Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science

Program Overview

The University of Kansas' Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science program fosters a deep understanding of politics and governance through personalized mentoring, research productivity, and teaching experience. Graduates are equipped with a strong foundation in theory and methods, preparing them for careers in academia, government, and policy analysis. The program emphasizes seminar-style teaching, individualized mentoring, and practical teaching experience, ensuring students develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success in their chosen field.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science program at the University of Kansas aims to advance understanding of politics, power, governance, and public policy both domestically and internationally.
• Objectives: The program aims to produce graduates with a strong foundation in political science theory and methods, capable of conducting original research and contributing to the field.
The program emphasizes individual mentoring, research productivity, and teaching experience.
• Description: The program's medium size allows for personalized attention and faculty-guided research.
Graduates are prepared to teach and conduct research in various academic and professional settings.

Assessment:

• Assessment Methods:
• Written Preliminary Examinations:
Students must pass written preliminary examinations in their two chosen major subfields before proceeding to the comprehensive oral examination.
• Comprehensive Oral Examination: This is a crucial step in the program, requiring students to demonstrate their understanding of their chosen subfields.
It is taken after passing the written preliminary examinations.
• Dissertation: Students are required to write a dissertation under the supervision of a departmental committee, and successfully defend it orally.
• Assessment Criteria: The success of students is determined by their performance in coursework, research, and examinations, culminating in the dissertation defense.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods: The program emphasizes seminar-style teaching, individualized mentoring, and practical teaching experience.
• Faculty: The program boasts a diverse faculty with expertise in various subfields of political science.
Students work closely with faculty on research projects and teaching responsibilities.
• Unique Approaches: The Thompson Summer Scholarship Research Program offers students an opportunity to engage in collaborative research projects with faculty, further developing their research skills and potentially leading to conference presentations and publications.

Careers:

• Career Paths: The program prepares students for careers in academia, government, and policy analysis.
• Opportunities: Graduates are equipped with skills and knowledge applicable to a range of positions, including:
• University Professorships
• Research Positions
• Government Agencies
• Policy Analyst Roles
• Outcomes: The program aims to graduate students prepared for successful careers in academia and other professional fields.

Other:

• Course Requirements:
• Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit, with 21 hours earned in courses at the 700 level or above.
• They must complete coursework in two major subfields, one minor subfield, and research methods.
• Students entering the program without an MA in Political Science must fulfill specific coursework requirements within two years of enrollment.
• The specific coursework requirements are detailed within the text for each subfield: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Public Policy.
• The program also outlines requirements for the Research Skills & Responsible Scholarship component, including core research methods courses and a foreign language proficiency option.
• Doctoral Residency Requirement: This requirement is mentioned but not further elaborated upon in the provided text.