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FAQs

If the question you have is not listed, please email IR/PS Admissions at irps-apply@ucsd.edu.

General Questions

  1. How do I obtain a paper application?
  2. What are the application deadlines?
  3. What is the difference between the early admissions deadline and the regular admissions deadline?
  4. Do the application materials need to be postmarked with the date of the deadline?
  5. What do I need to submit and must everything be submitted at once?
  6. What are the minimum admissions requirements?
  7. How many students do you accept?
  8. I wasn't accepted or declined my offer of admission. Can I reapply?
  9. Do I have to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
  10. Do I need to submit translations of my official documents?
  11. Can I request an application fee waiver?
  12. How do I pay the application fee?
  13. Can I substitute the GMAT for the GRE?
  14. I have taken several courses at a variety of universities. Do I need to submit official transcripts for all of them?
  15. Whom should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?
  16. Can I have my recommendations sent by my college's letter file service?

Waiting for the Decision and Responding

  1. I have submitted everything . . . now what?
  2. When will I find out if I have been admitted and how will I be notified?
  3. Can I get an early decision?
  4. How do I accept my offer?
  5. I was admitted "provisionally" - what does this mean?
  6. What is prep and why might I have to take it?
  7. I wasn't admitted and would like some feedback. How can I obtain that?

Financial Information

  1. How much does it cost to attend IR/PS?
  2. How do I apply for Federal Student Aid?

Questions about the Program

  1. How long are the programs?
  2. What courses are required?
  3. Do you have a Ph.D. program?
  4. Can I study part-time?
  5. Do you offer evening courses?
  6. Do you have an online/distance learning program?
  7. What is the difference between the MAS-IA, MPIA, and GLI programs?
  8. What does APSIA stand for and what does it do?

General Questions about Applying:

1. How do I obtain a paper application?

We no longer have printed versions of our applications. You may access the online application here: http://graduateapp.ucsd.edu.

2. What are the application deadlines?

The priority MAS-IA admissions deadline is October 30, and the round two MAS-IA application deadline is January 15. Applicants to the MAS-IA program who submit a complete application by the October 30 deadline will receive notification from the IR/PS Admissions Office by the second week of December. Decision notification for the round two deadline can be expected by the first week of April.

After January 15, MAS-IA applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received. Students will be notified within 4 - 6 weeks of receipt of entire application.

3. What is the difference between the early application deadline and the regular application deadline?

The early application deadline allows you to receive notification of your admissions status earlier. This is not a binding admissions process, meaning you are not required to attend IR/PS if you are admitted. You can still apply to other programs and have more time to make your final decision.

4. Do the application materials need to be postmarked with the date of the deadline?

For MAS-IA program applicants, all application materials must be postmarked by October 30 in order to be reviewed in the priority round. If January 15 falls on a weekend, all hard copy materials must be postmarked by the next US business day. We realize that international mail takes a bit longer and request that our international applicants take that into consideration when submitting application materials to us.

5. What do I need to submit and must everything be submitted at once?

Click here for an application overview.

While we prefer to receive all application materials together, it is not required. We realize that your test scores and transcripts will arrive separately from your other materials. As long as we receive everything by the deadline, your file will be reviewed.

6. What are the minimum admissions requirements?

Students interested in pursuing the MAS-IA degree must have earned a four-year bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an institution of comparable standing to the University of California with a minimum grade-point average of 3.0 or better.

Applicants must also have a minimum of five years of professional experience and relevant international experience, including proficiency in a regional language. The requirements for international experience might be met in a number of ways: 1) foreign work experience or work experience with a multinational enterprise, government entity, or NGO with foreign operations; 2) extended residence abroad; or 3) other relevant international experience considered on a case-by-case basis.

Please keep in mind there are a variety of factors that influence the admissions process. Grade point average and test scores are important, but not decisive. Each year, the applicant pool changes and admissions decisions are made based on comparing each applicant against his/her peers. We look at GPA and test scores, but also the type of program and university the applicant attended, relevant work experience, the statement of purpose and the letters of recommendation all play a crucial role.

