political science phd admission statistics

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Doctoral program statistics.

Use this page to explore summary statistics for research doctoral programs administered by the Graduate School. Methodology and definitions are provided at the bottom of the page.   

For additional graduate statistics, survey results, and career outcomes data, see program metrics .

Methodology and Definitions

Admissions counts.

Applied, admitted and matriculated counts are reported for new, external applications only. Current students who transfer into a different graduate program at Cornell without submitting a new application are not counted here.

Individuals may defer enrollment and/or be admitted to a program that differs from the one to which they originally applied. This can cause admitted and matriculated counts to be higher than application counts in some fields. 

Admission cycles start in the summer and continue through the following spring. For example, the 2020-21 admissions year includes data from summer 2020 through spring 2021. Because these dashboards are updated annually in the fall, the most recent year will not include data from the spring.

Average Admit Rate

Admit rate is the percentage of applicants who were admitted. Highly selective programs tend to have low admit rates. The five year average provides a good indicator of typical admit rates.

Enrollment numbers are derived from the student enrollment snapshot that is captured the sixth week of each fall term. Only students who are enrolled on the census date are counted. Students on an approved leave of absence are not included.

Average Completion Rate

Completion rate is the percentage of entering doctoral students who successfully completed the degree. Completion rates are reported by entering cohort, which is defined by the first term in which a student is enrolled in their doctoral program, regardless of any prior enrollment in a master’s program. The cohorts included here entered their programs seven to twelve years ago, and thus have had adequate time to finish a doctoral degree.

Status of Students in Each Recent Entering Cohort

This graph shows the current status of students who began the doctoral program in each of the last ten academic years. Students listed as completed have received the doctoral degree. Students are considered current in their program if they are still actively pursuing the doctoral degree or are on an approved temporary leave of absence. Students listed as discontinued have either left the university without a degree or switched to a different type of degree program (in many cases a master’s degree).

Time to Degree (TTD)

Time-to-degree degree measures the time in years from the first day of a student’s initial enrollment in their doctoral program to the day of their degree conferral. Time-to-degree measures elapsed time only, not enrolled time. It does not stop and start if a student takes a leave of absence. For Master’s/PhD students, time-to-degree starts when they begin the PhD phase of their studies. If a student was enrolled in a master’s program prior to matriculating in the doctoral program, the separate time in the master’s program is not included. Because of this, time-to-degree may appear shorter in some doctoral programs where it is common to complete a master’s prior to matriculation in the doctoral program.

The median time to degree can be thought of as the “mid-point”, where half of the students completed in a time period that is less than or equal to this value. The median is not affected by extreme values or outliers. 

Political Science, PHD

On this page:, at a glance: program details.

• Location: Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement: No

The GRE requirement is waived for fall 2024 admissions.

Program Description

Degree Awarded: PHD Political Science

The PhD program in political science is intended to develop scholars who demonstrate a high level of excellence in teaching and research as professional political scientists. It offers a variety of areas of specialization within and between the four main subfields of political science: American politics, comparative politics, international relations and political theory. Students interested in a political theory specialization should consult with the academic unit prior to application.

Program faculty have particular strengths in Latino and Latina politics, women and politics, ethnoreligious dynamics, political violence, human rights, political psychology and political economy.

The school is host to the Center for Latina/os and American Politics Research, the Future Security Initiative and an experimental lab. Faculty are also affiliated with other centers at ASU, such as the Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab; the Center for the Study of Religion and Conflict; the Melikian Center for Russian, Eurasian and East European Studies; as well as the Center for the Study of Economic Liberty. Many faculty members are active in collaborative interdisciplinary research at ASU and with scholars at other universities, and they have won major grants and awards, as have the school's doctoral students.

Degree Requirements

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (3 credit hours) POS 503 Empirical Political Inquiry (3)

Electives and Research (69 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) POS 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information A maximum of 12 credit hours of approved coursework outside the department but within ASU may count toward the required 84 credit hours.

Coursework beyond the 12-credit-hour maximum may be taken outside the department with permission of both the director of Graduate Studies and the faculty advisor.

When approved by the student's supervisory committee and the Graduate College, this program allows 30 credit hours from a previously awarded master's degree to be used for this degree. If students do not have a previously awarded master's degree, the 30 hours of coursework is made up of electives and research to reach the required 84 credit hours.

Also required is a formal oral defense of the dissertation and a written comprehensive examination in the major field.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• personal statement
• writing sample
• three letters of recommendation
• list of political science courses taken
• proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

ASU does not accept the GRE® General Test at home edition.

To assist in evaluating all candidates, the applicant should list titles and related information for all previous undergraduate and graduate courses or coursework in political science or related fields. The file must be saved in a .pdf, .doc, .rtf or .txt format and uploaded with the online graduate admission application. The information should be in a table with the following column headings: Course Title, Undergrad Credit Hours, Graduate Credit Hours, Grade, Institution, Year.

Undergraduate coursework in political science is not a prerequisite for admission. However, applicants to the doctoral program should have a basic understanding of elementary statistics and the undergraduate content of the political science fields of specialization that they wish to study. Students without this background should allow sufficient time to acquire it.

The personal statement (one to three pages) should describe the areas of political science the applicant wishes to study, post-graduation goals, and why the School of Politics and Global Studies is the best fit for the applicant. Applicants may also mention any particular faculty members with whom they are interested in working and why, as well as provide context for any discrepancies in their educational background.

The writing sample is typically a previously written research or other similar paper that best demonstrates the applicants critical thinking and writing skills in political science or a related field. There is not a length requirement for the writing sample, but it should be of sufficient level to allow the admissions committee to evaluate the applicant's knowledge and skills.

Students are expected to take courses for the first four semesters that will prepare them for comprehensive exams by the beginning of their fifth semester.  Each subfield has required methods courses, research courses, and core seminars for major and minor fields and these must be included on the IPOS. The faculty advisor and the student will set timelines for course completion and exams, bearing in mind the goal of being prepared to take comprehensive exams by the beginning of the fifth semester at ASU. 

