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    University of California-Merced

    Political Science

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    Merced, USMAIn-person
    $43,796.00
    Tuition
    $155.00
    App fee

    Political Science at University of California-Merced is a in-person MA program based in Merced, US. Tuition is $43,796.

    About the program

    The program offers quantitatively focused training in Political Cognition & Behavior and Political Institutions & Political Economy. It is research intensive and tailored to students' individual interests within political science.

    Focus: research
    U.S. News (Political Science): #52 (tie) in the nation (2025)

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    GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

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    Deadlines

    Fall 2027
    Jan 15, 2027

    Standardized tests

    GRE
    required
    TOEFL
    optional
    Min TOEFL iBT 80 overall (Writing 19, Speaking 26, Listening 17, Reading 18)
    IELTS
    optional
    Min IELTS 6.5 overall (Writing 5.5, Speaking 8, Listening 6, Reading 6)

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12-month post-completion OPT (US)

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    Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

    Prerequisites

    Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

    Recommendations

    Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

    Essays

    Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

    Contact

    Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does Political Science at University of California-Merced cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Political Science at University of California-Merced is $43,796.
    Is Political Science at University of California-Merced online or in-person?
    Political Science at University of California-Merced is offered in-person.
    What GPA is required for Political Science at University of California-Merced?
    Per the program's published guidance: usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) is required
    What work-permit options follow Political Science at University of California-Merced?
    Post-completion work rights for Political Science at University of California-Merced: 12-month post-completion OPT (US)