Government and Politics (GVPT)

Abstract

The Department of Government and Politics offers a Ph.D. degree in political science, intended primarily for those planning academic careers. Students can specialize in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political economy and political theory (either formal or normative). In addition, students can study in depth more specialized fields such as public law, national security, public policy, political psychology, international and inter-ethnic conflict, international political economy, urban politics, post-Soviet and post-communist studies, East-Asian studies, environmental politics, and the politics of advanced industrial societies.

Admissions Information

The Department recruits highly qualified students, and admits only a limited number of the strongest applicants. The Admissions Committee rarely grants provisional or conditional admission to the graduate program. The Department does not usually admit M.A. applicants. Only students whose ultimate objective is the Ph.D. should apply for direct admission to that program. Admission is granted only for the Fall Semester.

Application Deadlines

Fall

Spring

Domestic Applicants:
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Domestic Applicant Deadlines

Applications must be received by February 1 .

This program does not accept applications for this semester.

International Applicants:
Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials

IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.

Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas

February 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1

June 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants

May 1
If Domestic Deadline is after May 1

October 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials

May 15
If Domestic Deadline is after May 15

October 31
If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Application Requirements

GRE General
3 Letters of Recommendation
Writing Sample
statement of purpose
transcripts

	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Domestic Applicant Deadlines	Applications must be received by February 1 .	This program does not accept applications for this semester.

International Applicants: Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas	February 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1	June 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants	May 1 If Domestic Deadline is after May 1	October 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials	May 15 If Domestic Deadline is after May 15	October 31 If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Degree Requirements

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The doctoral program is intended to provide students with the knowledge, methodological skills and research experience appropriate for persons who intend to enter the discipline of political science. Students must complete 42 hours of graduate work including courses in political theory and research methods and pass written comprehensive examinations in two fields. Although formal coursework and field examinations are important components of the doctoral program, the research component, especially in the form of the dissertation is paramount. Consequently students who are able to demonstrate an interest in quality research activities and desire to become creators as well as consumers of knowledge are appropriate for the doctoral program.

Facilities and Special Resources

Graduate students in the department participate in the activities of the Public Service Intern Program, Project ICONS, the Center for International Development and Conflict Management, the Maryland Collective Choice Center, the Center for International Security Studies at Maryland, the Center for the Study of Post-Communist Societies, The Committee on the Political Economy of the Good Society, the Center for the Study of American Politics and Citizenship, and the Harrison Program on the Future Global Agenda.

Financial Assistance

In addition to fellowships and teaching assistantships, the Department also has a public service intern program for students interested in State government. There are also a limited and variable number of research positions available.

Contact Information

Further information, including a manual on graduate study, please contact:

Director of Graduate Studies
3140 Tydings Hall
MD 20742
Telephone: (301) 405-4161
gvptgrad@deans.umd.edu

http://www.bsos.umd.edu/gvpt/