phd political science part time

Politics and Policy

PhD in Political Science

Through rigorous research and applied curriculum, the PhD in Political Science provides an in-depth understanding of politics and government and the underpinnings of national and global civil society.

In the contemporary world, understanding politics and policy is one key to successful, peaceful, and prosperous national and global civil society. The PhD program in Political Science equips you with the politics and international studies expertise to make an impact not only in American political life and thought but also in political arenas around the globe. You will develop the analytical ability and practical experience for both academic and research-based positions. Our highly engaged faculty-scholars conduct research on a range of contemporary issues, such as voting rights, non-state war, the rise of China, conserving liberty, environmental justice, state capacity, data visualization, citizen participation, globalization, corruption, the administrative state, and immigration. Our program prepares scholars for academic careers, teaching, and research as well as government and public service.

Program Highlights

• PhD students typically complete the 72-unit program in five years.
• All students choose two areas of concentrated study from American Politics, Comparative Politics, Public Policy, International Relations and International Political Economy, and Research Methodology.
• Our graduates work in government and the private sector, at NGOs and international institutions; they are also found teaching at prestigious universities across the world.
• Pursue your PhD in Political Science in conjunction with another degree, such as an MA in Psychology. You earn a diploma for each degree and  “double count” some units from one program to the other to decrease your required total units.

Program At-a-glance

required units

degree awarded

Spring, Summer, Fall

program start

4 years | full time*

estimated completion time

7 years | part time

Areas of Concentration

American politics.

The study of American Politics examines political institutions and political behavior in the United States. Courses cover all levels of government: national, state, and local.

Comparative Politics

Scholars of Comparative Politics investigate similarities and differences in patterns of politics across the world. The field of Comparative Politics includes, among others, the study of political institutions and regimes; electoral behavior and procedures; identity, ideology, and culture; public policy; political economy and political and economic development; social movements and organizations; and protest and revolution.

International Relations and International Political Economy

Explore the intersection of global politics, security, and economic development through advanced computational methods and a comprehensive study of political and economic theories. This concentration emphasizes the role of international and domestic political and economic processes, institutions, and relationships in shaping national security, economy, international conflict and peace, as well as the global economic landscape.

Public Policy

Develop an interdisciplinary approach to address complex social challenges and analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of policy and program-based solutions to those challenges. Inform evidence-based policy decisions to promote social justice and wellbeing; enhance public services, health, technology and infrastructure; protect the environment and ameliorate the effects of climate change; and guide economic growth and sustainability. Pursue a career in academia, government agencies and nonprofit organizations, or think tanks and consulting firms focused on decision-making, policy analysis, and program evaluation.

Research Methodology

Become an expert in political science by studying and solving real-world problems through research design, data collection and management, and data analysis and interpretation. Apply a wide variety of statistical tools—from big data and machine learning to computational analytics and data visualization techniques—to political experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational data. Pursue a data science career in academia or at public and private organizations focused on the analysis of sociopolitical, economic, and policy data.

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

Oregon Supreme Court

Associate Justice

U.S. Embassy, Panama

Chargé d'Affaires

Indiana University

Associate Professor of East Asian Languages & Culture

University of New Hampshire

Associate Professor of Political Science

The American University in Cairo

College of Europe

Fulbright Professor

California Research Bureau

Policy Analyst

U.S. Embassy, Sudan

Chief of Mission

Pepperdine University

Professor of Public Policy

Rice University

Professor in Political Science

Institute of Southeast Asia Studies

Senior Fellow

Mark Abdollahian

Full Clinical Professor

Research Interests

Strategic Decision Making, International Political Economy, Sustainable Development

Graham Bird

Clinical Professor of Economic Sciences Program Director: International Money and Finance; International Economics and Development Policy Co-Director: Claremont Institute for Economic Policy Studies

International Finance, International Macroeconomics, Economic Development

Heather E. Campbell

Thornton F. Bradshaw Professor of Public Policy Director, Division of Politics & Economics

Public Policy, Urban Environmental Policy, Environmental Justice

Luther Lee Jr. Memorial Chair Professor

International Political Economy, International Relations, Political Economy of China and Latin America, Quantitative Methodology

Robert Klitgaard

University Professor

Public Policy, Economic Strategy, Institutional Reform, Corruption

Jacek Kugler

Elisabeth Helm Rosecrans Professor of International Relations

Causes and Consequences of War, Political Performance, Power Transition

Assistant Professor

Development, political behavior, urban politics, digital technology

Javier Rodríguez

Associate Professor Field Chair for Policy

Public & Health Policy, Social Inequality, Quantitative Methods for Social Science Research

Melissa Rogers

Associate Professor, Politics & Policy Co-Director, Inequality and Policy Research Center Field Chair, Comparative Politics Field Chair, American Politics

Comparative Politics, Political Economy, Economic Inequality

Application Guidelines

Key dates & deadlines.