7. How many students do you accept?

The entering class of September 2012 is 39.

8. I wasn't accepted or declined my offer of admission. Can I reapply?

Applicants who were not offered admission to IR/PS may reapply in subsequent years. Applicant files are kept for one year. Please contact IR/PS Office of Admissions to notify us of your intent to reapply and to confirm your application materials are still on file.

All individuals reapplying to IR/PS must submit a new application, pay the application fee, and adhere to any new application requirements. Certain materials, such as test scores, transcripts, and letters of reference may be used again. Please keep in mind it is the responsibility of the applicant to verify test scores have not expired and that letters of reference are up-to-date. Notify the IR/PS Office of Admissions in writing and indicate which documents, if any, you wish to reuse.

9. Do I have to take the TOEFL or IELTS?

Non-US applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied for one uniterrupted year at a university-level institution in a country where English is the official language are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. IR/PS requires MAS applicants to have achieved a score of at least 80 on the TOEFL internet-based test (iBT), 550 on the TOEFL paper-based test (PBT), or band 7.0 on the IELTS.

10. Do I need to submit translations of my official documents?

Yes. All foreign documents, such as official transcripts and letters of recommendation must be translated by an official translator and notarized as authentic translations by a notary public. Transcripts do not need to be converted to a US grade scale.

11. Can I request an application fee waiver?

Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents may request a waiver of the application fee. Waivers are provided to applicants who are: 1) currently receiving need-based financial assistance from an undergraduate or graduate institution; or 2) claiming financial hardship based on current federal tax return income data; or 3) participating in selected federal, state and private graduate school preparation programs. You must have the name and e-mail of the program director. All fee waivers are granted provisionally and applicants are required to provide supporting information and documentation to finalize the waiver. The fee waiver request is done online with the online graduate application. Click here for directions for submitting fee waiver documentation.

12. How do I pay the application fee?

You must use an acceptable credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express, JCB) or check card (Visa, Master Card) to submit an electronic application. The company that provides the online application service won't forward your application to UCSD until you pay the fee. Just because you received a PIN number does not mean that your application was processed or received by UCSD. Anyone who begins the application process receives a PIN. If your application is submitted online you will receive a confirmation number after your payment is cleared.

13. Can I substitute the GMAT for the GRE?

Applicants are not required to submit GRE or GMAT scores.

14. I have taken several courses at a variety of universities. Do I need to submit official transcripts for all of them?

Yes, please submit official transcripts for all colleges or universities that you attended as part of your post-secondary education, even if you did not complete a degree at that institution or transferred the credits towards a degree at another school.

15. Whom should I ask to write my letters of recommendation?

We prefer to have at least one letter from a direct supervisor who can comment on your skills as an employee. We also request that at least one of your letters comes from a professor who can comment on your academic performance and potential. The third letter can be from either of those areas or perhaps from a volunteer supervisor, if applicable. We discourage you from submitting letters of recommendation from a family member or a high ranking official who does not know you personally.

16. Can I have my recommendations sent by my college's letter file service?

Yes, these letters are fine. Please keep in mind, however, that we would like to see at least one letter from an employer. If letters are sent directly to the admissions office by your college, you will not be required to send UCSD's letter of recommendation forms.

 

Waiting for the Decision and Responding:

1. I have submitted everything . . . now what?

We understand that you are eager to obtain the decision on your application and will work diligently to get decisions out as quickly as possible. We will send you notification when your file is complete and being sent to the admissions committee for review. Please limit your questions about whether or not your file is complete; the fewer interruptions we have, the faster we can process all applications.

2. When will I find out if I have been admitted and how will I be notified?

All students are notified via E-MAIL, with the mail address provided on your online application to IR/PS. Please make sure that you check your email inboxes thoroughly, including junk folders.

