Graduate Admissions

You will need to complete and submit an online application. When accessing the application, it is best to utilize the filters feature to locate your program of interest. At a minimum, you should utilize the school filter to ensure you are applying to the Hamilton Lugar School of Global & International Studies. You will then be able to locate and select your specific program.

Be sure to review the application requirements that are specific to your selected program. After you have added your program in the online application, you can view program specific requirements by selecting Program Materials on your dashboard and then selecting the Documents tab.

The Hamilton Lugar School requires official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended (except Indiana University), regardless of if a degree was conferred. An official transcript is one that comes from the registrar's office of your university or college. Indiana University can accept an official transcript electronically if this is sent directly from your university or college. Indiana University can also accept a transcript in a signed envelope with an unbroken seal either from the applicant or directly from the conferring university or college. Note that the signed seal must be unbroken for us to accept the transcript.

Domestic applicants: Please send electronic transcripts to hlsgrad@iu.edu. Paper transcripts should be sent to:

HLS Graduate Administrative Services
Indiana University
Global and International Studies Building Room 2078
355 North Eagleson Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47405-1105

International applicants: Submit official academic records in the original language from every postsecondary school you have attended, whether or not you obtained a degree. If the original is not in English, also include a certified, literal translation. Records must be issued by the registrar or record-keeping official from the institution at which the work was completed. Notarized copies of academic records are not acceptable. If you studied in the United States or Canada, have official transcripts sentdirectly to International Admissions from the issuing institution’s records office. International transcripts must be sent to the Office of International Services at:

Office of International Services
Ferguson International Center
330 N. Eagleson Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405

International students may have official transcripts sent electronically to newtoiu@iu.edu directly from the issuing institution.

When possible, recommendation letters should come from academic references. We will also accept recommendations from individuals who have had a direct supervisory or instructional relationship with you. In all cases, your references should come from individuals who can objectively evaluate your preparation for graduate school. On the online application, you will be asked to provide contact information for three recommenders. After you submit the application and pay the application fee, an email notice will prompt your designated recommenders to upload their letters.

All recommendation letters should be received no later than January 1 for a complete application review.

Your statement of interests should indicate your aspirations and motivations for pursuing a specific academic program. Your statement should describe your academic preparation, research interests, and professional goals. Be sure to discuss your thematic interests and regional focus. The admissions committee uses this information to assess whether the applicant's interests and goals align with the graduate program. Your statement should be uploaded and submitted with your online application. The required length of the statement of interest varies by program: on the online application, please view the program materials for the requirements specific to your chosen program.

If the specific academic program that you are applying to requires you to submit a resume or CV, please upload this to the online application as a PDF document. Please note that this is not a requirement for each program: on the online application, please view the program materials for the requirements specific to your chosen program.

If your chosen program requires you to submit a writing sample, please upload this to the online application as a PDF document. Please note that this is not a requirement for each program: on the online application, please view the program materials for the requirements specific to your chosen program.

If your native language is not English, you must submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL score of 79 is required for admission to Indiana University. The testing service should report the TOEFL or IELTS score directly to Indiana University Bloomington. The Indiana University TOEFL code is"1324". Unofficial scores may also be uploaded and submitted with your online application, however, your application is not complete until an official score is received.