phd political science new york university

Politics (PhD)

Program description, dual degree.

The goal of the Ph.D. program is to prepare students to conduct research, to teach, or to work in applied settings at the best institutions in the United States and abroad. To achieve this goal, the program specifies the distribution of courses, the substance and timing of requirements, the forms of faculty supervision, and the criteria for advancement within the program.

The Politics Department offers a dual degree with the NYU School of Law: Politics PhD/Law JD.

See Politics for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the  general application requirements , which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores  (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation , and
• A non-refundable  application fee .

See Politics for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program. 

Program Requirements

2nd year paper, communication requirement, qualifying examination, original annotated syllabus, dissertation.

The program requires the completion of 72 credits (18 courses). Students are required to take one core course in each of at least three substantive subfields. To further guard against excessive specialization, students must take at least three courses (12 credits) in each of at least two fields. Course credits transferred from another institution may count toward the fulfillment of this requirement. The fields presently recognized by the department include:

• Political philosophy and theory
• Political methodology
• American politics
• Political economy
• Comparative politics
• International relations

In consultation with their adviser, students may petition the director of graduate studies (DGS) to create a field of their own making. Such a field may be interdisciplinary. Doctoral students are required to maintain a 3.5 grade point average.

Additional Program Requirements

Students who enter the program without an MA degree must present a written 2nd year paper by no later than the beginning of their second year. The specific requirements for the paper depend on the field, but the general rule is that it should have the format of an article in this field. The topic of the 2nd year paper should be chosen in consultation with faculty members. On completion, the paper is submitted for reading by two faculty members chosen by the director of graduate studies (DGS), no later than within two months after submission. The paper can receive a high pass, a low pass, or a failing grade. If the paper does not receive a unanimous high pass, the student may revise and resubmit it by no later than the beginning of the fourth semester of residence. If the paper receives a low pass and the student maintains at least a 3.0 grade point average, the student is granted the MA degree but must leave the program. If the paper receives a failing grade or if the student’s grade point average is below 3.0, no degree is granted. If the revised paper receives different grades from the two readers, the DGS appoints a third reader and the expanded committee will decide the grade. 2nd year paper and grade record are satisfactory is considered to have advanced toward the PhD

Doctoral students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English. The Graduate School of Arts and Science determines which languages qualify, but another language can be substituted on recommendation of the student’s adviser and the director of graduate studies and with approval of the language coordinator. A student whose native language is not English should consult the director of graduate studies regarding fulfillment of the communications requirement.

No later than the end of the fifth semester in residence (third semester for students who receive an MA waiver), students must complete the PhD qualifying examination, which consists of the submission of a 3rd year paper and the oral defense of an annotated syllabus. The 3rd year paper is a research paper of publishable quality, satisfying all formal requirements for an article in a given field. Before writing the paper, students should submit a brief proposal to at least two faculty members, who become “readers” on approving this proposal. The topic (but not necessarily the field) of the 3rd year paper must differ from that of the 2nd year paper, and the two papers must be read by at least four different readers. The work on the 3rd year paper can be and should be assisted by faculty. Readers evaluate this paper within two months of submission. The readers have the option of accepting the paper, suggesting revisions, or rejecting the paper. If invited to do so, the student may revise the paper and resubmit it within six months. If the revision is not accepted by both readers, the student is considered to have failed this requirement.

Students must also submit an original annotated syllabus for a graduate introduction to a field. This syllabus should attest to the understanding of the structure of the field, as well as to the knowledge of the primary and secondary literature. This syllabus is presented at an oral hearing to two faculty members, who then pass or fail the syllabus and its defense. Students who successfully complete both of these requirements qualify as candidates for the PhD degree. Students who do not satisfy both requirements by the end of the third year (second year for students who receive an MA waiver) are required by the department to leave the program, save for exceptional circumstances.

After completing the qualifying examination, students must present a PhD dissertation proposal. The proposal ordinarily should be presented before the end of the third year in residence (second year for students who receive an MA waiver). Students who do not present a proposal within one calendar year of passing their qualifying examination must petition the DGS to be allowed to do so. Before beginning to work on the PhD dissertation, students must form a thesis committee, comprising at least three faculty members (the committee chair and two members), of whom at least two must be members of the department. Students should consult with the committee while preparing the proposal and working on the thesis. The proposal should specify the problem to be researched, summarize the current state of knowledge, describe research procedures, and identify the bodies of relevant information. It should be no more than 15 single-spaced pages, plus a bibliography. The dissertation committee must approve the proposal. When all members are satisfied with the proposal, the committee meets with the student in an advisory hearing. Acceptance of the proposal signals that the student has satisfied all the requirements for the PhD degree other than the dissertation.

