Ph.D. in Political Science:
Course Requirements
There are 3 different types of course requirements for the Ph.D. program: Research Tools, Core Courses, and Preliminary Examination Fields.
Students should thoroughly familiarize themselves with the overall structure of the program as well as the specific course requirements of each area before discussing their course plans with the graduate advisor their first semester (see Appendix IV) .
The Research Tool courses are intended to provide the student with a well-grounded background in the scope and methods of the social sciences.
There are 5 Core Course areas:
- American Politics and Institutions
- Comparative Politics
- Criminal Justice
- International Relations
- Public Administration and Policy
The purpose of the core seminars is to provide a broad background in the general areas of political science. Preliminary Examination Field courses are designed to allow students to specialize in areas of particular interest and to prepare students for preliminary examination.
Research Tools
All Ph.D. candidates should take these classes, especially if they have no prior graduate work (e.g., an M.A. obtained at another university). These courses form the backbone of the Ph.D. matriculation examination (see below) that is taken by all students in the program. It is highly recommended for students who do have prior graduate experience that they still complete these research tools at Washington State University, as they will need to be familiar with both approaches and methods utilized by faculty in the department to pass the matriculation examination.
Pol S 501: The Scope of Political Science
Basic issues in social science epistemology, elements of social science theory-building, theoretic frameworks in social science. Normally offered every fall.
Pol S 502: Seminar in Normative Theory
Students are required to complete a basic training in normative political theory. It is recommended that students take the graduate seminar in normative theory, Pol S 502. However, Pol S 511 may also substitute (please note: these courses may not be offered every year, so you should check future schedules with the graduate coordinator). Alternatively, at least 2 courses in theory and/or epistemology at the undergraduate level or other equivalents may be used to fulfill this requirement upon approval of both the Ph.D. committee and the graduate director.
Pol S 503: Introduction to Political Science Research Methods
Introduction to general topics in the area of social science research design, including measurement, sampling, data sources, experimental and quasi-experimental designs, field and historical designs, and content analytic designs. Normally offered every fall.
Pol S 504: Quantitative Methods in Political Science and Criminal Justice
3 Prereq introductory statistics course. Applied statistical skills, enabling understanding of substantive political and social questions. Normally offered every spring.
Pol S 539: Professionalization Practicum
1 credit Pass/Fail
(Continuing students from the M.A. program who have already satisfied this requirement are exempted.)
Core Courses
All Ph.D. students must take 3 (out of 5) of the following core seminars:
- Pol S 510: Introduction to American Institutions and Processes
- Pol S 530: Theoretical Approaches to International Relations
- Pol S 534: Seminar in Comparative Politics
- Pol S 514: Seminar in Public Policy
OR Pol S 540: Seminar in Public Administration - Crm J 530: Criminal Justice: Processes and Institutions
Matriculation Examination
All students must pass the matriculation examination to continue in the Ph.D. program past the second year in residence. For students admitted without a prior M.A. degree, the matriculation examination will be taken in the fourth semester of the program. For students admitted with an M.A., the matriculation examination may be attempted in either the second or fourth semesters upon advice and consent of the advising committee and director of graduate studies. Continuance in the program is dependent upon successful passage of this examination; students who fail the examination shall be granted a terminal M.A. in political science.
The examination will cover epistemology (including the foundations of the discipline, the formation of research paradigms, etc.), theory (including normative theory and general theoretical approaches), and research methods (including both quantitative and qualitative research tools). The matriculation examination committee (3 members) shall be appointed each year by the chair on recommendation of the graduate director. The committee will consist of 3 anonymous members appointed from faculty who have taught, or are scheduled to teach, any course in the generalist core of the program (PS 501, 502, 503, 504). Questions shall be decided upon by the whole committee and graded by the whole. All students scheduled for the matriculation examination shall sit the examination at the same time and will face the same questions. Grading will be conducted anonymously.
Students who successfully pass the written examinations will be asked to schedule a formal advising committee meeting, at which they will present a preliminary research prospectus. Upon satisfactory completion of this requirement, they will be granted an M.A. in political science and granted continuing status in the Ph.D. program. If a student fails the matriculation examination, they will be allowed the possibility of scheduling an M.A. essay defense with their advising committee; upon completion they will be awarded a terminal M.A. in political science.
Ph.D. Preliminary Qualifying Examinations
By the seventh semester in residence, students are required to complete and pass Ph.D. preliminary qualifying examinations. The examinations include both a written and an oral component, both of which must be satisfactorily completed. It is the responsibility of the advising committee to assist and aid the student in preparation for these examinations. It should be noted that these examinations are comprehensive, and while specific seminars are highly recommended as necessary preparation for them, that they alone are not sufficient. Students may be required to read additional materials and to demonstrate a breadth of knowledge that transcends any one seminar.
Preliminary Exam Fields
Students will be expected to master the materials covered in 2 different preliminary exam fields—one primary field and one secondary field—for their preliminary exams. The required courses in each field serve as a foundation for preliminary exams. It is the responsibility of the advising committee, in conjunction with faculty in preliminary examination field areas, to help students prepare for these examinations.
Primary Field Recommended Courses for Exam Preparation
1. American Institutions and Processes
- Pol S 510: Introduction to American Institutions and Processes
- Pol S 511: Seminar in American Political Thought
- Pol S 512: Seminar in American Institutions
- Pol S 513: Seminar in American Political Behavior
2. Comparative and International Politics
- Pol S 530: Theoretical Approaches to International Relations
- Pol S 531: International Security
- Pol S 534: Seminar in Comparative Politics
- Pol S 536: Special Topics in Comparative Politics
3. Public Policy and Public Administration
- Pol S 514: Seminar in Public Policy
- Pol S 544: The Politics of the Policy Process
- Pol S 540: Proseminar in Public Administration
- Pol S 541: Seminar in Research Evaluation (Crm J 540)
Secondary Field Recommended Courses for Exam Preparation
- American Institutions
- Law and Courts
- Political Theory
- International Politics
- Comparative Politics
- Public Policy Studies
- Public Administration
- Criminal Justice
- Political Psychology
- Gender and Politics
- Independent Exam Field
Courses determined by student and committee. Independent exam fields must be approved by the committee, the graduate coordinator, and the chair. Other faculty may be consulted.
Preliminary Examination Procedures
Preliminary examinations are taken over 3 days. Each part of the preliminary examination for the primary field will be taken on a separate day, and the secondary field will be taken on the third day. Each portion of the questions for the primary examination field (i.e., American Institutions, Public Administration, Comparative Politics, etc.) shall be graded by the faculty in that area and will be common to all students taking preliminary examinations that semester. Answers will be graded anonymously. A student must successfully pass both portions of the examination in a field in order to pass the preliminary examinations.
The secondary field questions shall be overseen solely by the advising committee, the exact nature and composition of the questions to be agreed upon by the student, committee chair, and/or committee members.
The oral examination shall be conducted by 5 faculty members and will include:
- The 3 members of the advising committee
- One faculty member from the primary field who is not a member of the advising committee*
- One faculty member who teaches in the research core who is not a member of the advising committee*
*To be appointed by the director of graduate studies.
Contact Us
Department of Political Science
Washington State University
Johnson Tower 801
P.O. Box 644880
Pullman, WA 99164-4880
Ph: 509-335-2545
Fax: 509-335-7990
Graduate and Student Records Coordinator:
Sisouvanh Keopanapay
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