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
940-898-2785
cbejarano@twu.edu 

Application Deadlines

No 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 3-5 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 finding your program in TWU's Program, Majors & Degrees listings to see if your program has additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  (This information is for all programs. The application deadline for your specific program will be listed in the Program Requirements.  Use that deadline as it applies below.  (Example: if a program only admits once a year and has a Fall deadline for 2023 of March 1, you would need to be looking to apply to the next deadline for Fall 2024.)

1. Apply online.
   Apply to Graduate Programs according to the start semester and application portals below:
   
   • Spring 2024 - All programs apply via ApplyTexas EXCEPT applicants to the College of Business, Child Life, or Child Development master's programs or the Child Development and Early Education PhD program who should apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal.
     • Note: When applying through ApplyTexas, you will need to submit any required Documents directly to the program website.
   • Summer & Fall 2024 - All graduate programs apply via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal. Required documents will be asked for and uploaded into the application.
     
     
2. Pay the application fee.
   The $50 fee, ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants can be paid by:
   • Credit card - Online through the portal you applied on (either ApplyTexas or TWU's Online Graduate Application).
   • Certified check or money order by mail or electronically - payable to TWU, sent by mail to:
     TWU Admissions Processing, 301 Research Circle, Room 220; Denton, Texas 76204
     (include your full name and ID number).
   • Cash (no personal checks) - Pay at the Bursar's Office. After paying, bring the receipt to Admissions Processing (2nd floor of GRB).
   • Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar application Fee waiver. Submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission Form.
     
     
3. 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.
   • 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 Admission website for more details.

For more information on graduate admissions or to contact an admissions official, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

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