The dissertation must constitute a substantial body of original research of publishable quality. Except by the expressed permission of the chair of the department, the dissertation should not exceed 100,000 words. Once members of the committee approve the dissertation, an oral defense is scheduled. After the student’s thesis director approves the dissertation and the dissertation committee agrees that it is ready for defense, a final oral defense is scheduled before a panel of five faculty members appointed by the chair of the department or the director of graduate studies. The GSAS regulates the procedures for this defense. The department expects students to complete the dissertation and its defense within four years after finishing course requirements.

General Program Information

When entering the program, students should declare their intended field, which can be changed at any time in consultation with the student’s adviser. A student specializing in any recognized field may have to satisfy course requirements established by faculty in this field. Admission to some advanced courses may be conditional on students having taken prerequisites or having an equivalent background. In all cases, students must consult their adviser to plan a comprehensive program of courses and inform their adviser of any changes. There are no limits on courses taken in other departments or other university members of the Inter-University Doctoral Consortium (see the Admission, Registration and Degree Requirements section of this bulletin for details) other than those specified by GSAS. Students are encouraged to develop knowledge and acquire methodological skills in sister disciplines.

Students entering with an MA degree from an equivalent institution may petition for a waiver of up to one year of course requirements (equivalent of 24 credits). For this purpose, a copy of the MA thesis must be submitted to the director of graduate studies (DGS) when the student enters the program. The DGS appoints two faculty members as readers to decide whether the thesis is equivalent in standards and quality to the department’s requirements. If the MA thesis is approved, the student submits the waiver petition to the DGS at the end of the first year of residence. In consultation with the readers, the DGS decides whether or not to waive residence requirements on the basis of the MA thesis and the grade record of the student during the first year at New York University. Please note that if a student is granted a waiver of 24 credits, he or she is required to waive one year of academic funding.

Sample Plan of Study

Following completion of the required coursework for the PhD, students are expected to maintain active status at New York University by enrolling in a research/writing course or a Maintain Matriculation ( MAINT-GA 4747 ) course.  All non-course requirements must be fulfilled prior to degree conferral, although the specific timing of completion may vary from student-to-student.

Learning Outcomes

The primary learning goal of the PhD Program in the Department of Politics is to train students to conduct valuable political science research. The meaning of “valuable” will depend on the context. If the student is placed in a tenure-track position in a political science department “valuable” is equivalent to publishable research that add to the discipline’s knowledge of political phenomena. If the student is placed in a policy position in the government international organization, non-governmental organization or think tank valuable will mean research that improves policy.

Additionally, graduates will:

• Develop a deep familiarity with political science literature so that they can build off existing research in developing and answering important research questions. 
• Acquire a set of methodological skills in quantitative and mixed method data collection and analysis and in game theory so that they can produce and consume political science research at the cutting edge of the field.
• Develop a set of professional skills (primarily writing, presentation, and teaching skills) to allow them to communicate their research and expertise to wider academic, policy, and student communities.

NYU Policies

Graduate school of arts and science policies.

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages .

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page . 

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Politics (PhD)

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General Admission Contact The New School for Social Research Office of Admission 72 Fifth Avenue, 1st floor New York, NY 10011 212.229.5600 or 800.523.5411 [email protected]

Admission Liaison [email protected]

Department of Politics 6 East 16th Street, room 711A New York, NY 10003 Phone: 212.229.5747 x3090 Fax: 212.229.5473

Mailing Address 79 Fifth Avenue, room 711A New York, NY 10003 

Chair Mark Frazier

Senior Secretary Aaron Neber

Student Advisor Lydia Nobbs

Politics Student Handbook

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The PhD in Politics is designed for students who have completed the Politics MA at The New School for Social Research or a comparable master's degree from another university. 

The PhD provides maximum flexibility, enabling graduates to develop the highest level of competence in their chosen field of scholarly specialization. 

• Degree Doctorate in Politics (PhD)
• Credits 60 credits
• Format Full-time or part-time, on campus
• Start Term Fall

View current tuition and fees View fellowship and funding opportunities

A full account of degree requirements and procedures is contained in the Politics student handbook . 

To earn the PhD in Politics, a student must complete and pass the following:

• 30 credits of coursework beyond the MA, including the PhD Seminar (GPOL 7300) and field seminars in the student's choice of major and minor fields
• Methods training appropriate to the student's project and trajectory of study
• A language requirement
• Written exams in two fields (political theory, comparative politics, global politics, or American politics)
• An oral defense of a PhD dissertation proposal
• A dissertation
• An oral defense of the dissertation

Research Methods All PhD students are required to complete methods training in order to become conversant in methodological themes and debates in their field of study. Each student’s primary faculty advisor suggests and approves methods training most appropriate to the student’s project or trajectory of study. This training may include but is not limited to courses in qualitative and quantitative methods, independent study with a professor on methods, intensive summer courses, or embedded methods training in elective courses appropriate to the dissertation project.

