About PhD Program,
The Vanderbilt Ph.D. program in political science ranks among the top programs of its kind, both overall and by subfield (American Politics, Comparative Politics, with International Relations on the rise).
Our faculty and students study many varied subjects using a diverse slate of methodologies. Vanderbilt’s political science department is known for its deep expertise in several areas of excellence that cross subfield boundaries, including bureaucracies, political violence and conflict, the politics of gender, democracy in middle-to-low-income countries, mass political behavior, survey methodology, and formal theory.
Our graduate program offers intensive training in three fields of political science: American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations. We admit between eight and twelve doctoral students per year and prepare them for successful careers in academia, government, international organizations, or research-centered jobs.
While we admit a small percentage of applicants for our program, we aim to bring the most diverse, talented, and innovative students in the world to Nashville to study political science. As a student in our program, you are joining a supportive intellectual and social community.
Some of the key benefits of Vanderbilt’s political science Ph.D. program are:
- A top-ranked faculty with deep expertise in substantive political science and the methodologies needed to answer important questions about our political world
- Access to research-supporting resources like the Center for the Study of Democratic Institutions, the Latin American Public Opinion ProjectLab, the Research on Conflict and Collective Action Lab, and the Research on Individuals, Politics, and Society Lab
- A nearly 1:1 student: faculty ratio, allowing for close mentoring and support
- A rigorous program of coursework and research milestones that pair deep substantive knowledge with cutting-edge methodological and data science skills
- Membership in a community of smart, hardworking, and supportive doctoral candidates who prioritize collaboration and discovery
- Residence in Nashville, a fast-growing mid-size city with a high quality of life and wide array of entertainment and recreational offerings
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in any major and show evidence of a passion for research in political science. The most successful applicants demonstrate mathematical or statistical proficiency and experience in original research. There is no minimum score for the GRE, TOEFL, or minimum required GPA. It is optional for applicants to submit their GRE scores. Strong letters of recommendation (generally from faculty members) are essential. Finally, but most importantly, we look for a fit between the student’s intellectual interests and our faculty’s scholarly expertise.
PhD Funding Coverage,
All political science Ph.D. students receive the following standard support for the duration of their program, subject to making satisfactory progress towards the degree:
- Full university tuition scholarship
- Health insurance
- Twelve-month stipend ($36,500 base stipend for 2024-25)
Students work as a resident assistant or a teaching assistant for four of the funded years and have two semesters service-free to be used when needed. Applicants with outstanding records will be considered for University or Provost’s Graduate Fellowships, which provide a supplementary stipend in addition to the usual financial aid award (up to $5,000 per year for three years, with the possibility of renewal).
Political science Ph.D. students can apply for a variety of additional support options, including funding from both Vanderbilt and external sources.
Application Requirement,
- Statement of purpose (see details below)
- Official transcripts from each college or university attended
- 3-5 letters of recommendation speaking to academic abilities
- Writing sample of 15-25 pages (preferably a paper from a course that illustrates the candidate’s ability to write and to conduct research)
- Unofficial or official GRE scores are optional
- Students from non-English-speaking countries should also submit a recent TOEFL score; students graduating with a degree from a four-year English-speaking institution are exempt from this requirement.
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
The application fee is $95.00.
