Program Requirements

In the spring semester of the first year, graduate students in political science are evaluated on the basis of their performance in courses. A student invited to remain in the program to work toward a Ph.D. must complete 51 credits of graduate coursework and 21 dissertation credits, with a 3.0 or higher grade point average.

Ph.D. students are required to take PSC 691 , PSC 693 , PSC 694 , PSC 792 , and at least one additional methods course approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. Once 30 credits of coursework are accumulated, a student working toward the Ph.D. will be eligible for the M.A. Students having done graduate work at another institution may petition to transfer a maximum of 24 credits toward the Ph.D.

Ph.D. students must pass qualifying examinations in two chosen fields of specialization, generally by the end of the third year. Students must also write and defend a doctoral dissertation.