Program Overview

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Overview of the Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science

The doctoral program in political science is nationally recognized as a leader in the discipline, with outstanding research faculty in each of the major subfields and a reputation for outstanding graduate training. Graduate study in political science emphasizes the Doctor of Philosophy program. The department usually offers the master's degree only as a preliminary step toward the PhD.

Program Description

The program is designed to prepare students for research, teaching, and scholarly endeavors in academic settings and private or governmental institutions. It produces graduates who are deeply committed to the study of politics, familiar with fundamental knowledge about political processes, well trained in methods and techniques for careful investigation of basic and applied research questions, and determined to make contributions to the discipline of political science and society.

Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• demonstrate in-depth knowledge of two major fields in the discipline and competency in one minor field (the minor field may be within the discipline, in an interdisciplinary subject, or in another related discipline);
• demonstrate advanced research skills, including advanced statistical analysis and broad knowledge of a range of theoretical and methodological approaches relevant to their field of research;
• demonstrate effective teaching skills following the pedagogical standards of the discipline;
• be familiar with and follow disciplinary norms and standards, including understanding issues related to ethical practices in research; professional, public, and collegial engagement; and instruction; and
• demonstrate a full understanding of the research enterprise, including an ability to engage others' work and an ability to make original and substantial contributions to the field.

Program Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy in political science requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a Graduate College program grade-point average of at least 3.40.

Fields of Study

Four fields of study are available: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and methodology. Each student chooses three fields of study for qualifying examinations.

Required Coursework

The PhD in political science requires the following coursework.

Core Courses

Students take the following courses, except POLI:7270, on an A–F graded basis. Students must earn a B or above in all courses except POLI:5000 and POLI:7270.

• POLI:5000: Introduction to Political Analysis (4 hours)
• POLI:5001: Introductory Methodology (4 hours)
• POLI:5003: Intermediate Methodology (4 hours)
• POLI:7003: Advanced Methodology (4 hours)
• POLI:7270: Responsible Research in Political Science (1 hour)

Additional Courses

Students complete 55 s.h. of additional coursework in field area, advanced political science, and elective courses.

Field Area

Students complete three of the following field area requirements. All courses must be taken on an A–F graded basis.

• American Politics:
  • POLI:5100: American Politics (4 hours)
  • POLI:7150: Problems in American Politics (taken twice for 4 s.h. each) (8 hours)
• International Relations:
  • POLI:5500: International Politics (4 hours)
  • 8 s.h. from the following:
    • POLI:7502: International Institutions and Cooperation (may be repeated) (4 hours)
    • POLI:7503: International Conflict and Cooperation (may be repeated) (4 hours)
    • POLI:7550: Problems in International Politics (may be repeated) (4 hours)
• Comparative Politics:
  • POLI:5400: Comparative Politics (4 hours)
  • 8 s.h. from the following:
    • POLI:7202: Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior (may be repeated) (4 hours)
    • POLI:7450: Problems of Comparative Politics (may be repeated) (4 hours)
• Methodology:
  • 8 s.h. from the following:
    • POLI:5700: Introduction to Formal Models in Political Science (may be repeated) (4 hours)
    • POLI:7002: Topics Methodology (may be repeated) (4 hours)

Advanced Political Science Courses

Students take a minimum of 12 s.h. of political science courses (prefix POLI) numbered 5000 or above to satisfy the advanced political science courses requirement.

Electives

Elective courses must bring the total credit for the PhD to a minimum of 72 s.h. Elective coursework is tailored to a student's background and career goals. It is selected in consultation with the student's advisory committee and can include research.

Qualifying Exam and Comprehensive Exam

Students must complete their qualifying examinations by the end of the third year. They take their comprehensive examination (oral defense of the dissertation proposal) by the middle of the first semester of their fourth year.

Postcomprehensive Registration

The fourth and fifth years are spent on dissertation research and writing. Students who do basic research and gather data abroad often require an additional year to complete the dissertation.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree, an undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.30 on a four-point scale (or its equivalent for international applicants), and three letters of recommendation from persons who can comment upon the applicant's academic ability and motivation.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor.

First Year

• Fall:
  • POLI:5000: Introduction to Political Analysis (4 hours)
  • POLI:5001: Introductory Methodology (4 hours)
  • Field Area course (4 hours)
• Spring:
  • POLI:5003: Intermediate Methodology (4 hours)
  • Field Area course (4 hours)
  • Advanced political science course (prefix POLI, numbered 5000 or above) (4 hours)

Second Year

• Fall:
  • POLI:7003: Advanced Methodology (4 hours)
  • POLI:7270: Responsible Research in Political Science (1 hour)
  • Field Area course (4 hours)
  • Advanced political science course (prefix POLI, numbered 5000 or above) (4 hours)
• Spring:
  • Advanced political science course (prefix POLI, numbered 5000 or above) (4 hours)
  • Elective course (4 hours)
  • Elective course (4 hours)

Third Year

• Any Semester:
  • Qualifying Exams
• Fall:
  • Elective course (4 hours)
  • Elective course (4 hours)
• Spring:
  • Elective course (4 hours)
  • Elective course (4 hours)

Fourth Year

• Fall:
  • POLI:7910: PhD Dissertation (3 hours)
  • Exam: Doctoral Comprehensive Exam
• Spring:
  • POLI:7910: PhD Dissertation (2 hours)

Fifth Year

• Fall:
  • POLI:7910: PhD Dissertation (1 hour)
• Spring:
  • POLI:7910: PhD Dissertation (1 hour)
  • Exam: Doctoral Final Exam

The total hours required for the PhD program is 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a Graduate College program grade-point average of at least 3.40.