Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Political Science

With only one required course, our certificate option allows you to design a program of coursework that meets your needs. Interested in politics?  International relations? Public affairs? Law? Or some other field? Our flexible curriculum allows you to build a personalized program from a wide range of graduate courses.

If you already have a master’s degree (in any field), you are only 6 graduate courses away from being able to teach political science in the community college setting. Similarly, if you are a certified teacher with a master’s degree (in any field) you are only 6 graduate courses away from being qualified to teach political science in the dual credit classroom. Most students complete our free-standing graduate certificate program in 2 or 3 semesters. 

Most of our courses meet once a week in the evenings, and many courses are available in hybrid or synchronous on-line formats. Our program is ideal for current teachers or other working professionals.

As a student in our program, you will be paired with a faculty mentor who will be available to help and advise you throughout the program. Our faculty are committed to a conversational model of education that maximizes student success. 

TWU has the fourth-lowest college costs among Texas public universities. Additionally, graduates of our free-standing certificate program are well-positioned to increase their income through dual credit and/or community college teaching.

Diversity and collaboration are fundamental to our academic culture. Our department's faculty, staff and students have created an inclusive community dedicated to mutual support, respect and success. 

Program Contact
Christina Bejarano, PhD
940-898-2255
cbejarano@twu.edu 

Application Deadlines

No fixed deadline- rolling admission

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree.
• A minimum GPA of 3.25 on last 60 semester credit hours of undergraduate work.
• Collect and submit the following documents into the application:
  • writing sample (college paper in any subject OR a 2-3 page personal statement that describes your goals)
  • curriculum vita
  • Email addresses for three individuals familiar with your academic capabilities, who can provide letters of recommendation to be requested through and submitted into the application.

Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  

1. Apply online.
   Apply to Graduate Programs  via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below.  
2. Submit transcripts to TWU.
   • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details. Original transcripts for each college/university attended must be submitted, even if referred to on another schools transcripts.
   • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
3. Submit Recommendation Requests
   If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application. List of programs-majors.  
4. Pay the application fee.
   The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:
   1. Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
   2. Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
   3. Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.
5. Submit Program supplemental documents
   1. Submit all program requests for Resume, Statement of Purpose, Artist or Research Statement, Scholarly Writing Sample, Custom Essay, Portfolio Document, Video Submission, Licensure, Department Specific Application, Teaching Service Record, Teaching Certificate, etc. following submission of your application fee.

Watch for emails from your new program/department that may come to your TWU email address.

For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.