Political Science Programs

What is a “Political Science PhD?”

Political Science studies power relationships. The word “politics” has its origins in the Greek word, “politika” – which involves people making collective decisions. Political scientists use statistical methods, measurements and research analysis to study power relationships.

What Does a Person Learn?

The Political Science Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) teaches people how to gather, analyze and organize data that can be used by leaders to make sound public policy.

What Do Political Scientists Do?

Political scientists help decision-makers create public policy. Specific tasks include urban planning, social services and business regulation. Political scientists publish academic reports, research articles, and books too.

Required Courses

These are the typical courses that are required for a Political Science PhD:

• Economics
• History
• Languages
• Law
• Philosophy
• Sociology
• Statistics
• Technical Writing

Minors (Concentrations)

These are some minor areas of study:

• Diplomacy
• Elections (Voting)
• International Relations (Foreign Policy)
• Law
• Municipal Services
• Philosophy
• Political Economy
• Public Policy & Administration

Accreditation for Teaching Institutions

A Doctorate’s value depends upon the quality of the teaching institution issuing the diploma. Due to the vast amount of time, energy and money invested in acquiring a PhD, it is wise to ensure that the school is accredited. The United States Department of Education regulates accrediting agencies.

The following is a list of some accreditation organizations:

• Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)
• Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
• Distance Education and Training Council (DETC)

There are also six regional accreditation organizations.

PhD Job Prospects

Future Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that the number of jobs for Political Science Doctors will increase faster than average because many political scientists are reaching retirement age.

Skills Acquired

Political scientists must be able to think logically, read analytically, and communicate effectively.

Careers

Political science PhD’s are valuable for administrators, economists, journalists, lawyers, managers, political activists, politicians, professors, social scientists, sociologists, teachers, and urban planners.

Employers

Here are the most common employers:

• Business
• Community organizations
• Government (employs six out of ten Political Science PhD holders)
• Legal firms
• Political parties
• Social advocacy groups
• Think tanks
• Universities

Work Environment

The Political Science Doctor will primarily work for either a government or school in office and field environments.

Most office environments will be clean and well-lit; political scientists will research, analyze and publish their conclusions.

During political campaigns, these experts will conduct public opinion surveys, write press releases, and raise funds at all times of the day and on weekends.

Professors will primarily teach students, and write course curriculum. Teachers have flexibility in their schedules, usually with evenings, weekends and the summer free.

Job Salaries

The BLS estimates that the average salary for a Political Scientist Doctor (May 2008) was $104,130.

Career Advancement

Political scientists can advance their careers by becoming administrators, consultants, judges, lawmakers, and politicians.

Online Offerings

Here are some online offerings:

Euclid Intergovernmental University
New York, NY 10017
Telephone: 212-537-4048
Web: www.euclid.int
Degree: Doctor of Diplomacy and International Affairs

George Washington University
Washington, DC 20052
Telephone: 202-994-1000
Web: www.gwu.edu
Degree: Political Science PhD

Walden University
Baltimore, MD 21202-4346
Telephone: 866-492-5336
Web: www.waldenu.edu
Degree: Public Policy and Administration PhD

Offline Offerings

Institutions offering Political Science PhD’s:

University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Telephone: 205-348-6010
Web: www.ua.edu

American University
Washington, DC 20016
Telephone: 202-885-1000
Web: www.american.edu

University of Arizona
Tucson, AZ 85721
Telephone: 520-621-2211
Web: www.arizona.edu

Arizona State University
Mesa, AZ 85212
Telephone: 480-727-3278
Web: www.asu.edu

Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
Telephone: 334-844-4000
Web: www.auburn.edu

University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD 21201
Telephone: 410-837-4200
Web: www.ubalt.edu

Baylor University
Waco, Texas 76798
Telephone: 800-BAYLOR-U
Web: www.baylor.edu

Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Telephone: 617-552-8000
Web: www.bc.edu

Boston University
Boston, MA 02215
Telephone: 617-353-2000
Web: www.bu.edu

Brandeis University
Waltham, MA 02453
Telephone: 781-736-2000
Web: www.brandeis.edu

Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
Telephone: 401-863-1000
Web: www.brown.edu

The University of California
Oakland, CA 94607
Telephone: 510-987-9200
Web: www.universityofcalifornia.edu

California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA 91125
Telephone: 626-395-6811
Web: www.caltech.edu

Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Telephone: 412-268-2000
Web: www.cmu.edu

Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH 44106
Telephone: 216-368-2000
Web: www.case.edu

