About the Graduate Program
Penn State's M.A. and Ph.D. programs offer rigorous training in the subfields of American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Political Methodology. Penn State is also one of only a few programs nationally to offer a dual-degree in Political Science and Women's Studies. Details of these fields, and several cross-cutting subfields, are available under the "Areas of Study" section.
We devote significant attention to training students in both research and teaching, with an emphasis on the development of analytic and research skills that apply across fields. Our program emphasizes rigorous training for our students in methods of research including statistical analysis and research design, with an eye toward producing scholars who will be excellent researchers. We offer a range of methods courses within the department, and provide funding for summer training at ICPSR to all interested students. In addition, our graduate students benefit from strong programs in other departments, including Sociology (which has superb social movement scholars and demographers), Economics (which has outstanding econometricians and game theorists), African and African-American Studies, Geography, and Philosophy.
We also pride ourselves in providing excellent training in teaching; nearly all students serve as both research and teaching assistants in the department during their time in the program. After gaining experience running small sections under the guidance of the faculty, senior students are provided with additional opportunities to teach their own courses.
All students who are admitted to the graduate program receive a research assistantship, a teaching assistantship, or a fellowship. Support also is available for travel to professional conferences, to attend special summer programs (for the study of subjects crucial to the student's program of study, such as foreign languages or advanced statistics), and to conduct dissertation research (including international domestic travel, and archival research). In the past few years, our Ph.D. students have taken positions at Florida State, Louisiana State University and other schools.