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Spring 2025 Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024 Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024 Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024 Classes begin – January 21, 2025

Summer 2025 Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025 Final Deadline (International) – March 1, 2025 Final Deadline (Domestic) – April 1, 2025 Classes begin – May 19, 2025

Fall 2025 Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025 Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025 Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025 Classes begin – August 25, 2025

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)

*Based on 2024-2025 tuition rates.

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s  Cost of Attendance 2024-2025 .

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King's College London

Politics research mphil/phd, key information.

Here at the Department of Political Economy we foster an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the interaction of people, ideas and institutions and how they shape the outcomes of political processes and government decision-making at global, national, regional and local levels. Undertaking a PhD in Politics with us places you within a unique institution in which you will be part of a vibrant and growing set of world-leading scholars, who are committed to understanding the intertwining of politics and economics and applying those insights to solving problems at all levels of governance.

We have an open an inclusive research culture that encourages debate between the contesting theories, approaches and ideologies. Our vision of what political economy is lends itself to an interdisciplinary approach, and there is a wide range of methodological and theoretical approaches used across the department. This provides a stimulating environment for PhD research that fosters open-minded and critical scholarship.

Examples of research projects

For examples of current staff research projects and PhD projects, see academic profiles and PhD student profiles . We also have a variety of research groups that each lead some specific research activities.

Partner organisations

DPE works with a number of partner organisations both within KCL and outside, helping to bring together scholars interested in a particular theme. These include Inside King’s: Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Centre for Conflict Security and Development (CSD), the Social Care Workforce Research Unit (SCWRU), and the King's Centre for Risk Management (KCRM). Outside King’s: Centre for the Study of Science Policy at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and the Faculty of Social Sciences, Hong Kong University.

Information is current, but staff members can change.

Course Detail

All students on the doctoral programme are initially registered for an MPhil. At the beginning of the programme you will work with your supervisors to assess your individual training needs. You will use this to develop a personalised training schedule that draws on foundational and advanced courses made available to you through the King’s Centre for Doctoral Studies, the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership (LISS-DTP) and the Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network. These courses will hone your academic skills and prepare you for the demands of your specific research project.

After around 12 months (or the part time equivalent), you will demonstrate that you are ready for formal upgrade to the PhD programme. This involves the examination of a substantial document that shows (i) you have identified an original and interesting research problem and (ii) you have the skills and expertise to tackle it within the time available.

You will be supported throughout your PhD by two academic supervisors, who will provide expert advice and guidance on your progress and your project. Your project will culminate in the submission of a thesis of up to 100,000 words in length. Full-time students must submit their thesis within four years of the start of their registration. Part-time students must submit within seven years.

Head of group/division

The Postgraduate Research Director is Dr Rubén Ruiz Rufino ( [email protected] ), who can be contacted for specific enquiries. General questions about the application process should be directed to the Postgraduate Admissions Team.

• How to apply
• Fees or Funding

UK Tuition Fees 2023/24

Full time tuition fees:

£6,540 per year (MPhil/PhD)

£6,540 per year (MPhil/PhD in Politics with National University of Singapore)

Part time tuition fees: £3,270 per year

International Tuition Fees 2023/24

£24,360 per year (MPhil/PhD)

£24,360 per year (MPhil/PhD in Politics with National University of Singapore)

Part time tuition fees: £12,180 per year

UK Tuition Fees 2024/25

£6,936 per year (MPhil/PhD)

£6,936 per year (MPhil/PhD in Politics with National University of Singapore)

Part time tuition fees: £3,468 per year

International Tuition Fees 2024/25

£26,070 per year (MPhil/PhD)

£26,070 per year (MPhil/PhD in Politics with National University of Singapore)

Part time tuition fees: £13,035 per year

These tuition fees may be subject to additional increases in subsequent years of study, in line with King's terms and conditions.

• Study environment

Base campus

Strand Campus

Located on the north bank of the River Thames, the Strand Campus houses King's College London's arts and sciences faculties.

