Director of Graduate Studies:
Jim Butterfield,
Room 3352, Friedmann Hall

The Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science is designed to prepare students for careers in teaching and both academic and applied research. The Ph.D. program provides basic training in American politics, comparative politics, political theory and philosophy, and research methods. Students may enter with either a B.A. degree or an M.A. degree.

Admission Requirements

Students must satisfy the general admission requirements of The Graduate College. Students applying to the program with a bachelor’s degree must have completed at least twenty-four hours of work in the social sciences or other relevant fields and have achieved a 3.25 grade point average in their last two years of course work. Students applying with a master’s degree must have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.25 in their graduate work. Graduate Record Exam scores for the quantitative, verbal and analytical parts are required for all students. Each applicant should arrange to have three recommendations sent (using WMU Graduate Reference Forms) and submit a curriculum vitae, a brief essay concerning their academic and professional objectives, and two writing samples that indicate their ability in professional writing. All application materials for admission should be submitted by the following dates: July 1 for Fall Semester, November 1 for Spring Semester, March 1 for Summer I Session, and May 1 for Summer II Session.