Political Science

Ph.D. Program Requirements

The formal requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Political Science

  • Pass fourteen graduate level (2000-level) courses with a grade of B or better, though A grades are expected
    • Eleven courses must be within the Political Science department
    • For those in the American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations Subfields:
      • Research Methods POLS2000 or POLS2400
      • Quantitative Research Methods I POLS2580
      • Two field proseminars (choose two of four - POLS2100 American, POLS2110 Comparative, POLS2120 Theory or POLS2130 IR) plus two electives in each of those subfields with no more than one B grade in each subfield.
      • One theory course
    • For those in the Political Theory Subfield:
      • Research Methods POLS2000 or POLS2400 or POLS2580
      • Both political theory field proseminars (POLS2120 and POLS2360) plus a theory elective with no more than one B grade
      • One other field proseminar (POLS2100 American, POLS2110 Comparative, or POLS2130 IR) plus two electives in that subfield with no more than one B grade
  • The Prospectus Writing POLS2050 and POLS2051 sequence
  • The Professionalization course POLS2052 and POLS2053 sequence
  • Pass written and oral preliminary examination in the primary subfield
  • Written and oral presentation of a dissertation proposal
  • Written and oral presentation of a dissertation
  • A minimum of two semesters as a teaching assistant