Degree Requirements


Course Requirements and Sequence

(For Cohorts Admitted in 2022 and Later) 
The Ph.D. requirements include 48 credits of coursework; passing comprehensive exams; developing a dissertation prospectus; and defending a dissertation. The 48 credits of required coursework are to be distributed as follows: 
 
a) eight required courses in the department 
-- 5 courses in scope and methods/research skills 
·POLS7111 Scope and Methods 
·POLS7112 Quantitative Methods I 
·POLS7113 Quantitative Methods II 
·POLS7114 Qualitative Methods 
·POLS7116 Graduate Professional Skills 
--one course in American Politics or Theory 
--POLS7751 Seminar Comparative Politics (CP field seminar) 
--POLS7752 Introduction to IR (IR field seminar) 
 
b) five electives in the department 
--at least two in the first field (possible fields: Comparative or IR) 
--two in the second field (possible fields: Comparative or IR) 
 
c) no more than three electives outside the department, chosen to enhance the first field 
 
d) mandatory attendance of the Political Science Seminar for at least one year 
   
 

(For Cohorts Admitted in 2020 and Earlier)

To advance to candidacy, students need to complete 48 credits of coursework, pass two qualifying exams, and successfully defend a dissertation prospectus. Of the 48 credits of coursework, 30 credits consist of required courses in the Political Science department. The remaining 18 credits will consist of electives taken in the Political Science department and in other departments that offer relevant courses. Independent-study courses, worked out between individual students and a faculty member, may count as elective credit and may under certain circumstances be undertaken over the summer. At least 9 credits of coursework must be completed outside the Political Science department. Foreign language courses will count as elective credit only with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies if they are at the 6000-level and above. Any changes will go into effect for the 2020 cohort and do not apply retroactively.

Course Sequence:

The required courses for the PhD in Political Science include: 
 
POLS7111 Scope & Methods for Political Science 
POLS7112 Research Methods I 
POLS7113 Research Methods II 
POLS7114 Qualitative Methods 
POLS7116 Graduate Professional Skills (with an emphasis on prospectus development) 
POLS7210 Political Development I 
POLS7211 Political Development II 
POLS7311 Seminar Political Economy 
POLS7312 Advanced Issues in the Institutionalization of Rights (or Specialization Elective) 
POLS7752 Introduction to International Relations (or Specialization Elective) 
POLS7910 Critical Debates in Comparative Politics 
POLS7950 Democracy and Democratization 
 
A timeline for the completion of the requirements is presented below: 
 
1st Semester: 12 hours (4 required courses) 
2nd Semester: 12 hours (3 required courses, 1 elective) 
3rd Semester: 12 hours (2 required courses; 2 electives) 
4th Semester: 9 hours (1 required course; 2 electives) 
5th Semester: 3 hours (1 elective) & comprehensive exams  
6th Semester: Dissertation research 
7th Semester: Dissertation research 
8th Semester: Dissertation research  
9th Semester: Dissertation research 
10th Semester: Dissertation research 


Comprehensive Exams

Students in good academic standing will take two comprehensive exams (one in their first field; one in their second field) in the fall semester of their third year. The first field for the Ph.D. in Political Science is Comparative Politics or International Relations. The second field is International Relations (for those choosing Comparative Politics as their first field) or Comparative Politics (for those choosing International Relations as their first field). 


Dissertation Prospectus Defense

The dissertation prospectus defense is an important milestone in the Ph.D. program. Once they have successfully defended the prospectus, students will have fulfilled all requirements for the Ph.D. except producing a dissertation (so, they will be considered ABD or “all but dissertation”). Only after students have passed comprehensive exams and the prospectus defense, will they officially advance to candidacy and be eligible to use the title of Ph.D. candidate. We expect students to defend their prospectuses no later than the end of their third year in the program. 


Dissertation

The dissertation project is the culmination of independent research undertaken by the candidate and represents a significant scholarly contribution to the existing political science literature. The dissertation announces the arrival of a new and promising scholar, and the dissertation process must be infused with utmost enthusiasm and careful planning. Dissertations are often multi-year projects, and involve extensive data analysis, fieldwork, or other forms of research. Upon passing the comprehensive exams, the candidate may proceed to the dissertation phase, assuming all other departmental requirements have been met. At this point, students will want to constitute their dissertation committee to reflect areas of concentration in the dissertation proposal. A committee of no fewer than three and no more than four members is assembled, including the dissertation advisor. One member may be from another graduate unit within Tulane or from another university based on competence in an area related to the candidate’s dissertation. This external member cannot serve as dissertation adviser. At least three members must be faculty in the Tulane Political Science department. 


Teaching

During their graduate training, students may be required to teach for at least two semesters.


Guides and Forms

Political Science Graduate Handbook

SLA Graduate Catalog

Recommendation for Appointment of Dissertation Committee Form

Prospectus Approval Form

Admission to Candidacy Form