Doctor of Philosophy - Political Science

Plan Description

The Ph.D. program offers major concentrations in Comparative Politics and International Relations, and minor concentrations in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory.

Globalization is a dominant characteristic of politics in the twenty-first century. The program focuses on the causes, consequences, and limitations of the political, economic, and cultural aspects of globalization.

The Ph.D. program is intended to prepare its graduates for careers in academic institutions, government (at all levels), and business and industry. Increasingly, a cross-national, cross-cultural understanding of political processes is essential for education, public policy, and commerce.

Learning Outcomes  

www.unlv.edu/degree/phd-political-science

Plan Admission Requirements

1. The following department application materials must be uploaded into the online application:
   1. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores
   2. Three letters of recommendation by recommendation providers
   3. A personal statement explaining why you want to enter the doctoral program
   4. A writing sample
2. Applicants must submit satisfactory Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores. The recommended score is a total of 160 on the verbal and 148 on the quantitative sections. We also pay attention to the analytical score. The applicant’s undergraduate record is examined in conjunction with the GRE scores. The former is weighed more heavily than the latter: an outstanding undergraduate record may well allow the admission of an applicant with GRE scores somewhat below the recommended level.
3. Applicants must possess a B.A. or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.30, or M.A. or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.50. Under special circumstances the department may consider applicants with lower GPAs.
4. Applicants must have completed 12 credits of course work at the upper-division or graduate level in comparative politics and international relations combined. At the discretion of the department, students who lack such course work may be admitted on the condition that they remedy that deficiency.
5. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the  Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements. 

Plan Requirements

See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Post-Bachelor’s – Comparative Politics Track
Subplan 2: Post-Bachelor’s – International Relations Track
Subplan 3: Post-Master’s – Comparative Politics Track
Subplan 4: Post-Master’s – International Relations Track

Subplan 1 Requirements: Post-Bachelor’s - Comparative Politics Track

Total Credits Required: 60

Course Requirements 

Methods in Political Science Courses – Credits: 6

PSC 701 - Research Design and Methodology 

PSC 702 - Advanced Quantitative Methods 

Proseminar Courses – Credits: 12

PSC 710R - Proseminar in American Politics 

PSC 740 - Proseminar in International Relations 

PSC 760R - Proseminar in Comparative Politics 

PSC 780R - Proseminar in Political Theory 

Topics Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

PSC 767 - Comparative Democratization 

PSC 775 - Comparative Political Behavior 

PSC 779R - Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics 

Area Studies Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

PSC 761 - Middle Eastern and North African Politics 

PSC 762 - African Politics 

PSC 764 - Latin American Politics 

Major Field Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses (excluding Topics and Area Studies courses already completed):

PSC 761 - Middle Eastern and North African Politics 

PSC 762 - African Politics 

PSC 764 - Latin American Politics 

PSC 767 - Comparative Democratization 

PSC 775 - Comparative Political Behavior 

PSC 779R - Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics 

Minor Field 1 International Relations Courses – Credits: 6

Complete two of the following courses:

PSC 741 - U.S. Foreign Policy 

PSC 746 - Middle East in World Affairs 

PSC 747 - Pacific Rim in World Affairs 

PSC 751 - International Political Economy 

PSC 754 - Global Governance 

PSC 755 - International Security 

PSC 759 - Advanced Studies in International Relations 

Minor Field 2 Courses – Credits: 6

In consultation with your advisor select your second minor field of study and complete 6 credits from the appropriate list below.

