PhD in Political Science


Department of Political Science
Chair Statement Faculty Directory GA Directory Faculty Office Hours GA Office Hours Advising B.A. in Political Science M.A. in Political Science M.A. in Ethics and Policy Studies Ph.D. in Political Science Internships Independent Studies Department Forms Syllabi News & Events Assessments Links Photo Album	Ph.D. Program in Political Science (Global Studies) The Department of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is pleased to announce a new PhD program in Political Science. The substantive emphasis of the program will be Global Studies. The PhD program offers major concentrations in Comparative Politics and International Relations, and minor concentrations in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Globalization is a dominant characteristic of politics in the twenty-first century. The program focuses on the causes, consequences, and limitations of the political, economic, and cultural aspects of globalization. The PhD program is intended to prepare its graduates for careers in academic institutions, government (at all levels), and business and industry. Increasingly, a cross-national, cross-cultural understanding of political processes is essential for education, public policy, and commerce. In a number of ways Las Vegas is an ideal site for such a program. Las Vegas is a popular destination for international travelers, and Las Vegas firms have launched enterprises in a number of nations around the world. Founded in 1957, UNLV has been transformed from a branch college to a thriving urban research institution of 28,000 students and 3,300 faculty and staff. The 350-acre main campus, located on the southern tip of Nevada in a desert valley surrounded by mountains, is home to more than 220 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs. Admission requirements We require a BA or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.3, or MA or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Under special circumstances the department may consider applicants with lower GPAs. Applicants must have completed 12 credits of course work at the upper-division or graduate level in comparative politics and international relations combined. At the discretion of the department, students who lack such course work may be admitted on the condition that they remedy that deficiency. The recommended GRE score is a total of 1,200 on the verbal and quantitative sections. We also pay attention to the analytical score. The applicant's undergraduate record is examined in conjunction with the GRE scores. The former is weighed more heavily than the latter: an outstanding undergraduate record may allow the admission of an applicant with GRE scores somewhat below the recommended level. Handbook for Graduate Students in Doctor of Philosophy Program in Political Science click here Application process 1. Deadlines: See Graduate College for dates (please note that International students have different deadlines). 2. Graduate College Application: Apply online through the Graduate College Web site : Follow the instructions at that site. In addition to filling out the Graduate College online application, you will also need to send: - A $60 nonrefundable admission application fee. Payable by check or money order to the Board of Regents, UNLV or by credit card via online. Note that applications and materials will not be processed until the application fee is received. - One official transcript from all postsecondary institutions attended showing all degrees and dates awarded. to the following address: University of Nevada, Las Vegas Graduate College FDH 352 Box 451017 4505 S. Maryland Parkway Las Vegas, NV 89154-1017 3. Official Transcripts: Send to the Department of Political Science official transcripts of all post-secondary academic work (except UNLV transcripts, which we can obtain). Note that this is in addition to the copy required by the Graduate College (see above). 4. GRE Scores: Have the Educational Testing Service send to the Department of Political Science your score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test. 5. Letters of Recommendation: Have sent to the Department of Political Science recommendations from three former instructors that you can do doctoral-level work in comparative politics and international relations. For each letter, give your recommender a copy of the letter of recommendation form available at this link: Letter of Recommendation Form. Those recommendations should be sent directly by the recommenders, not by you. 6. Statement of Purpose: Send to the Department of Political Science a statement of purpose in which you describe specific interests in, and approaches to, the study of comparative politics or international relations. The statement should also include a description of your background for advanced work in this field as well as academic and professional goals. 7. Writing Sample: Send to the Department of Political Science a writing sample in the form of a master's thesis or original research paper of substantial length. If possible, the sample should concern comparative politics or international relations. 8. Graduate Assistantships: The Department of Political Science offers two graduate assistantships for doctoral students. Information is available at the Graduate College Web site. If you want to apply for a graduate assistantship to begin in fall 2008, follow the process detailed at the Graduate College Web site and submit your application to the department (not to the Graduate College ) as soon as possible. In future years we will ask that applications for assistantships be submitted by February 1 to begin in the fall semester, and by October 1 to begin in the spring semester (note that those dates are one month earlier than the Graduate College requires). Mail the above material to: Professor Dennis Pirages, Graduate Coordinator University of Nevada, Las Vegas Department of Political Science 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., Box 455029 Las Vegas, NV 89154-5029 Program requirements (including credit hours, grade point average, distribution of subject matter): 1. A minimum of 62 credits beyond the BA or 44 credits beyond the MA. In the latter case, the department will determine the distribution of the 44 credits, based on the student's transcripts of prior work. In the former case, the 62 credits must be distributed as follows: a. Core curriculum (at least 18 credits). The department will make no exception to any of these requirements, nor will it grant a waiver of any of them. (1) Scope and methods, research design (6 hours). (2) Foreign language: Students must demonstrate knowledge of the equivalent of two years of a single foreign language, through either an examination or 12 credits of college-level course work. Those credits would not count toward the required total. This requirement must be met prior to admission to candidacy. (3) Proseminars (12 credits): Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, American Politics. b. Major field (9 credits, not including proseminar): either comparative politics or international relations. c. Minor field #1 (6 credits, not including proseminar): either comparative politics or international relations (whichever is not the major field). d. Minor field #2 (6 credits, not including proseminar): either political theory or American politics. e. Electives (9 credits). f. Dissertation preparatory courses (2 credits). g. Dissertation (12 credits; more credits may be taken, but only 12 will count toward degree). 2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all course work. 3. Preliminary written examination. It will be taken at the end of the first 18 credits of course work (typically at the beginning of the second year) and will be divided into four parts, corresponding to the four proseminars. 4. Comprehensive written and oral examinations. They will be taken during or following the semester in which the student completes required course work. They will be divided into three parts, corresponding to the student's major field and two minor fields. 5. A dissertation of original research and interpretation on a topic in the field of comparative politics or international relations. See the departmental website < http://liberalarts.unlv.edu/Political_Science/ > for more detailed descriptions of degree requirements, or contact the Graduate Coordinator, Professor Dennis Pirages (702-895-5252; dennis.pirages@unlv.edu). For a list of the Political Science Faculty and their research areas see the website http://liberalarts.unlv.edu/Political_Science/Directory.htm :

