MA Politics at University of Virginia

Programme overview

MA programme training students in the study of political life in the United States and worldwide, combining theoretical inquiry with empirical analysis.

Faculty: Graduate School of Arts & Sciences | Department: Politics | Study mode: full-time | Location: Charlottesville, VA, United States

What you will study

Concentrations in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations and Political Theory; research areas include political methodology, democratic theory, political institutions and international security.

Career pathways

Policy analyst, think-tank researcher, intelligence or national security analyst, Foreign Service officer, polling analyst, NGO program manager.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences (all programmes): online application with a 500-1,000 word statement of purpose, unofficial transcripts of all postsecondary work, minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, two letters of recommendation (programmes may require more), and an $85 non-refundable application fee. International applicants whose undergraduate degree was not earned entirely in English submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test scores: TOEFL iBT 90 overall (22 speaking, 22 writing, 23 reading, 23 listening) for tests taken before 1/21/26, IELTS 7.0 in each section, Duolingo 130 overall; committees may still consider scores below these minimums. GRE is not required for this programme. MA application deadline: March 1.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Domestic applicants: USD 22,770 a year (2026-27). Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Master's programs rate (annual). Rate for Virginia residents. Tuition only; excludes mandatory/comprehensive and program fees. International students pay the non-Virginia resident rate only if the schedule so applies; Source

International applicants: USD 38,384 a year (2026-27). Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Master's programs rate (annual). Rate for non-Virginia residents. Tuition only; excludes mandatory/comprehensive and program fees. Source labels this rate as non-Virginia residents (not specifically international). Source

Application fees (2026-27): undergraduate $75; Graduate School of Arts & Sciences $85; Architecture $80; Batten graduate $75; Darden non-PhD $250, Darden PhD $100; Data Science $85; Education and Human Development $65; Law $85; McIntire graduate $85; Medicine $80; Nursing $88; SCPS $70; Graduate Engineering no fee.

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