applying with out work experience

[bbq555]

i am wanting to go to graduate school for a masters in either political science or public administration. But I have been told since public administration is a profesional program its difficult to be accepted with out relevent work experience. Something that I do not have besides a couple of months interning. I was wondering if this is the case in political science and international relations masters programs as well or is it less of a vigorous unwritten requirement.

[jackassjim]

i am wanting to go to graduate school for a masters in either political science or public administration. But I have been told since public administration is a profesional program its difficult to be accepted with out relevent work experience. Something that I do not have besides a couple of months interning. I was wondering if this is the case in political science and international relations masters programs as well or is it less of a vigorous unwritten requirement.

The type of experience they look for is not the same. For the most competitive programs, they like to see that you have RESEARCH experience (writing a thesis, working for a prof or research organization, etc.).

[polisci]

This is not the case in academic programs, since professional experience is not a stand-in for intellectual and academic merit. Assuming, of course, your goal is an academic path rather than a professional one.