Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science

Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science

Overview

The PhD in Political Science program at UAlbany provides a broad foundation in classic and contemporary theoretical, empirical, and methodological debates in political science, while allowing you to gain expertise in your area of interest.

Program of Study

The political science doctorate program requires 60 credits beyond the bachelor's degree.

Coursework in the Major and Second Field of Study

• Major fields:
  • American Politics
  • Comparative Politics
  • International Relations
  • Political Theory
  • Public Law
  • Public Policy
• Second fields:
  • American Politics
  • Comparative Politics
  • International Relations
  • Political Theory
  • Public Law
  • Public Policy

Comprehensive Exams in the Major and Second Field

• Major field exam: taken when, in consultation with your advisor, you think that you are satisfactorily prepared to teach at the graduate level in the field.
• Second field exams: taken when the minor field committee has concluded that you are satisfactorily prepared to teach at the undergraduate level.

Doctoral Dissertation

• Option 1: conventional book-format dissertation
• Option 2: dissertation that takes the form of three article-format papers along with separate introduction and conclusion chapters

Graduate Student Funding

Most students in the doctoral program receive three to four years of funding that includes a full tuition waiver and stipend.

Field of Study

American Politics

• National Institutions: U.S. Congress, the presidency, and American political parties
• Sub-National Governance: federalism, state politics, urban politics, and community politics
• Mass Behavior: electoral politics, political behavior, women and politics, and race and politics

Comparative Politics

• Study the similarities and differences of state politics by analyzing patterns and processes of state formation, nationalism, economic development, political mobilization, conflict and violence, etc.

International Relations

• Delve into the political interactions between individuals, groups, states, and institutions around the world
• Coursework covers topics in global governance, global security, and international political economy

Political Theory

• Courses cover the history of political thought; critical, democratic, feminist, and interpretive theories; American political thought; and related topics in social sciences and political philosophy

Public Law

• Investigate the ways that public law serves as a site for political contestation, execution of power, and institutional development and destruction

Public Policy

• Faculty and students examine concrete cases of public policy in American and comparative contexts to consider broad political questions about how government operates and how politics affect the everyday lives of citizens

Career Paths in Political Science

• Achieving the terminal degree in political science qualifies you to apply for tenure-track jobs in academia or to pursue careers in the public or private sectors
• Career paths:
  • University Faculty
  • Research Director
  • Legislative Writer
  • Public Policy Analyst
  • Campaign Consultant
  • Teaching Professor

Admissions Requirements

Deadlines

• Fall (For funding consideration): January 15
• Fall: July 1*
• Spring: Not Available
• Summer: Not Available

Required Application Materials

• Transcripts from all schools attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official GRE or LSAT scores
• Resume
• Statement of goals
• Writing sample

Student Learning Objectives

• Understands and can critically evaluate the scholarly literature of political science in general and his/her chosen field of specialization in particular
• Attains expertise in a chosen subfield of political science
• Attains expertise in a subfield of political science other than the chosen field of specialization
• Is trained in and understands a variety of methods of political science
• Is able to engage in independent research in the field of political science
• Acquires the skills necessary to become a teacher of political science as well as a researcher
• Understands how to function effectively in the profession of political science

Supplemental Degree Programs

• Graduate students can typically request a supplemental degree in one or more subordinate degrees without needing to go through the full admissions process again
• Supplemental programs available with this degree:
  • Africana Studies CGS
  • Community College Leadership CGS
  • Data Science for Public Affairs CGS
  • Demography CGS
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity CGS
  • International Education Management CGS
  • Nonprofit Management and Leadership CGS
  • Political Science MA
  • Public Sector Management CGS
  • Women and Public Policy CGS

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Program: Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science
• Overview: The program provides a broad foundation in classic and contemporary theoretical, empirical, and methodological debates in political science, while allowing for specialization in chosen areas of interest.
• Objectives:
• Understand and critically evaluate the scholarly literature of political science.
• Attain expertise in a chosen subfield and another subfield.
• Become proficient in a variety of research methods.
• Conduct independent research in the field.
• Develop effective teaching and research skills.
• Understand the function of the political science profession.
• Program Description: Students can specialize in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public law, and public policy.

Outline:

• Structure: 60 credits beyond the bachelor's degree.
• Coursework:
• Major and Second Field coursework
• Comprehensive Exams in the Major and Second Field
• Doctoral Dissertation (two options: book-format or three article-format)
• Content:
• American Politics: national institutions, sub-national governance, mass behavior.
• Comparative Politics: similarities and differences of state politics, state formation, political mobilization, etc.
• International Relations: political interactions between individuals, groups, states, and institutions, global governance, global security, international political economy.
• Political Theory: history of political thought, critical, democratic, feminist, and interpretive theories, American political thought.
• Public Law: public law as a site for political contestation, execution of power, institutional development and destruction.
• Public Policy: concrete cases of public policy in American and comparative contexts, government operation, politics' effect on citizens' lives.
• Modules:
• Each field of study has specific modules covering different sub-areas within that field.

Assessment:

• Methods:
• Comprehensive exams in the major and second field.
• Evaluation of doctoral dissertation by dissertation committee.
• Criteria:
• Demonstrated understanding of the chosen field(s) of study.
• Ability to conduct independent research and analyze data.
• Effective communication of research findings in written and oral format.

Teaching:

• Methods:
• Traditional lectures and seminars.
• Independent research under the guidance of faculty advisors.
• Faculty:
• Renowned scholars with expertise in various subfields of political science.
• Unique Approaches:
• Emphasis on interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
• Opportunities for international research and study abroad.
• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities and resources.

Careers:

• Potential Paths:
• University Faculty
• Research Director
• Legislative Writer
• Public Policy Analyst
• Campaign Consultant
• Teaching Professor
• Public and Private Sector Opportunities:
• Government agencies, NGOs, international organizations, political consulting firms, research institutions.

Other:

• Funding: Most students receive 3-4 years of funding including tuition waiver and stipend.
• Career Services: Departmental and College support in preparing for the job market.
• Fieldwork: Opportunities for research and internship experiences.
• Admission requirements and application materials are not covered in this section.