fully funded political science phd programs

College of Arts & Sciences

Ph.D in Government

Please explore further each of our fields of expertise:

• American Government
• Comparative Government
• International Relations
• Political Theory

Course scheduling and course information is available on the Schedule of Classes . Graduate Students should select a Term. Then “Government” as the Subject and choose “Advanced Search” and select “MN or MC Graduate” for Level.

The mission of the Government Department Ph.D. program is to provide students with the analytical skills and substantive knowledge needed to both generate and evaluate research in political science, preparing them for careers at the highest levels of scholarship and teaching. A Georgetown Ph.D. in Government signifies theoretical, methodological, and substantive expertise in various topics of political significance, as well as the research and communication skills necessary for productive scholarship.

The degree indicates that the recipient has acquired extensive knowledge in at least two fields, both typically drawn from the four major subfields of political science, but which may also include related fields such as history, security studies, or public policy. A Georgetown Ph.D. in Government is granted only to students who have demonstrated the ability to synthesize large quantities of information and rigorously evaluate the merits of competing theoretical and empirical arguments. The degree indicates that its holder has obtained the analytical and methodological skills to design and conduct original research of the highest quality. It further certifies that its holder has the written and oral communication skills necessary to engage with debates at the leading edge of the field. Individuals holding a Georgetown Ph.D. in Government are also equipped with the knowledge and skills to teach political science at the university level in both survey courses and specialized seminars.

Doctoral-level seminars taken during coursework are designed to familiarize students with the scholarly literature in at least two fields of study. Students gain a broad understanding of the development and major topics of research within these fields, as well as expertise in several more specialized areas. Students learn to evaluate and engage with the major scholarly debates in their fields of study, both in classroom discussion and in written work. All students learn the methodological skills needed to carry out original research in their respective fields.

Ph.D. students are required to take comprehensive examinations in one major. The purpose of comprehensive examinations is to demonstrate a student’s broad familiarity with the literature in his or her fields of study. This prepares students both as professional members of a scholarly community and as future teachers at the university level. Our doctoral students write dissertations that consist of rigorous original research that contribute to our understanding of a topic of empirical importance and theoretical significance to the field of political science. Once a dissertation of high quality is complete, there is a dissertation defense at which the student presents the results of his or her research and is questioned about the implications of the work for the field of political science by the dissertation committee.

In addition to the formal requirements of the doctoral program, students are encouraged and expected to participate in opportunities for professional socialization and development. All four subfields of the department organize speaker series to host scholars from other universities and promote intellectual exchange. Doctoral students are also encouraged to attend our seminars on various aspects of the academic profession, including teaching, publishing, and the job market.

Students acquire teaching skills in a number of settings. Many serve as teaching assistants for the larger undergraduate courses offered by the department, while others may have the opportunity to teach their own undergraduate-level seminars. Students may also take advantage of training seminars offered by the department, as well as the certification offered through the  Apprenticeship in Teaching Program  run by the  Center for New Designs in Teaching and Learning .

Doctoral students engage with the political science community outside of Georgetown by attending specialized seminars and presenting their research at academic conferences.

For students admitted with a Fellowship, we provide tuition and a stipend of $38,000. Typically students in their first year are assigned a service-free fellowship and will work on coursework and related research. In their second year, students normally are assigned service assistantships and and will typically serve as TA’s in GOVT courses or on other assignments. Students in their fourth year are assigned service assistantships and typically serve as an RA for a professor or some other assignment. In the fifth year, students usually also are service-free conditional on having successfully defended their dissertation prospectus and advanced to ABD status.

Our Ph.D. graduates have tenure-track jobs at many excellent institutions, including:

• American University
• Cornell University
• University of Wisconsin at Madison
• LBJ School of Public Policy at the University of Texas at Austin
• George Washington University
• George Mason University
• University of California at Riverside
• University of Michigan
• Villanova University
• Carleton University

In addition, our Ph.D.s have been winning prestigious fellowships, including ones from Harvard, Princeton and Brookings.

Part of our placement success is due to our strong record of working closely with students, including producing jointly authored articles.

All inquiries should be sent to [email protected] .

PhD Political Science

Program overview.

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Political Science program serves students interested in academic positions as well as research and policy careers. The department and its  faculty  are committed to providing doctoral students with an excellent educational experience through coursework, comprehensive examinations, and the dissertation. 

The curriculum introduces students to all four fields and also develops their research skills through a series of methodology courses. Students may develop a traditional, academic focus in one of the fields, or they may combine it with public policy to highlight a policy orientation.

The PhD in Political Science covers four major fields in the discipline:

• American Government and Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Public Policy

All PhD students are fully funded for 5 years via a Tuition Assistantship which includes stipend, full tuition, and student health insurance. Answers to frequently asked questions can be found here from the department and here from the College of Social Sciences and Humanities.

For more information on curricular requirements for the PhD program see the  Course Catalog .

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• PhD Program

Get more information about this graduate program.

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PhD Political Science

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PhD Political Science (On-Campus)

Dive deeply into US and global politics. Learn empirical methods that allow you to produce meaningful research with profound impact. Prepare yourself for university-level teaching.

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At the Heart of Policy and Politics

The PhD in Political Science at the School of Public Affairs draws from the breadth and depth of intellectual resources within the Department of Government and across American University, providing our students with rigorous substantive and methodological training. Students work closely with prominent scholars who have made major contributions to academic research and national and global policy via cutting-edge research and professional activities.

Our students organize their programs around a choice of three fields of study. For their primary and secondary fields, students specialize in American politics, comparative politics, or political methodology. Students may also take courses in other departments and schools within the university and even at other Washington, DC-area universities.

Learn and Make Professional Connections

In addition to their coursework, doctoral students are introduced into the discipline and make professional connections through a variety of research workshops in the Department of Government and the School of Public Affairs. They also benefit from exposure to activities, conferences, and research opportunities offered by the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies , the Women & Politics Institute , the Center for Data Science , and the Center for Environmental Policy , all of which are directed by Department of Government faculty.

Publish and Present

We encourage graduate students to present research papers at major academic conferences, co-author papers with faculty members, publish in top journals, and seek prestigious awards to fund their research. All students receive a yearly stipend to attend research conferences.

Become an Expert

Our students wield multiple skills at graduation. They have already produced original research and taught classes, and are prepared for careers in academia and beyond.

The PhD degree in Political Science requires 36 credit hours of approved graduate work. Most students complete 12 credits in their primary field of study, 12 credits in research design and methodology, 6 credits in their secondary field of study, and 6 credits of electives, which they choose in consultation with their advisor.

As work on the dissertation project progresses, students register for dissertation credit to maintain active status. They take  Doctoral Continuing Enrollment (GOVT-898)  during the third year of study and  Doctoral Dissertation (GOVT-899)  after their dissertation proposal is approved.

A minimum grade point average of 3.20 in all coursework is required to remain in good standing and to earn the degree. Full-time status is considered to be nine credit hours per semester. Students are expected to complete the degree in four to five years.

Students advance to PhD candidacy by successfully completing all required courses, passing a qualifier paper and two written comprehensive exams (one in each of their fields of study), and defending their dissertation proposal. To earn the degree, students must complete the dissertation and pass a final oral defense of the dissertation.

More information about course requirements can be found here .

For more information, please contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-6230 or  [email protected] .

Applicants are considered and students admitted for the fall semester only. Please refer to the  application deadlines  page for the deadline to apply. 

While previous academic or professional work in politics or political science is not required, applicants need to demonstrate a serious commitment to a career in this field. The personal statement on reasons for pursuing graduate study in the program is essential, along with the other required application materials .

We accept PhD applicants for full-time study only. Students must be funded either by the School of Public Affairs or by an external sponsoring organization (self-funding is not permitted for newly admitted doctoral students).

For more information, please contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-6230 or [email protected] .

The PhD in Political Science is a 36-credit-hour program. To estimate the cost of tuition, please see the  current cost per credit hour  for graduate students.

Unless applicants expect to be funded through a reliable external source, they must request consideration for funding on their application. Upon acceptance into the program, students selected for AU funding are granted a fellowship with full funding for four years of study, contingent on maintaining satisfactory progress each year. Some limited funding is available on a competitive basis for a fifth year of study.

As a requirement for the fellowship, students work 20 hours a week with a faculty member. If possible, our graduate office will assign students to faculty members with expertise in their areas of research interest. 

Students must advance to candidacy by the end of their third year of study to continue receiving funding.

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Doctoral Program

Program Overview

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. We offer courses and research opportunities in a wide variety of fields in the discipline, including American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Political Methodology. The program is built around small seminars that analyze critically the literature of a field or focus on a research problem. These courses prepare students for the Ph.D. comprehensive exam requirement within a two-year period and for work on the doctoral dissertation.

Admissions & Financial Support

Princeton has one of the largest and most intellectually diverse faculties in political science in the United States, while maintaining a graduate program of relatively modest size. Our department boasts top-ranked programs in the four major subfields of political science (American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory), as well as first-rate training in some smaller fields including public law and formal and quantitative methods. 

The Department encourages students to pursue interdisciplinary work, and it has established formal programs in political economy (the application of microeconomic theory to political phenomena), political philosophy (the study of the core concepts and principles of political life), and social policy (the study of economic insecurity and inequality). Many students pursue interdisciplinary training and research on a range of other topics as well. Our program is designed to be flexible and support students in their particular research agenda.