A minimum of 84 hours is required.

Core Courses (3 credits)

POS 503 - Empirical Political Inquiry

Research methods and techniques of the discipline, emphasizing empirical foundations and analytic methods employed in subfields.

Electives and Research (69 credits – 39 if previous MA applied to program)

If your field is American Politics:

• POS 603 - Polimetrics I
• POS 604 - Polimetrics II
• POS 530 - American Politics
• Three elective courses in subfield

If you field is Comparative Politics:

• POS 550 - Comparative Politics

If your field is International Relations:

• POS 560 - International Relations
• POS 604 – Polimetrics II or approved Methods course

Culminating Experience (12 credits)

POS 799 – Dissertation

Next Steps to attend ASU

Learn about our programs, apply to a program, visit our campus, application deadlines, career opportunities.

Program graduates have a strong track record of obtaining positions in academic, public and private sectors. The program works closely with students so they have the opportunity and tools needed to achieve their career goals. The doctoral program provides advanced education for students preparing for teaching, research or applied careers in political science in government, nonprofits and the private sector.

Career examples include:

• campaign consultant
• campaign strategist
• data analyst
• research specialist
• tenure-track or instructional faculty in political science

Program Contact Information

If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.

• [email protected]
• 480/965-8563

• Graduate Program

Prospective Students

• Admissions Statistics

Our program attracts very high quality students, as indicated by these data.  Please note that these "quantifiables" are but one part of admissions decisions- letters of recommendation and student statements also weigh heavily.

GRE Scores (Average)

Gpa (average), admission ratios, toefl exam (international applicants only).

Required of all international applicants whose native language is not English or who were not enrolled, full time, for a minimum of one year in an academic program at an English speaking institution.

• Our History and Philosophy
• Admissions FAQs
• Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program
• Admitted Students FAQs

Our Ph.D. program in Political Science is designed to break down barriers and build bridges across the subfields and give all of our students a broad command of the discipline as a whole, regardless of their area of specialization.

Political Science Graduate Admissions [email protected]

In an effort to provide comprehensive information for all interested individuals, The Duke University Graduate School posts summary data on its Ph.D. and master’s programs. These data include information such as total applications, admissions, matriculations, demographics, median GRE and GPA scores, and career outcomes.

If you cannot view the data due to accessibility reasons, please contact [email protected] .

Aggregate Data (All Programs)

• All Programs: PhD and Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• All Programs: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• All Programs: PhD Completion Rates Statistics
• All Programs: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• All Programs: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• All Programs: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• All Programs: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

Program-Specific Data

* – The asterisk next to program names in the list below denotes Ph.D. admitting programs. Students may apply and be admitted directly to these departments or programs, but after their second year of study at Duke, they must select a participating department in which they plan to earn the Ph.D., i.e., their degree comes from a different program than the one they were admitted into. Because of that, the programs with asterisks only have admission data but no data related to degree completion or career outcomes. The graduates are included in the data for the programs from which they received their degrees.

ANALYTICAL POLITICAL ECONOMY

• Analytical Political Economy: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Analytical Political Economy: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

ART, ART HISTORY AND VISUAL STUDIES

• Art, Art History and Visual Studies: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Art, Art History and Visual Studies: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Art, Art History and Visual Studies: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Art, Art History and Visual Studies: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

BIOCHEMISTRY

• Biochemistry: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Biochemistry: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Biochemistry: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Biochemistry: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

BIOETHICS & SCIENCE POLICY

• Bioethics and Science Policy: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Bioethics and Science Policy: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics
• Biology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Biology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Biology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Biology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING

• Biomedical Engineering: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Biomedical Engineering: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Biomedical Engineering: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Biomedical Engineering: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Biomedical Engineering: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Biomedical Engineering: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

BIOSTATISTICS

• Biostatistics: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Biostatistics: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Biostatistics: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics 

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

• Business Administration: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Business Administration: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Business Administration: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Business Administration: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

• Cell and Molecular Biology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics

CELL BIOLOGY

• Cell Biology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Cell Biology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Cell Biology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Cell Biology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Chemistry: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Chemistry: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Chemistry: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Chemistry: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

• Civil and Environmental Engineering: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Civil and Environmental Engineering: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Civil and Environmental Engineering: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Civil and Environmental Engineering: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Civil and Environmental Engineering: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Civil and Environmental Engineering: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

CLASSICAL STUDIES

• Classical Studies: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Classical Studies: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Classical Studies: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Classical Studies: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

COGNITIVE NEUROSCIENCE*

• Cognitive Neuroscience: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics

COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY AND BIOINFORMATICS

• Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Computational Biology and Bioinformatics: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

COMPUTATIONAL MEDIA, ARTS & CULTURES

• Computational Media, Arts & Cultures: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics

COMPUTER SCIENCE

• Computer Science: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Computer Science: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Computer Science: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Computer Science: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Computer Science: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Computer Science: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

CRITICAL ASIAN HUMANITIES

• Critical Asian Humanities: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Critical Asian Humanities: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGY

• Cultural Anthropology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Cultural Anthropology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Cultural Anthropology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Cultural Anthropology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

DEVELOPMENTAL AND STEM CELL BIOLOGY*

• Developmental and Stem Cell Biology: Ph.D. Admissions and Enrollment Statistics

DIGITAL ART HISTORY/COMPUTATIONAL MEDIA

• Digital Art History and Computational Media: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Digital Art History and Computational Media: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

EARTH AND CLIMATE SCIENCES

• Earth and Climate Sciences: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Earth and Climate Sciences: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Earth and Climate Sciences: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Earth and Climate Sciences: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Earth and Climate Sciences: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics

