University of San Diego

What you'll study

This doctoral programme combines advanced coursework, comprehensive examinations, original research methods training and a sustained dissertation project. In the early years you take seminars in core subfields—American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory and public law—alongside intensive quantitative and qualitative methods training. Seminars emphasise theory development, research design, and engagement with contemporary scholarly literature.

• Core seminars: advanced theory and specialised seminars in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political behaviour and institutions.
• Research methods: courses in statistics, causal inference, qualitative methods, fieldwork design, and computational approaches to political data.
• Electives and interdisciplinary work: opportunities to take electives in public policy, international development, law, economics and data science.
• Comprehensive exams: written and/or oral examinations that assess mastery of major literatures and methodological competence.
• Dissertation: independent, original research under faculty supervision culminating in a defended doctoral dissertation that makes a substantive contribution to the field.
• Professional development: training in pedagogy, grant-writing, conference presentation, publishing, and public engagement. Teaching opportunities as a graduate instructor or teaching assistant are normally integrated into the programme.

Entry requirements

Applicants are typically expected to hold a maiden degree in political science or a related social science; many admitted students also hold a relevant master's degree or demonstrable research experience. Competitive applications will normally include:

• Academic transcripts showing strong preparation in political science and research methods.
• Research statement outlining proposed areas of inquiry and fit with faculty expertise.
• Writing sample (such as a research paper) that demonstrates analytical and research skills.
• Letters of recommendation from academic or professional referees familiar with the applicant's research potential.
• Curriculum vitae documenting academic background, research experience and relevant professional activities.
• English language proficiency test scores, if English is not the applicant's first language, in line with university requirements.

Standardised test requirements (for example the GRE) and specific minimum grade or degree requirements vary; applicants should consult the programme admissions page for current details and faculty research interests to demonstrate fit.

Career prospects

Graduates of a Political Science PhD pursue a range of careers where advanced research and analytical skills are required. Typical career paths include:

• Academia: tenure-track faculty positions at universities and colleges, where graduates teach, advise students and continue research programmes.
• Think tanks and research institutes: policy researchers and analysts producing evidence-based work for public audiences and policymakers.
• Government and public service: analysts and advisors in national, regional and local government agencies, often working on policy development, evaluation and implementation.
• International organisations and NGOs: programme design, evaluation and research roles addressing development, security, human rights and governance.
• Private sector and consulting: roles requiring quantitative and qualitative research expertise, such as political risk analysis, public affairs, and data-driven consultancy.

Why study at University of San Diego

Studying at the University of San Diego offers a doctoral experience grounded in strong faculty mentorship and an interdisciplinary institutional environment. The university's location provides proximity to a range of policy organisations, think tanks and cross-border policy issues that can inform empirical research and fieldwork. Faculty members engaged in American politics, international relations, comparative politics and public law provide supervision across a broad spectrum of topics, and students can draw on related centres and programmes for interdisciplinary collaboration.

Smaller cohort sizes typically enable close faculty-student interaction, tailored professional development, and regular opportunities to present work-in-progress. Doctoral students also benefit from university resources such as specialised libraries, research support services, and opportunities for teaching experience that prepare graduates for academic and non-academic careers alike.