Admission Application (on The Graduate School website)

Admission Information

Financial Support

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Outside Fellowships

Visiting Students

The Department offers a Ph.D. program in Politics (we do not have a distinct M.A. program). We seek to train students to assume faculty positions at a range of institutions of higher education, and we have a strong history of successfully placing our students in academic positions. We support students pursuing a range of substantive research in the discipline, and offer extensive training in formal theory, statistics, and qualitative methods. On average, our incoming class consists of about twenty students, pursuing work across the discipline.  

Although we do not have a single formula for making admissions decisions, admission to the program is highly competitive.  Every student admitted to the program receives a fellowship offer that provides full funding for the graduate program, including five years of tuition, healthcare, and a living stipend that covers both the academic year and the summer (see financial support for more information). We separately require students to teach some discussion sections of undergraduate courses as part of their training (typically between the third and fifth years in the program), and encourage all students to work as research assistants to members of the faculty to gain practical experience with the research process.

The Department does not interview prospective students and does not encourage prospective students to visit campus prior to their admission to the program. Students who are admitted to the program will have an opportunity to visit campus and meet current faculty and students in the spring. Applications for admission are due in December and decisions are typically announced in February.

If you are a prospective student, please visit our plan of study  page for an overview of the program. You should also review the range of faculty research interests to help decide whether Princeton is the right place to continue your studies.

Details about the admission process can be found on our admission information  page and on the Graduate School website , and many questions about the admissions process and the program are answered on our  frequently asked questions  page.

Graduate Program

Pushing the Scholarly Frontier

PhD in Political Science

Our doctoral students are advancing political science as a discipline. They explore the empirical phenomena that produce new scholarly insights—insights that improve the way governments and societies function. As a result, MIT Political Science graduates are sought after for top teaching and research positions in the U.S. and abroad. Read where program alumni are working around the world.

How the PhD program works

The MIT PhD in Political Science requires preparation in two of these major fields:

• American Politics
• Comparative Politics
• International Relations
• Models and Methods
• Political Economy
• Security Studies

We recommend that you take a broad array of courses across your two major fields. In some cases, a single course may overlap across the subject matter of both fields. You may not use more than one such course to "double count" for the course distribution requirement. Keep in mind that specific fields may have additional requirements.

You are free to take subjects in other departments across the Institute. Cross-registration arrangements also permit enrollment in subjects taught in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Harvard University and in some of Harvard's other graduate schools.

Requirements

1. number of subjects.

You will need two full academic years of work to prepare for the general examinations and to meet other pre-dissertation requirements. Typically, a minimum of eight graduate subjects are required for a PhD.

2. Scope and Methods

This required one-semester seminar for first-year students introduces principles of empirical and theoretical analysis in political science.

3. Statistics

You must successfully complete at least one class in statistics.

You must successfully complete at least one class in empirical research methods.

5. Philosophy

You must successfully complete at least one class in political philosophy.

6. Foreign language or advanced statistics

You must demonstrate reading proficiency in one language other than English by successfully completing two semesters of intermediate-level coursework or an exam in that language, or you must demonstrate your knowledge of advanced statistics by successfully completing three semesters of coursework in advanced statistics. International students whose native language is not English are not subject to the language requirement.

7. Field research

We encourage you to conduct field research and to develop close working ties with faculty members engaged in major research activities.

8. Second Year Paper/workshop

You must complete an article-length research paper and related workshop in the spring semester of the second year. The second-year paper often develops into a dissertation project.

9. Two examinations

In each of your two elected fields, you must take a general written and oral examination. To prepare for these examinations, you should take at least three courses in each of the two fields, including the field seminar.

10. Doctoral thesis

As a rule, the doctoral thesis requires at least one year of original research and data collection. Writing the dissertation usually takes a substantially longer time. The thesis process includes a first and second colloquium and an oral defense. Be sure to consult the MIT Specifications for Thesis Preparation as well as the MIT Political Science Thesis Guidelines . Consult the MIT academic calendar to learn the due date for final submission of your defended, signed thesis.

Questions? Consult the MIT Political Science Departmental Handbook or a member of the staff in the MIT Political Science Graduate Office .

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Ph.D. Funding

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• Departmentally Awarded Fellowships

Fellowships to Support a Diverse Student Body

• Teaching Assistantships

Research Assistantships (RA)

Summer funding, funding after the first year, funding renewal after the first year, washington state residency, student loans.

Applicants who are admitted to the Political Science Graduate Program are considered for merit-based funding. No funding application is required. Our funding offers are aimed at supporting full-time graduate study with intensive research and teaching experiences. The strongest applicants are offered five years of funding from the department, provided satisfactory progress is maintained. We draw on fellowship, research assistantship, teaching assistantship, and summer funding resources in making competitive funding offers.

Full-funding awards, regardless of the categories of funding, amount to over $50,000 for the 2019-2020 academic year. This consists of a 3-quarter tuition waiver; a quarterly stipend of $7164 per quarter ($21,492 per year with three quarters of funding) ; and health insurance http://www.washington.edu/admin/hr/benefits/insure/gaip/index.html with medical, dental, and vision coverage for each quarter of fellowship or employment as an RA or TA. The stipends increase as one moves through the graduate program in reaching the MA and PhC milestones. As well, students benefit from union-negotiated salary increases.

Students are responsible for paying approximately $322 in quarterly student fees.

Departmentally-Awarded Fellowships

The department awards several prestigious fellowships for first year students. Named for a prominent professor of Political Science and a past Dean of the UW Graduate School, the J.Allen Smith Fellowship provides several new students with an opportunity to pursue their own research. In addition the admissions committee draws from the Donald R. Matthews Fellowship in American Politics, the Helen E. Christopherson Fellowship, and the Paul Speyer Scholarship and Fellowship to award additional promising graduate applicants fellowship support. Fellowship recipients are matched with a faculty mentor for the duration of the fellowship.

UW and External Fellowships

There are also a number of other UW and external fellowships for which prospective students may apply. Administered by the University of Washington's Jackson School of International: the Foreign Language and Area Study Fellowship (FLAS) for intermediate or advanced study of approved foreign languages is available to prospective domestic students. The deadline is in January. For information and application materials please contact: http://jsis.washington.edu/advise/flas/ . Information on other Jackson International and Area Fellowships for current and some prospective students can be found at the same site.

China Studies and other Jackson Programs require nomination by our department. Many of the fellowships are renewable for two or three years and we currently have first year and advanced students with fellowships in China Studies, Korean Studies, Russian Studies and REECAS (Russia, East Europe and Central Asia).

Additionally, the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies offers the Martha H. Duggan Fellowship , providing tuition and support for living or educational expenses for graduate students whose work focuses on labor. Preference for the award is given to students committed to researching or serving those who provided caring labor, or who themselves have provided caring labor or assisted partners or other family members in gaining advanced education.

Other non-UW external fellowships and awards for current graduate students can be found at this Graduate School site: http://grad.uw.edu/graduate-student-funding/for-students .

The University of Washington values the intellectual and social enrichment provided by those with varied personal experiences or who are from educationally or economically disadvantaged backgrounds and it designates financial resources to support these students. The Political Science department has been successful nominating under-represented applicants for the merit-based Graduate Opportunity Program (GOP) awards. These awards are for Research Assistantships and for Graduate Diversity Fellowships. Several of the later are two-year fellowships. These fellowships are only available to US citizens and permanent residents.

Teaching Assistantships (TA)

Teaching assistantships provide graduate students with a combination of employment and professional training in the teaching of political science. Teaching assistants are assigned to large undergraduate courses, usually in their major fields of interest, and are provided with office space. Duties include attending lecture, teaching quiz sections (subgroups of the large lecture), and grading papers and assignments. Political Science teaching assistants are also employed by the Department of English's Interdisciplinary Writing Program. These TAs teach writing skills to Political Science undergraduates. The time commitment is 20 hours per week.

In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences and the department provide funding to hire advanced Political Science TAs for positions as Lead TA, Director of the Writing Center and Computor Lab Assistant. The writing center Director works 20 hours per week in the Political Science Advising Office.

Research assistantships provide a combination of employment and professional training in research. No application is required for a RA position as applicants will be considered for these opportunities as part of the admissions process and as openings arise. Students with research assistantships gain the valuable experience of working with faculty on a faculty research project or in an affiliated research center. Examples of centers directed by Political Science faculty are: the Center for American Politics and Public Policy, the Center for Communication and Civic Engagement, the Washington Institute for the Study of Ethnicity and Race, and the Center for Labor Studies . The time commitment for research assistants is a maximum of 20 hours per week.

Continuing students who are on campus during the summer are typically engaged in a variety of activities that provide financial support: on fellowship; as Research Assistants with faculty and research centers; in department hourly positions such as in the advising office; or in language study on FLAS or other foreign language fellowships. More advanced students are often abroad on language and dissertation grants and are studying or conducting fieldwork. Many of our graduate students who have reached Candidacy teach independently in the Political Science department summer programs.

Funding from the department after the first year is usually in the form of TAships. A number of continuing students have opportunities as RAs or in special assignments as described above or statistical consulting. Continuing students are eligible to apply for department graduate research awards, travel grants, and compete for graduate paper prizes and teaching awards.

The department has also been successful in funding advanced graduate students who are beyond eligibility for TAships and many graduate students find Teaching Assistant positions in areas related to their research in other social science departments. Almost all advanced students teach at least one independent class before leaving this degree program. (With a number of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the area, many graduate students find part-time employment teaching classes outside the University of Washington as well.) Moreover, students are encouraged to compete for dissertation fellowships that are offered both by the department and by the UW Graduate School.

