Political Science, PhD
Pursue original research and meaningful collaboration with leading scholars in the field of political science. The Political Science PhD program is designed for those who aspire to lead in academia, policy analysis, and beyond by advancing the study of public policy, international relations, and political theory. You will develop the tools and scholarly insights to become a thought leader capable of contributing to both academic discourse and real-world solutions.
Program Overview
The Political Science PhD prepares students for scholarly research with advanced skills in political processes and statistical and quantitative analysis.
While most of our graduates go on to become university professors or researchers, our PhD program also prepares students to conduct research in the private sector.
Whether you want to teach, contribute to scholarly research, or mentor the next generation of students, the PhD in political science is a great fit for students who value intellectual curiosity, specialized knowledge, and a complex understanding of policy issues and international relations. Plus, our program also offers a path to receive a concurrent master’s degree as progress towards your PhD.
Concurrent Master’s Degree Option
The Department of Political Science offers PhD students the opportunity to complete a concurrent master’s degree as part of their coursework. You’ll be able to receive a master’s degree in political science as progress towards your PhD after completing 30 hours of coursework and passing two exams. This opportunity not only accelerates your academic journey but also sets you apart in the job market and beyond.
Why Study Political Science?
At UT, a PhD in political science prepares you to understand political and policy issues with a research-oriented lens. You’ll gain specialized knowledge and methodological skills that equip you to become an advanced researcher.
From environmental policy to public administration to policy analysis, our program offers flexible coursework you can tailor to your specialized interests. Plus, we also provide students with the option of enrolling in a concurrent master’s degree, meaning you can complete a master’s degree as you progress towards your PhD.
Our excellent faculty support our students’ scholarly growth by providing personal mentorship and guidance that helps refine their research interests and develop impactful scholarship.
What Can You Do with a PhD in Political Science After Graduation?
Political science is a multifaceted program, preparing students for a career in politics across many different fields. In government, you could become a legislative assistant, policy analyst or advisor, or government relations coordinator.
You could become a public affairs specialist, intelligence analyst, campaign manager, or go international, as an international development specialist or global affairs analyst.
In business, you could even become a public policy consultant or corporate compliance officer. The skills and experience this program provides will qualify you to work in any of these career fields.
Featured Courses
POLS 554 Sustainable Communities
This course will cover the development and implementation of sustainable development approaches and strategies for local communities.
POLS 519 Qualitative and Multi-Method Research
The goal of this course is to familiarize political science graduate students with various non-statistical approaches used to conduct original research. Topics covered include epistemologies of quantitative political science research, case studies, comparative case designs, historical analysis, field research, qualitative interviewing, documents as data, and ethnography.
POLS 512 Quantitative Political Analysis
This course will cover methods and techniques in quantitative political analysis: univariate and bivariate statistics.
POLS 566 Public Service Ethics and Values
In this course, students will learn about moral-ethical-value dilemmas confronting administrators in American political system.
Complementary Majors, Minors, and Certificates
Looking to enhance your degree? Consider these programs as a complement to your primary major.
- Environmental Policy minor
- Global Security Studies Graduate Certificate
Looking For More Options?
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students the broadest range of academic programs and opportunities for research and creative activities at the University of Tennessee, powered by faculty expertise across every discipline.
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