How to Get a PhD or EdD in Political Science

Since the advent of politics, political science has been the practical way to study and research the methods and modes of human political thought and behavior. This social science combines qualitative research methods and theory, allowing graduates to pursue careers in a range of fields.

Earning a PhD in Political Science

Completing a doctoral degree in political science means much more than just a piece of paper. It means your commitment to the field, as well as a willingness to pursue original thought and research. A degree in political science may focus on one of the following subcategories:

• Comparative politics
• International relations
• National politics
• Political theory
• Public policy

This academic PhD could lead you to a career in higher education, or you could end up operating at the highest levels of government or industry. Regardless of your career goals, a PhD in political science can require five years of full-time, dedicated scholarship and research, plus the completion of oral and written qualifying exams.

Typical Political Science Doctoral Coursework

Though no two doctoral programs in political science are the same, each may include a general coursework requirement. The coursework phase of a political science PhD program can include the following:

• American Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Political Theory
• Research Design
• Strategies of Inquiry

After the coursework period, students are generally required to complete a formal qualifying examination for admission into the research portion of the PhD program. During the research portion, students often need to complete original research, eventually defending that research as a dissertation before a panel. Once the research and dissertation have been approved, the panel can grant a PhD in political science to the doctoral student.

Careers for Political Science PhD Graduates

About three-fourths of all political science doctoral graduates are employed by educational institutions, according to a report by Bradley University. Other career opportunities exist in the following fields:

• Congressional staffs
• Consulting firms
• Public affairs organizations
• Research organizations

It should be noted that careers in the fields above are most attainable when a PhD graduate in political science additionally holds a specialized master's degree, such as a master's degree in public policy analysis. If your career goals lie outside of academia, contact hiring managers in your ideal field and learn more about potential degree paths.

Earning an EdD in Political Science

The Doctor of Education (EdD) is a common degree among education administrators and department chairs. While an EdD focusing on political science is rare, general educational leadership doctorates are quite common. Students considering higher education administration in political science may choose a general educational leadership EdD and focus their research on political science education in particular.

Alternative PhD Political Science Degrees

The PhD in political science isn't the only path to success in the field. Those considering work in business might pursue a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degree with a minor in political science. Take a look at these alternative doctoral degrees in fields related to political science:

• PhD in General Public Administration
• PhD in History
• PhD in Nonprofit Management and Leadership

Ultimately, the degree you choose should be linked to your career and research goals in political science. While many schools offer specialized political science majors or minors, it's up to you to determine which type of education may have the most positive influence on your career goals.

On-Campus Versus Online PhD in Political Science

Unlike the hands-on training required of a hard science, the political science degree can be completed without spending time in a physical laboratory. Because of this, it's possible to earn a doctoral degree in political science online.

In general, it's essential to consider the benefits of both earning a degree online and earning a degree on campus. Benefits of online degree programs include:

• Online access offers flexibility; log-on from anywhere in the world
• Contact and communicate with peers and professors across the country
• Eliminate costly and time-consuming travel to campus

Notable benefits of campus-based degree programs include:

• More face-to-face interaction with faculty and peers
• Access to campus-based libraries and other research tools

If you're considering an online doctoral degree in political science or a related field, it's important to consider your own needs and learning methods, and then comparing them to the convenience of earning a degree online.

Begin Your Political Science Doctoral Program Search

The first step of your political science doctoral education is to compile a list of potential programs nationwide. Use the resources and links below to begin your search as you look into your future as a political science student:

• U.S. News and World Report lists master's and doctoral political science schools on their top program rankings list. Filter locations on the list by name, area, or program ranking, and learn more about individual schools.

• Take a look at WorldWideLearn.com's portal of political science degree listings. Use this page to find master's and doctoral degrees in political science. Additionally, make first contact with potential programs using the simple tools provided by WorldWideLearn.com.

• If you're still in school, ask political science department chairs for their thoughts on top political science schools for your needs and interests. Department advisors may also be able to offer you personalized advice.

The free tools above can go a long way towards helping you create a list of PhD political science programs. Once you've made a list of campus-based and online doctoral political science schools, it's time to think about accreditation.