Students frequently engage in the entrepreneurial work required of scholars by applying for funding outside the department . Many Political Science comparativists with an area studies interest have been awarded Foreign Language and Area Study Fellowships (FLAS) for advanced language study and research. Political Science graduate students also regularly receive prestigious national fellowships, such as those offered by the Fulbright Commission, Social Science Research Council, and National Science Foundation.

During the first five years of funding eligibility all Graduate students must reapply annually for the renewal of their eligibility. Funding applications are reviewed by the department's Financial Aid Committee, which is comprised of four faculty. Students who maintain satisfactory progress will retain their funding eligibility. ( see “Political Science Department Policies Governing TA and other Department Funding Eligibility Renewal” in the Graduate Student Guide ).

Students beyond their fifth year of funding may apply and will be considered for positions based on availability and a number of factors including past TA performance, academic performance, and year in the program.

Although the university provides out-of-state students who are employed in graduate assistant positions with waivers of non-resident tuition, the department strongly encourages all US citizens, permanent residents, and those with Refugee status or holding eligible visas to begin the process of establishing Washington residency upon their arrival in the state. Having residency can be critical in the event of unfunded quarters as Washington state residents pay almost 60% less in tuition than their out-of-state counterparts. Residency for tuition purposes is unavailable to those holding F or J visas.

Students who have additional financial need may apply for student loans or work-study . The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available from college Financial Aid Offices (including from UW) or may be completed and submitted online. For priority consideration, your FAFSA must be dated as received by the federal application processor according to the current deadline.

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• PhD in Political Science

The Graduate Program in Political Science offers an intellectually stimulating and collegial environment for the training of PhD candidates. The program is highly selective, enrolling an average of six students a year, all of whom receive full funding. The Graduate Faculty of Political Science at Boston University is a diverse community of scholars stretching across several departments and schools. Students may also take advantage of the broader resources in the Boston area. Entering students must have a BA or MA. The program trains students in research and teaching methods, preparing them for positions in colleges and universities, research institutions, and government agencies. For a complete description of our program, please visit our website .

Learning Outcomes

• Produce and defend an original and significant contribution to knowledge in the discipline of political science.
• Demonstrate mastery of subject material by developing a minimum level of competence in five of the six fields of political science (American politics, public policy, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and methodology) and a high level of competence in two of these fields.
• Participate in professional academic community activities, such as attending local seminar series, presenting papers at conferences, and submitting papers to academic journals.
• Be able to teach the discipline at the undergraduate level.

Course Requirements

Students are required to complete 64 graduate-level credits. Those entering the program from a Boston University MA program will be able to transfer over some of their course credits by arrangement with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS).

Selection of courses must be approved by the DGS. Courses may be drawn from the offerings of the Department of Political Science as well as other disciplines such as economics, history, mathematics and statistics, philosophy, and sociology, subject to the following requirements:

Core Seminars

Four Core Seminars should be completed in year 1:

• GRS PO 711 Approaches to the Study of American Politics
• GRS PO 751 Approaches to the Study of Comparative Politics
• GRS PO 771 Approaches to the Study of International Relations
• GRS PO 791 Approaches to the Study of Political Theory

Methodology

Three out of four graduate-level methodology courses are required:

• GRS PO 841 Quantitative Research Methods
• GRS PO 842 Qualitative Approaches to the Study of Political Science
• GRS PO 843 Techniques in Political Analysis: Maximum Likelihood Estimation
• GRS PO 844 Methods for Causal Inference

Students may petition the DGS to replace one or more of these courses with equivalent or more advanced courses from other departments.

Research Workshop

Two semesters of GRS PO 903/904 Research Workshop must be taken in years 2 or 3.

Professional Development

GRS PO 702 Professional Development for PhD Candidates in Political Science must be taken in years 2 or 3.

Language Requirement

There is no general language requirement. However, if knowledge of a foreign language is necessary for their research, students are encouraged to develop that competence prior to defending their PhD proposal.

Qualifying Examinations

As one element of the qualifying examination, students must submit an independent research paper of high quality. Typically, this will involve the substantial revision, expansion, and polishing of a graduate seminar paper. In addition, timed qualifying examinations are given in two fields of the student’s choosing: American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, and methodology. After passing all three elements of the qualifying exam, students proceed to their dissertation work.

Dissertation and Final Oral Examination

Candidates shall demonstrate their abilities for independent study in a dissertation representing original research. Candidates must undergo a final oral examination in which they defend their dissertation before their committee and any others who may wish to attend. All portions of the dissertation and final oral examination must be completed as outlined in the GRS General Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree .

Any student who has successfully completed all course requirements and has passed the qualifying exam may request that a master’s degree be granted.

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Graduate Program

Phd requirements.

The Political Science department at UC Berkeley admits students only for the Ph.D. degree. The Ph.D. program has two major phases: coursework and examinations, and dissertation research and writing. The two phases typically take approximately five or six years (three years to candidacy and two or three for dissertation research and writing).

The coursework and examination phase requires 40 units (typically 10 classes) of graduate-level coursework and competence in three of nine  Subfields . Subfield competence is demonstrated through written exams offered each semester. The Field Exams are typically taken in the student's second and third years of the program. All students must pass one exam in a major subfield (Comparative, American, International Relations, or History of Political Theory). Competency in a second and third subfield may be demonstrated by taking a prescribed series of courses in that field with a combined GPA of 3.5.

The particular sequence of courses that a student takes in preparation for the comprehensive exams is not prescribed. Rather, the faculty assist students with selection of courses that best meet their intellectual and academic interests. There are no formal foreign language or statistics requirements although many students will find that their program of study and dissertation research will require the engagement of particular foreign language or methodology coursework.

When the coursework and examination requirements have been met, the student prepares a prospectus for dissertation research. The student convenes a committee known as the Qualifying Exam (QE) committee. The Qualifying Exam committee advises on the prospectus and examines the student on specific research plans. Berkeley is highly committed to interdisciplinary scholarly engagement and this is codified in the requirement that both the Qualifying Exam committee and the dissertation committee include a faculty member from another department at Berkeley. Engagement with members of the faculty from other departments should commence during the coursework stage so that the advisement and input of the "outside member" is represented in the prospectus.

When sufficient preparation for the proposed research has been demonstrated to the Qualifying Exam committee, the student is advanced to doctoral candidacy. It is expected (and for most funding packages, required) that students advance to doctoral candidacy by the end of their third year.

Doctoral candidacy initiates the second phase of the program during which the student normally devotes full attention to the research and writing of the dissertation. The student's dissertation committee is typically comprised of the members of the Qualifying Exam committee although there are sometimes changes in committee membership as the research evolves. The doctorate is awarded when the student submits a satisfactory dissertation to the dissertation committee. A reasonable estimate of the research and writing phase of the program is approximately two to three years although students whose dissertations require more extensive research may take longer to earn their degree.

• Second year
• Sixth year and beyond

The second year is used to further narrow down one's interests and to continue exploring ideas and potential advisors for a dissertation topic. Coursework continues as students prepare for the M.A./Second Year Paper and Field Exam.

Students who plan to continue in the Ph.D. program are expected to engage in advanced topical research leading to a research paper to be completed by the end of the second year, together with any additional coursework appropriate to their topical focus. Three faculty members (one of whom is selected by the student and serves as principal advisor for the paper) will review this paper. This paper, which continuing students will submit at the end of their second year, also serves as the M.A. project.

Completion of a yearlong graduate seminar (Research & Writing 290A and 290B) during the second year is strongly recommended.  Each student taking this course is advised by a faculty advisor external to the course (who will also serve as one reviewer of the second-year paper) as well as the two co-instructors of the seminar. The goal of the seminar is to assist students in preparing a high-quality research paper, which will serve as the M.A./Second-year paper as mentioned above.

All students are reviewed at the end of the second year of study on their continued overall academic performance. This overall evaluation will include GPA, successful completion of all required units, and successful completion of the M.A./Second-year paper. The Graduate Studies Committee will take these factors as well as the rigor of the academic program and the number of incompletes into consideration when determining whether to invite the student to continue in the PhD program.

Students in their second year also usually serve as a Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs), which are 20-hour per week positions

During the third year, most students continue to teach as GSIs and complete their coursework in addition to taking their Field Exam. Political Science graduate students must show competency in three Subfield specialties to be eligible to sit for the oral prospectus defense (known formally as the Qualifying Exam). Instead of sitting for three Field Exams, students have the option to "course out" of two field specialties by taking a prescribed set of three-four courses in the Subfield.

Students may sit for the Field Exam as early as the beginning of the second year, but if desired, students may sit for an exam in their second year or in the third year. Field Exams are offered at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. All students are expected to have completed their Field Exam, to have “coursed out” of a two fields, and to have written and defended their dissertation prospectus (passed their Qualifying Exam) by the end of the third year. It is highly recommended (and essential to most funding packages) that students advance to Doctoral Candidacy by the end of the third year. The third year is also when students should begin to apply for extramural fellowships to support their dissertation research.

POLSC-PHD - Political Science (PhD)

Program overview, doctor of philosophy in political science.

The principal goal of the Stanford PhD 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. We offer courses and research opportunities in various disciplines, including American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Political Methodology. The program is built around small seminars that critically analyze the literature of a field or focus on a research problem. These courses prepare students for the PhD comprehensive exam requirement within two years and for work on the doctoral dissertation. 

