Graduate Field
Government
Program Description
Students are expected to acquire a thorough knowledge of the discipline of political science, including substantial theoretical, conceptual, and substantive competence in a major subject; to provide a clear demonstration of the methodological, linguistic, and other skills needed to conduct original scholarly research; and to acquire at least one semester's experience as a teaching assistant.
Numerous interdisciplinary programs are available to support students’ training and research, including the Cornell Center for Social Sciences, the Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies, the Society for the Humanities, the Peace Studies Program, and various area programs.
Doctoral students are assigned an interim supervisor upon admission. In the second year, students assemble a temporary Special Committee which guides and supervises subsequent academic preparation and assists in preparation for Q exam and field paper (if required). In the third year, students assemble their final Special Committee which supervises the A exam (prospectus defense) and all subsequent dissertation research
By the end of the second year, students are expected to have taken the Qualifying Field Examination (Q exam). The exam consists of a written exam in the student's major subject. Additionally, before being admitted to candidacy and by the beginning of the third year, students specializing in International Relations and Comparative Politics are required to compose an extended research paper in the student's specialized field of interest before the beginning of the third year. All students are also required to complete their A exam (prospectus defense) by the end of the third year. At this oral exam, the student presents a thesis proposal outlining the hypothesis, data, methods, and resources needed to carry out the dissertation research.
Concentrations
- American politics
- Comparative politics
- International relations
- Political methodology (minor)
- Political thought
- Public policy (minor)
Program Information
- Instruction Mode: In Person
- Location: Ithaca, NY
- Minimum Credits for Degree: 180
Program Requirements
- Minimum Semesters for Degree: 6
Graduate School Milestones
- Responsible Conduct of Research Training: Required
- Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID): Required
- Student Progress Reviews (SPR) begin: First Year
- Qualifying Examination (Q Exam): Second year, dependent upon concentration
- Examination for admission to candidacy (A Exam/Prospectus Defense): Third Year
- Defense of Dissertation (B Exam): Sixth Year
Field Specific Milestones
- Field progress review in the first year
- One semester of teaching assistantship required
Course Requirements
- Course requirements are laid out in the Graduate Student Handbook.
- Enrollment in a GRAD research course or the equivalent field specific research course is expected of all students.
University Graduation Requirements
Requirements for All Students
In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.
Academic Requirements
A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.
Non-academic Requirements
Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.
Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.
Learning Outcomes
The doctoral program prepares students for a successful career in political science. It provides them with:
- A broad and in-depth knowledge of the scholarship and methodologies of the discipline
- An ability to conduct original and publishable research in their field of study
- Ability to teach effectively at the undergraduate and graduate level
- Ability to contribute productively to the intellectual life of the profession
