For Current Students
All graduate students in Politics are candidates for the Ph.D. There is no separate M.A. program. The M.A. may be awarded as an incidental degree for students continuing to the Ph.D. or as a terminal degree for those leaving the program. The departmental requirements for the Ph.D. fall into six categories, listed below and described in more detail in the program regulations and graduate student handbook.
- Attain a passing grade in 12 to 14 seminars in the first two to three years of enrollment. Attend and actively participate in a year-long weekly research seminar in their main field every year.
- Successfully complete a workshop in Responsible Conduct of Research.
- Successfully write at least three research papers in seminars, including one in the first year, and an independent, article-length, directed research paper (the “591”) in the second year.
- Pass the General Examination in three fields, normally by October of the third year.
- Lead nine precepts attached to faculty-taught undergraduate courses during their five years of enrollment, normally after passing the General Examination.
- Complete an acceptable dissertation prospectus by the end of the third year.
- Complete an acceptable dissertation and pass a final public oral examination.
The graduate student handbook, program regulation, and other useful forms and documents can be found in the Politics Graduate Student Sharepoint Site.
The program is summarized in the Graduate Program at a Glance.
Important Dates for Graduate Students outlines the annual calendar for graduate students in the program. The Registrar’s office also publishes the Academic Calendar for this year and future years.
Current students must enroll for classes by logging into the SCORE system. Details about classes in which you have enrolled can be found on Blackboard.