Graduate Study in Political Science at Purdue includes technology and governance, political methodology, political economy and development, political institutions and institutional reform, environmental policy, national security, human rights and political violence, and politics related to conflict.
Graduate students and faculty at Purdue participate in research labs and programs in the department, and also participate in Purdue's many interdisciplinary research centers and collaborative groups on campus including the Center for CSPAN Scholarship and Engagement, the Institute for a Sustainable Future, the Purdue Policy Research Institute.
Students receive rigorous training in a wide range of research methods in the department and through workshops, coursework, and speakers in the cross-college initiative Methodology Center at Purdue (MCAP).
Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Political Science
Doctoral students specialize (major) in American, Comparative, International Relations or Public Policy with a secondary specialization (minor) in: a) one of the major fields, b) political methodology, or c) a custom designed field. Our curriculum has ample room to explore interdisciplinary interests and applied fields. We welcome students with interests in traditional academic career paths and applied career paths.
Doctoral students become deeply immersed in the process of scholarly research and are quickly prepared to be full collaborators and independent researchers. We encourage students to execute research projects in preparation for academic and applied careers. In addition, we prepare doctoral students for independent classroom instruction and make every effort to provide an independent teaching experience for each doctoral student completing our program.
Master of Arts Degree in Political Science
Generally, we only admit to the M.A. program those students who are interested in pursuing both the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Students who apply to our program with a Bachelor's degree or an M.A. in another field will complete the M.A. in political science as part of the curriculum of the M.A./Ph.D program. Students without a Master's Degree in political science are welcome to apply and can receive the M.A. as part of the M.A./Ph.D. program with no added time to degree.
Students enjoy a great quality of life at Purdue where the cost of living is low, and the department community is welcoming and supportive.
Learn more about...
- Life in the Greater Lafayette Community
- Graduate Professional Development
- Resources for Students with Families
- Graduate Student Resources
- Cultural Centers
- Programs and Resources for Veterans and Active Duty Service Members
- Housing and Relocation Information
- Graduate Fellowships and Funding Opportunities
Recent Graduate Student Awards and Honors
Mazie Bernard, APSA Interpretive Methodologies and Methods Spotlight Scholar
Mitushi Mukherjee, Rotary Foundation Global Grant Scholarship for Peace and Conflict Prevention
Hanna Sistek, Rapoport Family Foundation Grant
Kaleigh Karageorge, Smithsonian Environmental Justice Fellowship
Scovia Aweko, World Bank Africa Fellowship
Catalina Vega-Mendez, Florida International Univ Green School of Intl and Public Affairs Pre-doctoral Fellowship
Sky Kunkel, Cornell University Predoctoral Research Fellowship