Study Environment

Each student has two supervisors and meets regularly with both, though typically more frequently with the primary supervisor. The department provides office space and computer equipment on the Strand campus. The department runs seminars for PhD students on topics such as publication strategy, and to discuss actual research. PhD students are also encouraged to attend research seminars in DPE and related departments, and are expected to present at one such seminar in their time at King’s.

Postgraduate Training

Students have full access to training opportunities at King’s via the King’s Centre for Doctoral Studies and the London Interdisciplinary Social Science Doctoral Training Partnership, depending on their needs. These cover research training, research methods and wider issues such as publication strategy.

Student Destinations

Our PhD students typically move into academic employment or careers in public policy – both governmental and non-governmental.

• Entry requirements

Find a supervisor

Search through a list of available supervisors.

For more information regarding our courses please contact us using the details below

Find out more about our King's accommodation

Discover your accommodation options and explore our residences.

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King's is right in the heart of the capital.

Political Science (M.A.*, Ph.D.)

UC Merced’s Ph.D. program in Political Science is distinctive in a number of ways. Rather than traditional subfields, our program offers two concentrations for training and research: Political Institutions/Political Economy and Political Cognition & Behavior. This structure encourages interdisciplinary research and our graduate students frequently interact with faculty and researchers from a variety of disciplines during their training. The small size of our program guarantees that students have unparalleled one-on-one faculty mentoring with respect to research, training and professional development.  

A  recent study  of political science in the University of California system found that UC Merced's political science faculty have the highest average rate of research productivity in the entire UC system. Our faculty regularly publish their cutting-edge research in the very best journals and book presses in the discipline.  

All of our graduate students are offered funding in the form of teaching or research assistantships as well as summer support.

Political Science website

View the Political Science brochure

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Political Science Policies & Procedures

*M.A. offered only along the way to Ph.D.

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6 Political Science programs in USA

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Atlantic International University

Doctorate in Political Science

• Honolulu, USA

Full time, Part time

Distance Learning

English, Portuguese, Spanish

The Doctorate of Political Science program provides students with valuable, comprehensive knowledge of government and global politics, preparing them to analyze complex political problems and recognize potential solutions in both the public and private sectors. The Doctorate of Political Science program is offered online via distance learning. After evaluating both academic record and life experience, AIU staff working in conjunction with Faculty and Academic Advisors will assist students in setting up a custom-made program, designed on an individual basis.

EUCLID (Euclid University)

PhD in Diplomacy and International Affairs

• Washington, USA
• Gambia Online, Gambia

The only online Ph.D. program in diplomacy organized by an international intergovernmental organization and officially used by active diplomats over 4 continents.

PhD in Inter-Religious Dialogue and Diplomacy / Interfaith Studies

A specialized online Ph.D. offered by an intergovernmental university with recognized expertise in interfaith studies.

PhD in Mediation and Conflict Resolution

The EUCLID online doctorate in mediation and conflict resolution is also unique for blending personal level psychology with high-level issues (diplomacy, inter-religious dialogue) and practical skills (negotiation), the purpose is to offer a comprehensive coverage of this broad topic.

PhD in Sustainable Development and Diplomacy

The EUCLID DSDD (Doctorate in Sustainable Development and Diplomacy) is a distance, nonresident study program.

World Executive Education Institute

Online Doctor of International Political Economy (DIPE)

• Pasadena, USA

The international political economy program offers an education focused on helping individuals succeed in the dynamic global workforce. These skills include critical thinking, knowledge of multiple cultures, and cultural contexts, rigorous research skills, and the ability to communicate effectively in an array of environments. Students will be prepared for analytical and administrative positions in the public, nonprofit and private sectors related to international affairs.

Popular study format

Popular education type

Part time PhD Programs in Social Sciences Political Science

Political science attempts to analyze and deconstruct government entities and the social structures that they influence. A strong component of the study involves understanding the political behavior of citizens and various philosophical and ethical issues.

Education in the United States is mainly provided by the public sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: state, local, and federal, in that order. The common requirements to study at a higher education level in United States will include your admissions essay (also known as the statement of purpose or personal statement), transcript of records, recommendation/reference letters, language tests

Requirements for the PhD program often involve the student having already obtained a Master’s degree. Additionally, a thesis or dissertation primarily consisting of original academic research must be submitted. In some countries, this work may even need to be defended in front of a panel.

Part time learning allows one to obtain part-time degrees even if one cannot attend school on a full-time basis. One can learn at his or own pace, gradually accumulating credits which count towards final qualification.