EAST ASIAN STUDIES

• East Asian Studies: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• East Asian Studies: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics
• Ecology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Ecology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Ecology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Ecology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Economics: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Economics: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Economics: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Economics: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Economics: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Economics: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

ECONOMICS AND COMPUTATION

• Economics and Computation: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Economics and Computation: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

• Electrical and Computer Engineering: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Electrical and Computer Engineering: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Electrical and Computer Engineering: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Electrical and Computer Engineering: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Electrical and Computer Engineering: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Electrical and Computer Engineering: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics
• English: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• English: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• English: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• English: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

ENVIRONMENT

• Environment: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Environment: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Environment: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Environment: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY

• Environmental Policy: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Environmental Policy: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Environmental Policy: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Environmental Policy: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

EVOLUTIONARY ANTHROPOLOGY

• Evolutionary Anthropology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Evolutionary Anthropology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Evolutionary Anthropology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Evolutionary Anthropology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

GENETICS AND GENOMICS

• Genetics and Genomics: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Genetics and Genomics: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Genetics and Genomics: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Genetics and Genomics: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

GERMAN STUDIES (CAROLINA-DUKE GERMAN PROGRAM)

• German Studies (Carolina-Duke German Program): PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• German Studies (Carolina-Duke German Program): PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• German Studies (Carolina-Duke German Program): PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• German Studies (Carolina-Duke German Program): PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

GLOBAL HEALTH

• Global Health: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Global Health: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics
• Global Health (Duke Kunshan): Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

GRADUATE LIBERAL STUDIES

• Liberal Studies: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Liberal Studies: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics
• History: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• History: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• History: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• History: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• History: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• History: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics
• Humanities: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Humanities: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics
• Immunology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Immunology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Immunology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Immunology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

INTEGRATED TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH*

• Integrated Toxicology and Environmental Health: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Literature: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistic
• Literature: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Literature: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Literature: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

MARINE SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION

• Marine Science and Conservation: PhD Admission and Enrollment Statistics
• Marine Science and Conservation: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Marine Science and Conservation: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Marine Science and Conservation: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

MASTER IN INTERDISCIPLINARY DATA SCIENCE

• Interdisciplinary Data Science: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Interdisciplinary Data Science: Master’s Career Outcomes Statistics

MASTER OF ARTS IN TEACHING

• Master of Arts in Teaching: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Master of Arts in Teaching: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN DANCE: EMBODIED INTERDISCIPLINARY PRAXIS

• Master of Fine Arts in Dance: Embodied Interdisciplinary Praxis: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Master of Fine Arts in Dance: Embodied Interdisciplinary Praxis: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

MASTER OF FINE ARTS IN EXPERIMENTAL AND DOCUMENTARY ARTS

• Experimental and Documentary Arts: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Experimental and Documentary Arts: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

• Materials Science and Engineering: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Materials Science and Engineering: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics

MATHEMATICS

• Mathematics: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Mathematics: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Mathematics: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Mathematics: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND MATERIALS SCIENCE

• Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

MEDICAL PHYSICS

• Medical Physics: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Medical Physics: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Medical Physics: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Medical Physics: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Medical Physics: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Medical Physics: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics
• Medical Physics (Duke Kunshan): Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

MOLECULAR CANCER BIOLOGY

• Molecular Cancer Biology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Molecular Cancer Biology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Molecular Cancer Biology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Molecular Cancer Biology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

MOLECULAR GENETICS AND MICROBIOLOGY

• Molecular Genetics and Microbiology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Molecular Genetics and Microbiology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Molecular Genetics and Microbiology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Molecular Genetics and Microbiology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Music: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Music: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Music: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Music: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

NEUROBIOLOGY

• Neurobiology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Neurobiology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Neurobiology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Neurobiology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Nursing: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Nursing: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Nursing: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Nursing: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Pathology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Pathology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Pathology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Pathology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

PHARMACOLOGY

• Pharmacology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Pharmacology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Pharmacology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Pharmacology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Philosophy: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Philosophy: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Philosophy: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Philosophy: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Philosophy: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Physics: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Physics: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Physics: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Physics: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

POLITICAL SCIENCE

• Political Science: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Political Science: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Political Science: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Political Science: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Political Science: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Political Science: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

POPULATION HEALTH SCIENCES

• Population Health Sciences: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Population Health Sciences: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Population Health Sciences: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

PSYCHOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE

• Psychology and Neuroscience: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Psychology and Neuroscience : PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Psychology and Neuroscience : PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Psychology and Neuroscience: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

PUBLIC POLICY

• Public Policy Studies: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Public Policy Studies: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Public Policy Studies: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Public Policy Studies: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

RELIGIOUS STUDIES

• Religion: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Religion: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Religion: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Religion: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Religion: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Religion: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

ROMANCE STUDIES

• Romance Studies: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Romance Studies: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Romance Studies: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Romance Studies: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

SLAVIC AND EURASIAN STUDIES

• Slavic and Eurasian Studies: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Sociology: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Sociology: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Sociology: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Sociology: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics

STATISTICAL SCIENCE

• Statistical Science: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Statistical Science: PhD Completion Rate Statistics
• Statistical Science: PhD Time to Degree Statistics
• Statistical Science: PhD Career Outcomes Statistics
• Statistical Science: Master's Admissions and Enrollment Statistics
• Statistical Science: Master's Career Outcomes Statistics

STRUCTURAL BIOLOGY AND BIOPHYSICS

• Structural Biology and Biophysics: PhD Admissions and Enrollment Statistics

Ph.D. Admissions

Apply here . 

Preparing to Apply

Before starting the application process please read the information about the graduate program requirements  and read our  Frequently Asked Questions . You may also find the Guide to Getting Into Grad School helpful. 

The Political Science department recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

All questions regarding graduate admissions should be directed to politicalscience [at] stanford.edu (subject: Admissions%20Enquiry) ( politicalscience[at]stanford[dot]edu ) .