3. Can I get an early decision?

The only way to get a timely decision is to submit your complete application by October 30.

4. How do I accept my offer?

You can accept your offer online. Instructions on how to do so will be e-mailed to you.

5. I was admitted "provisionally" - what does this mean?

Provisional admission can mean one of two things. First, the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) may not have your official transcripts. While unofficial transcripts are acceptable for the purpose of IR/PS admission, OGS requires hard copies of your official transcripts prior to your matriculation. OGS will be in touch with you regarding the missing documents. Please be aware that official transcripts are not needed until September 2013, if you choose to enroll. Second, your provisional admission may be due to pre-term prep class requirements.

6. What is prep and why might I have to take it?

Prep classes are offered from mid-August to mid-September and are designed to prepare students for the rigorous graduate level coursework at IR/PS. Depending on your academic background you may be either required to take prep or recommended to take prep. If you lack quantitative or economics coursework from your undergrad, or you did less than average on any of the sections on the GRE or GMAT, you may be required/recommended to take a prep class. If you are required to take prep, you must complete the class(es) at IR/PS prior to the beginning of your first quarter. Three prep classes are offered: Quantitative Methods, Economics, and Analytical Writing. If you are required to take prep, you will receive a letter explaining this in your Admit Packet.

7. I wasn't admitted and would like some feedback. How can I obtain that?

We'll be happy to give you feedback on your application after the admissions cycle ends. Please submit your request via email. Please note that we will respond to such requests in June or as soon as we are able.

 

Financial and Fellowship Information:

1. How much does it cost to attend IR/PS?

Click here for the latest cost estimates.

2. How do I apply for Federal Student Aid?

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens and residents complete the FAFSA shortly after January 1 and submit by March 2. You must complete a FAFSA to be considered for federal loans. Click here for more detailed information on financial resources.

Questions about the Program:

1. How long are the programs?

The MAS-IA program curriculum consists of a total of 12 courses (48 degree units). Students enrolled full-time complete the degree in a nine month academic year (holders of F or J visas must study full-time). A part-time enrollment option (2 academic years) is also available to professionals with flexible work schedules.

2. What courses are required?

Click here for a list of the MAS-IA core curriculum.

3. Do you have a PhD program?

IR/PS offers a joint PhD degree with the Department of Political Science. This department also has their own PhD degree program. The program is extremely competitive and purposely kept small. We typically are able to accept one to two new students each year.

4. Can I study part-time?

A part-time enrollment option (2 academic years) is available for the MAS-IA degree to professionals with flexible work schedules.

5. Do you offer evening courses?

While some courses are held in the evening hours, most of the classes are during the day.

6. Do you have an online/distance learning program?

No, IR/PS does not currently offer online or distance learning courses or programs.

7. What is the difference between the MAS-IA, MPIA, and GLI programs?

The Master of Pacific International Affairs (MPIA) is a two year, full-time program that leads to a Master's degree. Click here for more info on the MPIA. GLI is designed for working professionals seeking additional exposure to the various areas of international management, international relations and comparative public policy. The program's duration ranges from ten weeks to two years. Upon completion, the participant receives a certificate of study. Click here for more information about GLI. The MAS-IA program requires a minimum of five years of relevant, full-time professional work experience, may be completed in one year (full-time) or two years (part-time), and leads to a Masters degree.

8. What does APSIA stand for and what does it do?

Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs.

The Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA) comprises member schools in the United States, Asia and Europe dedicated to the improvement of professional education in international affairs and the advancement thereby of international understanding, prosperity, peace and security.

APSIA members work to promote excellence in professional, international affairs education worldwide by sharing information and ideas among member schools and with other higher education institutions, the international affairs community and the general public.

APSIA.org serves as a clearinghouse of information for prospective students and employers. For more information, please click here.

 

For more information on admission to the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies please contact the Office of Admissions or call (858) 534-5914.

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