American Politics/Public Policy/Public Law

PSC 712 - Intergovernmental Relations 

PSC 713 - American National Government: Principles 

PSC 714 - American National Government: Structure and Processes 

PSC 719 - Advanced Studies in American Politics 

PSC 721 - Public Policy Process 

PSC 722 - Environmental Resource Policy 

PSC 723 - Policy Analysis 

PSC 724 - Intelligence Policy 

PSC 725 - Policy Formation: The Problem of Legitimacy 

PSC 726 - National Security Policy 

PSC 729 - Advanced Studies in Public Policy 

PSC 731 - Civil Rights and Liberties 

PSC 732 - Constitutional Law 

PSC 733 - Public Law and Public Policy 

PSC 735 - Jurisprudence 

PSC 739 - Advanced Studies in Public Law 

Political Theory

PSC 781 - Political Theory before 1500 

PSC 782R - Political Theory from 1500 to 1900 

PSC 783 - Political Theory since 1900 

PSC 789R - Advanced Studies in Political Theory 
 

Elective Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of 700-level Political Science courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

Dissertation – Credits: 12

PSC 799 - Dissertation 

Degree Requirements 

1. A minimum of 60 credits beyond the B.A. must be completed.
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 is required for all course work.
3. Foreign language requirement: Students must demonstrate knowledge of the equivalent of two years of a single foreign language, through either an examination or 12 credits of college-level course work. Those credits would not count toward the required total. This requirement must be met prior to admission to candidacy. No grade below “B-” will be accepted.
4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member outside the department will be assigned by the Graduate College. Another outside member may be added at the department’s discretion.
5. Comprehensive written and oral examinations will be taken during or following the semester in which the student completes required course work. They will be divided into three parts, corresponding to the student’s major field and two minor fields. Within those fields the content of the examinations will be determined by the student’s graduate coordinator.
6. The student will write the dissertation of original research and interpretation on a topic in the field of comparative politics.

Graduation Requirements 

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her dissertation by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
3. The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy dissertation to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Post-Bachelor’s - International Relations Track

Total Credits Required: 60

Course Requirements 

Methods in Political Science Courses – Credits: 6

PSC 701 - Research Design and Methodology 

PSC 702 - Advanced Quantitative Methods 

Proseminar Courses – Credits: 12

PSC 710R - Proseminar in American Politics 

PSC 740 - Proseminar in International Relations 

PSC 760R - Proseminar in Comparative Politics 

PSC 780R - Proseminar in Political Theory 

International Relations Courses – Credits: 9

Complete three of the following courses:

PSC 741 - U.S. Foreign Policy 

PSC 746 - Middle East in World Affairs 

PSC 747 - Pacific Rim in World Affairs 

PSC 751 - International Political Economy 

PSC 754 - Global Governance 

PSC 755 - International Security 

PSC 759 - Advanced Studies in International Relations 

Minor Field 1 Comparative Politics – Credits: 6
 

Complete two of the following courses:

PSC 767 - Comparative Democratization 

PSC 775 - Comparative Political Behavior 

PSC 779R - Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics 

PSC 761 - Middle Eastern and North African Politics 

PSC 762 - African Politics 

PSC 764 - Latin American Politics 

Minor Field 2 Courses – Credits: 6

In consultation with your advisor select your second minor field of study and complete 6 credits from the appropriate list below.

American Politics/Public Policy/Public Law

PSC 712 - Intergovernmental Relations 

PSC 713 - American National Government: Principles 

PSC 714 - American National Government: Structure and Processes 

PSC 719 - Advanced Studies in American Politics 

PSC 721 - Public Policy Process 

PSC 722 - Environmental Resource Policy 

PSC 723 - Policy Analysis 

PSC 724 - Intelligence Policy 

PSC 725 - Policy Formation: The Problem of Legitimacy 

PSC 726 - National Security Policy 

PSC 729 - Advanced Studies in Public Policy 

PSC 731 - Civil Rights and Liberties 

PSC 732 - Constitutional Law 

PSC 733 - Public Law and Public Policy 

PSC 735 - Jurisprudence 

PSC 739 - Advanced Studies in Public Law 

Political Theory

PSC 781 - Political Theory before 1500 

PSC 782R - Political Theory from 1500 to 1900 

PSC 783 - Political Theory since 1900 

PSC 789R - Advanced Studies in Political Theory 

Elective Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of 700-level Political Science courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

