet all prevailing Graduate School admission requirements.