For a detailed description of the program please read our 2022 Political Science Graduate Student Handbook. This handbook covers topics such as:
Continuing students wishing to review details of the pre-2018-19 program requirements should consult the 2015 Political Science Graduate Student Handbook. |
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Forms & Petitions Qualifying field form Committee Nomination Form |
Note: The following program requirements are new and will take effect for the class starting in Fall of 2018.
Field Requirements
Students must qualify in two fields. The first field is chosen from among American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory. Students must take four courses in the first field and pass a written qualifying examination. The second field is chosen from among American Politics, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Political Theory, Environmental Politics, and Identity Politics. In special cases, the second field may be selected by petition from other options. Students must take four courses in the second field. Requirements vary by field regarding qualifying by examination or by preparing a written field paper. Both fields must be completed, by two exams or an exam and a field paper, before the start of the third year.
Breadth Requirement
Students must take four substantive seminars outside their first and second fields. These may all be in a third field or may be spread across fields beyond the first and second.
Past comprehensive exams are available for students to use when preparing for their own exams. Log in to the Fileshare "Resources for Grad Students." Reading lists are also available for some qualifying fields. These are updated periodically and are intended as starting points for students’ exam preparation. Students preparing for exams should consult carefully with faculty in their field for recent literature and for advice about how best to use these lists in combination with course syllabi. American Politics Reading List; Comparative Politics Core Reading List; Environmental Politics Reading List; International Relations Reading List; Political Theory Reading List