Dissertation – Credits: 12

PSC 799 - Dissertation 

Degree Requirements 

1. A minimum of 60 credits beyond the B.A. must be completed.
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 is required for all course work.
3. Foreign language requirement: Students must demonstrate knowledge of the equivalent of two years of a single foreign language, through either an examination or 12 credits of college-level course work. Those credits would not count toward the required total. This requirement must be met prior to admission to candidacy. No grade below “B-” will be accepted.
4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member outside the department will be assigned by the Graduate College. Another outside member may be added at the department’s discretion.
5. Comprehensive written examination will be taken during or following the semester in which the student completes required course work. They will be divided into three parts, corresponding to the student’s major field and two minor fields. Within those fields the content of the examinations will be determined by the student’s graduate coordinator.
6. The student will write the dissertation of original research and interpretation on a topic in the field of international relations.

Graduation Requirements 

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her dissertation by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
3. The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy dissertation to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.

Subplan 3 Requirements: Post-Master’s - Comparative Politics Track

Total Credits Required: 42

Course Requirements 

Topics Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

PSC 767 - Comparative Democratization 

PSC 775 - Comparative Political Behavior 

PSC 779R - Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics 

Area Studies Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses:

PSC 761 - Middle Eastern and North African Politics 

PSC 762 - African Politics 

PSC 764 - Latin American Politics 

Major Field Course – Credits: 3

Complete one of the following courses (excluding Topics and Area Studies courses already completed):

PSC 761 - Middle Eastern and North African Politics 

PSC 762 - African Politics 

PSC 764 - Latin American Politics 

PSC 767 - Comparative Democratization 

PSC 775 - Comparative Political Behavior 

PSC 779R - Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics 

Minor Field 1 International Relations Courses – Credits: 6

Complete two of the following courses:

PSC 741 - U.S. Foreign Policy 

PSC 746 - Middle East in World Affairs 

PSC 747 - Pacific Rim in World Affairs 

PSC 751 - International Political Economy 

PSC 754 - Global Governance 

PSC 755 - International Security 

PSC 759 - Advanced Studies in International Relations 

Minor Field 2 Courses – Credits: 6

In consultation with your advisor select your second minor field of study and complete 6 credits from the appropriate list below.

American Politics/Public Policy/Public Law

PSC 712 - Intergovernmental Relations 

PSC 713 - American National Government: Principles 

PSC 714 - American National Government: Structure and Processes 

PSC 719 - Advanced Studies in American Politics 

PSC 721 - Public Policy Process 

PSC 722 - Environmental Resource Policy 

PSC 723 - Policy Analysis 

PSC 724 - Intelligence Policy 

PSC 725 - Policy Formation: The Problem of Legitimacy 

PSC 726 - National Security Policy 

PSC 729 - Advanced Studies in Public Policy 

PSC 731 - Civil Rights and Liberties 

PSC 732 - Constitutional Law 

PSC 733 - Public Law and Public Policy 

PSC 735 - Jurisprudence 

PSC 739 - Advanced Studies in Public Law 

Political Theory

PSC 781 - Political Theory before 1500 

PSC 782R - Political Theory from 1500 to 1900 

PSC 783 - Political Theory since 1900 

PSC 789R - Advanced Studies in Political Theory 

Elective Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of 700-level Political Science courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

Dissertation – Credits: 12

PSC 799 - Dissertation 

Degree Requirements 

1. A minimum of 42 credits beyond the M.A. must be completed and the department will determine the distribution of the 42 credits, based on the student’s transcripts of prior work.
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 is required for all course work.
3. Foreign language requirement: Students must demonstrate knowledge of the equivalent of two years of a single foreign language, through either an examination or 12 credits of college-level course work. Those credits would not count toward the required total. This requirement must be met prior to admission to candidacy. No grade below “B-” will be accepted.
4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member outside the department will be assigned by the Graduate College. Another outside member may be added at the department’s discretion.
5. Comprehensive written examination will be taken during or following the semester in which the student completes required course work. They will be divided into three parts, corresponding to the student’s major field and two minor fields. Within those fields the content of the examinations will be determined by the student’s graduate coordinator.
6. The student will write the dissertation of original research and interpretation on a topic in the field of comparative politics or international relations.