The principal goal of the Stanford Ph.D. program in political science is the training of scholars. Most students who receive doctorates in the program do research and teach at colleges or universities. We offer courses and research opportunities in a wide variety of fields in the discipline, including American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Political Methodology. The program is built around small seminars that analyze critically the literature of a field or focus on a research problem. These courses prepare students for the Ph.D. comprehensive exam requirement within a two-year period and for work on the doctoral dissertation.  

Admission to the graduate program in political science is highly selective. About twelve to fifteen students, chosen from a large pool of applicants, enter the program each year. The small size of our student body allows more individual work with members of the faculty than most graduate programs. It also makes possible financial assistance in one form or another to most students admitted to the Ph.D. program. 

Graduate Admissions FAQ

Please visit our list of  frequently asked questions.

You may also find the following links useful if you have general questions about student life and graduate study at Stanford University:  

Vice Provost of Graduate Education (VPGE)

• Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures Handbook (GAP)
• Graduate Life Office
• Stanford Bulletin
• Explore Courses

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Join dozens of Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS). KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford. Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment. If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about KHS admission .

Graduate Program

Pushing the Scholarly Frontier

PhD in Political Science

Our doctoral students are advancing political science as a discipline. They explore the empirical phenomena that produce new scholarly insights—insights that improve the way governments and societies function. As a result, MIT Political Science graduates are sought after for top teaching and research positions in the U.S. and abroad. Read where program alumni are working around the world.

How the PhD program works

The MIT PhD in Political Science requires preparation in two of these major fields:

• American Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Models and Methods
• Political Economy
• Security Studies

We recommend that you take a broad array of courses across your two major fields. In some cases, a single course may overlap across the subject matter of both fields. You may not use more than one such course to "double count" for the course distribution requirement. Keep in mind that specific fields may have additional requirements.

You are free to take subjects in other departments across the Institute. Cross-registration arrangements also permit enrollment in subjects taught in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University and in some of Harvard's other graduate schools.

Requirements

1. number of subjects.

You will need two full academic years of work to prepare for the general examinations and to meet other pre-dissertation requirements. Typically, a minimum of eight graduate subjects are required for a PhD.

2. Scope and Methods

This required one-semester seminar for first-year students introduces principles of empirical and theoretical analysis in political science.

3. Statistics

You must successfully complete at least one class in statistics.

You must successfully complete at least one class in empirical research methods.

5. Philosophy

You must successfully complete at least one class in political philosophy.

6. Foreign language or advanced statistics

You must demonstrate reading proficiency in one language other than English by successfully completing two semesters of intermediate-level coursework or an exam in that language, or you must demonstrate your knowledge of advanced statistics by successfully completing three semesters of coursework in advanced statistics. International students whose native language is not English are not subject to the language requirement.

7. Field research

We encourage you to conduct field research and to develop close working ties with faculty members engaged in major research activities.

8. Second Year Paper/workshop

You must complete an article-length research paper and related workshop in the spring semester of the second year. The second-year paper often develops into a dissertation project.

9. Two examinations

In each of your two elected fields, you must take a general written and oral examination. To prepare for these examinations, you should take at least three courses in each of the two fields, including the field seminar.

10. Doctoral thesis

As a rule, the doctoral thesis requires at least one year of original research and data collection. Writing the dissertation usually takes a substantially longer time. The thesis process includes a first and second colloquium and an oral defense. Be sure to consult the MIT Specifications for Thesis Preparation as well as the MIT Political Science Thesis Guidelines . Consult the MIT academic calendar to learn the due date for final submission of your defended, signed thesis.

Questions? Consult the MIT Political Science Departmental Handbook or a member of the staff in the MIT Political Science Graduate Office .

The Department of Political Science

• PhD Requirements

• Graduate Courses
• PhDs on the Job Market
• Alumni Job Placement
• Honors & Fellowships

The requirements for the Ph.D. in political science are divided between those that must be satisfied by all candidates for that degree and those particular to the student’s major and minor fields.

Department-Wide Requirements

All candidates for the Ph.D. must satisfy the following requirements:

Course Requirements

• To fulfill the requirements for the Ph.D. in Political Science students must complete 12 courses at the 600-level with a grade of B or better.
• Of these 12 courses, eight must be graduate-level (600-level) courses taken in the Political Science department.
• No more than two of these eight courses (600-level) may be Independent Studies.
• If a graduate student is interested in taking an undergraduate-level course, the student must make arrangements to take a graduate-level Independent Study with the professor teaching that course. (NB: As noted above, a student may take no more than two Independent Studies for credit toward fulfilling the requirements of the PhD.)
• A graduate student may take no more than one graduate-level course at another division of Johns Hopkins University (i.e. SAIS, Public Health, etc.) for credit toward fulfilling the requirements of the PhD in Political Science.
• Students may make a formal request to the DGS to have up to two graduate-level courses taken at another institution count for credit toward fulfilling the requirements of the Ph.D. in Political Science at JHU.

Foreign Language Requirement

All students must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language. This requirement can be fulfilled as follows:

• Demonstrate fluency in a foreign language (granted automatically for students whose first language is not English).
• Complete four semesters of college-level foreign language instruction.
• Pass a translation exam.
• Earn a degree from a University where instruction is not in English.
• With a degree from an institution in which the language of instruction is a language other than English.
• Place into a third-year foreign language course through online placement tests (see MLL website).

Comprehensive Examination Requirement

Students are required, at a minimum, to take comprehensive exams in one major field and one minor field. Students may also elect to take two major exams or a major exam and two minor exams (one of which may be outside the Department of Political Science).

Faculty members in the field write and evaluate the exams and determine the format. Major field comprehensive exams take place over two days (8 hours per day); minor field exams take place over one day. The fields within the department are American politics, law and politics, political theory, comparative politics, and international relations.

