Program Overview

Political Science - Ph.D.

Overview

The Political Science doctoral program provides in-depth knowledge and advanced research skills, preparing you for leadership positions in academia, research institutions, and public service. With dedicated faculty and a supportive community of scholars, you will have access to opportunities for cutting-edge research and professional development.

Admissions

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 3.000 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or curriculum vitae with cover letter
• Goal statement
• Writing sample
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

Coursework

• Major Requirements:
  • POL 70002: SCOPE AND EPISTEMOLOGY (3 credits)
  • POL 70003: QUANTITATIVE METHODS I (3 credits)
  • POL 70004: QUANTITATIVE METHODS II (3 credits)
  • POL 70010: QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS (3 credits)
  • POL 71094: COLLEGE TEACHING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE (1 credit)
  • Additional Approved Electives for Post-Baccalaureate Students (0-23 credits)
  • Advanced Research Methods (3 credits)
  • Concentrations (21 credits)
• Concentrations:
  • American Politics and Policy
  • Conflict Analysis and Management
  • Transnational and Comparative Politics

Concentration Requirements

• American Politics and Policy Concentration:
  • POL 70101: STATUS OF THE FIELD: AMERICAN POLITICS AND POLICY (3 credits)
  • Concentration Electives (6-9 credits)
• Conflict Analysis and Management Concentration:
  • POL 70901: FOUNDATIONS OF CONFLICT ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT (3 credits)
  • Concentration Electives (6-9 credits)
• Transnational and Comparative Politics Concentration:
  • POL 70501: STATUS OF THE FIELD: TRANSNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS AND POLICY (3 credits)
  • Concentration Electives (6-9 credits)

Graduation Requirements

• Passage of one field paper in the first area of concentration
• Written and oral defense of both a dissertation prospectus and dissertation
• Minimum Major GPA: 3.000
• Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000

Residency Requirement

• Students must spend two consecutive semesters pursuing doctoral studies.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Understand the theoretical underpinnings of political science and be able to address real-world issues and problems.
2. Attain research and methodological skills that will further their research and make them attractive to future employers.
3. Effectively communicate research findings and implications to a range of audiences including scholars, practitioners, and citizens.

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Political Science prepares students for research and teaching careers in higher education and for research-based careers in fields that are focused on political, economic, and social issues. The degree program is broadly focused on the dynamics surrounding representation, equity, conflict, human rights, development, and conflict resolution. Students develop their own research questions in an interdisciplinary and theoretically sophisticated way. Students work with faculty mentors throughout their degree program and often develop and present their own research at regional or national conferences.

Why Kent State University

Kent State University includes eight campuses in Northeast Ohio and additional facilities in the region and internationally.

Graduate Aid and Assistantships

Many graduate programs offer one of three types of graduate assistantships: administrative, teaching, or research.

Graduate Awards and Fellowships

The Division of Graduate Studies at Kent State University administers a number of fellowships and awards for new and continuing students.