Program Overview

Political Science, PhD

Overview

The doctoral degree in political science program is designed to prepare students for teaching and conducting research about government, careers in government and politics, and work in domestic and international nongovernmental organizations. The program allows students to combine their academic education with experience in the kinds of complex domestic and international political organizations they are studying.

Admissions

Application Requirements

See Graduate Admission Policies for general information on graduate admission to George Mason University. See Schar Admissions for application requirements and deadlines for the PhD in Political Science. Students are considered for admission for the Fall term only.

Policies

Academic Advising

A total of 12 credits of supporting courses may be taken in other departments to fulfill a minority of the credits for any of the requirements below, including the methodology requirement, with prior written approval of the program director. All courses should be planned with an advisor and appear on a program of study, which requires the approval of the program director.

Transfer of Credit

Previously earned and relevant graduate credits may be eligible for transfer into this program; details can be found in the Credit by Exam or Transfer section of this catalog.

Degree Requirements

Total credits: 72

Core Courses

• Select three from the following:
  • GOVT 520: Political Theory
  • GOVT 530: Comparative Politics
  • GOVT 540: International Relations
  • GOVT 550: Seminar in Theories of Public Administration
  • POGO 840: Policy, Politics, and American Government Institutions Total Credits: 9

Advanced Courses in Two Major Fields

Students choose two major fields from the four fields below and complete all course requirements for both fields of study for a total of 21 credits.

American Government and Politics

• Required Field Seminars:
  • Select two from the following:
    • GOVT 603: Seminar in the Courts and Constitutionalism
    • GOVT 604: Seminar on Congress and Legislative Behavior
    • GOVT 605: Seminar on the Presidency
    • GOVT 706: Federalism and Intergovernmental Relations
    • POGO 841: U.S. Political Behavior and the Process of Policymaking
  • Electives:
    • Select one to three electives Total Credits: 9-15

Comparative Politics

• Required Field Seminars:
  • GOVT 631: Seminar in Comparative Politics and Institutions
  • GOVT 731: Advanced Seminar in Comparative Politics
• Electives:
  • Select one to three electives Total Credits: 9-15

International Relations

• Required Field Seminars:
  • Select two from the following:
    • GOVT 741: Advanced Seminar in International Politics
    • GOVT 743: International Political Economy
    • GOVT 745: International Security
    • PUBP 783: Global Governance
• Electives:
  • Select one to three electives Total Credits: 9-15

Public Administration

• Required Field Seminars:
  • GOVT 753: Collaborative Public Management
  • GOVT 755: Seminar in Politics and Bureaucracy
• Electives:
  • Select one to three electives Total Credits: 9-15

Advanced Courses in a Minor Field

• Select three advanced courses in a minor field in consultation with an advisor. Total Credits: 9

Advanced Courses in Methodology

• Methodology Courses:
  • POGO 511: Introductory Data Analysis for Policy and Government
  • POGO 801: Research Design for the Social Sciences and Public Policy
• Elective Methodology Course:
  • Select an elective methodology course to meet dissertation research needs. Total Credits: 9

PhD Research Seminar

• Required Seminar:
  • GOVT 800: PhD Research Seminar Total Credits: 3

Electives

• Select 0-9 credits of electives Total Credits: 0-9

Advancement to Candidacy

To advance to candidacy, students must complete all coursework required by their approved program of study. Students must also successfully complete and pass two comprehensive qualifying exams in major fields. In addition, students must have an approved dissertation committee and must present and successfully defend a dissertation proposal before advancing to candidacy.

Dissertation Research

Once enrolled in GOVT 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal, students in this degree program must maintain continuous registration in GOVT 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal or GOVT 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research each semester (excluding summers) until the dissertation is submitted to and accepted by the University Libraries. Once enrolled in GOVT 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research, students must follow the university's continuous registration policy as specified in AP.6.10.6 Dissertation Research. Students who defend in the summer must be registered for at least 1 credit of GOVT 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.

Students may apply to this degree a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 credits of GOVT 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal and a minimum of 6 credits of GOVT 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research. They apply a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 24 dissertation credits (GOVT 998 Doctoral Dissertation Proposal and GOVT 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research combined) to the degree. Because of the continuous registration policy, students may be required to register for additional credits of these courses.

Students who do fewer than 24 credits of dissertation will complete their degree with additional electives.

• Select 12-24 credits from the following:
  • GOVT 998: Doctoral Dissertation Proposal (minimum of 3, maximum of 6 credits)
  • GOVT 999: Doctoral Dissertation Research (minimum of 6 credits) Total Credits: 12-24