Students choosing a second minor outside the department must devise a coherent program of study in that discipline, in consultation with their political science faculty adviser and with faculty from the other department. Students choosing an external minor must complete a minimum of three courses at the 600 level in the external minor’s discipline, earning a grade of B or better. They must also pass a comprehensive examination prepared and evaluated by faculty from that department in consultation with faculty of the Department of Political Science.

Dissertation

The dissertation is the capstone of doctoral education, and it must be a substantial work of independent scholarship that contributes to knowledge in the student’s field of study. Students must identify a tenure-track or tenured member of the Political Science faculty who is willing to supervise the preparation of their dissertation. A dissertation prospectus must be submitted to two professors (one of whom must be the dissertation advisor) and that prospectus must be accepted by them both.

Students must pass a final examination that takes the form of a defense of the doctoral dissertation that is conducted under the rules of the Graduate Board of Johns Hopkins University.

Note: Exceptions may be made to some of these requirements but only with the approval of the graduate student’s adviser and the Political Science department’s Director of Graduate Studies.

Field-Specific Requirements

Field-specific basic expectations, procedures, and requirements are stated below. These are implemented, interpreted, and adjusted in the light of the intellectual orientations and objectives of individual students. It is important that students work closely with their advisers and with the faculty in their major and minor fields in constructing and pursuing their programs of study.

American Politics

Students majoring and minoring in American Politics will work with at least two faculty members to develop a plan of study that includes recommended course work and other preparation needed to pass a comprehensive exam. Students completing a major are expected to demonstrate a breadth of knowledge sufficient for framing a dissertation in the relevant disciplinary literature and teaching undergraduate courses in the field; students who pursue a minor may focus more narrowly on an area of study in which they demonstrate fluency. These may include, but are not limited to, the following areas of faculty interest:

• American Political Institutions (Congress, Courts, and the Executive)
• Urban Politics
• American Political Development
• Race and Politics
• Political Behavior and Public Opinion
• Public Policy
• American Political Thought
• Political Parties and Elections

In addition, students majoring in the field are strongly encouraged to take AS.190.602 Introduction to Quantitative Political Science as part of their course of study.

Comparative Politics

All students majoring and minoring in comparative politics will become conversant with major substantive and methodological debates in the field, and be able to comment on the key theoretical literature in several of those debates. They will typically also develop knowledge of at least one world region. Students majoring or minoring in comparative politics are required to take AS.190.625 Theories of Comparative Politics and at least one seminar in quantitative or qualitative methods. Students are expected to master the material covered in these courses, as well as others with more specialized topics.

Students will take a comprehensive exam that will test their ability to engage with several areas of theoretical debate in comparative politics, and their ability to use comparative examples to support their arguments. Students may focus on (but are not limited to):

• Civil Society
• Institutional Theories
• Transnational Relations, Social Movements, and Contentious Politics
• Political Parties, Interest Groups, Representation, and Political Behavior
• Comparative Political Economy
• Comparative Racial Politics, Nationalism, and Migration and Citizenship
• The Political Economy of Development
• Economic and Political Transitions
• Ideas and Politics

Within the spirit of this division of the overall field, students may propose alternative delineations of thematic subfields.

Students working in specific thematic and substantive subfields within comparative politics will be required to demonstrate competence in methodologies and bodies of theory judged by the faculty to be necessary for quality research and teaching in those subfields.

Requirements for the major exam:

Students taking the major exam are expected to compile a reading list that includes at least six fields, including a general “Theories of Comparative Politics” field. The reading list must be approved by the student’s advisor at least six weeks before the exam. We strongly advise students to submit their reading lists to all of the CP faculty for feedback at least a few months before the exam. A minimum of three CP faculty members will read each major exam.

Requirements for the minor exam:

Students taking the minor exam should seek two readers among the CP faculty for their exams. Students are expected to compile a reading list that includes at least four fields, including a general “Theories of Comparative Politics” field. The reading list must be approved by the two readers at least six weeks before the exam. We strongly advise students to submit their reading lists to all of the CP faculty for feedback at least a few months before the exam.

International Relations

All students majoring or minoring in international relations will be required to have deep knowledge of the scholarship relevant to their area of research and to be conversant with the major theoretical, substantive, and methodological themes and debates of the field. It is strongly recommended that students take AS 190.676 Field Survey of International Relations (or a similar course) and a methods/epistemology course chosen in consultation with their faculty advisers.

Students majoring in international relations will take an examination covering two subfields. The first subfield must be international politics. The other subfield is to be determined in consultation with faculty teaching international relations. Choices include but are not restricted to:

• International Law and Diplomacy
• International Relations Theory
• International Security Studies
• Science, Technology, and Art and International Relations
• Global Political Economy

Students minoring in international relations will take a comprehensive examination of international politics.

Political Theory

Students majoring in political theory will take a comprehensive examination covering the following two subfields:

• Contemporary Political Theory
• History of Political Thought

Each student preparing for a major comprehensive exam will propose six or seven thinkers in the history of thought, six or seven recent or contemporary thinkers, and three or four issue areas. Examination questions are composed in light of the theorists and issues articulated in the exam prospectus.

The minor comprehensive exam in political theory asks the student to select half the number of thinkers required for the major exam and three issue areas.

Preparation for these examinations will be arranged in consultation with relevant faculty.

Students majoring in political theory will also take at least one minor field from American politics, law, and politics, comparative politics, or international relations.

Law and Politics

Law and politics focus on American constitutional thought, judicial politics, law and society, and philosophy of law. Students learn not only about the history and context of American constitutional developments but also about the operation of the judicial branch of government in the past and the present. Studying how courts and judges do their work, students also consider how that work has changed over time. Students explore how legislation, as well as court decisions, reflect and influence a society’s policies, politics, and moral commitments. In addition, they examine how social movements, interest groups, and professional networks help to shape the law’s content and implementation.

