Political Science (PhD)
The PhD program in political science is intended for students who wish to acquire careers in teaching and research or work in the government or the private sector. The focus includes the four fields of American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Students will take most of their courses and specialize in two fields. One of the two fields will constitute the major field and the other the minor field.
Curriculum
Students may enter the PhD in Political Science upon completion of the Master of Arts in Political Science at Loyola or another institution1. The PhD requires 48 credit hours of coursework, a comprehensive examination, and a dissertation.
Required Coursework
The PhD in Political Science requires 48 credit hours of coursework, six hours of which may be taken in a related discipline.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| PLSC 401 | Intro to Research Design & Method | 3 |
| PLSC 475 | Political Analysis I (taken in first fall semester of program) | 3 |
| PLSC 476 | Political Analysis II | 3 |
| PLSC 499 | Directed Readings (to develop dissertation proposal) | 3 |
| Select Four Couses in Major Field 2 | 12 | |
| Select Three Courses in Minor Field | 9 | |
| Select Five Elective Courses from Two Sub-fields | 15 | |
| The sub-fields that may be chosen between for Major and Minor Fields are International Relations, Comparative Politics, American Politics, and Political Theory. | ||
| International Relations Courses | ||
| Theories of International Politics | ||
| Formulation US Foreign Policy | ||
| Comparative Foreign Policy Analysis | ||
| International Organization | ||
| International Political Economics | ||
| International Conflict | ||
| Selected Problems International Law | ||
| Selected Problems in International Politics | ||
| Seminar: International Politics | ||
| Comparative Politics Courses | ||
| Comparative Political Systems | ||
| Democratic Political Systems | ||
| Authoritarian Political Systems | ||
| Soviet & Post-Soviet Politics | ||
| Politics of Developing Areas | ||
| Sub-Saharan Africa | ||
| Latin American Politics | ||
| Politics of the Middle East | ||
| Political Violence | ||
| Comparative Politics Selected Problems | ||
| Seminar: Comparative Politics | ||
| Seminar Western European Politics | ||
| Soviet/Post-Soviet Foreign Policy | ||
| American Politics Courses | ||
| Selected Problems in American Politics | ||
| American Executive Branch | ||
| American Legislative Branch | ||
| Public Policy-Making & Implementation | ||
| Urban Politics | ||
| American Political Parties/Electoral Process | ||
| Constitutional Politics | ||
| The American Legal System | ||
| Political Psychology & Socialization | ||
| Managing Urban Government | ||
| Political Theory Courses | ||
| Ancient Political Thought | ||
| Modern Political Thought | ||
| Great Authors | ||
| Political Ethics | ||
| American Political Thought to Civil War | ||
| 19th Century Political Thought | ||
| Liberalism | ||
| Political Philosophy Selected Problems | ||
| Total Hours | 48 | |
All PhD students and students in thesis-based Master's degree programs must successfully complete UNIV 370 Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship or other approved coursework in responsible conduct of research as part of the degree requirements. It is strongly recommended that students complete this two-day training before beginning the dissertation/thesis stage of the program.
- 1
Students who do not enter Loyola with an MA may take the master's comprehensive exam after completing 10 courses (including PLSC 401 Intro to Research Design & Method, PLSC 475 Political Analysis I, and PLSC 476 Political Analysis II) and earn the MA en route to the PhD. Students must complete four semesters of residence, including at least two consecutive semesters at Loyola. At least one academic year (two consecutive semesters) must be spent as a full-time student.
Suggested Sequence of Courses
The below sequence of courses is meant to be used as a suggested path for completing coursework. An individual student’s completion of requirements depends on course offerings in a given term as well as the start term for a major or graduate study. Students should consult their advisor for assistance with course selection.
After coursework listed below is complete, students begin taking PLSC 610 Doctoral Study or PLSC 600 Dissertation Supervision until dissertation defense.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| PLSC 401 | Intro to Research Design & Method | 3 |
| PLSC 475 | Political Analysis I | 3 |
| One Major Field Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| PLSC 476 | Political Analysis II | 3 |
| One Major Field Course | 3 | |
| One Minor Field Course | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| One Major Field Course | 3 | |
| One Minor Field Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring | ||
| One Major Field Course | 3 | |
| One Minor Field Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| PLSC 499 | Directed Readings | 3-6 |
| Hours | 3-6 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 48-51 | |
Language Proficiency
Students may be required to develop language proficiency to conduct research for their doctoral dissertations. PhD students who need to take language courses that are necessary for dissertation research may be able to secure tuition support from The Graduate School with approval of the Graduate Program Director.
Comprehensive Exams
Candidates must pass three total comprehensive examinations (made up of both written and oral components), culminating in an oral examination where 4/5 faculty examiners must approve. All course requirements, including resolution of any outstanding Incomplete grades, must be fulfilled before students can take the written comprehensive examinations.
Dissertation
Candidates must complete and successfully defend both a dissertation proposal and the completed dissertation. Sometime in the third year of study, students are expected for form a dissertation committee, with the assistance of the Graduate Program Director.
Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations
Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supercede school policies.
Learning Outcomes
The PhD in Political Science offers students:
- An in-depth understanding of the theories and scholarly literature in the sub-fields of Comparative Politics (study of political regimes, including the state, development and modernization, political, economic, and social movements), International Relations (study of global processes throughout the international system), American Politics (study of U.S. institutions and political processes), and Political Theory (study of political philosophy ranging from Ancient to Modern and Contemporary political thought).
- Extensive methods training, including research design and statistical analysis, that will enable the successful candidate to effectively design and conduct research.
- Research and teaching training by serving as both a research assistant for department faculty and professor of record for at least one class during the period of the PhD student’s funding.
- An enhanced ability to express their thoughts in writing (all Political Science graduate classes include a significant writing component).
- Preparation for careers in research and teaching at colleges and universities or work in the government, non-profit, and private sectors.
We also encourage our PhD students to take advantage of additional learning opportunities:
- Advanced methodological training
- Advanced language training/proficiency in a language other than English
- Advanced research skills
- International, cross-cultural experience
- Professional development and experience
- Networking opportunities