See Graduate Degrees for the university’s basic requirements for the PhD degree.

Admission to the Ph.D. Program

Admission to the PhD program is highly competitive. The selection of PhD students admitted to the Department of Political Science is based on an individualized, holistic review of each application, including (but not limited to) the applicant’s academic record, the letters of recommendation, the scores on the General GRE (Graduate Record Examination), the statement of purpose, and the writing sample. About 12-15 students, chosen from a large pool of applicants, enter the program annually. These students are selected based on a solid academic background, as evidenced by previous studies, test results, writing samples, and letters of recommendation.

General GRE scores are required of all applicants. Scores from any GRE subject tests are not required. There are no exceptions to the GRE requirement, and no other exams (including the LSAT or GMAT) are accepted instead of the GRE.

Before starting the application process, applicants should read the Admissions  section of the department website, especially the Frequently Asked Questions . All questions regarding graduate admissions should be directed to the Political Science Student Services office.

The Graduate School

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Political Science: PhD

Graduate Program in Political Science

Program Handbook

In an exceptionally collaborative department, political science graduate students at Notre Dame learn from more than 45 faculty members, many of whom are nationally and internationally recognized scholars. Faculty interests are diverse, making it possible for graduate students to explore almost any area of political science and most regions of the world. The program boasts excellence in American politics; comparative politics; constitutional studies; international relations; and political theory. Political science also features a minor subfield in methodology that students can study in addition to their major subfield requirements.

Last updated: 08/31/2023

• GRE General Test required
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo for non-native speakers of English
• Curriculum vitae or resume
• Statement of intent
• Three letters of recommendation
• Writing sample(s) - refer to program site for details
• Unofficial transcripts from each post-secondary institution required at the time of application. (Official transcript showing conferral of a bachelor's degree due upon enrollment.)

Sebastian Rosato Director of Graduate Studies Phone: 574-631-0378 Email: [email protected]

https://politicalscience.nd.edu/graduate-program/

30 Fully Funded Ph.D. Programs

These fully funded Ph.D. programs are in fields like business, computer science, education and nursing.

(Getty Images) |

Many Ph.D. programs are fully funded.

Students interested in graduate research in various fields, from public health and English to computer science and engineering, have numerous options for Ph.D. programs that offer full funding. These programs typically provide waived tuition and fees and an annual stipend. Some also offer health insurance and other benefits. Gaining admittance into these small cohorts can be highly competitive, and the programs can be time-consuming . Here are 30 fully funded Ph.D. programs at U.S. colleges and universities. Keep in mind this is not a comprehensive list – there are others out there.

• Ph.D. in anthropology at the University of Chicago

Anthropology Ph.D. students at the University of Chicago can receive funding for up to eight years of study, assuming they are in good standing at the university. During that time, they will receive a full-tuition scholarship plus health insurance and a living stipend – which equated to $33,000 for the 2022-2023 school year – and can apply for external fellowships.

Ph.D. in biological sciences in public health at Harvard University (MA)

Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health in Boston offers a Ph.D. in biological sciences in public health that aims to provide students with expertise in disease prevention and treatment. This program includes tuition, a stipend and health insurance for five years as long as the student maintains satisfactory academic progress. International students receive the same benefits. Current research in the school's laboratories involves diseases like AIDS, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, malaria and tuberculosis.

(Dominick Reuter) |

• Ph.D. in business at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Students enrolled in the Sloan School of Management at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology can study a range of fields like organization studies, accounting and information technology. Those pursuing a Ph.D. will receive a full-tuition scholarship plus a monthly stipend of $4,267, capped at $51,204. They will also receive medical insurance, new laptops at the beginning of their first and fourth years of study and $4,500 over five years for conference travel expenses.

(Tommy Lavergne | Rice University)

Ph.D. in business at Rice University (TX)

At the Rice University Jones Graduate School of Business in Texas, students enjoy full financial assistance upon admission to the Ph.D. program. Aiming to prepare students to teach in fields like accounting, finance, organizational behavior and strategic management, the program provides students with a research or teaching assistantship. Students receive a tuition waiver and a $40,000 annual stipend contingent on making satisfactory academic progress and maintaining full-time student status.

Office of Strategic Communication | University of Iowa

• Ph.D. in business at the University of Iowa

The University of Iowa's Tippie College of Business offers Ph.D. degrees in fields such as accounting, economics, business analytics and marketing. The college says it provides full funding to "virtually all admitted students." This includes tuition and fees, a minimum nine-month stipend of about $20,000 with annual adjustments and comprehensive health insurance covered at 90%. Some departments offer funding for research presentations at major conferences, summer fellowships and paid time off for independent research.

Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Cornell University (NY)

According to Cornell University 's website, all students admitted to the chemical engineering Ph.D. program at the New York school receive a full tuition waiver, health insurance and a stipend. This funding can come from a teaching assistantship, research assistantship or fellowship, and full stipends are granted for nine months with the likelihood of additional aid in the summer.

Chris Taggart | Columbia University

Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Columbia University (NY)

Students enrolled in Columbia University 's Ph.D. program in clinical psychology at the Teachers College in New York receive fully funded tuition and a $25,000 stipend annually for three years. The stipend also carries into a student's fourth year. These doctoral fellows "may be expected to serve" as graduate teaching or research assistants. Students typically complete the mentor-matched program, which includes a full-year internship, in five to seven years.

Ph.D. in computer science at Brown University (RI)

Brown University 's Ph.D. students in computer science have access to "full financial support while completing the degree," plus the option to take classes at nearby schools without incurring additional costs, according to the school's website. In fact, doctoral students in any program at the Rhode Island university are guaranteed five years of financial support, which includes tuition remission, a stipend, health services fees and a subsidy for health insurance.

Georgetown University |

Ph.D. in computer science at Georgetown University (DC)

Georgetown University 's Ph.D. program in computer science provides scholarships and assistantships that cover full tuition at the Washington, D.C., school and include a stipend and health insurance for the first five years. Once enrolled in the program, students must complete the Apprenticeship in Teaching Program and ultimately write and defend a full research dissertation in a seminar open to the public.

Ph.D. in computer science at Washington University in St. Louis

Ph.D. students in the computer science or computer engineering program at Washington University in St. Louis receive full tuition support and health insurance. According to the university's website: "As a doctoral candidate, you will also receive a generous stipend to cover living expenses and a new, high-end Apple laptop computer. This support is guaranteed as you continue to make satisfactory progress towards your degree." Doctoral students may also qualify for one of three fellowships.

Jeff Miller | UW-Madison

• Ph.D. in counseling psychology at the University of Wisconsin—Madison

Incoming Ph.D. students at the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin—Madison are guaranteed full funding for the duration of the time that they are expected on campus, according to the university's department of counseling psychology website. Doctoral students also receive a benefits package that includes health insurance. Funding may come from financial aid, fellowships, assistantships and/or traineeships.

Emory University |

Ph.D. in economics at Emory University (GA)

Students enrolled in the economics Ph.D. program at Emory University typically receive full funding, according to the Georgia university's website. The stipend provided to students is $36,376 per year for five years, starting in fall 2023, and the full tuition scholarship is worth $70,200 per year. Funding for admitted students also includes a $4,370 annual subsidy that covers 100% of a student's cost of health insurance. First-year students have no stipend-related work requirements.

• Ph.D. in education at New York University

New York University's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development offers more than 30 degree programs. Many can be pursued on campus or online. Ph.D. degrees are offered in areas like developmental psychology, educational leadership and childhood education. Full-time NYU Steinhardt Ph.D. students are eligible for a funding package that includes an annual stipend – $32,000 for the 2022-2023 academic year – tuition coverage for required coursework and student health insurance for five years.

L.A. Cicero, Stanford News Service |

Ph.D. in education at Stanford University (CA)

Stanford University's Graduate School of Education allows students numerous fellowship and assistantship opportunities at the California school, along with a "five-year funding guarantee that provides tuition aid, fellowship stipend, and assistantship salary, and covers the standard cost of attendance," the program website reads. At the Graduate School of Education, doctoral students can choose from a range of academic areas like curriculum studies and teacher education, and developmental and psychological sciences.

• Ph.D. in education at the University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education provides full funding to Ph.D. students as part of a fellowship and research apprenticeship package. This funding includes a living stipend, health insurance and coverage of tuition and fees for up to four years if the student maintains full-time enrollment. Some students may also qualify for additional summer funding.

• Ph.D. in engineering at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor

Doctoral students in engineering at the University of Michigan—Ann Arbor can choose from numerous areas of specialization under umbrella categories like aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, macromolecular science and engineering, and robotics. All engineering doctoral students are guaranteed full funding, a monthly living stipend and health insurance. The exact amount can vary, according to the program's website, and funding comes from a range of sources, including graduate student instructor positions and fellowships.

Boston University Photography |

• Ph.D. in English at Boston University

Annually, doctoral students studying English at Boston University receive a stipend plus full tuition, fees and basic health insurance. This funding is guaranteed for at least five years, with two of those years typically free from teaching requirements. Funding can sometimes be extended up to seven years, according to the university's website, but it's not guaranteed. Students may also apply for various prizes, fellowships and short-term research and travel grants.