Students may major or minor in law and politics. In either case, students work closely with at least two members of the faculty to develop a plan of study regarding coursework and additional reading to prepare them for comprehensive exams. Majors are expected to demonstrate a breadth of knowledge in the field sufficient for framing a dissertation and for teaching undergraduate courses; minors may focus more narrowly on a particular area of study.

PhD Admissions

Our PhD program welcomes students from a broad range of theoretical, applied, and interdisciplinary backgrounds, and provides rigorous preparation for a future career in statistics, probability, or data science. Our top-ranked program usually takes 5 years to complete. PhD theses are diverse and varied, reflecting the scope of faculty research interests, with many students involved in interdisciplinary research. There are also Designated Emphases in Computational and Genomic Biology; Computational Precision Health; and Computational Science and Engineering if one chooses to take a more concentrated approach.

Our department has been a leader in embracing machine learning and data science. We helped found the Division of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS) , which was launched in 2019 under Associate Provost Jennifer Chayes and continues to strengthen both our interdisciplinary ties and foundational research. Our graduates go on to solve impactful problems in academia, industry, and non-profits, informing consequential decisions such as election auditing, medical treatment, police reform, and scientific reproducibility, and developing elegant mathematical tools for understanding networks, genetics, and language, among other areas.

Financial Support

Program information, the application for fall 2024 is closed., the fall 2025 phd application will open in september 2024., we do not offer spring admissions. , for fall 2024 gre is not required and will not be accepted. subject tests are optional..

Admissions & Enrollment Statistics

Each year, the Graduate School publishes statistics detailing the number of students who apply to, are admitted to and enroll in its programs for the summer and fall semesters (S/Fall). These statistics offer insight into the programs' selectivity and yield rates. Also published are the average grade-point averages and test scores for each admissions cycle.

Please note that the following reports do not include students applying for readmission, to change their graduate major, or as part of a University affiliated exchange program.

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PhD in Political Science

PhD in Political Science Courses | Fields of Study | Requirements | Funding | Admissions

The PhD in Political Science program emphasizes theoretical and methodological rigor and is designed to train applied social-scientists for careers in research. To this end, the program mandates that all students complete a common core of applied formal theory and statistical modeling coursework in addition to the general substantive requirements. Though malleable apart from this core sequence, program requirements are designed to give all students: (1) a firm grasp of the general field of political science; (2) a sophisticated understanding of the theoretical and methodological foundations of the discipline; and (3) a thorough familiarity with the literature and intellectual problems of the fields each student chooses to emphasize.

All fields of study involve the role of incentives, institutions, and strategies in the aggregation of preferences and ultimately the allocation of resources. Major fields of study mirror the disciplinary norm: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Public Administration/Public Policy. All students must also declare two minor fields from the list above or substitute Advanced Research Methodology or Race, Ethnic, and Gender Politics.

Fields of Study

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PhD Completion and Placement Statistics

Carolina’s political science department has a strong record of getting good jobs for our graduate students. We believe that every student we admit has the capacity to achieve a record that will make them attractive as a faculty member at top universities in the US and overseas. Our alums have an impressive record of distinguished research and publications, teaching positions, and professional experience. We have compiled a comprehensive report from March 2024 on our graduate admissions since 1999 including time to degree, attrition, and job placement.

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The Department of Political Science offers graduate study leading to the doctor of philosophy in political science. The department admits students only for the Ph.D. program, but a master's degree may be obtained en route to the Ph.D.

The Ph.D. is earned through a combination of coursework and dissertation. The program is designed to provide students with both a general training in political science and the opportunity to specialize in their areas of interest.

The subfields of political science found in our department are  American politics ,  comparative politics ,  political theory and philosophy ,  international relations , and  political methodology . The department has a national and international reputation for the high quality of its faculty and the diversity of their approaches and interests. It has long been recognized for an acceptance of varied approaches to the study of politics and for its collegiality. The Political Science Department shares faculty with the  Robert M. La Follette School of Public Affairs , the  Law School , and the Department of  Gender and Women’s Studies . The presence of programs and centers such as the  African Studies Program , the  Center for European Studies , the  Center for Jewish Studies , the  Center for Russia, East Europe, and Central Asia (CREECA) ,  Integrated Liberal Studies , the International Studies major ( B.A . and  B.S. ),  Latin American, Caribbean and Iberian Studies , and others is also beneficial to our graduate students, providing opportunities for the advancement of interdisciplinary approaches in student research.

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online .

Applicants to the Political Science Ph.D. program must apply online by December 15 for admission the following fall. The online application requires you to complete the Graduate School application, Political Science supplemental application, and provide the names and email addresses of three references who can attest to your success as a graduate student.  In addition, you must also upload a statement of reasons for graduate study that is two pages in length, a resume or C.V.,  scanned official transcripts, and one research paper with an abstract.

Applicants from outside the United States may also need to submit TOEFL scores. International applicants whose first language is not English will be admitted only if they have Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 100 or more (Internet-based).

It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that all materials are delivered on time.

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.  Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

The department funding guarantee applies to all students admitted to the Ph.D. program. Support may be in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, or as an assistant to a faculty research project.

The department currently guarantees at least five years of financial support to all students admitted to the doctoral program, assuming they are making satisfactory progress toward their degrees. This funding may be in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, or project assistantships. All appointments receive valuable fringe benefits such as tuition remission and eligibility for excellent health insurance.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Major requirements.

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements , in addition to the program requirements listed below.

MODE OF INSTRUCTION

Mode of instruction definitions.

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

Required courses.

The Ph.D. is earned through a combination of coursework and dissertation. The program is designed to provide students with both a general training in political science and the opportunity to specialize in their areas of interest. The subfields of political science found in our department are  American politics ,  comparative politics ,  political theory and philosophy ,  international relations , and  political methodology . Each student will select a first field and a second field. The first field is the field within which the student expects to write a doctoral dissertation. The second field complements and supports the first field and the student’s intellectual and research interests.

