Political Science
Fields include American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political economy, political theory, quantitative empirical methods, qualitative and archival methods, and formal theory.
- Terminal Degrees Offered
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- PhD - Doctor of Philosophy
- Combined PhD
- Program Website
- Programs and Policies
Alex Debs
Director of Graduate Studies (Fall 2023)
Helene Landemore
Director of Graduate Studies (Spring 2024)
Colleen Amaro
Departmental Registrar
Admission Requirements
Standardized Testing Requirements
GRE is required.
Program-Specific Application Requirements
The prompt for the Statement of Academic Purpose for applicants to Political Science is as follows:
In a succinct statement of no more than 1,000 words, please (1) discuss your motivation for conducting research, (2) provide a detailed summary of your research experience and training and how it prepares you for doctoral study in your proposed program (the standalone Ph.D. in Political Science), (3) the topic(s) you plan to study in graduate school and how you would approach those questions, and (4) why Yale is a good fit given your interests.
English Language Requirement
TOEFL iBT or IELTS Academic is required of most applicants whose native language is not English.
You may be exempt from this requirement if you have received (or will receive) an undergraduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary language of instruction, and if you have studied in residence at that institution for at least three years.
Combined Degree Program Application Deadline
*The deadline to submit an application to a combined program is always the earlier deadline of the two individual programs, or December 15, whichever comes first.
Academic Information
Combined PhD Information
Political Science offers a combined PhD in conjunction with African American Studies and Statistics and Data Science.
Advising
Academic Resources
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Academic Calendar
The Graduate School's academic calendar lists important dates and deadlines related to coursework, registration, financial processes, and milestone events such as graduation.
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Featured Resource
Registration Information and Dates
https://registration.yale.edu/
Students must register every term in which they are enrolled in the Graduate School. Registration for a given term takes place the semester prior, and so it's important to stay on top of your academic plan. The University Registrar's Office oversees the systems that students use to register. Instructions about how to use those systems and the dates during which registration occurs can be found on their registration website.
Financial Information
PhD Stipend & Funding
PhD students at Yale are normally full-funded for a minimum of five years. During that time, our students receive a twelve-month stipend to cover living expenses and a fellowship that covers the full cost of tuition and student healthcare.