Ph.D. Program in Political Science (Global Studies)

The Department of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, is pleased to announce a new PhD program in Political Science. The substantive emphasis of the program will be Global Studies.

The PhD program offers major concentrations in Comparative Politics and International Relations, and minor concentrations in American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory.

Globalization is a dominant characteristic of politics in the twenty-first century. The program focuses on the causes, consequences, and limitations of the political, economic, and cultural aspects of globalization.

The PhD program is intended to prepare its graduates for careers in academic institutions, government (at all levels), and business and industry. Increasingly, a cross-national, cross-cultural understanding of political processes is essential for education, public policy, and commerce.

In a number of ways Las Vegas is an ideal site for such a program. Las Vegas is a popular destination for international travelers, and Las Vegas firms have launched enterprises in a number of nations around the world.

Founded in 1957, UNLV has been transformed from a branch college to a thriving urban research institution of 28,000 students and 3,300 faculty and staff. The 350-acre main campus, located on the southern tip of Nevada in a desert valley surrounded by mountains, is home to more than 220 undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degree programs.

Admission requirements

We require a BA or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.3, or MA or equivalent from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Under special circumstances the department may consider applicants with lower GPAs. Applicants must have completed 12 credits of course work at the upper-division or graduate level in comparative politics and international relations combined. At the discretion of the department, students who lack such course work may be admitted on the condition that they remedy that deficiency.

The recommended GRE score is a total of 1,200 on the verbal and quantitative sections. We also pay attention to the analytical score. The applicant's undergraduate record is examined in conjunction with the GRE scores. The former is weighed more heavily than the latter: an outstanding undergraduate record may allow the admission of an applicant with GRE scores somewhat below the recommended level.

Handbook for Graduate Students in Doctor of Philosophy Program in Political Science click here

Application process

1. Deadlines: See Graduate College for dates (please note that International students have different deadlines).

2. Graduate College Application: Apply online through the Graduate College Web site : Follow the instructions at that site.