Graduate School Policies

The  Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures  provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior coursework, graduate work from other institutions.

With program approval, students may be allowed to count 9 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions toward fulfillment of the minor requirement. While satisfying the minor requirement, these credits will not count toward meeting the minimum credit requirement. Coursework earned ten years or more prior to admission to a doctoral degree is not allowed to satisfy requirements.

UW–Madison Undergraduate

No credits from a UW–Madison undergraduate degree are allowed to count toward the degree.

UW–Madison University Special

No credits from a UW–Madison University Special student career may count toward the degree.

This program follows the Graduate School's Probation policy.

ADVISOR / COMMITTEE

All students are required to meet with their advisor to discuss the first year review and must meet with their advisor at the start of each semester.

CREDITS PER TERM ALLOWED

Time limits.

This program follows the Graduate School's Time Limits policy.

There are also time limits related to preliminary examinations and other program requirements that are documented in the Graduate Program Handbook (see Contact Information box).

grievances and appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Dean of Students Office (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

Students should contact the department chair or program director with questions about grievances. They may also contact the L&S Academic Divisional Associate Deans, the L&S Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning Administration, or the L&S Director of Human Resources.

The Department currently guarantees at least five years of financial support to all students admitted to the doctoral program, assuming they are making satisfactory progress toward their degrees. This funding may be in the form of fellowships, teaching assistantships, or project assistantships. All appointments receive valuable fringe benefits such as excellent health insurance and tuition remission.

Take advantage of the Graduate School's  professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

Program Information

Department of Political Science Ph.D. students are encouraged to participate in our weekly workshops and colloquia. The workshops and colloquia offered in the department are the  American Politics Workshop ,  Comparative Politics Colloquium ,  International Relations Colloquium ,  Political Economy Colloquium ,  MEAD – Models and Data Workshop , and the  Political Theory Workshop .

Workshops are one of the most important intellectual spaces in the department, providing an opportunity to become exposed to cutting-edge research and a chance to meet with scholars from other universities. In addition to featuring faculty papers and outside speakers, the workshops are an integral part of graduate training, serving as a place for students to present papers, as well as dissertation prospectuses, grant proposals, dissertation chapters, and practice job talks.

The department also hosts the Political Science Graduate Workshop (PSGW), which focuses on personal and professional development for graduate students in the department. The PSGW’s mission is to “foster communication and information-sharing among the grad students and faculty members of the political science department and to promote professional development opportunities for the grad students.” The topics covered in PSGW range from topics in graduate life (health and balance, financial life) to discipline professional development (publishing, communications). This workshop convenes several times per semester each academic year.

The department also actively supports our students throughout their job search. The Director of Graduate Studies and the major advisors review all job market materials such as CVs, writing samples, and diversity and teaching statements.  In addition, the department arranges special informational sessions, “mock” interviews, and practice job talks to prepare students for the kinds of questions they will face from potential employers. This support complements other departmental activities designed to professionalize graduate students, including brown bag discussions about attending professional conferences, publishing opportunities, and seeking grant funding.

• Master the state of existing research in two or more subfields of political science.
• Acquire expert knowledge of methods of political inquiry.
• Design, conduct, and complete original research of substantive value to the field of political science that makes and original contribution to knowledge.
• Master the communication of complex concepts to a range of audiences.
• Demonstrate and foster ethical and professional conduct in research, teaching, and service.

For a complete faculty directory visit our website .

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Contact Information

Political Science College of Letters & Science polisci.wisc.edu/graduate

Erin Moskowitz, Graduate Program Coordinator [email protected] 110 North Hall, 1050 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706

Rikhil Bhavnani, Director of Graduate Studies [email protected] 110 North Hall 1050 Bascom Mall, Madison, WI 53706

Graduate Program Handbook View Here

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Requirements: Students must complete their primary program’s degree requirements along with the IDPS requirements. Statistics requirements must not unreasonably impact performance or progress in a student’s primary degree program.

Grade Requirements:  B- in all required coursework (see options below)

PhD Earned on Completion: Political Science and Statistics

IDPS/Political Science Chair : Teppei Yamamoto

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THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

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Political Science

Degree requirements.

Learn more about the program by visiting the Department of Political Science

See related Interdisciplinary Clusters and Certificates

Degree Types: PhD

The Political Science PhD Program is designed for students whose primary concern is a mastery of theories, methods of research, and substantive literature of the discipline of political science.

The program reflects an effort to address big questions in politics by combining multiple social science methodologies including quantitative, qualitative, experimental, interpretive methods. Committed to excellence in research and teaching, methodological diversity, and interdisciplinary collaborations, the department offers a stimulating intellectual community that is committed to diversity and equality of opportunity for students and faculty of all backgrounds.

We offer field training in American politics, comparative politics, political theory, international relations, and methods. Our graduate training strengths include:

• Race, Ethnicity and Politics
• Conflict Studies
• Law and Politics
• Public Opinion, Political Communication and Political Participation
• American Political Development
• International Theory
• Comparative Historical Analysis
• Feminist and Gender Studies

Students in this program are also encouraged to participate in TGS’s Interdisciplinary Initiative program. For more information on how you can have a second intellectual “home” outside of your department or program please visit the Interdisciplinary Clusters page .

Additional resources:

• Department website
• Program handbook(s)

Program Statistics

Visit PhD Program Statistics for statistics such as program admissions, enrollment, student demographics and more.

Program Contact

Contact Justine Zhao Graduate Program Coordinator

The following requirements are in addition to, or further elaborate upon, those requirements outlined in  The Graduate School Policy Guide .

Total Units Required: 18

Political Theory students are occasionally exempt from the requirement to take POLI_SCI 403-0 Introduction to Probability and Statistics and POLI_SCI 405-0 Linear Models .

