Political Science - Ph.D.

The Political Science doctoral program provides in-depth knowledge and advanced research skills, preparing you for leadership positions in academia, research institutions and public service. With dedicated faculty and a supportive community of scholars, you will have access to opportunities for cutting-edge research and professional development.

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Program Information for Political Science - Ph.D.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Ph.D. degree in Political Science prepares students for research and teaching careers in higher education and for research-based careers in fields that are focused on political, economic and social issues. The degree program is broadly focused on the dynamics surrounding representation, equity, conflict, human rights, development and conflict resolution. Students develop their own research questions in an interdisciplinary and theoretically sophisticated way. Students work with faculty mentors throughout their degree program and often develop and present their own research at regional or national conferences.

The Political Science major comprises the following concentrations, from which students select two:

  • American Politics and Policy
  • Conflict Analysis and Management
  • Transnational and Comparative Politics

Admissions for Political Science - Ph.D.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 3.000 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae with cover letter
  • Goal statement
  • Writing sample
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: February 15
      All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Understand the theoretical underpinnings of political science and be able to address real world issues and problems.
  2. Attain research and methodological skills that will further their research and make them attractive to future employers.
  3. Effectively communicate research findings and implications to a range of audiences including scholars, practitioners and citizens.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
POL 70002SCOPE AND EPISTEMOLOGY 3
POL 70003QUANTITATIVE METHODS I 3
POL 70004QUANTITATIVE METHODS II 3
POL 70010QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS 3
POL 71094COLLEGE TEACHING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE 1
Additional Approved Electives for Post-Baccalaureate Students0-23
Advanced Research Methods, choose from the following:3
POL 70379
PROGRAM EVALUATION I
POL 79091
SEMINAR IN QUANTITATIVE METHODS
RMS 85518
ADVANCED QUALITATIVE RESEARCH IN EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
SBS 83011
QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
SOC 72221
ADVANCED QUALITATIVE METHODS IN SOCIOLOGY
Culminating Requirement
POL 81199DISSERTATION I 130
Concentrations
Choose two from the following: 221
American Politics and Policy
Conflict Analysis and Management
Transnational and Comparative Politics
Minimum Total Credit Hours for Post-Baccalaureate Students90
Minimum Total Credit Hours for Post-Master's Students67
1

Dissertation is required. Doctoral students must complete additional approved electives, including research, to reach a minimum of 30 credit hours post-master's (or equivalent advanced degree) or a minimum of 60 credit hours post-bachelor's prior to enrolling in POL 81199. Upon completion of course requirements and candidacy exams, doctoral students must register for POL 81199 for two semesters for a total of 30 credit hours, and thereafter POL 81299, until all requirements for the degree have been met.

2

Students select two concentrations. For the first concentration, students complete one Proseminar or Status of the Field course and three elective courses (12 credit hours). For the second concentration, students complete one Proseminar or Status of the Field course and two elective courses (9 credit hours).

American Politics and Policy Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
POL 70101STATUS OF THE FIELD: AMERICAN POLITICS AND POLICY 3
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:6-9
POL 70102
AMERICAN POLICY PROCESS
POL 70103
CONGRESS, THE PRESIDENCY AND THE COURTS
POL 70106
URBAN POLICY AND POLITICS
POL 70108
AMERICAN POLITICAL BEHAVIOR
POL 70191
SEMINAR IN AMERICAN POLITICS AND POLICY
Advisor-Approved Electives
Minimum Total Credit Hours:9-12

Conflict Analysis and Management Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
POL 70901FOUNDATIONS OF CONFLICT ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT 3
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:6-9
POL 70507
CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION AND RECONCILIATION
POL 70902
POWER, CONFLICT AND THE POLITICS OF GENDER
POL 70903
IDENTITY DRIVEN CONFLICTS
POL 70904
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND NONVIOLENT CONFLICTS
POL 70906
POLITICAL VIOLENCE
POL 70907
TERRORISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS
POL 70991
SEMINAR IN CONFLICT ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT
Advisor-Approved Electives
Minimum Total Credit Hours:9-12

Transnational and Comparative Politics Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
POL 70501STATUS OF THE FIELD: TRANSNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS AND POLICY 3
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:6-9
POL 70502
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
POL 70503
FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS
POL 70510
POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT
POL 70574
STRATEGIC PLANNING
POL 70591
SEMINAR IN TRANSNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS AND POLICY
Advisor-Approval Electives
Minimum Total Credit Hours:9-12

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • Passage of one field paper in the first area of concentration
  • Written and oral defense of both a dissertation prospectus and dissertation

Residency Requirement

  • Students must spend two consecutive semesters pursuing doctoral studies.
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Political Science - Ph.D.

