About PhD Program,
The Ph.D. program in the University of Notre Dame’s Department of Political Science offers students outstanding opportunities for intellectual growth, professional development, and success in their careers.
With exceptional strength in six main fields—American politics, comparative politics, constitutional studies, international relations, methodology, and political theory—Notre Dame’s Ph.D. program in political science features:
A large department with more than 45 tenure-track or tenured professors
Internationally renowned faculty who publish in top journals and presses, secure major grants, and win national and international research awards
An excellent faculty/student ratio with approximately 12 new graduate students enrolled each year
A joint Ph.D. program in Political Science and Peace Studies in partnership with the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies
Considerable faculty-student collaboration and co-authorship on research projects, articles, and book chapters
Substantial resources for graduate education and research
An outstanding track record of graduate student success in fellowships and grants, publishing, and job placement
An accessible, intellectual community that offers programming and funding through various institutes and centers
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Applicants must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, domestic or international, to be eligible for admission to a graduate program at the University of Notre Dame. It is also anticipated that applicants will have related training or research experience in Political Science. Previous graduate work is not required.
The GRE is required for Fall 2024 admissions. We are not able to provide waivers for the GRE at this time.
However, admission is highly competitive and admitted students generally have very high GRE scores (approximately 165+ verbal, 158+ quantitative, and 5 in analytical writing). Admitted students typically have an average GPA of 3.71+ in their previous studies.
PhD Funding Coverage,
Political Science offers generous financial aid packages to its Ph.D. students and is committed to maintaining comfortable and productive assistance for entering students.Our guaranteed support, tuition plus fellowship, lasts for five full years to Ph.D. students who are making satisfactory progress toward the degree.
A number of Notre Dame centers and institutes offer grants for students’ research and professional development, as well as conference presentation.
Funding through programs in the College of Arts & Letters like the the Institute for Scholarship in the Liberal Arts (ISLA) support and promote the research, scholarship, and creative endeavors of graduate students, as well as faculty and undergraduates.
Application Requirement,
- Statement of Intent;
- Writing Sample;
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume;
- Three Letters of Recommendation;
- Unofficial Transcripts;
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE) General Test;
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores (for international applicantsonly);
Application Deadline,
Dec 15, 2024
Application Fee,
Application Fee ($75).
