PhD Political Science at University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan Political Science PhD develops scholars with a high level of excellence in teaching and research as professional social scientists. The department offers a wide variety of areas of specialization and room to tailor programs to individual interests. It does not offer a terminal master's degree.

Faculty: College of Literature, Science, and the Arts  |  Department: Department of Political Science  |  Intake: Fall; applications open in September and are accepted until December 15  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Location: Ann Arbor, MI, United States

What you will study

The program has two phases: precandidacy coursework, teaching and independent study, followed by candidacy and the dissertation. Students focus on a major and a minor subfield, normally taking four or five major-field and three or four minor-field courses in the first three years, plus a four-credit Rackham cognate outside those fields. Major fields are American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations and World Politics, Law, Courts, and Politics, Political Theory, and Research Methods. Candidacy requires two preliminary exams, followed by a dissertation prospectus, research and defense.

Official programme page