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Dec 04, 2024
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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Politics and International Affairs, Ph.D.
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The doctoral degree in Politics and International Affairs is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students to teach at the university and college levels and to conduct high-level research in the academic and nonacademic sectors. It combines a broad focus on international relations, comparative politics, American politics, and political theory with a critical understanding of institutions, rights, citizenship, identity, governance, global policy, and justice. Students work closely with faculty to frame their dissertation research and to advance their knowledge of their chosen fields of specialization. The program’s interdisciplinary approach to a variety of global issues provides a rich and open-ended opportunity to research current and past problems, movements, and transformations in politics.
Admission Information
Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.
- GRE optional
- Three (3) letters of recommendation (from academic sources or from individuals able to evaluate the applicant’s academic abilities)
- A 500 word statement of interest explaining why the applicant wants to pursue a Ph.D. in Government at the University of South Florida
- Transcripts
- Writing sample
A Master’s degree in Political Science, International Affairs, or a related field will count favorably towards admission, but is not a requirement for admission.
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Curriculum Requirements
Total Minimum hours - 72 credit hours post-bachelor’s
- Core - 6 Credit Hours
- Disciplinary Requirements – 9 Credit Hours
- Methods – 9 Credit Hours
- Primary Specialization – 6 Credit Hours
- Secondary Specialization - 3 Credit Hours
- Electives – 6 Credit Hours
- Teacher Training – 3 Credit Hours
- Dissertation Proposal/Capstone – 3 Credit Hours
- Dissertation – 27 Credit Hours
Core Requirements (6 Credit Hours)
Disciplinary Requirements (9 Credit Hours)
Select three of the following:
Methods Requirements (9 Credit Hours)
Select one of the following:
Primary Specialization (6 Credit Hours)
Students complete six (6) credit hours in their primary specialization, in addition to the disciplinary seminar. The options for primary specialization are International Relations, Comparative Politics, and American Government.
Secondary Specialization (3 Credit Hours)
Students complete three (3) graduate credit hours in their secondary specialization, in addition to the disciplinary seminar. The options for secondary specialization are International Relations, Comparative Politics, Political Theory, and American Government.
Electives (6 Credit Hours)
Students will enhance their areas of specialization with elective courses.
With graduate committee approval, students will be encouraged to take courses in other disciplines.
Students Teacher Training Requirement (3 Credit Hours)
Foreign Language
Students whose dissertation research will involve fieldwork or archival research in a non-English speaking country must be proficient in language(s) native to that region. For these students, competency in at least one foreign language must be demonstrated by passing the competency exam administrated by the Department of World Languages.
Comprehensive Qualifying Exam
Ph.D. students will be required to take in-class examinations in their primary and secondary fields of specialization.
Dissertation Proposal – Capstone (3 Credit Hours)
Dissertation (27 Credit Hours)
Students must present their dissertation at an oral defense, and their committees will determine whether the student passed. Students must submit written copies of their dissertation with signatures of their committee members. All dissertations must conform to University of South Florida format rules.
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