The Benefits of an Accredited Political Science Program

Picking an accredited institution is an essential step as you begin to narrowing down potential political science schools. An accrediting agency does the work of checking a program's credibility. Regional, national, and specialized social science agencies work without a bias to help you ensure the value of your political science doctorate.

Both campus-based and online PhD programs can be accredited, and accrediting boards are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. If you ever wonder about the accreditation status of a political science school, use the department's helpful search glossary to find schools by location, name, or accreditation. Additionally, look for schools to publish accreditation information on their Web sites.

Focusing Your List of Potential Political Science PhD Programs

After you've found the accreditation status of each political science school on your list, continue by narrowing down your potentials. Focusing your list of potential political science PhD programs helps you determine your own preferences as a student as you learn more about individual programs. Consider the following categories and find your best political science schools:

• Admissions: All political science programs are different, but many schools require GRE scores, a certain GPA level, transcripts, letters of recommendation, and an application fee. The most exclusive political science schools often have the most requirements. Think about your own qualifications as you look at the requirements of political science PhD programs.

• Faculty: Consider faculty publications and research at each potential political science school. Look for faculty members with current and interesting publication records that work to prove their relevance to political science. Most schools list these facts online. Be careful not to base your interest on the strength of just one faculty member; political science faculty often change schools during their careers.

• Coursework: The educational requirements and coursework you can find in a political science PhD program help to determine your own educational experience. Work to match doctoral programs with your own goals in political science. Focused coursework or specialized majors can limit your career options, but they also serve to deepen your knowledge.
  
  
• History: A political science PhD program with a long history of alumni success and famous professors could carry some clout to hiring managers in industry and academia. While a newer program may not include the same history and success, it could mean a lower tuition fee. Consider how a school's history affects your degree experience.
  
  
• Alumni: Ask department chairs and advisors for information on alumni job placement rates and other success stories. Successful alumni can mean enhanced networking opportunities and intangible benefits to your own resume. Look for political science programs where alumni enjoy success after graduation.

• Community: Your personality and needs as a student are partially met by the political science community you join. Learn if students are encouraged to attend professional conferences, and find out how involved each program is in the success of its students in the political science community.

Though it takes time and energy, the process of narrowing down potential political science programs is essential. You can save time and money avoiding extensive application fees along with the hassle of sending your application to a school that's not a good fit. Best of all, a little up-front research means you enjoy the confidence of attending a political science school that best meets your goals.

Find More Education Assistance at WorldWideLearn.com

Looking for more helpful educational assistance? The tools you can find on WorldWideLearn.com are designed to help potential and current political science students. Learn more about what you can find on the site:

• Financial Aid. Learn about federal aid for doctoral students, specialized scholarship searches, and information on repaying your financial aid.

• Guide to College Majors. Learn more about college majors and minors in and beyond social sciences. If your school requires you to choose a minor with your political science major, this guide can help.

• Education Resources. Browse to this page for general education resources including accreditation facts and a mission statement from WorldWideLearn.com.

This free resource is available for students at all levels. As a political science doctoral student, you'll need the information above as you transition back to school. Even if you've been away from college for a long time, you can return to your educational journey with confidence.

Joining the Political Science Community

Becoming a part of the political science community means networking with other professionals in the industry, keeping your knowledge current, and making a real contribution to the field. Consider the following organizations, journals, and conferences as a way to become a vital part of the political science community:

• Professional Organizations: International Association for Political Science Students, American Political Science Association, European Consortium for Political Research, International Political Science Association

• Political Science Journals: American Political Science Review, American Journal of Political Science (MPSA), Journal of Politics, National Political Science Review, Political Science Quarterly, Policy Studies Journal, Social Science Quarterly, Revista de Ciencia Politica

• Political Science Conferences: New England Political Science Association Annual Meeting, International College Teaching & Learning Conference, Policy History Conference, Asian Conference on the Social Sciences, Politics in Crisis: Crisis Policies, Crisis of Politics: XXI Slovenian Political Science Days

Use this page as a guide throughout your educational search. From professional organizations to rankings and accreditation information, managing your political science PhD search is as important as the application you send to the school. The resources you find at WorldWideLearn.com can help you even after you find the right doctoral program.

Sources

• Bradley University
• International Association for Political Science Students
• U.S. Department of Education
• U.S. News and World Report