Graduate Program

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Graduate Admissions

The application for Fall 2013 admission to the PhD program is now closed.  The application for Fall 2014 admission will be available in September 2013.  The principal goal of the Stanford Ph.D. program in political science is the training of scholars. Most students who receive doctorates in the program do research and teach at colleges or universities. Admission to the graduate program in political science is highly selective. About twelve to fifteen students, chosen from a large pool of applicants, enter the program each year.Before starting the application process, please read the information about the graduate program requirements and take a look at our list of Frequently Asked Questions.  The Department of Political Science does not offer a Master's program. Questions regarding graduate admissions should be directed to carambula [at] stanford [dot] edu (Chandelle Arambula).  

Graduate Program Requirements

Programs of study leading to the Ph.D. degree in political science are designed by the student, in consultation with advisers and the Director of Graduate Studies, to serve his or her particular interests as well as to achieve the program requirements.  The most current and complete information about degree requirements can be found in the Ph.D. Program Guide.  Students should also familiarize themselves with University requirements outlined in the Graduate Degrees section of the Stanford Bulletin.

Graduate Program Funding

The Department of Political Science typically provides five years of funding (tuition, stipend/salary, health insurance fees) to all students in good standing. However, students in all stages of the program are encouraged to apply for funding from outsides sources. In addition to the fellowship and grant opportunities administered by the School of Humanities and Sciences, there are numerous awards offered by area studies programs within Stanford, private foundations, and the federal government.