In addition to filling out the Graduate College online application, you will also need to send:

- A $60 nonrefundable admission application fee. Payable by check or money order to the Board of Regents, UNLV or by credit card via online. Note that applications and materials will not be processed until the application fee is received.

- One official transcript from all postsecondary institutions attended showing all degrees and dates awarded.

to the following address:

University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Graduate College
FDH 352
Box 451017
4505 S. Maryland Parkway
Las Vegas, NV 89154-1017

3. Official Transcripts: Send to the Department of Political Science official transcripts of all post-secondary academic work (except UNLV transcripts, which we can obtain). Note that this is in addition to the copy required by the Graduate College (see above).

4. GRE Scores: Have the Educational Testing Service send to the Department of Political Science your score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test.

5. Letters of Recommendation: Have sent to the Department of Political Science recommendations from three former instructors that you can do doctoral-level work in comparative politics and international relations. For each letter, give your recommender a copy of the letter of recommendation form available at this link: Letter of Recommendation Form. Those recommendations should be sent directly by the recommenders, not by you.

6. Statement of Purpose: Send to the Department of Political Science a statement of purpose in which you describe specific interests in, and approaches to, the study of comparative politics or international relations. The statement should also include a description of your background for advanced work in this field as well as academic and professional goals.

7. Writing Sample: Send to the Department of Political Science a writing sample in the form of a master's thesis or original research paper of substantial length. If possible, the sample should concern comparative politics or international relations.

8. Graduate Assistantships: The Department of Political Science offers two graduate assistantships for doctoral students. Information is available at the Graduate College Web site. If you want to apply for a graduate assistantship to begin in fall 2008, follow the process detailed at the Graduate College Web site and submit your application to the department (not to the Graduate College ) as soon as possible. In future years we will ask that applications for assistantships be submitted by February 1 to begin in the fall semester, and by October 1 to begin in the spring semester (note that those dates are one month earlier than the Graduate College requires).

Mail the above material to:

Professor Dennis Pirages, Graduate Coordinator
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Department of Political Science
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy., Box 455029
Las Vegas, NV 89154-5029

Program requirements (including credit hours, grade point average, distribution of subject matter):

1. A minimum of 62 credits beyond the BA or 44 credits beyond the MA. In the latter case, the department will determine the distribution of the 44 credits, based on the student's transcripts of prior work. In the former case, the 62 credits must be distributed as follows:

a. Core curriculum (at least 18 credits). The department will make no exception to any of these requirements, nor will it grant a waiver of any of them.

(1) Scope and methods, research design (6 hours).

(2) Foreign language: Students must demonstrate knowledge of the equivalent of two years of a single foreign language, through either an examination or 12 credits of college-level course work. Those credits would not count toward the required total. This requirement must be met prior to admission to candidacy.

(3) Proseminars (12 credits): Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, American Politics.

b. Major field (9 credits, not including proseminar): either comparative politics or international relations.

c. Minor field #1 (6 credits, not including proseminar): either comparative politics or international relations (whichever is not the major field).

d. Minor field #2 (6 credits, not including proseminar): either political theory or American politics.

e. Electives (9 credits).

f. Dissertation preparatory courses (2 credits).

g. Dissertation (12 credits; more credits may be taken, but only 12 will count toward degree).

2. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all course work.

3. Preliminary written examination. It will be taken at the end of the first 18 credits of course work (typically at the beginning of the second year) and will be divided into four parts, corresponding to the four proseminars.

4. Comprehensive written and oral examinations. They will be taken during or following the semester in which the student completes required course work. They will be divided into three parts, corresponding to the student's major field and two minor fields.

5. A dissertation of original research and interpretation on a topic in the field of comparative politics or international relations.

See the departmental website < http://liberalarts.unlv.edu/Political_Science/ > for more detailed descriptions of degree requirements, or contact the Graduate Coordinator, Professor Dennis Pirages (702-895-5252; dennis.pirages@unlv.edu).

For a list of the Political Science Faculty and their research areas see the website http://liberalarts.unlv.edu/Political_Science/Directory.htm :