PhD Field Seminars PhD students must take two of four field seminars in political theory, comparative politics, global politics, or American politics. These courses address key debates in these fields and prepare students for the PhD qualifying examinations.

PhD Seminar This course is designed to focus the work of PhD students, primarily research papers and dissertation proposals, in order to prepare them to write a dissertation. The specific direction of the course is always shaped by the work and interests of the students along with relevant work introduced by the instructor.

PhD Qualifying Examinations Students must take written PhD qualifying examinations in both their major and minor fields (political theory, comparative politics, global politics, or American politics). An oral defense of students' dissertation proposal is also a required examination. Complete information about PhD examinations is contained in the department handbook.

Foreign Language Requirement All PhD candidates must demonstrate reading knowledge in a foreign language appropriate to their dissertation topic by passing a language examination administered by the department.

Graduate Minors Students can use elective courses toward completing one of the university’s graduate minors . These structured pathways of study immerse master's and doctoral students in disciplines outside their primary field and expose them to alternative modes of research and practice. Completed graduate minors are officially recorded on students' transcript.  

Dissertation The written dissertation and its defense before a committee of four faculty members constitute the remaining requirements for the PhD.

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PhD in Political Science

Find your home in UB Political Science! We're here to help you every step of the way. 

• 8/16/21 Graduate Admissions
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Already enrolled in UB? Get details about advisement, forms and other resources for current students. 

• 3/16/23 Info for Current Students

Left to right: Prof. Rachael Hinkle, PhD graduates Elizabeth Tillman and Rebecca Bryan, and Prof. Harvey Palmer

The PhD in Political Science prepares students for careers in education and research at the university level. We make every effort to ensure our doctoral students receive the breadth and depth of training that will enable them to excel as leaders in the discipline. We strive to create a demographically and ideologically diverse student body within our graduate program. 

For more information on UB’s commitment to diversity, please visit the Intercultural and Diversity Center , the Office of Inclusive Excellence and the Center for Diversity Innovation . 

"My time at the University at Buffalo was a wonderful journey full of exciting learning experiences from dedicated and caring professors and warm friendship with great classmates." – Guoli Liu, PhD in Political Science

Degree Requirements

Credit Requirement Doctoral students must complete 72 credit hours, including at least 54 hours of substantive course credit and up to 18 hours of dissertation guidance. No more than 24 hours of transfer credit may be applied toward the doctoral degree. Six hours for teaching or research (PSC 599 or PSC 600) may be applied toward the doctorate, including 599 or 600 credits previously applied toward the Master’s degree. A maximum of 15 credit hours (five courses) may be taken outside the department, subject to prior approval by the Director of Graduate Studies.

Teaching Requirement Doctoral students are required to teach one undergraduate course in a field in which they are qualified. This requirement applies whether or not the student is funded. Normally, this requirement is fulfilled after the student has taken the comprehensive examinations, but exceptions can be made for qualified students based on his or her wishes and department teaching schedules. In fulfilling the requirement, students will assume full responsibility, under faculty supervision, for all phases of the preparation, instruction and grading of the course. Prior experience in college-level teaching may be taken into account in satisfying this requirement.

Students are required to enroll in the Summer Teaching Assistantship Workshop in the summer prior to fulfilling this teaching requirement. For further information, please visit the Poli-Sci Graduate Office.

SPEAK Test for International Teaching Assistants

To ensure that students are prepared to accept a teaching assignment in a timely fashion, and can contribute to discussions in their graduate seminars, all international students from non-English speaking countries must pass the SPEAK Test no later than the end of their first year of study in our graduate program. Prior to passing the SPEAK Test, all qualifying students must enroll in appropriate courses with the English Language Institute as a condition of continuing registration in political science courses. Hence, students are urged to take the SPEAK Test soon after their arrival at the university. 

Scoring A passing score on the SPEAK Test is 55 or 60. If the score is 50, the student will be given an opportunity to demonstrate communication skills at a teaching demonstration before the representatives of the English as a Second Language Program and the department.

If the Speak test score is below 45, it must be retaken. Prior to retaking the SPEAK test, all such students must enroll in appropriate courses of the English Language Institute* as a condition of continuing registration in political science courses during their first year of study. 

Funded students who have not passed the test by May 15 of their first year of study will not have their funding renewed.

Any students who have not passed the SPEAK Test prior to the beginning of their second year of graduate study in the department will not be allowed to register for Political Science courses until they pass.

*Courses include ESL 512 or ESL 411/412 depending on the SPEAK Test score; please visit the English Language Institute to learn more. 