Political science teachers, postsecondary

4.9%

about as fast as the average

19,800

number of jobs

$85,760

potential earnings

Political scientists

6.1%

faster than the average

7,000

number of jobs

$125,350

potential earnings

Social science research assistants

5.8%

faster than the average

40,100

number of jobs

$49,210

potential earnings

Social and community service managers

17.0%

much faster than the average

175,500

number of jobs

$69,600

potential earnings

Social scientists and related workers, all other

0.8%

little or no change

38,800

number of jobs

$87,260

potential earnings

Legislators

6.2%

faster than the average

53,700

number of jobs

$33,200

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Political Science - M.A.

The Master of Arts in Political Science offers a deeper understanding of the field, with opportunities for specialized study and research. With experienced faculty and a supportive community of scholars, you will be prepared for a variety of career paths, including teaching, research and public service.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Information
Schedule a visit

Program Information for Political Science - M.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Political Science focuses broadly on the dynamics surrounding representation, equity, conflict, human rights, development and conflict resolution. Students delve into the scholarship on these dynamics (among others) in an interdisciplinary and theoretically sophisticated way, thinking about how the political process and government policy-making affect the lives of citizens, and how citizens influence those processes.

The Political Science major comprises the following concentrations:

  • American Politics and Policy
  • Conflict Analysis and Management
  • Transnational and Comparative Politics

Admissions for Political Science - M.A.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements 

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae with cover letter
  • Goal statement
  • Writing sample
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
    • Minimum 58 PTE score
    • Minimum 110 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Priority deadline: February 15
      All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Understand the theoretical underpinnings of political science and be able to address real world issues and problems.
  2. Attain research and methodological skills that will further their research and make them attractive to future employers.
  3. Effectively communicate research findings and implications to a range of audiences including scholars, practitioners and citizens.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
POL 60002SCOPE AND EPISTEMOLOGY 3
POL 60003QUANTITATIVE METHODS I 3
POL 60010QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS 3
Culminating Requirement
Non-Thesis or Thesis Option, choose from the following: 19
Non-Thesis Option
POL 60099
CAPSTONE SEMINAR
Electives (6 credit hours)
Thesis Option
POL 61199
THESIS I
Elective (3 credit hours)
Concentrations
Choose from the following:12
American Politics and Policy
Conflict Analysis and Management
Transnational and Comparative Politics
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
1

Students intending to pursue a Ph.D. degree are advised to choose the thesis option

American Politics and Policy Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
POL 60101STATUS OF THE FIELD: AMERICAN POLITICS AND POLICY 3
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:9
POL 60102
AMERICAN POLICY PROCESS
POL 60103
CONGRESS, THE PRESIDENCY AND THE COURTS
POL 60106
URBAN POLICY AND POLITICS
POL 60108
AMERICAN POLITICAL BEHAVIOR
POL 60191
SEMINAR IN AMERICAN POLITICS AND POLICY
Advisor-Approved Electives
Minimum Total Credit Hours:12

Conflict Analysis and Management Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
POL 60901FOUNDATIONS OF CONFLICT ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT 3
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:9
POL 60507
CONFLICT TRANSFORMATION AND RECONCILIATION
POL 60902
POWER, CONFLICT AND THE POLITICS OF GENDER
POL 60903
IDENTITY DRIVEN CONFLICTS
POL 60904
SOCIAL MOVEMENTS AND NONVIOLENT CONFLICTS
POL 60906
POLITICAL VIOLENCE
POL 60907
TERRORISM AND HUMAN RIGHTS
POL 60991
SEMINAR IN CONFLICT ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT
Advisor-Approved Electives
Minimum Total Credit Hours:12

Transnational and Comparative Politics Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements
POL 60501STATUS OF THE FIELD: TRANSNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS AND POLICY 3
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:9
POL 60502
GLOBAL GOVERNANCE
POL 60503
FOREIGN POLICY ANALYSIS
POL 60510
POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT
POL 60591
SEMINAR IN TRANSNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE POLITICS AND POLICY
Advisor-Approval Electives
Minimum Total Credit Hours:12

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • Minimum 30 credit hours required for graduation
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Political Science - M.A.

