College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Political Science

Program Director : Dr. Timothy J. Power

Department’s Phone Number : (305) 348-3295
Department’s FAX Number : (305) 348-3765

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• Program's web site
• College of Arts and Sciences web site

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Brief Description of the Program:

        The Ph.D. program requires a minimum 90 credit hours beyond the Bachelor’s degree. The Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science is conferred based on satisfactory completion of required course work, a demonstrated mastery of a broad field of knowledge, and successful completion and defense of the dissertation. The degree provides graduates with a solid foundation in the basic theories and methodologies of political science in conjunction with specialization in traditional sub-fields. Students will, in consultation with their faculty advisors, determine the contents of their course work. Students will also specialize in three examination fields. Possible fields of examination are based on the traditional substantive areas of political science (American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, and Political Theory) as well as in Methodology. When authorized by the graduate director, students may also create an alternative examination field (Area Studies), which allows them to concentrate on a regional or thematic area that is relevant to their program of studies. However, two of the three examination fields must normally be drawn from among the department's five designated areas of concentration: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Politics, Political Theory, and Methodology. Normally, all students will take 12 credit hours in disciplines outside the Political Science department. Students’ proposed programs must be approved by their advisors and the Graduate Studies Committee.

Application Requirements:
Admission to the Ph.D. program is competitive. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. The minimum requirements for admission to the Ph.D. program include:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
• A minimum 3.2 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) during the last two years of a student’s undergraduate program (students with graduate or professional course work will be evaluated individually).
• A minimum combined score of 1120 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.
• Two letters of reference from former instructors who are able to evaluate the applicant’s potential for graduate study. Applicants should ensure that each letter is signed by the author along the sealed flap of the envelope.
• A personal statement of intent, including a discussion of education and career objectives and the specific relationship of a Master’s or Doctoral degree in political science to the achievement of those objectives. The personal statement should not exceed three typewritten, double-spaced pages.

Additional Requirements for International Students:

• Foreign students whose native language is not English must have a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 or higher.