PhD Political Economy (in partnership with the Harris School) at University of Chicago

Programme overview

The PhD applies game theory and causal-inference methods to political institutions and behaviour, with accelerated training in formal theory and statistical methods; faculty come from Political Science and the Harris School.

Faculty: Social Sciences Division | Duration: Dissertation defence typically by end of year 5; a sixth year possible with approval; no extensions beyond year 6 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Chicago, IL, United States

What you will study

Year 1: Formal Political Theory I-III and Applied Econometrics I-III. Year 2: Political Economy I-III and a research paper. At least eight PhD-level electives including a field-seminar sequence; written exams in theory and econometrics and an oral subfield exam.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Single application directly to the PhD programme via the Division of the Social Sciences: transcripts from all post-secondary schools, three letters of recommendation, candidate statement, writing sample, official GRE scores, and official TOEFL or IELTS where required. Application fee (waiver possible in limited circumstances). Deadline December 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. CT.

Intake: Autumn; deadline December 1, 2026 for Autumn 2027

Duration: Dissertation defence typically by end of year 5; a sixth year possible with approval; no extensions

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