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Apr 27, 2024
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2023-2024 Graduate Catalog
Political Science PhD
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The Department of Political Science is home to a dynamic faculty, devoted to studying political phenomena at all levels of interest to our graduate students, including local, state, national, and international issues. Our program is oriented to the scientific study of politics of all types. Whether our graduate students seek to study international relations, American politics, public law or foreign political systems, UB’s Department of Political Science is committed satisfying student interests in each of these areas.
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Core Course Requirement
Doctoral students are required to take four Department Core Courses:
In addition, all students are required to take the Core Courses in three of the four core fields of study:
- American Politics
- Comparative Politics
- International Politics
- Public Law
Students then proceed to more advanced study in their specialized fields.
Research Seminars and Qualifying Papers
All PhD students are required to complete two Research Seminars and complete a professional-quality qualifying paper in one of their two major fields. The qualifying paper is evaluated by three faculty in the field. Students who satisfy the above requirements and complete the qualifying paper are then permitted to take the Comprehensive Examinations.
Skill Requirement
The four Department Core Courses (above) will provide students with the basic skills required to conduct research in the discipline. In addition, the language and skill requirements may vary for each student in the PhD program. The student’s dissertation committee is responsible for ensuring that the student possesses the skills necessary for the dissertation research and may require additional research skills (e.g., languages, advanced statistics).
Comprehensive Examinations
Comprehensive examinations are scheduled each semester. Candidates will be examined either on two major fields of specialization, or one major and two minor fields. The exams will test understanding of the major concepts, methodology and literature encompassed by the program, and will consist of written questions and an oral examination. The comprehensive examinations may be taken only after the student has completed the Department Core Course Requirement, fulfilled major/minor field requirements, and submitted one satisfactory qualifying paper.
Doctoral Dissertation Requirement
After passing the comprehensive examinations, a student will nominate a dissertation committee, subject to the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. The committee will consist of a chairperson and at least two other faculty members from within the department and one from outside. The dissertation proposal must be defended by the middle of the fifth month of the semester immediately following that in which the comprehensive exams are passed. Passage of the oral defense constitutes permission to proceed with the writing of the dissertation. Final approval of the dissertation rests with the dissertation committee, and involves both the approval of a reader drawn from the Graduate School faculty outside the department and an oral defense of the completed work.
Total Credit Hours: 72
3.0 Degree GPA required
Instruction Method
- In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)
Program Contact
Mary O’Brien
520 Park Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
Email: meobrien@buffalo.edu
Phone: 716-645-3441
Fax: 716-645-2166
SED Statement
This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).
Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.
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