Core Course Requirement Doctoral students are required to take four Department Core Courses:

• PSC 500 – Introduction to Political Inquiry
• PSC 508: Basic Statistics for Social Science
• PSC 531 – Intermediate Statistics for Social Science
• PSC 533 – Formal Theory
• An other advanced methods course approved by the Graduate Committee

In addition, all students are required to take the Core Courses in three of the four core fields of study:

• American Politics 
• Comparative Politics 
• International Politics

Students then proceed to more advanced study in their specialized fields.

According to Graduate School regulations, a maximum of seven years is permitted for completion of all PhD requirements, unless an extension of time is requested and granted.

Doctoral candidates must complete two semesters of continuous full-time residence.

Research Seminars and Qualifying Papers All PhD students are required to complete two Research Seminars and complete a professional-quality qualifying paper in one of their two major fields. The qualifying paper is evaluated by three faculty in the field. Students who satisfy the above requirements and complete the qualifying paper are then permitted to take the Comprehensive Examinations.

Skill Requirement The four Department Core Courses (above) will provide students with the basic skills required to conduct research in the discipline. In addition, the language and skill requirements may vary for each student in the PhD program. The student’s dissertation committee is responsible for ensuring that the student possesses the skills necessary for the dissertation research and may require additional research skills (e.g., languages, advanced statistics).

Comprehensive Examinations Comprehensive examinations are scheduled each semester. Candidates will be examined either on two major fields of specialization, or one major and two minor fields. The exams will test understanding of the major concepts, methodology and literature encompassed by the program, and will consist of written questions and an oral examination. The comprehensive examinations may be taken only after the student has completed the Department Core Course Requirement, fulfilled major/minor field requirements, and submitted one satisfactory qualifying paper.

Doctoral Dissertation Requirement   After passing the comprehensive examinations, a student will nominate a dissertation committee, subject to the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. The committee will consist of a chairperson and at least two other faculty members from within the department and one from outside. The dissertation proposal must be defended by the middle of the fifth month of the semester immediately following that in which the comprehensive exams are passed. Passage of the oral defense constitutes permission to proceed with the writing of the dissertation. Final approval of the dissertation rests with the dissertation committee, and involves both the approval of a reader drawn from the Graduate School faculty outside the department and an oral defense of the completed work.

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Welcome to the Graduate Program in Political Science

Master of arts (ma), doctor of philosophy (phd).

Created in 1967, York’s Department of Political Science is the largest program in Ontario with an international reputation for critical scholarship. An integral part of our vision is a commitment to scholarly excellence, democratic governance, critical thought and social justice. Almost all graduate faculty are Full and Associate professors who have earned their PhDs in Canada, the U.S. or abroad. The faculty has a strong publication record and is consistently successful in competitions for research funds from a great many sources.  

Engage in a study of politics

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Political Science at a Glance

Canadian Politics

Comparative Politics

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Featured Faculty

Gerald Bareebe

Research Interests

Politics and Government , International Relations, Civil Wars and Political Violence, Comparative Politics of the Global South, Ethnic politics , African Politics

Nergis Canefe

Human Rights , Immigration, Middle East, Global South, International Criminal Law, Political Science, Public Law, Forced Migration Studies, Public International Law, Political Theory

Gregory Thomas Chin

International political economy, Comparative political economy, China's monetary and financial affairs, Industrial policy, Asian region, BRICS, Rising powers, Global governance, Global development, Financial statecraft, Canada-China relations

Indigenous Peoples , Social Work, Indigenous pedagogy, Anti-Racist Education, Indigenous Social Work

Special Advisor, LA&PS Indigenous Issues

I have learned a lot by engaging with faculty members and colleagues. Going to the various talks, seminar series’, and panels affiliated with the program is always a nice reminder of why I chose to pursue my PhD here, and often inspires me to approach the study of politics in unique and thought-provoking ways.

— Shreya Ghimire PhD student in Political Science

The Graduate Program in Political Science at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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Master’s Program

Ma program in politics.

The Master of Arts in Politics is a terminal master’s degree.  The curriculum is designed to expose students to substantive knowledge and scholarly research in political science in order to help students develop critical thinking, analytical, research, and writing skills.   Students who pursue a Master of Arts in Politics specialize in one of the following fields of study: political philosophy and theory, American politics, political economy, or comparative politics.  Our MA program offers foundational training in the study of politics, and we are committed to providing our students with both practical skills and sound theoretical knowledge.  Alumni of the program have embarked on successful professional careers in government and the public sector, non-profits, and the private sector, while others have gone on to pursue a PhD in political science or other related fields.     Located in the heart of New York City’s Greenwich Village, NYU offers an unparalleled academic setting rich in resources that support study on a wide range of subjects.  Students and faculty in our MA program participate in seminars, workshops, and colloquia, making for a vibrant intellectual and professional community.  New York City has a vibrant intellectual, social, and cultural life of which our students take full advantage.

The Master of Arts in International Relations is now offered through the International Relations Program.  Please click here for the International Relations Program . 

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