The doctoral program in political science is nationally recognized as a leader in the discipline, with outstanding research faculty in each of the major subfields and a reputation for outstanding graduate training.
Graduate study in political science emphasizes the Doctor of Philosophy program. The department usually offers the master's degree only as a preliminary step toward the PhD.
The program is designed to prepare students for research, teaching, and scholarly endeavors in academic settings and private or governmental institutions. It produces graduates who are deeply committed to the study of politics, familiar with fundamental knowledge about political processes, well trained in methods and techniques for careful investigation of basic and applied research questions, and determined to make contributions to the discipline of political science and society.
The department usually admits six to eight PhD students each year, so students work closely with faculty members, often collaborating on research and publication. Graduate students know one another and enjoy supportive, congenial working conditions.
Doctoral study usually lasts four to five years. The first-year curriculum for all students consists of core courses equally divided between substance and methodology. Emphasis is on basic research methods, including quantitative methods, that political scientists must understand thoroughly. Special attention is given to research design, collection of observations, and data analysis and interpretation.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- demonstrate in-depth knowledge of two major fields in the discipline and competency in one minor field (the minor field may be within the discipline, in an interdisciplinary subject, or in another related discipline);
- demonstrate advanced research skills, including advanced statistical analysis and broad knowledge of a range of theoretical and methodological approaches relevant to their field of research;
- demonstrate effective teaching skills following the pedagogical standards of the discipline;
- be familiar with and follow disciplinary norms and standards, including understanding issues related to ethical practices in research; professional, public, and collegial engagement; and instruction; and
- demonstrate a full understanding of the research enterprise, including an ability to engage others' work and an ability to make original and substantial contributions to the field.
The Doctor of Philosophy in political science requires a minimum of 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a Graduate College program grade-point average of at least 3.40.
Four fields of study are available: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and methodology. Each student chooses three fields of study for qualifying examinations.
The PhD in political science requires the following coursework.
Required Coursework
Students must complete the appropriate course numbered 5100–5700 before enrolling in a course numbered 7000 or above. In unusual circumstances and with the permission of the instructor teaching the higher-level course, a student may enroll in that course and a course numbered 5100–5700 at the same time.
Core Courses
Students take the following courses, except POLI:7270, on an A–F graded basis. Students must earn a B or above in all courses except POLI:5000 and POLI:7270.
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
POLI:5000 | Introduction to Political Analysis | 4 |
POLI:5001 | Introductory Methodology | 4 |
POLI:5003 | Intermediate Methodology | 4 |
POLI:7003 | Advanced Methodology | 4 |
POLI:7270 | Responsible Research in Political Science | 1 |
Graduate students are expected to take at least 12 s.h. of coursework per semester through their second year of graduate study. Typically, this is in regularly scheduled courses rather than readings courses.
Additional Courses
Students complete 55 s.h. of additional coursework in field area, advanced political science, and elective courses.
During the third year, students are expected to take a minimum of 12 s.h. of regularly scheduled coursework; readings courses should be limited to the second semester of the third year. Students may take up to 12 s.h. in readings courses (not counting coursework accumulated in summer terms, when readings courses are often all that is available).
Field Area
Students complete three of the following field area requirements. All courses must be taken on an A–F graded basis.
Course List
Course # |
Title |
Hours |
| |
POLI:5100 | American Politics | 4 |
POLI:7150 | Problems in American Politics (taken twice for 4 s.h. each) | 8 |
| |
POLI:5500 | International Politics | 4 |
| |
POLI:7502 | International Institutions and Cooperation (may be repeated) | 4 |
POLI:7503 | International Conflict and Cooperation (may be repeated) | 4 |
POLI:7550 | Problems in International Politics (may be repeated) | 4 |
| |
POLI:5400 | Comparative Politics | 4 |
| |
POLI:7202 | Public Opinion and Electoral Behavior (may be repeated) | 4 |
POLI:7450 | Problems of Comparative Politics (may be repeated) | 4 |
| |
POLI:5700 | Introduction to Formal Models in Political Science (may be repeated) | 4 |
POLI:7002 | Topics Methodology (may be repeated) | 4 |
Students may develop a self-defined field area, drawing upon coursework outside of political science with the permission of their advisor.
