Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science

Program Learning Outcomes for PhD in Political Science Students graduating from this program will: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of theoretical and empirical research in two of the following three sub-fields of Political Science: American politics, comparative politics, and international relations. Learn and apply social science research design and methodologies, including advanced statistical techniques. Demonstrate the ability to communicate their research effectively through multiple mediums including scholarly writing, oral presentation, and poster sessions. Demonstrate their competence as political scientists through research, teaching, and professional development activities. Requirements for the PhD: Coursework. A student must complete successfully 42 semester hours of advanced coursework. This must include core courses in the major and minor field, three courses beyond the core in the major field, two courses beyond the core in the minor field, POLI 500, POLI 501, and three additional courses that meet the advanced research tools requirement. Exams. A student must pass the Basic Tools Exam, the Midterm Review, three Preliminary Examinations (a general exam in the major field, a subfield exam in the major field, and a general exam in the minor field), a dissertation prospectus defense, and a dissertation defense. Maintenance of Good Standing. A student must remain in good standing with the university and with the department. Remaining in good standing with the department requires a GPA of at least 3.33, satisfactory evaluations for work as a research and/or teaching mentee, and satisfactory participation in professional development activities.