Catholic University of America
Washington, DC 20017
Telephone: 202-319-4494
Web: www.cua.edu

University of Chicago
Chicago, IL 60637-1546
Telephone: 773-702-1234
Web: www.uchicago.edu

University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH 45221
Telephone: 513-556-4335
Web: www.uc.edu

Claremont Graduate University
Claremont, CA 91711
Telephone 909-621-8000
Web: www.cgu.edu

Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, Georgia 30314
Telephone: 404-880-6672
Web: www.cau.edu

University of Colorado
Boulder, CO 80309-0001
Telephone: 303-492-1411
Web: www.colorado.edu

Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Telephone: 877-491-4336
Web: www.colostate.edu

Columbia University
New York, NY 10027-6902
Telephone: 212-854-1754
Web: www.columbia.edu

University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT 06269
Telephone: 860-486-2000
Web: www.uconn.edu

Cornell University
Ithaca, NY 14853
Telephone: 607-254-4636
Web: www.cornell.edu

City University of New York
New York, NY 10016-4309
Telephone: 877-428-6942
Web: www.gc.cuny.edu

University of Dallas
Irving, Texas 75062
Telephone: 972-721-5000
Web: www.udallas.edu

University of Delaware
Newark, DE 19716-0099
Telephone: 302-831-2000
Web: www.udel.edu

University of Denver
Denver, CO 80208
Telephone: 303-871-2886
Web: www.du.edu

Duke University
Durham, NC 27708
Telephone: 919-684-8111
Web: www.duke.edu

Emory University
Atlanta, GA 30322
Telephone: 404-727-6123
Web: www.emory.edu

Florida International University
Miami, Florida 33199
Telephone: 305-348-2000
Web: www.fiu.edu

Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL 32306
Telephone: 850-644-2525
Web: www.fsu.edu

University of Florida
Gainesville, FL 32611
Telephone: 352-392-3261
Web: www.ufl.edu

George Washington University
Washington, DC 20052
Telephone: 202-994-1000
Web: www.gwu.edu

Georgetown University
Washington, DC 20057
Telephone: 202-687-0100
Web: www.georgetown.edu

Georgia State University
Atlanta, GA 30303-3044
Telephone: 404-413-2000
Web: www.gsu.edu

University of Georgia
Athens, GA 30602-6755
Telephone: 706-542-3000
Web: www.uga.edu

Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138-3654
Telephone: 617-495-1814
Web: www.harvard.edu

University of Hawaii
Honolulu, HI 96822
Telephone: 808-956-8111
Web: www.uhm.hawaii.edu

Howard University
Washington, DC 20059
Telephone: 202-806-6100
Web: www.howard.edu

Idaho State University
Pocatello, ID 83209
Telephone: 208-282-0211
Web: www.isu.edu

University of Illinois
Urbana, IL 61801
Telephone: 217-333-0302
Web: www.illinois.edu

Indiana University
Bloomington, IN 47405
Telephone: 812-855-2328
Web: www.indiana.edu

University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA 52242
Telephone: 319-335-5500
Web: www.uiowa.edu

Johns Hopkins University
Washington, DC 20036
Telephone: 202-663-5600
Web: www.sais-jhu.edu

University of Kansas
Lawrence, KS 66045-7593
Telephone: 785-864-4450
Web: www.nhm.ku.edu

Kent State University
Kent, OH 44240
Telephone: 330-672-3000
Web: www.kent.edu

University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY 40506
Telephone: 859-257-9000
Web: www.uky.edu

Louisiana State University
Baton Rouge, LA 70803
Telephone: 225-578-1175
Web: www.lsu.edu

Loyola University Chicago
Chicago, IL 60660
Telephone: 773-274-3000
Web: www.luc.edu

University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742-5241
Telephone: 301-405-7002
Web: www.umd.edu

University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01002
Telephone: 413-545-4824
Web: www.umass.edu

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA 02142
Telephone: 617-253-1000
Web: www.mit.edu

Miami University
Oxford, OH 45056
Telephone: 513-529-1809
Web: www.muohio.edu

University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1316
Telephone: 734-764-1817
Web: www.umich.edu

Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
Telephone: 517-355-1855
Web: www.msu.edu

University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0153
Telephone: 612-625-5000
Web: admissions.tc.umn.edu

Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS 39759
Telephone: 662-325-9429
Web: www.msstate.edu

University of Mississippi
University, MS 38677
Telephone: 662-915-7474
Email: gschool@olemiss.edu

University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211
Telephone: 800-856-2181
Web: www.missouri.edu