(Stephanie Diani) |

• Ph.D. in English at the University of California—Los Angeles

Applicants to the Ph.D. in English program at the University of California—Los Angeles are automatically considered for various funding options. A six-year funding package includes "a minimum of two years of full fellowship, four years of summer stipend support and up to four years of teaching assistantships," according to the school website. Beyond tuition, fees and health insurance are also covered.

Jeff Watts |

Ph.D. in international relations at American University (DC)

American University offers doctoral students in its international relations program who do not have external funding a renewable four-year Dean's Fellowship that is contingent on making satisfactory academic progress. The fellowship includes the cost of tuition, fees and a stipend that must be earned via a part-time role as a teaching or research assistant. Students also must "demonstrate competency in a modern foreign language" before graduating.

Jonathan Cohen | Binghamton University

• Ph.D. in management at Binghamton University—SUNY

All students admitted to the interdisciplinary management Ph.D. program at the Binghamton University—SUNY School of Management in New York receive a combination of a full-tuition scholarship and a teaching or research assistantship for each academic year, up to four years. This STEM-designated business doctoral degree prepares students for careers in academia and work in the public and private sectors, and has a student-faculty ratio of 1-to-1, according to the university's website.

Duke University Communications |

Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Duke University (NC)

Doctoral students at Duke University in North Carolina studying materials science and engineering generally receive full tuition, a stipend and fee support for the first five years. Students also receive up to six years of health insurance if they are on the university's student medical insurance plan. The doctoral program aims to help students publish with a faculty adviser and develop research skills, with the opportunity to present research at professional conferences.

Homewood Photography | JHU

Ph.D. in nursing at Johns Hopkins University (MD)

The School of Nursing at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland provides most doctoral students with three fully funded years of study. Available financial aid includes graduate assistantships, targeted fellowships and nursing-specific funding. The university aims to "advance the theoretical foundation of nursing practice and healthcare delivery" with the degree, its website reads. "By graduation, most Hopkins nurse scholars have been awarded grants that continue their research and set them well on their way to a successful career."

• Ph.D. in nursing at the University of Virginia

All students admitted to the University of Virginia 's Ph.D. in Nursing program are eligible for four years of scholarship funding to cover tuition, insurance and fees, as well as annual stipends. To receive certain aid, students must work 10 hours per week as a graduate teaching assistant. With a heavy research focus, students can expect courses in qualitative, quantitative and historical research, and will have to submit a research proposal for peer review.

Ph.D. in nursing at Yale University (CT)

At Yale University in Connecticut, the School of Nursing offers full funding to its Ph.D. students. They receive a monthly stipend for four years in addition to paid tuition and health care. The program allows students to gain in-depth knowledge in a particular area of study. Every incoming Ph.D. student gets paired with a faculty adviser "whose area of expertise and active research most closely matches with the student’s scholarly interest," according to the school's website.

University of Minnesota |

• Ph.D. in psychology at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities

Students admitted to the Ph.D. program to study psychology at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities are guaranteed full funding for five years as long as they maintain satisfactory performance and degree progress. This funding includes full-time tuition, a nine-month stipend and subsidized health insurance. Funding comes from some combination of teaching assistantships, traineeships, research assistantships and fellowships. Students in the program can specialize in areas like cognitive and brain sciences, industrial-organizational psychology and social psychology.

Matt Cashore | University of Notre Dame

Ph.D. within the Romance languages and literatures department at the University of Notre Dame (IN)

University of Notre Dame doctoral students who focus on French and Francophone studies, Iberian and Latin American studies or Italian studies are guaranteed five years of funding. Funding includes a full scholarship, including tuition and fees, plus a stipend and health insurance. Anyone who completes the Ph.D. degree requirements at the Indiana university within five years will automatically receive a one-year postdoctoral fellowship via the university's 5+1 Program. Fellows will have a teaching load limited to one course per semester.

Ph.D. in social work at Bryn Mawr College (PA)

Students admitted to Bryn Mawr College 's Ph.D. program in social work receive full tuition waivers and "substantial stipends" toward living expenses. The Pennsylvania college's website says: "Consistent with our model, all Ph.D. students are funded equally, and do not compete for basic financial support during coursework." The program's cohorts typically include only three or four students each year. According to the college, it awarded the first Ph.D. degree in social work in the U.S. in 1920.

Vanderbilt University |

Ph.D. in special education at Vanderbilt University (TN)

Funding is guaranteed for all admitted doctoral students enrolled in the special education Ph.D. program at the Peabody College of Education and Human Development at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee. This includes full tuition, a "competitive" monthly stipend and health insurance for up to four years. Students may also be nominated for additional honor scholarships and fellowships. Areas of focus within the Ph.D. program include high-incidence disabilities and early childhood education.

Ph.D. in theatre and drama at Northwestern University (IL)

This interdisciplinary Ph.D. program at Northwestern University in Illinois combines coursework in humanities, social science and the visual arts. The program's students receive a five-year full-tuition scholarship plus an annual living stipend. Ph.D students enrolling at this program in fall 2022 will receive a living stipend of at least $36,960 during the 2023-2024 school year. Stipend amounts may change from year to year. Students can apply for subsidies to facilitate conference travel and summer language study.

(Photo by Sarah L. Voisin | The Washington Post via Getty Images)

• Ph.D. in women, gender and sexuality studies at University of Maryland

At the University of Maryland 's Harriet Tubman Department of Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies, Ph.D. students without a master's degree usually have five years of guaranteed funding. Those with a master's degree usually are funded four years, with awards stemming from a mix of departmental fellowships and graduate teaching assistantships. Since the program's establishment in 1999, the department has granted 36 Ph.Ds, according to UMD's website.

Learn more about paying for graduate school.

Finding a fully funded program isn't the only option to offset the costs of graduate school. See these seven strategies to pay for graduate school to learn more. Check out the latest Best Graduate Schools rankings to see the country's top business, medicine and law programs – and more. For additional grad school tips, follow U.S. News Education on Facebook , Twitter and LinkedIn .

Ph.D. programs that are fully funded

• Ph.D. in biological sciences in public health at Harvard University
• Ph.D. in business at Rice University
• Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Cornell University
• Ph.D. in clinical psychology at Columbia University
• Ph.D. in computer science at Brown University
• Ph.D. in computer science at Georgetown University
• Ph.D. in computer science at Washington University—St. Louis
• Ph.D. in economics at Emory University
• Ph.D. in education at Stanford University
• Ph.D. in international relations at American University
• Ph.D. in materials science and engineering at Duke University
• Ph.D. in nursing at Johns Hopkins University
• Ph.D. in nursing at Yale University
• Ph.D. within the romance languages and literatures department at the University of Notre Dame
• Ph.D. in social work at Bryn Mawr College
• Ph.D. in special education at Vanderbilt University
• Ph.D. in theatre and drama at Northwestern University

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Department of Political Science

Ph.D. Aid and Awards

All political science Ph.D. students receive the following standard support for the duration of their program, subject to making satisfactory progress towards the degree:

• Full university tuition scholarship
• Health insurance
• Twelve-month stipend ($34,00 base stipend for 2023-24)

Students work as a resident assistant or a teaching assistant for four of the funded years and have two semesters service-free to be used when needed. Applicants with outstanding records will be considered for University or Provost’s Graduate Fellowships , which provide a supplementary stipend in addition to the usual financial aid award (up to $5,000 per year for three years, with the possibility of renewal).

Additional Support Options

Political science Ph.D. students can apply for a variety of additional support options, including funding from both Vanderbilt and external sources.

Departmental Grants and Awards

Departmental research and training fellowships.

Amount: Varies, depending on the needs of the project and the total amount available for distribution   Eligibility: All political science Ph.D. students

Erwin Hargrove Outstanding TA Award

Amount: $250

Eligibility: All political science Ph.D. students who have been a TA in the prior academic year

Special Requirements: The department presents an award to an outstanding TA each year. Students may self-nominate and faculty may nominate students with whom they have worked. A student may win this award only once in their career.

Outstanding Research Paper Award

Eligibility: All political science Ph.D. students

Special Requirements: Papers presented at scholarly conferences, completed for coursework, or accepted for publication over the past academic year, including the summer before the previous academic year, are eligible. A paper may not win this award twice, that is, it cannot win in one year as a conference paper and in the following year as an article publication. Only papers written by doctoral students are eligible. Students are invited to self-nominate. A student may only have one paper per year under consideration for this award, and this includes co-authored papers. A paper is eligible only if all co-authors are current Vanderbilt students.

Vanderbilt Graduate School Grants and Awards

University graduate fellowships.

Amount: Up to $5,000 per year for three years, with the possibility of renewal for years four and five   Eligibility: Vanderbilt University Ph.D. program applicants with outstanding records

Provost’s Graduate Fellowships Award

Amount: Up to $5,000 per year for three years

Eligibility: Promising Ph.D. students in, or applicants to, the College of Arts and Science who are from traditionally excluded or underrepresented backgrounds

Vanderbilt Travel Grants

Graduate students are encouraged to undertake professional development and to present their research at major regional, national, and international conferences. Vanderbilt provides various travel grants to help defray the expenses of attending and presenting at conferences.

Graduate School Travel Grants

Amount: Up to $500 per budget year (July 1-June 30) Eligibility: Students who have completed at least one academic year at Vanderbilt Special Requirements: Available for domestic or international travel. Students may receive up to three travel grants during their tenure at Vanderbilt. For more information about travel grants, please see the Graduate School website .

