Political Science
Mailing Address:
Department of Political Science (MC 276)
1007 West Harrison Street
Chicago, IL 60607-7137
Campus Location: 1119 BSB
Program Codes: 20FS0343MA (MA); 20FS0343PHD (PhD)
Telephone: (312) 996-8660
E-mail: jnell@uic.edu
Web Site: http://www.uic.edu/depts/pols/
Head of the Department: Dick Simpson
Director of Graduate Studies: Sultan Tepe
The Department of Political Science offers work leading to the Master of Arts in Political Science and the Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science. Interdepartmental concentrations in Gender and Women’s Studies, Latin American and Latino Studies, Survey Research Methodology, and Violence Studies are available to students in these programs.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are considered on a competitive basis. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:
Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy
- Baccalaureate Field No restrictions.
- Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 for the final 60 semester (90 quarter) hours of undergraduate study.
- Tests Required GRE General.
- Minimum English Competency Test Score
- TOEFL 550 (paper-based); 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Internet-based), OR,
- IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four subscores.
- Letters of Recommendation Three required, preferably from faculty members in political science or cognate disciplines who are familiar with the applicant’s training and ability.
- Personal Statement Required. The statement should address the applicant’s academic goals.
- Deadlines The application deadline for this program is earlier than the Graduate College deadline; contact the program for more information on current deadlines.
Degree Requirements
In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, students must meet the following program requirements:
Master of Arts
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 32.
- Course Work Required Courses: POLS 401, 500, 505, 506, 593a; and one of the following: POLS 504, 551, 560, 570, or 571. Required course work totals 20 semester hours. Required courses will not be waived. A grade of B or better is required in all required courses.
- Electives: At least 12 additional hours at the 500-level. No more than two courses (8 semester hours) may be taken outside the department.
- Thesis, Project, or Course-Work-Only Options Course work only. No other options are available.
a In POLS 593 students complete a major research paper under the supervision of two faculty members.
Doctor of Philosophy
- Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 from the baccalaureate.
- Course Work Required Courses: POLS 401, 500, 501, 505, 506. A grade of B or better is required in all required courses.
- Examinations Preliminary Examination: Required. After successful completion of the required course work, students, in conjunction with an advisor, will choose to be examined over one of three core areas of specialization: American politics, urban politics, or comparative politics. A second exam field must be chosen from among the subfields of American politics, comparative politics, urban politics, political theory, international relations, or another advisor-approved political science subfield. A third exam field will be based on the student’s proposed dissertation work. The preliminary exam will consist of a written examination in each of the chosen areas.
- Dissertation Required. It is expected that students will submit a full statement of dissertation plans to the dissertation committee no later than three months following passage of the preliminary exam. The dissertation prospectus will contain an analysis of the relevant literature, the theoretical issues to be addressed, the data to be used, the methods of analysis, and a statement of the anticipated significance of the research project. Students will not be authorized to proceed with dissertation research until their prospectus has been approved.
- Other Requirements In addition to the required courses, the student may also be requested to satisfy an advanced methodology requirement appropriate to the student’s plan of study and approved by the director of graduate studies. Students whose plan of study will require reading or oral proficiency in a foreign language must pass an examination arranged by the department; course work required to prepare for this examination does not count toward the hours required for the degree.
- Faculty Review At the end of every spring semester the director of graduate studies conducts a review of the student’s progress in the program to date, based on a variety of student performance indicators which may include progress and earned grades, seminar papers, and research interests. Before taking the preliminary examination, all students must complete an extensive research project. The paper will be evaluated by the project supervisor and one other member of the faculty who has been appointed by the director of graduate studies.
Interdepartmental Concentration in Gender and Women’s Studies
Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in a concentration in Gender and Women’s Studies after consulting with their graduate advisor. See Gender and Women’s Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for more information.
Interdepartmental Concentration in Latin American and Latino Studies
Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in a concentration in Latin American and Latino Studies. See Latin American and Latino Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for more information.
Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Survey Research Methodology
Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in a concentration in Survey Research Methodology. See Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Survey Research Methodology in the Graduate College section for more information.
Interdepartmental Graduate Concentration in Violence Studies
Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in a concentration in Violence Studies after consulting with their graduate advisor. See Violence Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section or the Jane Addams College of Social Work section for more information.