Other PhD Degree Requirements

• Research Paper Requirement:  Scholarly paper in first or second year
• Second Field Requirement :  Five courses in a student's second field, or optional qualifying examination
• Examination:  One written qualifying examination in student's first field; optional examination in student's second field
• Prospectus:  Dissertation research design presented during the quarter after passing the qualifying examination
• Final Evaluations:  Oral defense of dissertation
• Other:  Teaching requirement begins in second year in an undergraduate course

Last Updated: September 12, 2023

Department of Statistics and Data Science

Ph.d. admissions.

The Ph.D. program admits only a small number of new students each year.  We received more than 300 applications for the Fall 2024 cohort; in general, we hope to make 15-18 offers and obtain an entering class of about six to eight students.

All applications for this program should be submitted directly to the Yale Graduate School Office of Admissions through the online application page.

Application requirements and guidelines

Scores from the GRE General Test are now optional.  A GRE Subject Test is also optional, although the Mathematics Subject Test is not recommended for students whose undergraduate major was not Mathematics. 

All applicants should have a strong mathematical background, including advanced calculus, linear algebra, elementary probability theory, and at least one course providing an introduction to mathematical statistics. An undergraduate major may be in statistics, mathematics, computer science, or in a subject in which significant statistical problems may arise.

For those whose native language is not English, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores are required. A strong command of English is essential for success at Yale.  This requirement is waived only for applicants who, prior to matriculation at Yale, will have received a baccalaureate degree or its international equivalent with three years of residency from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction.

The offer of admission typically includes full tuition ($48,300 in 2023-24) and a generous stipend (roughly $40,300 for 2023-24) for five years.  Consult the Graduate School’s financial assistance page (UPDATE NEEDED) for additional detail on living costs and funding.

For incoming students whose TOEFL scores fall below the level required to satisfy the Graduate School’s Oral English Proficiency Standard, the Graduate School provides a stipend for support during a three week Immersive English Program , held late in summer on the Yale campus.

Tuition and Living Costs  (UPDATE NEEDED)

DEPARTMENT OF STATISTICS AND DATA SCIENCE

Phd program, phd program overview.

The doctoral program in Statistics and Data Science is designed to provide students with comprehensive training in theory and methodology in statistics and data science, and their applications to problems in a wide range of fields. The program is flexible and may be arranged to reflect students' interests and career goals. Cross-disciplinary work is encouraged. The PhD program prepares students for careers as university teachers and researchers and as research statisticians or data scientists in industry, government and the non-profit sector.

Requirements

Students are required to fulfill the Department requirements in addition to those specified by The Graduate School (TGS).

From the Graduate School’s webpage outlining the general requirements for a PhD :

In order to receive a doctoral degree, students must:

• Complete all required coursework. .
• Gain admittance to candidacy.
• Submit a prospectus to be approved by a faculty committee.
• Present a dissertation with original research. Review the Dissertation Publication page for more information.
• Complete the necessary teaching requirement
• Submit necessary forms to file for graduation
• Complete degree requirements within the approved timeline

PhD degrees must be approved by the student's academic program. Consult with your program directly regarding specific degree requirements.

The Department requires that students in the Statistics and Data Science PhD program:

• Meet the department minimum residency requirement of 2 years
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• STAT 415-0 I ntroduction to Machine Learning
• STAT 420-1,2,3 Introduction to Statistical Theory and Methodology 1, 2, 3
• STAT 430-1, STAT 430-2, STAT 440 (new courses in 2022-23 on probability and stochastic processes for statistics students)
• STAT 457-0 Applied Bayesian Inference

Students generally complete the required coursework during their first two years in the PhD program. *note that required courses changed in the 2021-22 academic year, previous required courses can be found at the end of this page.

• Pass the Qualifying Exam. This comprehensive examination covers basic topics in statistics and is typically taken in fall quarter of the second year.

Pass the Prospectus presentation/examination and be admitted for PhD candidacy by the end of year 3 . The statistics department requires that students must complete their Prospectus (proposal of dissertation topic) before the end of year 3, which is earlier than The Graduate School deadline of the end of year 4. The prospectus must be approved by a faculty committee comprised of a committee chair and a minimum of 2 other faculty members. Students usually first find an adviser through independent studies who will then typically serve as the committee chair. When necessary, exceptions may be made upon the approval of the committee chair and the director of graduate studies, to extend the due date of the prospectus exam until the end of year 4.

• Successfully complete and defend a doctoral dissertation. After the prospectus is approved, students begin work on the doctoral dissertation, which must demonstrate an original contribution to a chosen area of specialization. A final examination (thesis defense) is given based on the dissertation. Students typically complete the PhD program in 5 years.
• Attend all seminars in the department and participate in other research activities . In addition to these academic requirements, students are expected to participate in other research activities and attend all department seminars every year they are in the program.

Optional MS degree en route to PhD

Students admitted to the Statistics and Data Science PhD program can obtain an optional MS (Master of Science) degree en route to their PhD. The MS degree requires 12 courses: STAT 350-0 Regression Analysis, STAT 353 Advanced Regression, STAT 420-1,2,3 Introduction to Statistical Theory and Methodology 1, 2, 3, STAT 415-0 I ntroduction to Machine Learning , and at least 6 more courses approved by the department of which two must be 400 level STAT elective courses, no more than 3 can be non-STAT courses. For the optional MS degree, students must also pass the qualifying exam offered at the beginning of the second year at the MS level.

*Prior to 2021-2022, the course requirements for the PhD were:

• STAT 351-0 Design and Analysis of Experiments
• STAT 425 Sampling Theory and Applications
• MATH 450-1,2 Probability 1, 2 or MATH 450-1 Probability 1 and IEMS 460-1,2 Stochastic Processes 1, 2
• Six additional 300/400 graduate-level Statistics courses, at least two must be 400 -level