Colorado political science phd programs

This degree will be awarded following completion of 30 hours of course work including the core course work requirements for the Ph. With the assistance of their advisor, students select a qualifying paper committee of three faculty members at least two from the Political Science Department. All Ph. This paper must be defended in an oral examination by the end of that semester. The qualifying paper committee will write a report which will include a recommendation to the Graduate Committee to 1 admit the candidate into the Ph.

The genesis of the ideas in this paper may come from a variety of sources. For example, students may rework a seminar paper, condense and elaborate prior M. Students in the Ph. The department does not accept applications for a terminal M. The award of a terminal M. Students must take rigorous comprehensive examinations by the end of their 6th semester in residence footnote. The exams have both written and oral components and are designed to demonstrate intellectual maturity and creativity, a command of the literatures relevant to the chosen fields of study, and an ability to articulate and defend a position on the important controversies in those literatures.

The comprehensive examinations serve to demonstrate that the student has acquired the skills and knowledge necessary to function as an independent scholar in the field of Political Science generally, and in their chosen subfield of specialization. We expect not only broad knowledge, but also a critical understanding of the literatures and the ability to apply that understanding to the central, enduring questions of politics and government.

Comprehensive examinations will be administered in-house. Comprehensive examinations are administered once each semester and the written portions are usually held during the last week of the break before the semester begins.

The oral portions are held during the first two weeks of the semester. Oral examinations are scheduled individually. The written portion of the major field lasts two days and the minor field lasts one day. The oral component lasts one to two hours for each field. The written examinations are constructed by faculty members within each designated field. The structure of the exam will be established for the entire academic year by the examination committee and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.

It is the general practice that students have some range of choice in the questions they answer; that range, however, is at the discretion of the examination committee. The Director of Graduate Studies will select the examination committees for each field. The oral part of the comprehensive examination is conducted by the same committee that graded the written examination. A final grade of pass or fail in each field is determined by the majority vote of the examination committee.

Students must pass examinations in both their major and minor fields to be admitted to Ph. Failing a field involves retaking both the written and oral examination at the next administration of the exam. According to Graduate School policy, students are allowed only one retake attempt.

If a student fails the exam, the committee provides a written explanation to the student. Comprehensive exams may be scheduled earlier for those students who have entered the program with a M. A upon approval. Students, with the support of their advisor, may also petition in writing the Graduate Committee for a one-time postponement of the examinations. This combination of skills is what helps me understand power and power dynamics, and ultimately be able to guide and unify teams that will move forward and act.

Student Information. What Our Graduates Say. Martin McCoy, City Rebate Program Coordinator, City of Fort Collins "Learning about political science has helped shape the way I view everyday circumstances, and has positively influenced the conversations I have with friends and family. A flexible, affordable graduate program tailored to you! What happens next? Preferred Application Deadlines.

Summer term applicants - April 1 Fall semester applicants - May 1 Spring semester applicants - November 1. Knowledge of the role of political action and political systems in shaping human cultures and socio-economic patterns, including:. Knowledge of the American Political System Knowledge of political systems across history and world region Knowledge of theoretical foundations of political systems and political values Ability to compare political systems in their differing abilities to deliver public welfare Knowledge of the processes, institutions and actors involved in globalization This knowledge will be focused by engagement with the fundamental questions of political life, both contemporary and enduring.

Students will place themselves in conversation with multiple political and moral perspectives, including those outside of the traditional Western canon, by developing their own positions and by seeing how their positions build from and contribute to these perspectives.

Intellectual and Practical Skills, including:. Personal and Social Responsibility, including:. Civic knowledge and engagement—local and global Intercultural knowledge and competence Ethical reasoning and action Foundations and skills for lifelong learning This responsibility will be anchored through active involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges including internships, service-learning and other experiential learning opportunities that allow students to reflect on the relationship between theory, political practice and potential career paths.

At CU, a diverse faculty of nearly thirty train graduate students to conduct original research in six areas of political science: American government and politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public policy, and research methods.

We enroll approximately ten new graduate students each fall, ensuring a high faculty-student ratio and close mentoring opportunities. The faculty at CU Boulder pursues rigorous research that contributes to theory development in political science and addresses real world challenges. Please check out individual faculty web pages for information on our latest projects and publications.

Our department is distinctive for encouraging and supporting collaboration. Recent initiatives crossing traditional subfield lines include environmental ethics and policy, political economy, local politics, comparative judicial institutions, political mobilization and participation, ethnic conflict, emotions and political attitudes, social networks, identity politics, and gender politics. Our rigorous, multi-method research and training contribute to a highly visible research profile and a strong international reputation.

This collaborative, multi-method orientation also characterizes our graduate training.