University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE 68588
Telephone: 402-472-7211
Web: www.unl.edu

University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NV 89103
Telephone: 702-871-0200
Web: www.unlv.edu

University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131
Telephone: 505-277-0111
Web: www.unm.edu

University of New Orleans
New Orleans, LA 70122
Telephone: 504-280-6000
Web: www.uno.edu

New School University
New York, NY 10011-8603
Telephone: 212-388-1574
Web: www.newschool.edu

New York University
New York, NY 10012
Telephone: 212-998-1212
Web: www.nyu.edu

University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC 27515
Telephone: 919-962-2211
Web: www.unc.edu

North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC 27607
Telephone: 919-515-2011
Web: www.ncsu.edu

University of North Texas
Denton, TX 76201
Telephone: 940-565-3225
Web: www.unt.edu

Northeastern University
Boston, MA 02115
Telephone: 617-373-2000
Web: www.neu.edu

Northern Arizona University
Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Telephone: 928-523-3111
Web: home.nau.edu

Northern Illinois University
Dekalb, IL 60115-2366
Telephone: 815-753-9000
Web: www.niu.edu

Northwestern University
Evanston, IL 60208
Telephone: 847-491-3741
Web: www.northwestern.edu

University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556
Telephone: 574-631-5000
Web: www.nd.edu

Ohio State University
Columbus, OH 43210
Telephone: 614-292-OHIO
Web: www.osu.edu

University of Oklahoma
Norman, OK 73019
Telephone: 405-325-0311
Web: www.ou.edu

University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
Telephone: 541-346-1000
Web: www.uoregon.edu

Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA 16802
Telephone: 814-865-5471
Web: www.psu.edu

University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Telephone: 215-898-5000
Web: www.upenn.edu

University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
Telephone: 412-624-4141
Web: www.pitt.edu

Princeton University
Princeton, NJ 08544
Telephone: 609-258-3000
Web: www.princeton.edu

Purdue University
West Lafayette, IN 47907
Telephone: 765-494-4600
Web: www.purdue.edu

Rice University
Houston, TX 77005-1827
Telephone: 713-348-0000
Web: www.rice.edu

University of Rochester
New York, NY 10017-3620
Telephone: 212-953-7240
Web: www.rochester.edu

Rutgers University
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8530
Telephone: 732-445-4636
Web: www.rutgers.edu

University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
Telephone: 803-777-7000
Web: www.sc.edu

University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9003
Telephone: 213-740-2738
Web: www.usc.edu

Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901-4304
Telephone: 618-453-2121
Web: www.siu.edu

Stanford University
Stanford, CA 94305
Telephone: 650-723-2300
Web: www.stanford.edu

State University of New York at Albany
Albany, New York 12246
Telephone: 518-320-1100
Web: www.albany.edu

Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY 13210
Telephone: 315-443-3867
Web: www.syr.edu

Temple University
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Telephone: 215-204-7000
Web: www.temple.edu

University of Tennessee
Knoxville, TN 37996
Telephone: 865-974-1000
Web: www.utk.edu

University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX 78701-2982
Telephone: 512-499-4200
Web: www.utexas.edu

Texas A&M University
College Station, TX 77843
Telephone: 979-845-1060
Web: www.tamu.edu

Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TX 79409
Telephone: 806-742-2011
Web: www.ttu.edu

Tulane University
New Orleans, LA 70118
Telephone: 504-865-5000
Web: www.tulane.edu

University of Utah
Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Telephone: 801-581-7200
Web: www.utah.edu

Vanderbilt University
Nashville, Tennessee 37240
Telephone: 615-322-7311
Web: www.vanderbilt.edu

University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Telephone: 434-924-0311
Web: www.virginia.edu

Washington State University
Pullman, WA 99164
Telephone: 509-335-3564
Web: www.wsu.edu

Washington University in St. Louis
St. Louis, MO 63130
Telephone: 314-935-5000
Web: www.wustl.edu

University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195
Telephone: 206-543-2100
Web: www.washington.edu

Wayne State University
Detroit, MI 48202
Telephone: 877-WSU-INFO
Web: www.wayne.edu

West Virginia University
Morgantown, WV 26505-2807
Telephone: 304-598-4890
Web: www.health.wvu.edu

Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5200
Telephone: 269-387-1000
Web: www.wmich.edu

University of Wisconsin
Madison, WI 53706-1481
Telephone: 608-263-2400
Web: www.wisc.edu

Yale University
New Haven, CT 06520-8323
Telephone: 203-737-1777
Web: www.yale.edu