University of Michigan

What you'll study

The PhD combines advanced substantive training in one or more subfields of political science with rigorous methodological instruction and a sustained, independent research programme. Students normally work within subfields such as American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and political behaviour, and may also pursue interdisciplinary work touching on public policy, law, economics, sociology or data science.

• Core coursework: advanced seminars in substantive areas (e.g. institutions, political behaviour, public opinion, comparative institutions, international security, democratization, normative theory).
• Methods and research design: courses in statistics, causal inference, formal modelling, quantitative methods, qualitative methods, experiment design, and computational approaches.
• Professional development: seminars on academic publishing, grant writing, pedagogy, and ethics in research.
• Language and fieldwork: where relevant, training in foreign languages and preparation for field research in comparative and international projects.
• Qualifying examinations and dissertation: after completing required coursework, students pass written and/or oral qualifying exams or field exams, advance to candidacy, and then produce an original doctoral dissertation under the supervision of departmental faculty.

Students typically combine required departmental courses with electives across the university and participate in reading groups, workshops and research centres that support collaborative and single-author projects.

Entry requirements

Admission is competitive and evaluated holistically. Successful applicants commonly have a strong academic record in political science or a related social science, demonstrated quantitative and analytical preparation, and evidence of research potential.

• Academic transcripts: undergraduate degree and, if applicable, graduate coursework showing strong performance.
• Letters of recommendation: usually three letters from academic referees who can speak to your research abilities and preparedness for doctoral study.
• Statement of purpose: a research-oriented statement outlining your interests, methodological strengths, and fit with departmental faculty and resources.
• Writing sample: an example of research or extended analytical writing (e.g. term paper, published article, or thesis chapter).
• CV/short resume: detailing academic background, research experience, publications, and relevant employment.
• English language proficiency: for applicants whose first language is not English, proof of proficiency as required by the university.

Some applicants arrive with a master’s degree in political science or a related field; others apply directly from a bachelor's degree. Applicants with strong methodological preparation in statistics or formal methods are advantageous. Prospective students are advised to review the department and Rackham Graduate School guidance for any additional documentation or programme-specific expectations.

Career prospects

Graduates pursue a range of careers that leverage advanced research, analytical and teaching skills. Common pathways include:

• Academic careers: tenure-track positions in political science and related departments, postdoctoral fellowships, and continued research scholarship.
• Policy and research organisations: roles in think tanks, research institutes, and non-governmental organisations conducting policy analysis and program evaluation.
• Government and public service: analytic and advisory positions at national, regional or international governmental bodies.
• International organisations: research and policy positions in multilateral institutions and international agencies.
• Private sector and data science: analytic roles in consulting, political risk firms, polling organisations, and technology companies that value quantitative and causal inference skills.

The programme’s emphasis on rigorous methods and original research prepares graduates for roles that require independent problem definition, empirical design, and clear communication of complex findings.

Why study at University of Michigan

The University of Michigan Department of Political Science is housed within a large research university that offers extensive interdisciplinary opportunities and infrastructure for social science research. Students benefit from close access to specialised research centres and resources, such as the Institute for Social Research and related units that support survey research, field experiments and large-scale data projects.

• Faculty mentorship: a diverse faculty with expertise across major subfields and strong records of publication and graduate supervision.
• Research facilities and data resources: methodological training, data labs, computing support and opportunities to join ongoing faculty-led research projects.
• Graduate community and training: departmental seminars, workshops, teaching opportunities and professionalisation programmes run through the Rackham Graduate School.
• Location and networks: Ann Arbor’s vibrant academic community and proximity to policy institutions facilitate internships, collaborations and employment networks.

Together, these strengths create an environment suited to students committed to producing rigorous, policy-relevant and theoretically informed research in political science.