The Political Science faculty at U.C. Merced invite applications from students wishing to pursue the PhD degree. We offer two subfield concentrations: Political Institutions and Political Economy (PIPE) and Political Cognition and Behavior (CAB).
TO APPLY
The GRE is required of all applicants. Applicants who are not native English speakers should consult UC Merced’s Graduate Division website for additional application requirements.
The Political Science admissions committee is made up of three members of the Political Science faculty. They make their decisions based on a comprehensive review of a student’s coursework, recommendations, GPA, and GRE scores. The application deadline is January 15.
For more information on the application process or to begin an application, go to the UC Merced Graduate Division website.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The Political Science department at UC Merced strives to fully support all graduate students in good standing for five years. Students receive full tuition waivers and a stipend in the form of a teaching and/or research assistantship. Student health insurance is also provided.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D.
The aim of the Ph.D. is to produce original research. Students begin producing original research in their first year in seminar classes. In their second and third years, they are paired with a faculty member for a one-on-one research practicum, the goal of which is a published paper. The fourth and fifth years are devoted to a dissertation.
The department also emphasizes the development of strong methodological skills which are essential for Political Scientists today. Five methodology classes are required – three specific classes are offered in the first year which all students must take, and then in the second and third years, students choose two electives from several offerings such as Maximum Likelihood Estimation, Game Theory, and Experimental Political Science.
The requirements for the degree are as follows:
A. Methodology – 5 Courses
POLI 200: Political Science Research Methods
POLI 210: Quantitative Analysis of Political Data I
POLI 211: Quantitative Analysis of Political Data II
2 Electives
B. Major (PIPE or CAB) – 4 Courses
C. Minor (PIPE or CAB – whichever not taken as major) – 2 courses
D. Electives (Drawn from Political Science or allied field such as Cognitive Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Economics) – 3 courses
E. Research Practicum – 2 semesters
F. Teaching Assistant – 2 semesters (non-credit, minimum)
G. Dissertation
Students must also take a First Year Exam at the end of year 1 and pass a Comprehensive Exam at the end of year 3.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Course List <The Political Science faculty at U.C. Merced invite applications from students wishing to pursue the PhD degree. We offer two subfield concentrations: Political Institutions and Political Economy (PIPE) and Political Cognition and Behavior (CAB).
TO APPLY
The GRE is required of all applicants. Applicants who are not native English speakers should consult UC Merced’s Graduate Division website for additional application requirements.
The Political Science admissions committee is made up of three members of the Political Science faculty. They make their decisions based on a comprehensive review of a student’s coursework, recommendations, GPA, and GRE scores. The application deadline is January 15.
For more information on the application process or to begin an application, go to the UC Merced Graduate Division website.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The Political Science department at UC Merced strives to fully support all graduate students in good standing for five years. Students receive full tuition waivers and a stipend in the form of a teaching and/or research assistantship. Student health insurance is also provided.
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PH.D.
The aim of the Ph.D. is to produce original research. Students begin producing original research in their first year in seminar classes. In their second and third years, they are paired with a faculty member for a one-on-one research practicum, the goal of which is a published paper. The fourth and fifth years are devoted to a dissertation.
The department also emphasizes the development of strong methodological skills which are essential for Political Scientists today. Five methodology classes are required – three specific classes are offered in the first year which all students must take, and then in the second and third years, students choose two electives from several offerings such as Maximum Likelihood Estimation, Game Theory, and Experimental Political Science.
The requirements for the degree are as follows:
A. Methodology – 5 Courses
POLI 200: Political Science Research Methods
POLI 210: Quantitative Analysis of Political Data I
POLI 211: Quantitative Analysis of Political Data II
2 Electives
B. Major (PIPE or CAB) – 4 Courses
C. Minor (PIPE or CAB – whichever not taken as major) – 2 courses
D. Electives (Drawn from Political Science or allied field such as Cognitive Science, Psychology, Sociology, or Economics) – 3 courses
E. Research Practicum – 2 semesters
F. Teaching Assistant – 2 semesters (non-credit, minimum)
G. Dissertation
Students must also take a First Year Exam at the end of year 1 and pass a Comprehensive Exam at the end of year 3.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
>
Graduate Handbook <link to Polisci.ucmerced.edu/Current_Students/Graduate/Graduate Handbook >
