Doctoral Program:

The doctoral program is designed to allow the well-prepared student to complete course requirements for the Ph.D. in two years of full-time study. Students take comprehensive examinations during their third year, followed by preparation of a dissertation. Requirements for the Ph.D. in political science include:

1. Completion of 100 credits (18 credits are for dissertation) beyond the bachelor's degree. PS 601, 602, 605, 606, 608, 609, and 610 may be taken pass/no pass. All other course work must be taken for letter grades.
2. Completion of State of the Discipline (PS 620), to be taken the first time it is offered.
3. Completion of three seminars, selected from PS 621-627, in the three area fields in which the student takes the comprehensive examination. Students should take these seminars as early as possible.
4. Demonstrated proficiency in quantitative and research methods.
5. After completion of course work, passing a comprehensive examination in one major field and two minor fields selected from the list below. Each field comprises several themes from which the student must choose a subset.
   1. Classical and contemporary political theory
   2. Comparative politics
   3. International relations
   4. Public policy
   5. Formal theory and methodology
   6. United States politics
6. The Major field will be examined by a written examination and an oral examination. One Minor field will be examined by written examination only. One Minor field will be examined by either a written and oral examination OR a Field Paper with an oral examination on that paper.
7. Completion of 18 credits of Dissertation (PS 603), as required by the Graduate School. These credits must be taken while completing the Ph.D. dissertation, which is written after passing the comprehensive examination.
8. Defense of the written dissertation in an oral examination.

The Doctoral Program Document provides a complete description of graduate requirements, including an explanation of themes and field requirements. To begin the application process, please see our Graduate Application Process page.

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