Graduate Leadership Institute (GLI) Travel Grant

Amount: Up to $1,000 Eligibility: Graduate students seeking opportunities to further their professional and/or academic development, for which funding is commonly unavailable Special Requirements: See the Russell G. Hamilton Graduate Leadership Institute website .

Graduate Student Council (GSC) Travel Grant

Amount: Up to $500 Eligibility: Active members of GSC who are attending academic events (such as conferences, symposia, or workshops) for the purpose of presenting personal research. Special Requirements: Awarded to five students per semester. All travel funds must be approved by the GSC travel award committee prior to the event. For more information about travel grants, see the Graduate School website .

Federal and External Grants and Awards

Vanderbilt graduate students also have access to SPIN, a searchable database listing thousands of external funding opportunities. Learn more about establishing a SPIN profile and searching for funding opportunities.

Apply to Vanderbilt             Plan Your Ph.D.             Admissions

FellowshipBard

Fully funded phd programs in political science 2024.

Are you holding Master’s degree in Political Science and looking for fully funded PhD positions in Political Science? Multiple Universities invite online application for multiple fully funded PhD Programs / fully funded PhD positions in Political Science.

Candidates interested in fully funded PhD positions can check the details and may apply as soon as possible. Interested and eligible applicants may submit their online application for PhD programs via the University’s Online Application Portal. 

1. Fully Funded PhD in Political Science at George Washington University

Summary of phd program:.

A fully funded PhD in Political Science is available at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Students in the Ph.D. in Political Science program are prepared to be great researchers and scholars in top universities, policy think tanks, consulting firms, and US and foreign government organizations. Doctoral students build a curriculum around a major and minor topic of study, working in small classrooms and with experienced faculty mentors.

Funding is guaranteed for five years, subject to satisfactory progress.

Application Deadline: Dec 01, 2024

2. fully funded phd in politics at new york university  .

A fully funded PhD in Politics is available at New York University in New York, NY. The Ph.D. program’s purpose is to equip students to conduct research, teach, or work in applied settings at the greatest universities in the United States and around the world. Students have a tremendous deal of freedom in selecting courses.

All entering Ph.D. students are eligible for MacCracken fellowships, which provide five years of funding. Our current sponsorship comprises a tuition waiver and a stipend of around $27,000 per year for five years.

Follow FellowshipBard for daily updates!

3. Fully Funded PhD in Political Science at University of Minnesota  

The University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota, provides a fully funded PhD in Political Science. The graduate program includes courses in American politics, comparative politics, international politics, political theory, political economy, political psychology, human rights, and political methodology.

All graduate students admitted are promised five years of financial support in the form of fellowships, research and teaching assistantships, or graduate instructorships. Financial assistance includes a minimum annual stipend of $16,000, a summer fellowship stipend of $7,500, full tuition, health insurance, and travel support.

4. Fully Funded PhD in Political Science at Stanford University

Stanford University in Stanford, California, provides a PhD in Political Science that is fully funded. The training of academics is the purpose of this PhD program. They provide courses and research opportunities in a wide range of disciplines, including as American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Political Methodology.

The usual financial package offered to approved students includes tuition and a stipend for living expenses throughout the academic year. PhD students in good standing are eligible for 12 months of support per year for up to five years.

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5. fully funded phd in political science at university of north carolina.

The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, located in North Carolina, provides a fully funded PhD in Political Science. The PhD program is tiny and highly selective, with only about 15 students admitted each year. Our graduate program is designed to prepare students for professional jobs in political science.

The Graduate School at UNC provides scholarships and assistantships to the majority of students in the Department of Political Science. Graduate students must demonstrate the capacity to teach in English after the first year in order to be eligible for additional financial support.

6. Fully Funded PhD in Political Science at Vanderbilt University

Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, provides a PhD in Political Science that is fully funded. The PhD program focuses on three areas of political science: American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations. Students take courses in a variety of subfields and techniques.

For five years, Ph.D. candidates can expect to receive teaching/research assistantships that cover tuition, medical insurance, and a supplemental income stipend ranging from $14,000 to $30,000 per year.

Looking For More Funded PhD Programs? Click Here

7. fully funded phd in political science at university of notre dame.

The University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana, provides a PhD in Political Science that is fully funded. The PhD program provides students with exceptional chances for intellectual growth, professional development, and career success. With particular expertise in six areas: American politics, comparative politics, constitutional studies, international relations, methodology, and political theory.

The Department of Political Science provides extensive financial aid packages to Ph.D. students. Ph.D. students who are making good progress toward the degree are guaranteed funding, tuition, and fellowship for five years.

8. Fully Funded PhD in Political Science at Washington University in St. Louis

A fully funded PhD in Political Science is available at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri. The Ph.D. in political science program is intended to prepare students for academic careers in research and teaching at major institutions around the country. Active research groups in American politics and institutions, comparative politics, international political economy, positive and normative theory, and political methodology are available.

Students receive complete financing from the Graduate School, allowing them to pursue only classes during their first year of study. Summer project stipends average around $3,000.

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9. fully funded phd in political science at massachusetts institute of technology.

A completely funded PhD in Political Science is available at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, MA. MIT Political Science graduates are in high demand for top teaching and research jobs in the United States and around the world. American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Models and Methods, Political Economy, and Security Studies are required for the MIT PhD in Political Science.

The goal is to sponsor all new PhD students. Funding is awarded based on merit rather than need. The support package includes complete tuition, health insurance, and a 9-month stipend for five years, provided students maintain high academic standing.

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10. fully funded phd in political science at university of chicago  .

A fully funded PhD in Political Science is available at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois. Political science experts and students are conducting critical research on a wide range of themes, from American elections to the beginnings of the modern state.

For the course of their program, enrolled PhD students in good academic standing will receive full tuition, a stipend, and paid health insurance premiums. The annual stipend is currently $37,000.

Looking For Funded Scholarships Programs? Click Here

11. fully funded phd in political science at university of california-berkeley.

The University of California-Berkeley, located in Berkeley, California, offers a fully funded PhD in Political Science with an emphasis on International Relations. The Ph.D. program is divided into two parts: coursework and exams, and dissertation research and writing. All students must pass one major subfield test (Comparative, American, International Relations, or History of Political Theory) and one general exam.

Graduate students are supported by a combination of department fellowships, university multi-year fellowships, and teaching and research assistantships. The majority of entering students receive financing for five years.

12. Fully Funded PhD in Public Policy at Duke University

Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, provides a PhD in Public Policy that is fully funded. Duke’s PhD in Public Policy is unique in that it is fully interdisciplinary. The program provides a unique combination of depth in a discipline such as Economics, Political Science, Psychology, and Sociology, as well as the opportunity to focus on a specific policy issue such as social policy, global policy, health policy, or environmental policy.

They have committed to completely funding Public Policy PhD students for the next five years through a combination of scholarships, fellowships, research or teaching assistantships, and stipends, as long as students make adequate progress in the program.

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13. fully funded phd in public policy at university of michigan.

The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, offers a fully funded Joint PhD in Public Policy program. Candidates in the combined doctoral programs combine public policy studies with academic work at one of the University of Michigan’s top-ranked social science departments: economics, political science, or sociology.

All of our PhD students are funded for five years, subject on good performance. Tuition, health insurance, and a stipend are all covered by the funding. Fellowships, research assistantships, and teaching assistantships are all possible forms of assistance.

14. Fully Funded PhD Program in Peace Studies at University of Notre Dame

Notre Dame University in Notre Dame, Indiana, offers a fully funded PhD program in Peace Studies. History, political science, psychology, sociology, anthropology, and theology are among the six joint degree programs available with the Ph.D. in Peace Studies.

Incoming Ph.D. students are typically awarded a grant or assistantship that covers full tuition as well as a stipend for living expenses for five years. All graduate students enrolled to the Ph.D. Program in Peace Studies receive a full-tuition scholarship, a high stipend, and additional funding for research travel, conference presentations, and other professional development opportunities.

15. Fully Funded PhD in Public Policy and Management at University of Southern California

The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California, provides a fully funded PhD in Public Policy and Management. Students in the PhD program are prepared to affect the future of public affairs research. The curriculum combines multidisciplinary public policy and management training with rigorous methodological training and specialization in a policy area or topic such as economics, sociology, political science, or organizational theory.

All Ph.D. students are funded for four years by a combination of fellowships and graduate assistantships that give full tuition, a competitive stipend, and health and dental insurance year round. Students in their fourth year receive financial assistance through teaching or research assistantships.

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Graduate funding opportunities.

There are multiple funding opportunities available to graduate students in the Department of Political Science, detailed below. Please contact the Graduate Chair, Dr. Ingrid Haas , with questions.

Graduate Teaching Assistant positions

All Ph.D. applicants are considered for GTA positions at the time of application. GTA positions come with a stipend (currently $18,036 for the academic year), tuition remission, and subsidized health insurance. Students have the opportunity to serve as TA for faculty and/or teach their own independent courses. We do not currently have GTA positions available for MA students in the department. International students may be required to complete the Institute for International Teaching Assistants (ITA) at UNL prior to being assigned to a teaching position.

Graduate Research Assistant positions

Some of our students are funded as Graduate Research Assistants, typically by faculty research grants. These opportunities are available on an ad hoc basis depending on faculty funding.

