Modality
On Campus
Program URL
https://government.georgetown.edu/ph-d-in-government/
The mission of the Government Department Ph.D. program is to provide students with the analytical skills and substantive knowledge needed to both generate and evaluate research in political science, preparing them for careers at the highest levels of scholarship and teaching. A Georgetown Ph.D. in Government signifies theoretical, methodological, and substantive expertise in various topics of political significance, as well as the research and communication skills necessary for productive scholarship.
Academic Policies
The academic policies and procedures of the Ph.D. program in Government outlined in the department handbook and the University Bulletin.
Joint Programs
The Ph.D. in Government can be completed in tandem with master’s programs in other areas at the university. Information regarding these programs can be found in the following resources.
School of Foreign Service Graduate Programs Addendum
- Arab Studies, pg. 3
- Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies, pg. 14
- European Studies, pg. 22
- Latin American Studies, pg. 49
- Security Studies, pg. 53
Program Requirements
Doctoral students must successfully complete a minimum of 48 credits of coursework. They must also select a Field of studies to focus their coursework and research. Fields include American Government, Comparative Government, International Government, and Political Theory. The requirements of each Field are listed below.
Required Examinations
Comprehensive Examinations
All students must complete a written Comprehensive Examination in their major field. The Comprehensive Exam is offered twice a year, and it is the student’s responsibility to inform the Department when they are ready to take the exam.
American Government
The American Government Field Comprehensive Exam consists of two parts taken in the span of eight hours in the same day. Part I of the exam consists of one question in which the student must formulate a response. During Part II of the exam, the student will select three questions to answer.
Comparative Government
The Comparative Government Comprehensive Exam is offered over eight hours in one day. Part I of the exam addresses political methodology. Students select one question and provide a written response. Part II covers topics in Comparative Government, and students select three questions to answer.
International Relations
The International Relations Comprehensive Exam is offered over two days. On Day 1, students are given four questions related to the International Relations Field. They must provide written responses to two questions of their choosing within four hours. On Day Two, students select two questions from two different topic areas in International Relations.
Political Theory
The Political Theory Comprehensive Exam is scheduled over four consecutive days. In Part I, students answer two questions relating to general political theory. In Part II, students answer two specialized questions developed collaboratively with faculty.
Second Year Research Paper
Students in the American Government, Comparative Government, and International Relations fields are required to write a second year research paper. The paper can be based on a paper written for a class and should follow the format and be of the length of an article in the field to which it pertains.
The Director of Graduate Studies will work with the chair of the field in which the paper fits to identify two appropriate faculty reviewers. Papers are graded as “Not Qualified,” “Qualified,” or “Qualified with Distinction.” Students who receive a rating of “Not Qualified” may submit a revised version of the paper, or another paper, within six months of receiving the grade.
Language Requirement
Students in Comparative Government, International Relations, and Political Theory fields are required to demonstrate research competence in at least one language.
Thesis Requirements
After students have completed the comprehensive exams, they must form a Dissertation Committee who have special competence in the area or topic and who collectively can help with the theoretical, methodological, and empirical dimensions of the student’s research.
Once the dissertation prospectus is written and students have received approval from their committee members, students will present their prospectus at a 90-minute colloquium that is open to Government Department faculty and students.
Students will spend at least two years researching and writing the dissertation. Results of the research will be presented at a public dissertation defense where anyone in attendance may ask the candidate questions. At the conclusion of the defense, the committee will vote in private to determine whether the student may proceed with submitting the dissertation to the Graduate School and ultimately graduating.
American Government
- Major Field Requirements (12 credits)
- Four 8000-level GOVT classes (12 credits) in major field
- Pass a Comprehensive Exam in the major field, typically within the spring semester of the second year of study.
- Distribution Requirements (9 credits)
- GOVT 8800: Fundamentals of Political Theory (3 credits) in the first semester of study
- Two additional 8000-level GOVT classes in one or more substantive fields other than the major field of study.
- Methods Requirements (6 credits)
- GOVT 8001: Quantitative Methods I (3 credits) or an approved equivalent quantitative methods class.
- One additional methods class (3 credits)
- Electives (21 credits)
- 7 graduate-level courses in any Field. At least one elective must be in a field that is neither the student’s major field nor methods.
Comparative Government
- Major Field Requirements (12 credits)
- Four 8000-level GOVT classes (12 credits) in major field
- Pass a Comprehensive Exam in the major field, typically within the spring semester of the second year of study.
- Distribution Requirements (9 credits)
- GOVT 8800: Fundamentals of Political Theory (3 credits) in the first semester of study
- Two additional 8000-level GOVT classes in one or more substantive fields other than the major field of study.
- Methods Requirements (6 credits)
- GOVT 8001: Quantitative Methods I (3 credits) or an approved equivalent quantitative methods class.
- One additional methods class (3 credits)
- Electives (21 credits)
- 7 graduate-level courses in any Field. At least one elective must be in a field that is neither the student’s major field nor methods.
Political Theory
- 24 credits (eight courses) in the field
- GOVT 8880: Fundamentals of Political Theory (3 credits)
- GOVT 8801: Methods of Political Theory (3 credits)
- At least 3 courses (9 credits) in another field of political science
- 9 credits of electives that will establish broad knowledge necessary for the comprehensive exam
International Relations
- Major Field Requirements (12 credits)
- Four 8000-level GOVT classes (12 credits) in major field
- Pass a Comprehensive Exam in the major field, typically within the spring semester of the second year of study.
- Distribution Requirements (9 credits)
- GOVT 8800: Fundamentals of Political Theory (3 credits) in the first semester of study
- Two additional 8000-level GOVT classes in one or more substantive fields other than the major field of study.
- Methods Requirements (6 credits)
- GOVT 8001: Quantitative Methods I (3 credits) or an approved equivalent quantitative methods class.
- One additional methods class (3 credits)
- Electives (21 credits)
- 7 graduate-level courses in any Field. At least one elective must be in a field that is neither the student’s major field nor methods.
