2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

Political Science, PhD


Banner Code:  LA-PHD-POS

Web: pia.gmu.edu

The doctoral program in political science is designed to prepare students for teaching and conducting research about government, careers in government and politics, and work in domestic and international nongovernmental organizations. The program allows students to combine their academic education with experience in the kinds of complex domestic and international political organizations they are studying. This model for political science education, patterned after the American Political Science Association’s Congressional Fellows Program, is designed to foster scholarship and a firsthand understanding of domestic and international institutions such as think tanks, international bodies, nongovernmental organizations, journals of political opinion, and congressional and executive branch offices.

This program of study is offered by the Department of Public and International Affairs .

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies  chapter of the catalog.

Application Requirements


Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admission  chapter of this catalog. For information specific to the PhD in political science, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental web site.

Reduction of Credit


For students entering the program with a master’s or MPA degree, the number of credits required for the doctorate may be reduced by a maximum of 30 credits subject to approval of the graduate coordinator and the dean.

Progress Review


For students who have been admitted with a bachelor’s degree, the Faculty Review Committee will review each student’s progress after 30 credits of course work to determine whether the student will be allowed to continue their work toward the PhD. For students entering the program with a master’s degree, this review will occur after 12 credits in this program. Students that are not allowed to continue to work toward the PhD, will be allowed to complete the MA degree.

Degree Requirements


The course work for the degree is divided among core courses, advanced courses in two major fields and one minor field, research methods courses, experiential learning, and dissertation. A total of 12 credits of supporting courses may be taken in other departments to fulfill a minority of the credits for any of the requirements below, including the methodology requirement, with prior written approval of the director. All the courses should be planned with an advisor and appear on a program of study, which requires the approval of the director.

Seven advanced courses (21 credits) in two major fields


Students choose two major fields from the four fields below.

American government and politics


One to three elective courses (3 to 9 credits)

Comparative politics


One to three elective courses (3 to 9 credits)

International relations


One to three elective courses (3 to 9 credits)

Public administration


Two required field seminars (6 credits)

One to three elective courses (3 to 9 credits)

Three advanced courses (9 credits) in a minor field


Students choose one minor field in consultation with an advisor. The courses in the minor field should complement the two major fields and need the prior written approval of the advisor.

Three advanced courses (9 credits) in methodology


Two required methodology courses (6 credits)


One elective methodology course (3 credits)


Students choose an elective methodology course to meet their dissertation research needs. Course work in language or to help achieve proficiency in quantitative or qualitative research techniques may be used to meet this requirement with prior written approval of the program director.

Electives (12 credits)


A maximum of 6 credits of electives may come from experience in government and politics: Students do 20 hours per week in the field for one semester or 10 hours per week for two semesters. They produce an academic paper at the conclusion of the experience discussing the implications of their observations for research in the field and how scholarship in the field might be applied to an issue faced by the organization.

Doctoral research skills


Advanced work as needed to attain working research proficiency for the dissertation. Proficiency will be determined by satisfactory course work in methods or exam given at the time of the qualifying exam for language proficiency. Certification that this requirement has been met must be completed before advancement to candidacy.

Dissertation (12-18 credits)


Once enrolled in 998, students in this degree program must maintain continuous registration in 998 or 999 each semester (excluding summers) until the dissertation is submitted to and accepted by the University Libraries. Once enrolled in 999, students must follow the university’s continuous registration policy as specified in the Academic Policies  chapter of the catalog. Students who defend in the summer must be registered for at least 1 credit of 999.

Students may apply to this degree a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 credits of 998 and a minimum of 9 credits of 999. They apply a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 dissertation credits (998 and 999 combined) to the degree. Because of the continuous registration policy, students may be required to register for additional credits of these courses.

Students who do fewer than 18 credits of dissertation will complete their degree with additional elective courses.

Total: 72 credits


Advancement to Candidacy


To advance to candidacy, students must complete all course work required on their approved program of study. Students must also successfully complete and pass two qualifying exams in major fields. In addition, students must have an approved dissertation committee as well as an approved proposal. Evidence of the approved proposal must be on file in the Dean’s Office before a student can advance to candidacy.