Graduate Fellowships

At the time of application, we also consider eligible M.A. and Ph.D. students for available fellowships from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS). No additional application is needed. This typically includes Othmer Fellowships (PhD students), CAS Dean's Fellowships (PhD students), and Edgren Tuition Fellowships (MA students). More information on the OGS Fellowships is available at: https://graduate.unl.edu/funding/fellowships

Current graduate students may also be eligible for other Graduate Fellowships from OGS, also detailed here: https://graduate.unl.edu/funding/fellowships . Students must be nominated for these by the faculty, so current students are encouraged to discuss these with their PhD advisor and/or the Graduate Chair.

Conference Travel Funding

The department typically supports some conference travel for graduate students. Students can apply for departmental travel awards through the Graduate Chair. Other travel awards are available from OGS: https://graduate.unl.edu/funding/travel-awards and through the Graduate Student Assembly (GSA): https://www.unl.edu/gsa/graduate-travel-awards-program-gtap

Summer Research Fellowships

The department also supports student research in summer months through Summer Research Fellowships. Applications for these awards are typically accepted in Spring Semester and reviewed by the Graduate Committee. Typical awards are around $2000.

Summer Teaching Opportunities

Ph.D. students who have completed a M.A. degree are eligible to apply for summer teaching opportunities in the department. The Graduate Chair takes applications for these positions during Spring Semester.

For additional information:

UNL Tuition and Fees: https://studentaccounts.unl.edu/tuition-fees

UNL Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid: https://financialaid.unl.edu/

OGS Info on Tuition and Fees: https://graduate.unl.edu/admissions/tuition

OGS Application Fee Waivers: https://graduate.unl.edu/admissions/requirements#appfee

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Top Fully Funded PhD Programs

Karla Ibarra is a content writer at Scholarships 360. She has worked as an English teacher and writing tutor. As a writing tutor, she has experience editing scholarships and college application essays. Karla graduated from Texas A&M University with a degree in Communication and a minor in English.

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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania.

Fully funded PhD programs offer students seeking their doctor of philosophy degrees the ultimate experience. With the average cost of a PhD at nearly $100,000 , students are able to focus on their studies without worrying about paying for their degrees or living expenses. Keep reading to learn about some of the top fully funded PhD programs in a variety of majors.

What is a “Doctorate of Philosophy” degree?

A “doctorate of philosophy” degree, better known as a PhD, is among the highest level degrees in the United States. A PhD is awarded after the successful completion of an extensive research and writing project known as a dissertation. Students can earn a PhD in a variety of fields, with most majoring in the humanities or social sciences. 

Further reading: What is a PhD?

How we chose the fully funded PhD programs on our list

We looked for programs that have stellar reputations in their respective majors. It makes sense that the most reputable programs offer the resources that are most important to  PhD students. Working with distinguished professors in their field and having access to outstanding libraries, PhD students will be immersed in the ideal learning environment. 

Opportunities to learn under and network with the most well regarded academics is invaluable for students’ future careers. Finally, we looked for fully funded programs that include not only full tuition coverage, but also living stipends and health insurance. A few of the programs might require students to “give back” in the way of graduate assistantships , so keep that in mind as you read the fine print on each website. 

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The top fully funded phd programs.

The following list is in alphabetical order with no preference for one particular program. We included a variety of majors in different regions, but remember, this is just the start of an exhaustive listing of fully funded PhD programs across the USA and the world!

Boston College’s PhD in English

The PhD in English Program at Boston College prepares students for careers in academia or other English related fields. With a focus on critical thinking, writing, and research, the program explores  literature through abstract, cultural, and historical contexts. Students are able to focus on various literature periods, creative writing, and literary theory.. Working closely with renowned faculty, the program offers abundant resources and support services including fellowships and publishing opportunities. 

• Location: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
• Focus of study : Creative writing, critical theory, and literary and cultural studies
• What is included : Full tuition remission, health insurance, and a living stipend

Brown University PhD in Computer Science

Brown University offers a PhD program in Computer Science for students interested in a strong foundation in computer science theory and applications and opportunities to conduct research in collaboration with faculty and peers. Brown’s computer science department has research strengths in artificial intelligence, data science, cybersecurity, computer graphics, and theory. The program is designed to provide students with the skills and knowledge needed to conduct independent research in computer science and to prepare them for academic or industrial careers.

• Location: Providence, Rhode Island
• Focus of study : Algorithms, artificial intelligence, computer systems, databases, and more
• What is included : Full tuition, health insurance, and living stipend

Cornell University PhD in Chemical Engineering 

Cornell University offers a PhD program in Chemical Engineering to provide students with a broad foundation in chemical engineering principles and their application to solving real-world problems. The program aims to train students in core courses in chemical engineering, including transport phenomena, thermodynamics, and reaction engineering, while providing them with opportunities to conduct original research. Students in the program have access to state-of-the-art research facilities, funding opportunities, and a supportive community of faculty and fellow students.

• Location: Ithaca, New York
• Focus of study : Chemical engineering principles and research topics including biotechnology, energy, materials science, and process systems engineering
• What is included: Full tuition waiver, stipend, and health insurance

Duke University PhD in Literature

Duke University’s PhD program in literature prepares students for careers in academic research and teaching. The program offers a variety of courses in literary theory, criticism, and methodology, as well as opportunities to specialize in specific genres, periods, and cultures. The program also encourages interdisciplinary work, with opportunities to collaborate with scholars in other fields across the university. Graduates of the program have gone on to careers in academia, publishing, journalism, and other areas.

• Location: Durham, North Carolina
• Focus of study : Literary theory, research methods, and a range of cultural and literary texts
• What is included : Five years of living stipend, tuition, and fees support as well as six years of health and dental insurance

Harvard University PhD Program in Biological Sciences in Public Health

The PhD program in Biological Sciences in Public Health at Harvard University is designed for students who want to pursue research in the field of public health with a focus on biological sciences. The program focuses on the intersection of biology and public health, specifically emphasizing understanding the biological mechanisms underlying disease and developing strategies to prevent and treat illness. PhD students receive a rigorous education in both biological and public health sciences, preparing them to become leaders in advancing our understanding of human health and disease.

• Location: Boston, Massachusetts
• Focus of study : Cancer biology, environmental health, genetics, global health and infectious diseases.
• What is included : Competitive funding packages, including tuition waivers, stipends, and health insurance

Johns Hopkins University PhD in Nursing

The PhD in Nursing program at Johns Hopkins University is designed to prepare nurse scientists who will conduct research to advance nursing science and improve the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities. The program is designed to be interdisciplinary, integrating knowledge from nursing, social and behavioral sciences, and biostatistics. PhD students may work as nursing faculty members, researchers, or policymakers, contributing to advancing nursing practice and developing nursing knowledge.

• Location: Baltimore, Maryland
• Focus of study : Aging and dementia care, cardiovascular and chronic care, community and public health, health systems and outcomes, and more
• What is included: Full tuition with a stipend for the first three years of study

New York University PhD in Education

New York University offers a PhD in Education through its Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development. The program provides a solid foundation in education theory and research methods, including coursework, research apprenticeships, and independent research. Upon graduation, students are well-prepared to pursue careers in academia, research, policy, and leadership in educational organizations. They are also equipped with the skills and knowledge to contribute to developing and implementing policies and practices in education.

• Location: New York, New York
• Focus of study : Learning sciences, educational policy, educational technology, and curriculum development. 
• What is included: Annual stipend, tuition coverage for required course work, and health insurance through the fifth year

Princeton University PhD in Mathematics

Princeton University offers a PhD program in mathematics that is designed to prepare students for careers in academia, industry, or government. The program aims to provide a rigorous and comprehensive mathematics education, emphasizing both the theoretical foundations and applications of the discipline. Students take advanced courses in various mathematical fields, such as algebra, geometry, analysis, topology, and applied mathematics. Princeton’s program in mathematics is widely regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious and rigorous programs.

• Location: Princeton, New Jersey 
• Focus of study : Algebraic geometry, mathematical physics, number theory, and topology
• What is included: Full tuition and student health plan coverage

Rice University PhD in Business

Rice University offers a PhD in Business through its Jones Graduate School of Business, designed to prepare students for academic careers and research-oriented positions in industry and government. Students in the program take courses in microeconomics, econometrics, statistics, research methods, and business ethics. In addition to coursework and research, students in the program are encouraged to work as teaching or research assistants. Rice University’s PhD program provides students with a strong foundation in business theory and research methods, with opportunities to work with world-class faculty on cutting-edge research projects.

• Location: Houston, Texas
• Focus of study : Accounting, finance, management, marketing, and strategic management
• What is included : Waived tuition fees, a stipend to cover living expenses, health insurance, and may be eligible for research and travel funding to support their research projects

University of Chicago PhD in History  

The PhD program in History at the University of Chicago is a demanding but rewarding experience that prepares students for a career in academia as scholars or teaching in the field of history. The program focuses on developing students’ knowledge of cultural, intellectual, economic, political, and social history under the guidance of highly qualified faculty advisors. PhD students also have the opportunity to present their research at conferences and publish articles in academic journals.

• Location: Chicago, Illinois
• Focus of study : Ancient, contemporary, early modern, medieval, or modern history 
• What is included: Tuition, student health insurance, and a stipend for living expenses and research support

University of Michigan PhD in Engineering 

The PhD in Engineering at the University of Michigan is a top-rated program that prepares students for research and academic careers in various engineering disciplines, including biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical engineering, and many more. PhD students are equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct independent research, develop new technologies, and advance the engineering field. The University of Michigan has a strong reputation for research and innovation, and the PhD program in Engineering provides students with ample opportunities to collaborate with faculty and industry partners.

• Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan 
• Focus of study : Materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science.
• What is included: Tuition waiver, monthly living stipend, and health insurance 

University of North Carolina PhD in Media and Communication  

The PhD program in Media and Communication at the University of North Carolina provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in media and communication theories, research methods, and critical analysis. Students can tailor their studies to their research interests by choosing from a variety of electives and seminars offered by the department. Graduates of the program have gone on to work in academia, media organizations, research institutions, and other industries where communication skills and media literacy are highly valued.

• Location: Chapel Hill, North Carolina 
• Focus of study : Media and politics, journalism studies, digital media, global media, media effects, and cultural studies
• What is included: Tuition and fees for three years, health insurance, a $20,000+ annual stipend, and support for research and travel

Frequently asked questions about fully funded PhDs

What does 'fully funded phd' mean, can international students apply for fully funded phds, how long does a fully funded phd program take, do i need to have a master's degree to apply for a phd, what is the difference between a phd and a professional doctorate.

Keep reading: PhD vs. Doctorate: Everything You Need to Know

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6 Fully-Funded PhD Programs in Human Rights

Many universities are aware that qualified doctoral students cannot afford to study and conduct their own research for three or four years without receiving any financial support. For this reason, more and more universities have created fully funded opportunities for a Ph.D. study, either allocating their own funding or collaborating with an external partner such as the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), for example. The scholarships awarded typically cover not only the student’s tuition costs but also provide the student with a stipend to help towards their living costs. Here are six fully-funded Ph.D. programs in Human Rights offered each year by European universities.

University of Essex, the United Kingdom – Ph.D. in Human Rights

The University of Essex is one of the most prestigious institutions in the UK when it comes to teaching Human Rights. Its Human Rights Centre has over 80 faculty members who explore human rights from a variety of academic disciplines, including Law, Philosophy, and Sociology.

The Centre has established thirty research clusters, such as Armed conflict, Transitional justice, and Trafficking and human rights. Prospective candidates are encouraged to write a research proposal that broadly falls under one of these categories to ensure that they can have appropriate supervision at Essex.

As a Ph.D. candidate at the University of Essex, students will have many opportunities to learn, network, and share their work. For example, the University is a part of the Human Rights Ph.D. Triangle platform where Ph.D. candidates from the University of Cambridge, the London School of Economics and the Essex Human Rights Centre present and discuss their research.

Ph.D. studies in Human Rights at Essex can be fully funded through studentships offered by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and the Consortium of Arts and Humanities South-East England (CHASE).  These studentships cover the cost of tuition and include a living costs stipend.  CHASE Doctoral Studentships are currently available only to home and EU students. To apply, students should first hold an offer from the University to conduct their Ph.D. study. Next, candidates have to submit an outline of their research proposal, two references, as well as a summary of their education, training, and professional experience. Selected candidates are invited for an interview with their school or department.

Occasionally, the Human Rights Centre advertises theme-specific Ph.D. projects which are funded by doctoral studentships and open for both domestic and international candidates. To stay updated, visit this webpage .

University of Sussex, the United Kingdom – Ph.D. in Human Rights

The Human Rights Ph.D. program at the University of Sussex is taught by faculty members from several different departments including Law, Anthropology, and Philosophy. Academic supervisors and Ph.D. candidates work together to explore the relationships and roles of humans in processes such as poverty, violence, identity, and globalization. Unlike most other doctoral programs, this course takes four years to complete. During their studies, Ph.D. candidates are invited to join one of the many research centers or projects, and actively participate in workshops and seminars across departments.

To be eligible, candidates must hold a Master’s degree in a subject which is of relevance to their research interests. Furthermore, all candidates should provide a proposal for a research project they wish to conduct at Sussex and suggest faculty members who could be their potential supervisors. The proposal should be up to five pages long and has to clearly explain primary research questions and the ambition of the project.

Human Rights Ph.D. students at the University of Sussex can fund their doctoral students via University or external funding. When it comes to the University funding, the prestigious Chancellor’s International Research Scholarship is given to eleven Ph.D. students across faculties. Only overseas students can apply for this fully-funded scholarship. Furthermore, home and EU students are also eligible for an ESRC scholarship which would cover their tuition costs and provide them with a living stipend.

Lund University, Sweden – Doctoral Studies in Human Rights Studies

Lund University’s doctoral program in Human Rights is the only such program in Sweden. It adopts a multidisciplinary approach and incorporates the study of History, Law, Philosophy and Political Science into its unique examination of Human Rights. The key objective of the program is to better understand the various political and legal contexts human rights ideas develop and are applied in. Students and faculty members do research on a variety of topics, including citizenship and nationality, women’s rights, and state and non-state agency.

The program lasts for four years and students need to fulfill 240 academic credits during this period. This means that, besides writing their dissertation, students also have to attend several compulsory and elective courses such as Human Rights as a Research Area and Human Rights as a Legal Phenomenon.

The eligibility requirements for admission include having a master’s or advanced degree. Prospective candidates should have completed at least two years of study in a field that is relevant to Human Rights and has given the student a solid background to conduct their planned research. Furthermore, candidates are also asked to have previously written a master’s thesis, worth at least 15 academic credits, on a human rights-related topic.

The University periodically advertises doctoral student vacancies in Human Rights, typically in January or February. The post will also contain instructions on applying and will list any specific eligibility criteria. All successful candidates are fully funded by the University.

Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy – Ph.D. in Human Rights and Global Politics: Legal, Philosophical and Economic Challenges

Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa runs an international, interdisciplinary Ph.D. program in Human Rights and Global Politics, with a focus on legal, philosophical and economic challenges. The program lasts for three years and is entirely administered in English. The faculty and Ph.D. candidates adopt a strong sense of interdisciplinarity in research and explore intersections among the key research areas. The focus is on four different research areas – namely, Agriculture, food and agri-environmental law, Public international law, Political economy, and Political philosophy, and how they can be intertwined.

Ph.D. students attending this program take mandatory courses in addition to conducting research activities. More specifically, all students follow an issue-related course based on the research area they are writing their thesis in. Furthermore, students have an opportunity to spend a minimum of six months abroad doing research.

Prospective students must submit a research proposal which outlines a project that concerns at least two research areas. According to their proposed project, successful candidates will be assigned a supervisor with whom they are expected to meet on a regular basis.

The School publishes calls for applications once a year and usually accepts applications until late spring. All admitted students are entitled to a fully-funded place in the program, and one or more places are typically reserved for students from outside the European Union. To stay updated with the calls for admission, visit the program’s website .

Ph.D. in Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance – Multiple Universities

Four universities in Europe – the University of Padova in Italy, the University of Zagreb in Croatia, Panteion University in Greece and the University of Nicosia in Cyprus – together with Western Sydney University in Australia administer a unique, joint Ph.D. program in Human Rights, Society, and Multi-Level Governance. The program, which lasts for three years, incorporates legal, political, economic and philosophical approaches to analyzing Human Rights in a variety of geographical areas. The fundamental elements of the current multi-level governance system are in focus, therefore, international and regional human rights systems are continuously examined over the course of this program.

As a part of the curriculum, admitted students will have to do research, an internship and/or take courses at one or more partner universities, spending at least one semester away from their home university. The program is held in English across all institutions. Faculty members interested in supervising Ph.D. students offer a list of topics prospective students are invited to explore and propose a research project on. So far, these have included exploring issues relating to globalization, social justice, the external relations of the EU, and cultural pluralism.

To apply, students must demonstrate a proof of a Master’s degree and submit their academic transcripts. Furthermore, the Admissions Committee will be examining candidates’ CVs, proof of English language proficiency and, most importantly, their proposed research projects. Selected candidates will be invited for an interview.

Each year, some of these universities open several Ph.D. vacancies with one or more fully-funded scholarships. More information about the on-going applications can be found on the website of the administering institution, which in this case is the University of Padova.

Centre for Applied Human Rights, University of York, the United Kingdom – Ph.D. in Human Rights

The Centre for Applied Human Rights at the University of York administers an interdisciplinary doctoral program in Human Rights which has gathered qualified students from all over the world. The Centre is broadly interested in admitting candidates who work on topics such as human rights defenders, refugee law and policy, transitional justice, and development.

The program is run jointly by the Department of Politics and the York Law School, therefore, students could potentially seek inter-departmental supervision. Furthermore, Ph.D. students can also join one of the inter-departmental research groups like Development and Conflict Working Group. They actively contribute to fostering the research environment at the Centre by organizing and attending lectures, workshops, and conferences, as well as writing for blogs and journals.

In the first year of their doctoral study, students are trained on different research methods and have the possibility to audit or enroll any postgraduate courses. The rest of the student’s time spent at the University of York is dedicated to completing the doctoral dissertation.

To apply, all candidates must submit an online application in which they will be asked to choose between Ph.D. in Politics and Ph.D. in Law, depending on their preferences and qualifications. The application process also requires candidates to put forward a doctoral dissertation proposal.

Admitted students have a number of funding opportunities. These include funding coming directly from the University as well as ESRC scholarships awarded to home and EU students. In addition, the University of York is a part of the White Rose College of the Arts and Humanities (WRoCAH) doctoral training partnership with the Universities of Leeds and Sheffield, through which fully-funded AHRC studentships are allocated. More information about funding is available here.

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About the author, human rights careers.

Human Rights Careers (HRC) provides information about online courses, jobs, paid internships, masters degrees, scholarships and other opportunities in the human rights sector and related areas.