30 hours

The PhD accepts applications for the Fall semester only. The application deadline for priority consideration for assistantships, fellowships, and other SPIA funding is December 1. Applications received after December 1 will be considered on a rolling basis until February 15. No applications will be accepted after February 15. Inquiries should be directed to the Graduate Office at polgrad@uga.edu or to the Graduate Program Administrator.

Applicants should submit their applications to the Graduate School online and include the following: 1) Unofficial transcripts from each institution of higher education attended (except the University of Georgia) 2) GRE score report (unofficial scores may be submitted for application review, but an official score report is required to matriculate to UGA). The UGA reporting code is 5813. 3) Personal statement. This should be 1-3 pages and express the applicant’s research experience and interests, career goals, specific interest in the PhD at UGA, and other relevant information concerning their readiness for doctoral study. 4) CV or resume

5) Writing sample. This should be an original research paper between 15-30 pages and should reflect rigorous research, methodology, and academic writing. Coauthored submissions are not accepted. 6) 3 academic letters of recommendation. Letters should be submitted through the online application. The strongest letters will come from faculty who have taught you and/or supervised your academic work and can speak to your work ethic, academic interests and ability, and ability to succeed in a doctoral program. We strongly discourage submitting letters from elected officials and personal references such as clergy or friends. 7) Personal Objective Form (available on our website) 8) Graduate Assistantship Application, if desired

9) International students: For students whose primary language is not English, proof of English Proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS) is required. Students must submit official university documents as required by the UGA Graduate School. Students will also have to show a certificate of finances upon acceptance to the program.

INTL(POLS) 7002

Dissertation Prospectus Workshop

1

POLS 7010

Research Design

3

POLS(INTL) 7012

Introduction to Political Methodology

3

POLS(INTL) 7014

Intermediate Political Methodology

3

POLS(INTL) 8501

Advanced Quantitative Methods I

3

POLS(INTL) 9300  (min. 10 hours)

Doctoral Dissertation

1-9

Choose a minimum of 16 credit hour(s) from the following:

(courses at the 8000-level and above, excluding research, dissertation, and directed study)

Major Field

Choose a minimum of 5 course(s) from the following:

American Politics

Comparative Politics

International Relations

Political Theory

Minor Field

Choose a minimum of 3 course(s) from the following:

American Politics

Comparative Politics

International Relations

Political Theory/Philosophy

Political Methodology

Law and Courts

Public Administration

Public Policy

Third-Field

Choose a minimum of 1 course(s) from the following:

Courses approved by graduate coordinator

GRSC 7001

GradFIRST: First-year Research and Scholarship Training Seminar

1

PhD students are required to declare a major field (minimum 5 courses) and minor field (minimum 3 courses) and must also take a course in a field other than those in which they are sitting for exams (the “third-field course”), to be chosen in consultation with the graduate coordinator.

Students assigned to teaching assistantships must take POLS 7770, Graduate Teaching Seminar. Although not preferred, a section of GRSC 7770, Graduate Teaching Seminar, open to all students may fulfill this requirement if needed.

In addition to the required coursework, PhD students must complete the following: 1) Written and oral comprehensive exams in the major and minor fields of study 2) The dissertation prospectus and prospectus defense 3) The dissertation and dissertation defense

Select additional courses, as needed, in consultation with an advisor to meet the minimum number of required credit hours for this program.

One of the key goals of the PhD program is to facilitate our students’ success in obtaining a job upon the completion of their degree. While many of our students pursue tenure-track jobs at universities, we also have a strong record of placing graduates in the public and private sectors as data analysts. Recent graduates have obtained tenure-track positions at universities such as University of Missouri-St. Louis, North Dakota State University, University of Connecticut, University of Nebraska, University of Idaho, Auburn University, and Texas Tech University. Graduates have also taken prestigious post-doctoral fellowships through Duke University and through the American Political Science Association Congressional Fellows Program. Students have also found success in the private sector, working as data analysts for companies such as Luckie Advertising and Meta.

Based on a survey of recent graduates, 85% of graduates were employed full-time after graduating, 7% were in post-doctoral positions, and 7% were self-employed.

The PhD program does not accept transfer credit from other institutions.

The primary source of funding for PhD students is graduate assistantships. All applications completed before the priority admissions deadline (December 1) are guaranteed full consideration for these funding opportunities. All applications submitted thereafter (but prior to the February 15 deadline) are considered on a rolling basis depending on funding availability. Graduate assistantships include a tuition waiver (students are expected to pay $25 in tuition per semester + student fees), stipend, partial health insurance subsidy, and a work commitment as either a teaching or research assistant.

You must apply for all assistantships through the Departmental Graduate Office. Do not contact the Graduate School about financial support. Most graduate assistantships come from departmental funding sources (SPIA assistantships). Students who receive support from the Graduate School must be nominated by their department and go through a competitive process.

To apply, fill out the Graduate Assistantship Application and submit with the rest of your program application. All applicants who submit an assistantship application will be considered for funding. Some additional merit-based scholarships may be available to exceptional applicants and will be awarded at the discretion of the graduate coordinator.

https://hr.uga.edu/students/Mandatory_Plan/student_mandatory_plan_home/ http://grad.uga.edu/index.php/current-students/financial-information/ https://spia.uga.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Graduate-Assistantship-Application-1.pdf

PhD students in SPIA have the opportunity to apply to work as a paid graduate assistant with the UGA at Oxford study abroad program (https://oxford.uga.edu/). Typically, students apply after they have completed required coursework and should commit to participating for at least 1-2 semesters. The UGA at Oxford program makes the final decision on all applications.

Students may wish to pursue a graduate certificate after completing the required coursework. UGA offers numerous certificate programs that complement the doctoral program of study, including topics such as African American Studies, GIS, International Law, Qualitative Studies, and University Teaching. A full list may be found at https://grad.uga.edu/programs/.

Students are encouraged to present their research at conferences, professional meetings, and symposia. SPIA and the Graduate School have funds available to defray travel expenses for students who present their research.

SPIA Graduate Student Association (GSA)

Other programs in SPIA include: MIP Master of International Policy MA (thesis) Political Science and International Affairs MA (nonthesis) Political Science and International Affairs MPA Master of Public Administration PhD Public Administration and Policy