Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
What is a Ph.D degree and what is it for?
The Ph.D. is a research degree for those who want research careers inside and outside the academy (higher education). It leads to research-focused jobs such as professors and research positions in government, not-for-profit or for-profit institutions.
Do I need an M.A. first?
No, we admit students to the Ph.D. program who have BA and BS degrees and who have demonstrated an understanding of the purpose of the Ph.D., demonstrated research ability and are prepared for graduate-level work.
What do I put in the statement of purpose?
The statement of purpose is a document that indicates to the admission committee the subfield of political science, research topics and—to the extent possible—research methodologies the student is interested in. This helps the committee identify whether the department can support the student’s academic goals and allows the committee to assign an appropriate adviser. Please note, the statement of purpose is not intended to be focused on the student’s personal life experience more than is necessary to establish the student’s research interests and experiences related to social science research.
Do I need an advisor before I apply?
You are welcome to reach out to a faculty member to see if their interests align with your own and inquire whether they are working with graduate students. Some faculty may have funded Graduate Teaching or Graduate Research Assistant positions, in which case they may conduct interviews or other evaluations. General admission to the program is handled by our Graduate Committee for those not seeking funding or interested in one of our generally assigned GTA lines. One does not need permission for a general application.
I am from (x) country and have (y) TOEFL score...
Requirements on language proficiency are set by the Graduate School, not our department.
Do you offer fellowships? And how can I apply for one?
We do offer what we call ”Graduate Teaching Assistant Fellowships” for some Ph.D. students. They are limited and highly competitive. We generally admit 1-2 funded Ph.D. students per year. You can indicate your interest in a Graduate Teaching Assistant Fellowship on your application. No other form is required at the departmental level.
Can you review my CV before I apply?
Unfortunately, we cannot. We are a small department and cannot offer pre-review.
Do you offer application fee waivers?
Application fees are collected by the Graduate School, not our department. We cannot offer any waivers under any circumstances.
What is included in a Graduate Teaching Assistant Fellowship?
Please review the Graduate School's page on Graduate Teaching Fellowships.
Does your assistantship cover summer months?
Standard assistantships are for ten months.
Do I need to have a Political Science undergraduate degree to apply?
No, we only require that students have 18 previously completed credit hours in social science.
What methods are used in your department?
Our faculty is methodologically pluralist, including scholars who work in quantitative, qualitative, experimental and normative traditions. Please feel free to look at faculty members’ websites or contact them for more detailed information.
Is there an online option?
We do not currently offer any programs online.
