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FAQs

If the question you have is not listed, visit our online message boards to "Ask Admissions."

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 get 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 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?

Regrettably, 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 admissions 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 order received on a rolling admissions basis. Students will be notified within 4 - 6 weeks of receipt of entire application.

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

The early admissions 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 in the office by October 30 in order to be reviewed in the priority round. As January 15 falls on a Sunday this year and January 16 is a public holiday, all hard copy materials must be postmarked by January 17. We realize that international mail takes a bit longer and request that our international applicants take that into consideration when submitting their 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. If you can collect the items that you know you'll be sending in (statement of purpose, C.V., letters of recommendation, for example), and send those in together, it would be much appreciated. However, we realize that your test scores and transcripts will arrive separately from your other materials. As long as we receive everything by the deadline, you will be fine.

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 that 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 deciding role.

7. How many students do you accept?

The September 2011 class will welcome 27 students.

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?

Foreign applicants whose native language is not English and whose undergraduate education was conducted in a language other than English are required to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. IR/PS requires 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.

11. Can I get 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 transcripts for any college or university that you attended as part of your post secondary education.

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. Please be sure not to ask family members 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. Please make sure that you check your e-mail address thoroughly each day, including the spam folders.

3. Can I get an early decision?

The only way to get an earlier decision is to apply 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. Please also know that there is a bit of paper work involved. Please be sure to check your e-mail account frequently. Most of our communication is done via e-mail.

5. 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 process is over. Please submit your request via email. Please note that we will respond to such requests in June.

 

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. This will make you eligible not only for loans but also for some of the grants that are available to graduate students. 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). It is offered as a nine-month, full-time course of study, and as a part-time, eighteen-month program, available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a flexible work schedule.

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?

It is offered as a nine-month, full-time course of study, and as a part-time, eighteen-month program, available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a flexible work schedule.

5. Do you offer evening courses?

While there may be some courses in the early evening hours, most of the classes are during the day.

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

No, IR/PS is not offering 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 is offered as a nine-month, full-time course of study, and as a part-time, eighteen-month program, available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents with a flexible work schedule, which 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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