Political science teachers, postsecondary

4.9%

about as fast as the average

19,800

number of jobs

$85,760

potential earnings

Political scientists

6.1%

faster than the average

7,000

number of jobs

$125,350

potential earnings

Social sciences teachers, postsecondary, all other

-0.3%

little or no change

19,300

number of jobs

$69,340

potential earnings

Social science research assistants

5.8%

faster than the average

40,100

number of jobs

$49,210

potential earnings

Social and community service managers

17.0%

much faster than the average

175,500

number of jobs

$69,600

potential earnings

Social scientists and related workers, all other

0.8%

little or no change

38,800

number of jobs

$87,260

potential earnings

Legislators

6.2%

faster than the average

53,700

number of jobs

$33,200

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Brian Parsons MS '18

Brian is a UX Designer at Sony PlayStation where he primarily focuses on accounts and accessibility. He is in charge conceptualizing and creating new accessibility features for games, supporting hardware and software design for Access Controller and designing accessible components for the PS ecosystem of user research studies across the PlayStation environment, including the console, mobile app, and website.

Mental Health Awareness Month
Division of University Communications and Marketing

Standing Poster While 3 students walk by.

Coinciding with World Mental Health Day on Oct. 10, Kent State celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month all October.  Kent State’s social media team collaborated with teams within University Communications and Marketing and with other university partners such as the Division of Student Life. The goal was to promote the vast mental health resources on campus and to help destigmatize mental health challenges. A comprehensive digital content plan was developed as part of a massive university-wide campaign.   The plan began with the social media team joining forces wi...

STEPHANIE MORILLO MS '19

Stephanie is the Principal Product Manager at ServiceNow, a company focused on developing automated solutions for organizations to help streamline their processes. Prior to that, she was a Senior Program Manager at Microsoft where she oversaw the Azure.com A/B testing program. “I was given ownership over the program after a re-org, and interestingly enough, I was told that I would be good for it on the basis of having my UXD degree,” Stephanie says.

Pre-Law - Minor

Gain the foundational knowledge and skills needed to succeed in law school and beyond with our interdisciplinary Pre-Law minor. Explore legal theory, critical thinking and problem solving while building a strong foundation for a career in law.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Info
Schedule a Visit

Program Information for Pre-Law - Minor

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Pre-Law minor provides a background for the study of law through challenging coursework that reinforces and extends the liberal arts foundation gained through the Kent Core. It prepares students for advanced analytical and writing dexterity, and introduces them to the social and governmental structures that underlie the law.

No specific course of study is required for admission to law school. Most law schools require a bachelor’s degree for admission. The bachelor’s degree may be from any discipline or college. Kent State University also has a number of 3+3 agreements with law schools in Ohio. Interested students should consult with the Pre-Law Center. 

Law schools and alternative legal employment emphasize the value of reading comprehension, analytical skills, oral advocacy and a good command of written English. While these skills can be obtained in various ways, a general liberal arts background is recommended. Courses in English literature, American history and government are considered essential. Many pre-law students choose a major in political science, history, sociology, psychology, economics or English. A Bachelor of Integrative Studies degree is suitable if carefully planned.

Students considering law as a career should seek individual advising from the Pre-Law Center or in their major department. A list of pre-law advisors is available in the college office. Consultation with a pre-law advisor is urged, regardless of the student's major, minor or college. The Pre-Law Center can also supply information on LSAT registration, pre-law planning guides, information on law school admissions and financial aid information. The center sponsors an inter-collegiate competitive Moot Court team; a Phi Alpha Delta legal fraternity; a pre-law club; and a Pre-Law Service, Citizenship and Justice living learning community, as well as law-related scholarships and legal internships.

Admissions for Pre-Law - Minor

Admissions

Admission Requirements

Admission to a minor is open to students declared in a bachelor’s degree, the A.A.B. or A.A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree (not Individualized Program major). Students declared only in the A.A. or A.S. degree or the A.T.S. degree in Individualized Program may not declare a minor. Students may not pursue a minor and a major in the same discipline.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Develop reading comprehension, analytical (critical thinking), oral advocacy and writing skills.
  2. Formulate legal and public policy arguments and apply them to legal practice and alternative non-legal workspaces.
  3. Organize, compare and apply legal and non-legal strategies that aid in negotiation and reaching settlements or desirable outcomes in contested adversarial disputes in legal and non-legal employment settings.
  4. Evaluate the operation of the judicial process and the American legal profession within the American political system and global context.
  5. Interpret the nature of law and politics in the context of adversarial justice.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Minor Requirements

