Doctor of Philosophy in the Field of Political Science

As part of the social and behavioral sciences discipline in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the PhD in political science examines politics on a national and international scale, with emphasis on American politics, comparative politics, and international relations. The nationally recognized program offers graduate students an opportunity to work with prominent scholars in a wide range of fields and to take advantage of the resources and opportunities of the nation’s capital.

The program trains students broadly, with emphasis on mastering a variety of research methods. Students have won prestigious dissertation and post-doctoral awards and are active in all aspects of the profession. Students are able to construct a program consisting of a major and minor field of study. The three major fields are American politics, international relations, and comparative politics. Any of the major fields—plus public policy, political theory, or research methodology—is an option for a minor. 

Program graduates have secured tenure-track positions at such schools as William & Mary, DePaul University, University of Indiana, University of Toronto, Colorado State University, Occidental College, SOAS/University of London, and University of Oregon. Graduates seeking positions outside of a university setting have found positions at the Congressional Research Service, the World Bank, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, among others.

Visit the program website for additional information.

Visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences website for application requirements.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Office of Graduate Studies
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052

For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact for questions:

askccas@gwu.edu
202-994-6210 (phone)
Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

The requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Program.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
PSC 8101	Introduction to Empirical Political Analysis
PSC 8108	Craft of Political Inquiry
PSC 8109	Dissertation Development Workshop
Five major field courses, including a field seminar, if applicable.
Four minor field courses, including a field seminar, if applicable.

Additional requirements

In addition to required coursework, students must successfully complete all parts of the program's candidacy assessment process, which consists of two comprehensive examinations, one covering a primary field and the other a supporting field; an original research paper; and a dissertation prospectus. The research paper must reflect the student's ability to conduct original research and should be completed in the second year of the program.

Students prepare for the comprehensive examinations by successfully completing at least five courses in their primary field and at least four courses in their supporting field. All courses are selected in accordance with departmental guidelines. Three primary fields are available: American politics, international relations, and comparative politics. In addition, political theory, public policy, and research methodology are available as supporting fields. Petitions for a self-designed minor field (e.g., political communications) composed primarily of courses not offered in the established supporting fields can be proposed by a student and a faculty member.

Students must complete their primary field examination with a satisfactory pass or above and their supporting field examination with a bare pass or above to be considered eligible for promotion to candidacy. Students are permitted to proceed with the preparation of a dissertation prospectus only if their performance on the examinations and in their coursework indicates a good possibility of success at the dissertation research stage.

The dissertation prospectus must outline the central research question(s), relate the proposed research to the existing literature, detail a research methodology, and explain the nature of the original contribution that the completed project will provide. The prospectus must be presented and defended in an open forum, which all faculty and doctoral students are invited to attend.

A student who demonstrates the capacity to undertake original and significant research by successfully completing all three parts of the program's candidacy assessment process can advance to candidacy and engage in the completion and defense of the dissertation.