GLOBAL AFFAIRS
The Division of Global Affairs (DGA) offers degrees in global affairs--a multidisciplinary field concerned with theoretically informed, problem-oriented approaches to transnational issues and their interaction with local issues.
Please see the DGA website for complete requirements and program information.
Degrees
The DGA offers two graduate degrees:
Master of Science in Global Affairs (M.S.)
Doctor of Philosophy in Global Affairs (Ph.D.)
Admission Requirements
Prospective students, both M.S. and Ph.D. applicants, should submit their official college or university transcripts, GRE scores (optional), three letters of recommendation, a curriculum vitae or
résumé, a writing sample (minimum 5 pages for M.S. applications and 10-20 pages for Ph.D.), and a personal statement explaining why the student has chosen to study global affairs at DGA as part of their application.
The Ph.D. applicant's personal statement should include an area of interest and the name of a DGA core faculty member that the student would want to work with on his or her dissertation. Ph.D. students must also submit a writing sample of 10-20 pages in length.
Information for International Students
Students who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, or citizens of countries where English is the official language must submit a TOEFL score based on a test taken no more than two years before the time of application submission.
Rutgers University requires that TOEFL scores are 213 and above on the computer-based test, 550 and above on the paper-based test, and 79 and above on the internet-based test. The Rutgers TOEFL code is 2790.
Satisfactory English-language proficiency is a prerequisite for graduate study at Rutgers University. Admitted international students may be required to take a test of English-language proficiency soon after they arrive at the university and may be required to take coursework in English as a Second Language (ESL).
International students appointed as teaching assistants are required to take an oral proficiency test regardless of their TOEFL scores.
Nonimmigrant international students must present evidence that they have adequate financial resources to meet their educational and living expenses.
Deadlines
Prospective M.S. and nondegree students must apply by August 1 for study in the fall semester and January 1 for study in the spring semester. International students seeking an M.S. or nondegree must apply by June 1 for study in the fall semester and November 1 for study in the spring semester. Application submission well in advance of the deadline is strongly encouraged.
Please Note that the Ph.D. program is currently not accepting new applications.
Prospective applicants of the Ph.D. program must submit completed applications by February 1 for study in the fall semester and November 1 for study in the spring semester. Likewise, international students seeking a Ph.D. must apply by February 1 for study in the fall semester and November 1 for study in the spring semester. Application submission well in advance of the deadline is strongly encouraged. Full review of an application may take up to two months. Incomplete applications, i.e., those without three letters of recommendation and transcripts will not be considered.
Candidates who are admitted to the Graduate School-Newark receive notification from the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions. Incoming students are expected to register for the semester for which they were admitted.
M.S. Apply Here
Application, Reactivation, and Deferment
Admission to DGA may be deferred up to one year. Those students who are accepted into the program and wish to defer attendance should contact the DGA deputy director. After one year students must reapply to the program. Students who were previously denied entry to the program may reapply.
For further information and to obtain reactivation guidelines, please consult the university graduate website.
Change of Program
Students wishing to change their field or degree program must obtain the requisite form from the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School-Newark, Conklin Hall, Rm. 241, submit it to the appropriate graduate program director for approval and return it to the Office of the Dean for final authorization. The fall semester deadline is July 1, and the spring semester deadline is December 1.
Full-Time and Part-Time Study
The Division of Global Affairs recommends that students pursue their studies full time. A full-time academic load is defined as 9 or more credits per semester.
Ph.D. students must be enrolled full time, but prospective M.S. students may apply for part-time enrollment. A part-time academic load is defined as 8 or fewer credits per semester. Graduate fellows, research interns, and graduate and teaching assistants must be registered for full-time study
Transfer Credits
Graduate courses completed at other universities or in other departments or schools at Rutgers University may be accepted for credit at the Division of Global Affairs. In order to be eligible to apply for transfer credits, students must first complete 12 credits with a grade of B or higher at DGA and then submit a Transfer Credit Application. Applications are available at DGA and the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School-Newark, Conklin Hall, Room 241. Transfer Credit Applications must be approved by the DGA director and the dean of the Graduate School.
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Students who complete the M.S. degree at the Division of Global Affairs or other Rutgers programs may apply relevant accrued credits (with grades of B or better) to assist in fulfilling the requirements of the M.S. or Ph.D. in global affairs.
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M.S. transfer credits: Up to 9 credits of graduate-level coursework at institutions other than Rutgers University, with grades of B or better, may be applied.
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Ph.D. transfer credits: Up to 15 credits of graduate-level coursework at institutions other than Rutgers University, with grades of B or better, may be applied.
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Transfer credits may not be obtained for thesis, independent study, or research.
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Transfer credits may not be applied to required core courses or methodology courses in either the M.S. or Ph.D. programs.
Nondegree Graduate Student Program
The Division of Global Affairs will accept nondegree students. All requests must come through admissions. Students should include all required documentation necessary for M.S. admission.
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Programs, Faculty, and Courses 