Minor Requirements
PHIL 11009CRITICAL THINKING (KADL) 3
or PHIL 21002 INTRODUCTION TO FORMAL LOGIC (KMCR)
PLST 28001LEGAL RESEARCH AND WRITING 3
POL 10200INTRODUCTION TO THE AMERICAN LEGAL PROFESSION 3
POL 30130THE JUDICIAL PROCESS 3
Humanities Elective, choose from the following:3
ENG 30064
ARGUMENTATIVE PROSE WRITING
HIST 30030
IDEAS IN ACTION: U.S. INTELLECTUAL HISTORY (DIVD)
HIST 31082
HISTORY OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS AND BLACK POWER MOVEMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES
PHIL 31035
PHILOSOPHY AND JUSTICE (DIVD)
PHIL 41025
PHILOSOPHY OF LAW
Legal Practice Skills Elective, choose from the following:3
COMM 35464
ARGUMENTATION AND PERSUASIVE COMMUNICATION
COMM 45807
HIGH IMPACT PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING
PACS 11001
INTRODUCTION TO CONFLICT MANAGEMENT (DIVD) (KSS)
PACS 44040
NEGOTIATION
PACS 48080
MEDIATION: THEORY AND TRAINING
PLST 28004
CIVIL PROCEDURE
PLST 38005
TORT LAW
PLST 48002
CONTRACT LAW
Social Science Electives, choose from the following:6
COMM 45007
FREEDOM OF SPEECH
CRIM 12000
INTRODUCTION TO JUSTICE STUDIES
CRIM 26704
ISSUES IN LAW AND SOCIETY (KSS)
CRIM 33200
CRIMINAL LAW
CRIM 34200
CRIMINAL PROCEDURES AND EVIDENCE
CRIM 46200
CURRENT CONTROVERSIAL LEGAL ISSUES
FIN 26074
LEGAL ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS
FIN 36072
LAW OF COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS
FIN 46072
BUSINESS FINANCIAL DISTRESS AND BANKRUPTCY
MDJ 20001
MEDIA, POWER AND CULTURE (DIVD) (KSS)
MDJ 40006
LAW OF MEDIA AND JOURNALISM
POL 30100
AMERICAN POLITICAL THEORY
POL 40182
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: GOVERNMENTAL STRUCTURES AND FUNCTIONS
POL 40183
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW: CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES (DIVD)
PSYC 30111
FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY
SOC 32762
DEVIANT BEHAVIOR
Minimum Total Credit Hours:24

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Minor GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000
  • Maximum three courses applied toward a student's major may also be applied toward the Pre-Law minor.
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be upper-division coursework (30000 and 40000 level).
  • Minimum 6 credit hours in the minor must be outside of the course requirements for any major or other minor the student is pursuing.
  • Minimum 50 percent of the total credit hours for the minor must be taken at Kent State (in residence).

Program Notes

  • It is recommended that students pursuing the Pre-Law minor give strong consideration to the following courses in fulfillment of the Kent Core:
    • In the additional category: COMM 15000
    • In the humanities and fine arts category: AFS 23001, AFS 23002, COMM 26000, HIST 12070, HIST 12071
    • In the social sciences category: ECON 22061, POL 10100
  • Students are strongly encouraged to consider prerequisites of advanced courses in the Pre-Law minor as they select their Kent Core courses.
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
    • Stark Campus

Focus on Kigali: ‘This Experience Solidified My Love for Documenting Experiences’

Senior journalism major Sophia Lucente spent three weeks in Kigali, Rwanda on a study abroad program.

Sophia Lucente went to Kigali, Rwanda, with a camera in hand and rarely set it down the entire three weeks she was there.  Lucente was one of a group of Kent State University students who took the education-abroad course, Rwanda After the Genocide Against the Tutsi, known as the Kigali Summer Institute, over three weeks in July.   A senior journalism major from Coraopolis, Pennsylvania, outside of Pittsburgh, Lucente had hoped that the education-abroad course would help her to build a portfolio as she prepares for a career, possibly in international photojournalism.  ...

The School of Theatre and Dance Presents Cabaret

Cabaret performance

Kent State University’s School of Theatre and Dance is continuing its 2023-2024 season with "Cabaret (1998 version)" running through Nov. 9 at the Wright-Curtis Theatre, located in the Center for Performing Arts. There will be a moderated post-show discussion on Friday, Nov. 3, to discuss the relevance of "Cabaret" in today's world.     In a Berlin nightclub, as the 1920s draw to a close, a garish master of ceremonies welcomes the audience and assures them they will forget all their troubles at the "Cabaret." With the emcee's bawdy songs as wry commentary, "Cabaret" explores ...

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