About PhD Program,
Our doctoral students are advancing political science as a discipline. They explore the empirical phenomena that produce new scholarly insights—insights that improve the way governments and societies function. As a result, MIT Political Science graduates are sought after for top teaching and research positions in the U.S. and abroad. Read where program alumni are working around the world.
We recommend that you take a broad array of courses across your two major fields. In some cases, a single course may overlap across the subject matter of both fields. You may not use more than one such course to “double count” for the course distribution requirement. Keep in mind that specific fields may have additional requirements.
You are free to take subjects in other departments across the Institute. Cross-registration arrangements also permit enrollment in subjects taught in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University and in some of Harvard’s other graduate schools.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Since many schools do not calculate GPAs we do not impose a set minimum. Although we do not have a minimum GPA requirement the applicant pool is academically strong and very competitive.
You will need two full academic years of work to prepare for the general examinations and to meet other pre-dissertation requirements. Typically, a minimum of eight graduate subjects are required for a PhD.
You must successfully complete at least one class in statistics.
You must successfully complete at least one class in empirical research methods.
You must successfully complete at least one class in political philosophy.
PhD Funding Coverage,
MIT can provide some assistance to graduate students experiencing financial hardships arising from a variety of circumstances. The following financial assistance and grants are not loans, and do not need to be repaid. Funds disbursed are tax-reportable income and may reduce eligibility for educational loans. If you want to explore how this would impact you, you may talk to Student Financial Services.
Graduate students may be eligible for the following assistance programs:
- Guaranteed Transitional Support (for students who wish to change research advisors or groups)
- MIT Grant for Graduate Students with Children
- Graduate Student Short-Term Emergency Fund
- Doctoral Long-term Financial Hardship Funding
- Graduate veterans benefits
Have you lost funding or are you coming up short on tuition coverage? If you have gaps in funding, please speak first with your academic department or program. Faculty officers and staff in your program office will contact the OGE as needed to discuss funding gaps.
Additional support may be available through avenues such as Childbirth Accommodation and Parental Accommodation and the Graduate Student Council’s funding for individuals.
Application Requirement,
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required
- In your Statement of Objectives, please be sure to discuss the research questions you would like to pursue in your graduate studies. We also require a personal statement of 250-500 words. You should use the personal statement to address how your background and life experiences (including cultural, geographical, financial, and educational opportunities and challenges) have shaped your academic career and your decision to pursue a graduate degree in political science. The personal statement is distinct from the statement of objectives in that it should focus on your personal journey to graduate school rather than your proposed academic plans.
Please submit two other documents, both in .pdf format: a copy of your resume and a writing sample. The writing sample should be no more than 50 pages in length and is used to assess your conceptual thinking and analytical skills. Therefore, please submit a writing sample that best represents your potential to conduct graduate-level research, such as a research paper or a portion of an undergraduate or master’s thesis. Writing samples are welcome from any discipline and do not need to be from a political science course.
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Application Deadline,
Dec 15, 2024
Application Fee,
$75.00 US dollars. The Admissions Committee will not review applications received without a fee.
