MapProgramsSM/PhD
reachProgram #8

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Department of Political Science

Political Science SM/PhD

📍Cambridge, MA
💰PhD students fully funded: tuition covered + stipend ≈ USD 42,000–48,000/year via RA/TA/fellowships.

First Deadline In

151

days

You have time

✅ Application Checklist

0/10

📋 Admission Requirements

📝

GRE / Test Scores

GRE General required. Institute code: 3514. Scores < 5 years old. Quant score weighted.

🌐

English Proficiency

TOEFL iBT ≥ 100 (code: 3514), IELTS ≥ 7.0, or Duolingo ≥ 135. Scores < 2 years old. English waivers NOT considered.

📊

GPA

No published minimum; competitive pool typically 3.7+. Strong undergraduate research record valued.

💰

Tuition

PhD students fully funded: tuition covered + stipend ≈ USD 42,000–48,000/year via RA/TA/fellowships.

✍️ Personal Statements & Essays

1

Statement of Objectives — Research interests, faculty alignment, post-PhD goals

≈ 1,000–1,500 words

2

Personal Statement — Background, challenges, intellectual journey

≈ 500–800 words

3

Writing Sample (up to 50 pages PDF)

Demonstrates independent research

📨 Recommendation Letters

3 letters required. Academic references from professors who can speak to research potential strongly preferred.

💡 Program Notes

CRITICAL: This is a PhD program, not a professional master's. The SM is awarded en route to the PhD — not available as a standalone degree. Full funding = zero net cost for admitted students.

🗓️ Application Deadlines

Application Opens

October 1, 2026

151 days away

Deadline

December 15, 2026

226 days away

🎯 Specializations

American Politics

Comparative Politics

International Relations & Foreign Policy

Models & Methods (formal theory, quantitative methods)

Political Economy

Security Studies

👨‍🏫 Notable Faculty

Chappell Lawson

Mexican Politics, Electoral Integrity

Fotini Christia

Conflict, Political Economy of MENA & Central Asia

Adam Berinsky

Political Psychology & Public Opinion

Vipin Narang

Nuclear Strategy & South Asian Security

In Song Kim

International Trade & Political Economy