Graduate Program

Arbor_Quad_006.jpg

The Department of Political Science offers flexible programs of graduate study leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Our aim is to provide the highest quality graduate training for students who go on to academic teaching and research positions, and to non-academic careers in the public and private sectors.

Our graduate students benefit from an active, engaged faculty, extensive methodological training, a departmental focus on inter-disciplinary approaches, and close work with a faculty mentor via our apprenticeship model of faculty-student relationships. Graduate students are involved in all areas of faculty research.

 

Graduate Student Department Resources 

In addition to each student's advisor, two helpful resources are the Graduate Program Advisor, Professor Amit Ahuja, and the Graduate Program Coordinator, Kathryn Ficke.

Professor Benjamin J. Cohen serves as the Placement Advisor for graduate students.  His role is to provide guidance to students who are looking for both academic and non-academic jobs.  As students enter the job market, Professor Cohen will help guide students in searching for appropriate jobs and strategies for getting them.  He will also advise on cover letters, CVs, and job talks.

The department offers several opportunities for professional development through the PS 595 series, which features professional skills forums and talks of interest to graduate students.  

Graduate Program Requirements

Please visit our program requirements page to learn more about the program at a glance. For a more in depth look at the program please read our Graduate Student Handbook. This handbook is helpful for both prosepctive students as well as current students. 

Graduate Student Campus Resources

Career and Professional Development
The Graduate Division wants to provide all graduate students wtih the resources to be successful in securing a satisfying and rewarding career. There are several online resources available through the Career & Professional Development section of their website.

For Teaching Assistants who are Parents
Graduate students who are serving as teaching assistants (at 25% or more time) are eligible to participate in a child care reimbursement program. The program allows eligible teaching assistants to receive up to $900 per quarter towards childcare expenses for non-school age dependents.

To receive the reimbursement, TAs must fill out the child care reimbursement form and turn it in, along with childcare receipts, to the Graduate Program Coordinator, Kathyrn Ficke. For more information, see the program factsheet.

American Political Science Association Resources

In addition, to listing available academic positions, APSA provides resources for individuals who are on or preparing to be on the job market. To see more, visit the APSA website. Resouces include: mentoring opportunities, questions to be prepared to answer as a job candidate, and other career resources.

Alumni and current students are invited to connect with one another through the MA/PhD LinkedIn group.

LinkedIn