About PhD Program,
The doctoral program in political science at Washington University is one of the top programs in the country. Graduate students take classes and engage in research with a faculty recognized nationally and internationally as among the most expert, active, and productive in the country.
Washington University’s PhD program in political science is designed to prepare students for academic careers in research and teaching at major institutions across the country. We pride ourselves on our job placement on the academic job market. Our graduates go on to have successful careers in tenure track jobs, and our placement record is among the top in the discipline.
While our program stresses the importance of political methodology (applied statistics) and formal theory (game theory and mathematical modeling), our program is designed to train all students in these methods, regardless of their mathematical background. We provide professional training in the discipline through our professional development seminar and we encourage our students to attend professional meetings and participate in convention programs.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
To be eligible for this program you must have already passed PS5052 (Math Modeling), PS581, and PS582. You must have earned a grade of A- or A in these courses. Although exceptions have been made in the grade requirements at the request of political science faculty, this decision is up to the Math & Statistics department.
You must obtain permission from the methodology field committee in the Department of Political Science.
Students must formally apply to the Department of Mathematics AM program. Be sure to note you are applying for the tailored AM in Statistics for Political Science PhD students: https://math.wustl.edu/graduate-application-information
Note that you must have three letters of recommendation. Students should seek letters from one or more methods faculty in the political science department for this step.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Unlike the programs in other countries, financial support is not tied to a specific professor or research project. Students come in with full funding from the Graduate School, which allows students to only take classes the first year of study. During the following years, students are teaching assistants in the department, often rotating between different faculty members across semesters.
If you are in good standing, the Graduate School funds students (that is, providing tuition remission and a fellowship) for at least four years – often longer.
Students can also apply for University fellowships such as The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin – Chancellor’s Fellowship during the PhD program application process. (Please see the Fellowship website for details on deadlines and requirements.)
Application Requirement,
- Online application
- Statement of purpose
- Vita
- Application fee ($45)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Official transcripts from all institutions (undergraduate and graduate studies) for application. Admitted students will be required to provide official transcripts mailed in a university sealed envelope.
- Official GRE (General Test, Analytical Writing) scores are not required but may be submitted (Institution Code 6929, Mathematics Code 0703). The Subject Test is also not required. GRE Scores will be honored if they are less than five years old. Test scores are sent electronically by the testing facility by including the codes. We do not accept the GMAT test. Copies of test scores are not official.
- Proficiency in English is required of all applicants. Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency and are required to provide an official score report from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Only official scores from tests taken within the last two years will be accepted.
- The English proficiency test requirement is waived for citizens of Australia, Commonwealth Caribbean nations, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe. It may also be waived for students who have completed three or more years of study in an English-medium academic program in any of the above countries, Canada, Hong Kong, South Africa, or the United States. For all applicants whose first language is not English the TOEFL or IELTS will be required.
NOTE that the TOEFL or IELTS will likely be required for immigration purposes. TOEFL or IELTS scores should be sent electronically using Institution Code 6929, Dept. Code 72. For submitting IETLS, the Graduate School only accepts official copies mailed from the testing facility to:
Application Deadline,
Dec 02, 2024
Application Fee,
- Application fee ($45)
