Apply
Apply
Thank you for your interest in the Keough School’s Master of Global Affairs. We welcome applications from students from around the world and from diverse religious, secular, and philosophical traditions.
Application Status
The application is now closed. Admissions decisions will be communicated in mid-March.
Interested in applying for the next class? You can request information to receive an email notification when the application goes live in early September. The next application deadline will be in December of 2024.
Get Started on Your Application!
Competitive applicants will have a strong academic background, ideally two years of professional experience in a global setting, proficiency in English and a second language, as well as strong letters of recommendation.
All application materials must be submitted online through the Notre Dame Graduate School Application for Admission.
Diversity & Admissions
The Keough School is committed to recruiting, admitting, and enrolling graduate students from varying backgrounds, identities, and professional career trajectories. We expect you to be candid and transparent about your professional experiences during the application process so that others may recognize the value you bring to the program. For more information please see the MGA program’s Statement on Diversity & Admissions.
Informed by the University of Notre Dame’s “Spirit of Inclusion,” the Keough School of Global Affairs welcomes all people, regardless of color, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, social or economic class, or nationality, and works to sustain an inclusive environment.
Application Checklist
A completed application for the Master of Global Affairs includes the following:
- University of Notre Dame Graduate School Application
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Statement of Intent
- Short essay (300 words) for chosen concentration
- Three letters of recommendation
- Transcripts with proof of B.A. or equivalent degree (and English translation if necessary)
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test (for non-native speakers of English)
- Application Fee of $75.
Application Requirements
University of Notre Dame Graduate School application
Complete the Graduate School online application and submit all of your application materials through the Notre Dame Graduate School. Do not mail any application materials.
On the Graduate School application, under “Application Type” choose Degree, then Global Affairs – MGA in the “Program Specifics” drop-down menu. Under “Area of Study,” choose the concentration you wish to pursue—International Peace Studies OR Sustainable Development OR Governance and Policy. Later in the application, under “Program Essays/Short Answer Requirements,” you will write a short essay (300 words maximum) related to the concentration of your choice. In addition, depending on your concentration you may be asked to comment on your quantitative background. In the “Uploads” section, you will also be required to submit your resume or CV and a 1-3 page statement of intent
For more details on the Graduate School Application, please refer to the Graduate School Admissions Frequently Asked Questions page.
Concentration
When you apply, you will need to choose the concentration you wish to pursue—International Peace Studies OR Sustainable Development OR Governance and Policy. Selecting your concentration of study at the time of admission is an important decision which will impact the courses and fieldwork you pursue while enrolled in the program. Please review the curriculum pages thoroughly to inform your decision.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Submit a resume/CV (1-3 pages) showing your university-level academic degrees, work (paid or volunteer) experience, community/public service, international and cross-cultural experience, and evidence of leadership, achievements, publication credits, honors or awards. Upload your resumé or CV via the “Uploads” page of the Graduate School Application.
Statement of intent
The Statement of intent (maximum 1,000 words) should explain why you want to enroll in the Master of Global Affairs and how the program will further your professional goals. Include the specific skills and experiences you will bring to the program, the values that motivate you, and how this degree relates to and enhances your career trajectory and future life plans. Upload your Statement of Intent via the “Uploads” page of the Graduate School Application.
Short essay
The short essay is a concentration-specific question that appears in the “Essay Short Answer” section of the application, once you choose a concentration. Responses are limited to 300 words.
Three letters of recommendation
On the “Recommendations” page of the main application, provide names and contact information for three recommenders who know you well enough to comment on your qualifications, motivations, and ability to succeed in the program. At least one (and preferably more) of the three recommenders must be an academic/professor with whom you’ve studied and who can address your academic abilities. At least one recommendation should address your professional abilities.
Once you enter contact information into the “Recommendations” page, your recommenders will receive instructions for submitting letters confidentially via email. (You can check the status of letters via your account on the Graduate School Admissions system at any time.)
Transcripts
Upload unofficial copies of all your university-level transcripts to your online application in the Academic History section of the Graduate School application. Include a certified English translation, if necessary. (Accepted applicants will be required to submit official copies prior to enrollment.) Upload transcripts in the “Academic History” section of the Graduate School Application.
If you have studied at a university outside the United States, utilizing a foreign transcript evaluation service can help the admissions committee interpret your academic background. This is optional, not required. Here are a few options:
- Education Evaluators International, Inc.
- Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
- Foreign Credentials Service of America
- International Education Evaluations, Inc.
- International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
- SpanTran: The Evaluation Company
- World Education Services, Inc.
TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score
All non-native English speakers must submit proof of English proficiency. An exception to this requirement will be made for applicants who have studied for at least two years at a university in which English is the medium of instruction and examination (where all classes are taught in English).
We will accept scores from TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.
- TOEFL scores are valid for two years. The minimum score for the TOEFL IBT is a total of 80 points with a minimum of 23 on the Speaking section. For the TOEFL ITP Plus for China Solution, we require a minimum score of 550. Our institutional code for TOEFL is 1841.
- IELTS scores are also valid for two years. The minimum score for the IELTS is 7.0. There is no institutional code for the IELTS.
- Duolingo English Test (DET) scores are valid for two years. We only accept test scores from the 160 point scale. The minimum score for the DET is 120.
Applicants with test scores below the required minimum may still be considered for admission.
English proficiency test scores should be uploaded in the designated area in the “Test Scores” section of the online application. Although we will consider unofficial scores provided by applicants, we prefer official scores received directly from the test provider.
For more details on the requirements for English proficiency, please refer to the Graduate School Admissions Frequently Asked Questions page.
GRE Test
Submitting GRE scores is optional and not required for admission. Applicants who choose to submit a GRE test score can do so within the application. Our institution code for the GRE is 1841.
Application fee of $75
Pay your application fee online by credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa). You also may mail a check to:
Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions
110 Bond Hall
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556
USA
Checks must be made payable to “University of Notre Dame” and include the name of the applicant. Payment by bank transfer is not possible.
Please contact keough-admissions@nd.edu for inquiries about the application fee.
After you submit your application
Once you have submitted your online application, you will receive a confirmation email listing the materials received. If you do not receive a confirmation email, or if the “Submit” button still appears in the Review section of your application, your application has not been submitted.
After your application is submitted, you will be able to log back into your online application to check the status of materials received. Additional materials, such as test scores, can be added to your application in the “Post Submission” area.
Review
Applications are reviewed after the deadline. Applications are initially reviewed by a faculty committee within each of the 3 concentrations of the Master of Global Affairs. Final admissions decisions are made by a committee chaired by the Keough School’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.
Decisions
Acceptances are normally sent out in mid-March. When a decision is ready, the Graduate School will notify you via email with instructions to log back into your online application to view the decision letter.