Ph.D. Politics and International Affairs at University of South Florida

Programme overview

The Ph.D. in Politics and International Affairs is an interdisciplinary doctorate preparing students to teach at university and college level and to conduct high-level research in academic and non-academic sectors. It combines international relations, comparative politics, American politics and political theory with study of institutions, rights, citizenship, governance, global policy and justice.

Faculty: College of Arts and Sciences | Department: School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies | Duration: 72 credit hours post-bachelor's | Study mode: full-time | Location: Tampa, FL, United States

What you will study

The 72 credit hours include a 6-credit core (Foundations of Political Inquiry; Interdisciplinary Professional Seminar), 9 credits of disciplinary seminars, 9 credits of methods (quantitative and qualitative analysis plus a methods seminar or fieldwork), primary specialization (International Relations, Comparative Politics or American Government), secondary specialization, electives, teacher training, a capstone dissertation-proposal seminar and 27 dissertation credits. Students pass qualifying exams in their specializations and defend the dissertation.

Career pathways

University and college teaching; research in academic and non-academic sectors.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Politics and International Affairs Ph.D.: GRE optional; three letters of recommendation from academic sources or individuals able to evaluate academic ability; a 500-word statement of interest; transcripts; a writing sample. A master's degree in Political Science, International Affairs or a related field counts favorably but is not required. Applicants must also meet University of South Florida graduate admission and English proficiency requirements.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Doctoral admission is offered for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters.

Final university deadlines for doctoral programmes: February 15 for Fall, October 15 for Spring, February 15 for Summer. Programme-specific priority deadlines apply for funding and consideration.

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