Department of Political Science and International Relations

Political Science and International Relations (MA, PhD)

Telephone: (302) 831-2355
https://www.poscir.udel.edu/
Faculty Listing: https://www.poscir.udel.edu/people/faculty

Program Overview

The Department of Political Science and International Relations offers both MA (Master of Arts) and PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) degrees.  The graduate program is a PhD focused program consisting of coursework during the first six semesters followed by dissertation research and writing. The MA degree is a two-year, 39-credit program. The PhD program is a 57-credit program.  

Graduate study in the Department is organized around four major subfields within the discipline of Political Science: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. PhD students are required to pick one of these major subfields within the discipline as their primary field and one of these major subfields or Methods as their secondary field. MA students complete a primary subfield only.

Mission Statement

The Master of Arts (MA) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs in the Department of Political Science and International Relations prepare students for occupations related to several aspects of political science, but primarily for joining the professoriate, as college and university professors. We expect our graduates to possess a broad understanding of the discipline of political science, achieve specialized expertise in one or more areas and competence in the underlying philosophy of social science inquiry and research methods. We aim to produce PhDs who have the breadth and vision to grapple with important questions in political life, the training to make original contributions to those issues, and the ability to communicate their work to students and their peers nationally and internationally.

Admission Requirements

Those seeking admittance and possible financial assistance should submit a completed application by December 15 for admission effective the following September.

To be accepted into the program students are evaluated on several criteria:

1. Undergraduate grade point averages. Competitive GPA’s for admission are a 3.00 overall, 3.25 in a major field, and 3.5 in any prior graduate work in political science.
2. Three letters of recommendation. Applicants should request letters from previous faculty that speak to their academic potential.
3. For international students, a TOEFL score. Competitive scores for admission are at least 600 paper-based or 100 internet-based.
4. A statement of purpose articulating why you are interested in a PhD (or MA) in Political Science, your research interests, what you hope to do with your PhD (or MA) degree, and the reasons you are applying to our program. The latter reasoning should highlight faculty members and/or departmental research strengths that you feel align well with your own research interests.
5. Writing sample: An academic piece from a course or thesis is required.

Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

For Students with Previous Graduate Education:

Students arriving with an MA degree, in political science or another discipline, must nonetheless begin anew in our program and complete all its requirements.

According to University of Delaware policy up to nine credits from previous graduate coursework - credits NOT used to obtain a degree elsewhere, however - may transfer in to UD. These must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies after reviewing relevant syllabi; they will generally transfer in as elective credits.

Normal Progress Toward Degree

Please consult University of Delaware Academic Policies on Graduate Student Responsibilities, Exceptions to Policies, Academic Good Standing, Satisfactory Progress Toward a Graduate Degree, Degree Time Limits, Degree Time Limit Extension, Leaves of Absence and Parental Accommodation and Accommodations for Parental Responsibilities.

Funding

1. Funding through the department is available to graduate students in the form of graduate assistantships (for teaching and/or research), tuition scholarships, and University fellowships. These awards are merit based.
2. Students who receive graduate assistantships or fellowships must achieve a grade of B or higher in every course while taking a minimum of six credit hours per semester (unless fewer than six credits are needed to complete the credit requirements for the degree). Satisfactory progress towards the degree generally requires nine credits per semester and exceptions should be discussed with the Director of Graduate Studies. Retention of funding from the Department normally requires a student to maintain a GPA of above 3.50. Occasionally there is a re-allocation of funding if new resources have come available. In general, all funding allocations are reviewed each spring by the Graduate Admissions and Funding Committee, to make funding decisions for the following year. If a student is in jeopardy of losing funding, the Department will follow University procedures and give written notice of this, and a time frame in which a student may improve their performance.
3. Students who receive graduate assistantships (and, in some cases, fellowships) are expected to work 20 hours per week and must satisfactorily fulfill the requirements of their positions. Work may consist of teaching or research.
4. Any student who, in the judgment of the Director of Graduate Studies, with the advice of the graduate faculty, fails to demonstrate sufficiently strong performance in their studies, research, and teaching (as applicable) will be subject to the suspension of their graduate assistantship, fellowship or tuition scholarship, as per University procedures. Students are evaluated according to their grade point average as well as written assessments of their teaching and course performance submitted to the Director of Graduate Studies each semester by supervisory faculty.
5. Funding is awarded on an annual basis. Students entering the PhD program with funding may anticipate funding for up to five academic years, depending upon academic performance, faculty evaluations, and performance as graduate assistant. Entering students receiving funding will be provided with a letter detailing the funding offer. Funding for the spring semester of the fourth year is contingent on successful completion of the dissertation proposal defense. All dissertation proposal defenses must be held at the end of the spring semester of the student’s third year or the beginning of the fourth year (but not later than the Monday of the second week of fall semester of the student’s fourth year).). Unfunded students who do not meet this deadline will not be offered teaching opportunities.
6. For further information, please reference Graduate College funding policies for graduate students.

Advisement

1. The Director of Graduate Studies assigns all students a faculty adviser. Students who wish to change advisors are free to do so, but must fill out a change of advisor form available in the Department office, obtain the necessary signatures, and return the form to the Graduate Administrative Assistant in the Department office.
2. Students are encouraged to have their programs reviewed each semester by their advisors. More frequent consultation with the advisor is encouraged to ensure satisfactory progress towards the degree.
3. Students must keep the Department and their advisors informed of their current contact information.

Programs

• Political Science and International Relations (MA)

• Political Science and International Relations (PhD)