Advanced Political Science Courses
Students take a minimum of 12 s.h. of political science courses (prefix POLI) numbered 5000 or above to satisfy the advanced political science courses requirement.
Electives
Elective courses must bring the total credit for the PhD to a minimum of 72 s.h. Elective coursework is tailored to a student's background and career goals. It is selected in consultation with the student's advisory committee and can include research.
Students may enroll in any course numbered 4000 or above, including additional political science courses (prefix POLI). From these, students are permitted a total maximum of 12 s.h. from POLI:7900 Readings Tutorial, POLI:7901 Research Tutorial, and POLI:7910 PhD Dissertation.
Qualifying Exam and Comprehensive Exam
Students must complete their qualifying examinations by the end of the third year. They take their comprehensive examination (oral defense of the dissertation proposal) by the middle of the first semester of their fourth year.
Postcomprehensive Registration
The fourth and fifth years are spent on dissertation research and writing. Students who do basic research and gather data abroad often require an additional year to complete the dissertation. Graduate College regulations require that students be registered at the University of Iowa each semester after passing the comprehensive examination until their degree is awarded, and that this registration accurately reflects the amount and type of work undertaken, the use of university facilities, and the amount of consultation with the faculty. After passing their comprehensive examination, students working on their dissertation research should register for POLI:7910 PhD Dissertation.
Because the number of positions available in the PhD program is limited, the competition for admission is keen. However, applicants who did not major in political science or who are not acquainted with quantitative research methods are not at a disadvantage.
The deadline for application and consideration for assistantships and fellowships is Jan. 7.
Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree, an undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.30 on a four-point scale (or its equivalent for international applicants), and three letters of recommendation from persons who can comment upon the applicant's academic ability and motivation. For applicants who have pursued graduate work elsewhere, a graduate GPA of at least 3.50 is required.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Students may only enter the program in the fall semester.
The Doctor of Philosophy program in political science is designed to prepare students for careers in research and teaching. All students receive a thorough grounding in research methods. It is this grounding that permits teachers to be critical consumers of the research they read and permits researchers to undertake significant theoretical and empirical work.
Because the faculty and the graduate student body are not large, there is ample opportunity to collaborate with individual faculty members in research endeavors. In addition, students spend some time as apprentice teachers in large undergraduate classes.
PhD graduates secure employment in a wide variety of academic and nonacademic settings. In particular, they work in highly ranked research universities and teaching colleges throughout the United States and the world. Over the last decade, almost all graduates seeking academic positions found jobs.
Iowa graduates use their training to build distinguished research records that allow them to move to some of the nation’s top institutions.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Political Science, PhD
Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career |
Any Semester |
a, b, c |
|
d |
|
| Hours | 0 |
First Year |
Fall |
POLI:5000 |
Introduction to Political Analysis |
4 |
POLI:5001 |
Introductory Methodology b |
4 |
e, f |
4 |
| Hours | 12 |
Spring |
POLI:5003 |
Intermediate Methodology |
4 |
e, f |
4 |
|
4 |
| Hours | 12 |
Second Year |
Fall |
POLI:7003 |
Advanced Methodology |
4 |
POLI:7270 |
Responsible Research in Political Science |
1 |
e, f |
4 |
|
4 |
| Hours | 13 |
Spring |
|
4 |
g, h |
4 |
g, h |
4 |
| Hours | 12 |
Third Year |
Any Semester |
i |
|
| Hours | 0 |
Fall |
g, h |
4 |
g, h |
4 |
| Hours | 8 |
Spring |
g, h |
4 |
g, h |
4 |
| Hours | 8 |
Fourth Year |
Fall |
POLI:7910 |
PhD Dissertation g, h |
3 |
j |
|
| Hours | 3 |
Spring |
POLI:7910 |
PhD Dissertation g, h |
2 |
| Hours | 2 |
Fifth Year |
Fall |
POLI:7910 |
PhD Dissertation g, h |
1 |
| Hours | 1 |
Spring |
POLI:7910 |
PhD Dissertation g, h |
1 |
k |
|
| Hours | 1 |
| Total Hours | 72 |