APAN Applications Open!

 APAN admits one (1) cohort each year, in the Fall semester. An overview of the application requirements and the process is provided below. Be sure to also check out this additional useful information as you consider our program:

• Application Tips from APAN's Program Director
• Program Information Sessions (Virtual for now; all are welcome!)
• APAN Supplemental Application document (asked of all applicants, must be downloaded and attached with application)
• Graduate School Policies
• Fees and Financial Aid
• Scholarships from the UMD Alumni Association

 

*Our applications for the 2022-23 academic year are now closed. Below are the deadlines for the 2023-24 cohort.

Application Deadlines

• Deadline for 4+1 (All 4+1 applicants must submit materials by this date)
  • March 1, 2023
     
• International students (standalone MS only)
  • March 1, 2023 - Note this date is earlier than the Graduate School's International applicant deadline 
     
• Deadline for Consideration (The number of spots available will be dependent on how many Best Consideration applicants accept their invitation to enroll)
  • Rolling basis through June 30, 2023 

Application Requirements

In addition to the application form, admitted students will submit:      

1: A statement of purpose that explains their interest in political data analysis and their plan for using the degree professionally
2: Official copies of all transcripts (MS applicants) OR a unofficial transcript AND a detailed, applicant-generated, academic course plan for the senior year (4+1 applicants)
3: A SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION to upload to your graduate application -- you will need to download the form, fill out, and upload in your application portal [MS track] or before submitting your Google form application [4+1 track]

*Applicants must have earned a 3.0 GPA in all prior undergraduate and graduate coursework.

*International applicants must fulfill all requirements relating to international academic credentials, evidence of English proficiency, financial certification, and visa documentation, as required by The Graduate School.

*Undergraduate work focused on statistics or quantitative methods in the social sciences is preferred.

Standalone MS:

*Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, or an equivalent degree from an institution outside the U.S.

Combined 4+1:

*Applicants must be in junior standing at the University of Maryland.

*Applicants must affirm completion of ALL requirements for all undergraduate majors and minors by May before their fifth year. All undergraduate work MUST be completed in order to apply to The Graduate School in the summer before the final year. Students will be asked to officially affirm this requirement in their application. Please visit https://gvpt.umd.edu/undergraduate/major-requirements for a description of program requirements for GVPT. Students with a minor, or multiple majors, need to confirm expected completion of each of those undergraduate requirements separately.

*Students must choose undergraduate courses that satisfy the following three requirements:

1 – GVPT 201 (or equivalent)
2 – GVPT 320 (or equivalent) **Applicants may propose taking this course in their senior year course plan (see Step 1 below)
3 – Two additional quantitative methods courses that focus on data analysis in the social sciences. Courses that would apply include GVPT420, 421, 422, 424, and some sections of 429. Courses from other academic departments are also applicable if they include a strong quantitative focus. Questions about the applicability of any course can be discussed with the Director of the APAN program.