Ph.D. in Political Science: Preliminary Examination Fields

The third tier of the political science Ph.D. program is formed by the preliminary examination fields that are listed below. Each student is tested in three of these fields; normally, at least one committee member on the preliminary examination committee is responsible for overseeing a field. The purpose of the preliminary examination fields is to allow students to develop a “disciplinary identity” that will define them to a certain extent when they enter the job market. The preliminary fields have been carefully composed to parallel the demonstrated expertise of individual faculty members, and allow students the opportunity to work more closely with faculty in their chosen areas of interest. In addition, the preliminary examination fields often serve as a training ground for the detailed Ph.D. dissertation research and analysis that follows a successful preliminary examination defense. Questions on the examinations are often tailored to reflect these more detailed interests, although each field examination will normally include one question of general theoretical or methodological import.

While the preliminary examination fields are integral to the program and represent the stage at which students begin to narrow down their areas of expertise, they do not replace the more general orientation of the Ph.D. program, nor do they constitute programs in their own right. The exact number of seminars that a student needs to complete in order to attempt a preliminary examination is determined by the examination committee, although there is no minimum requirement. Specialized seminars are offered on a contingent basis, and students should be prepared to take seminars outside their direct areas of interest where scheduling dictates.

Preliminary Examination Fields:

American Institutions, Public Law, Political Theory, International Politics, Comparative Politics, Public Policy Studies, Public Administration, Political Psychology, Gender Justice and Politics, and Criminal Justice. In addition, students may construct an independent examination field in conjunction with their committee.