Brandeis University

What you'll study

The PhD programme combines advanced coursework, intensive methods training, comprehensive examinations and a sustained research dissertation. Early years typically emphasise core coursework across subfields (American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory) and research methods, including quantitative techniques, qualitative methods and research design. Students normally take seminars in specialised substantive areas such as electoral behaviour, public policy, political economy, conflict and security, democratic theory, and institutions.

Training milestones include preliminary/qualifying exams to assess mastery of the field, a dissertation prospectus, and the production of an original dissertation supervised by a faculty adviser. The department encourages interdisciplinary work and offers opportunities to take courses and collaborate with centres across Brandeis, including public policy, sociology, economics and regional studies. Students are expected to present work at departmental workshops and to engage in professionalisation activities such as conference presentations and journal submissions.

Entry requirements

Admission is competitive and based on demonstrated academic potential and fit with faculty expertise. Typical requirements include a strong undergraduate degree in political science or a related discipline; many successful applicants also hold a master's degree, though this is not universally required. Applications should include academic transcripts, a detailed curriculum vitae, a statement of research interests outlining potential dissertation topics, and several letters of recommendation from academic referees.

Applicants are usually asked to submit a writing sample that demonstrates capacity for sustained argument and research. The department may consider standardised test scores where provided, but requirements can vary and many programmes now make such tests optional; international applicants must provide proof of English language proficiency if their prior education was not conducted in English. Admissions committees review applications holistically, weighing scholarly promise, methodological preparation, and alignment with departmental strengths.

Career prospects

Graduates of the PhD programme pursue careers across academia, public service, and the private sector. A common path is entry into tenure-track faculty positions at colleges and universities, supported by the programme's emphasis on research and teaching experience. Alumni also take roles in policy research at think tanks and research institutes, analytic and advisory positions in government and international organisations, and specialist posts in NGOs and advocacy groups.

Beyond traditional academic and policy careers, PhD holders from the department often move into data-driven policy analysis, consulting, public opinion research, and leadership roles in civic and educational organisations. The programme’s methodological training equips graduates for positions that require advanced quantitative and qualitative research skills.

Why study at Brandeis University

Brandeis offers doctoral students personalised mentorship within a modestly sized department, enabling close working relationships with faculty whose research spans major subfields of political science. The university’s location near Boston and Cambridge provides easy access to a dense network of academic institutions, think tanks, government agencies and non-profit organisations, enhancing research and internship opportunities.

Students benefit from interdisciplinary resources across the university, active seminar series and research centres that foster collaboration and public engagement. The department places strong emphasis on rigorous methods training combined with substantive expertise, preparing students to produce publishable research and to compete successfully for academic and policy-oriented positions.