Graduation Requirements 

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her dissertation by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
3. The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy dissertation to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.

Subplan 4 Requirements: Post-Master’s - International Relations Track

Total Credits Required: 42

Course Requirements 

International Relations Courses – Credits: 9

Complete three of the following courses:

PSC 741 - U.S. Foreign Policy 

PSC 746 - Middle East in World Affairs 

PSC 747 - Pacific Rim in World Affairs 

PSC 751 - International Political Economy 

PSC 754 - Global Governance 

PSC 755 - International Security 

PSC 759 - Advanced Studies in International Relations 

Minor Field 1 Comparative Politics – Credits: 6

Complete two of the following courses:

PSC 767 - Comparative Democratization 

PSC 775 - Comparative Political Behavior 

PSC 779R - Advanced Studies in Comparative Politics 

PSC 761 - Middle Eastern and North African Politics 

PSC 762 - African Politics 

PSC 764 - Latin American Politics 

Minor Field 2 Courses – Credits: 6

In consultation with your advisor select your second minor field of study and complete 6 credits from the appropriate list below.

American Politics/Public Policy/Public Law

PSC 712 - Intergovernmental Relations 

PSC 713 - American National Government: Principles 

PSC 714 - American National Government: Structure and Processes 

PSC 719 - Advanced Studies in American Politics 

PSC 721 - Public Policy Process 

PSC 722 - Environmental Resource Policy 

PSC 723 - Policy Analysis 

PSC 724 - Intelligence Policy 

PSC 725 - Policy Formation: The Problem of Legitimacy 

PSC 726 - National Security Policy 

PSC 729 - Advanced Studies in Public Policy 

PSC 731 - Civil Rights and Liberties 

PSC 732 - Constitutional Law 

PSC 733 - Public Law and Public Policy 

PSC 735 - Jurisprudence 

PSC 739 - Advanced Studies in Public Law 

Political Theory

PSC 781 - Political Theory before 1500 

PSC 782R - Political Theory from 1500 to 1900 

PSC 783 - Political Theory since 1900 

PSC 789R - Advanced Studies in Political Theory 

Elective Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of 700-level Political Science courses, or other advisor-approved courses.

Dissertation – Credits: 12

PSC 799 - Dissertation 

Degree Requirements 

1. A minimum of 42 credits beyond the M.A. must be completed and the department will determine the distribution of the 42 credits, based on the student’s transcripts of prior work.
2. A minimum grade point average of 3.00 is required for all course work.
3. Foreign language requirement: Students must demonstrate knowledge of the equivalent of two years of a single foreign language, through either an examination or 12 credits of college-level course work. Those credits would not count toward the required total. This requirement must be met prior to admission to candidacy. No grade below “B-” will be accepted.
4. In consultation with his/her advisor, a student will organize a dissertation committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member outside the department will be assigned by the Graduate College. Another outside member may be added at the department’s discretion.
5. Comprehensive written examination will be taken during or following the semester in which the student completes required course work. They will be divided into three parts, corresponding to the student’s major field and two minor fields. Within those fields the content of the examinations will be determined by the student’s graduate coordinator.
6. The student will write the dissertation of original research and interpretation on a topic in the field of comparative politics or international relations.

Graduation Requirements 

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her dissertation by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.
3. The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy dissertation to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.

Plan Graduation Requirements

Refer to your subplan for Graduation Requirements.

Subplan 1: Post-Bachelor’s – Comparative Politics Track
Subplan 2: Post-Bachelor’s – International Relations Track
Subplan 3: Post-Master’s – Comparative Politics Track
Subplan 4: Post-Master’s – International Relations Track