Familiarize yourself with the structure of the PhD program and the specific course requirements for your area of specialization.
Year One
There are three types of course requirements for the PhD program: research tools, foundational training, and your field of emphasis.
You will begin your studies learning about and using social science research tools as well as initial courses in the area of foundational training you selected. Keep in mind the material you learn during Year One and Year Two will serve as the basis for your qualifying exam.
Discuss your course plans with your graduate advisor early in your first semester.
In general, we recommended you take no more than 9 credits (three 3-credit courses) in any one semester so that you can successfully balance classroom learning with other obligations.
Teaching or Research Requirement
You will need to complete a formal teaching and/or research experience at an institution of higher learning prior to completing your PhD at Washington State University. Serving as a teaching assistant in the School of Politics, Philosophy, & Public Affairs satisfies the teaching requirement. Collecting original data for a research project also fulfills this requirement.
Speak with your advisor for insights on the time commitment and benefit of each option.
Teaching assistantship:
The majority of first-year graduate students in the political science PhD program are supported financially through a teaching assistant position, supporting a faculty member with an undergraduate political science or philosophy course. The time commitment is approximately 20 hours per week.
Year Two
Throughout your second year, continue to dedicate yourself to your research project, completion of your course requirements, and engaging with department seminars and research groups.
In August, you will meet with your research advisor review the remaining courses you should take to complete the classroom-based portion of your degree program.
Committees are composed of a chairperson (your graduate advisor) and at least two other members of the graduate faculty. Sometimes faculty from outside PPPA serve on committees as well.
You must submit a Program of Study Request form to the WSU Graduate School at least one semester prior to scheduling your preliminary exam, which is usually taken in the fall of Year Three).
Year Three
In your third year, the WSU Graduate School mandates the completion of preliminary exams. In most cases, your preliminary exams (aka “prelims”) will be scheduled for the second half of Year Three, usually in March.
Prelims include both a written and an oral component, both of which must be completed satisfactorily. You are responsible for working with your advising committee and faculty in the examination fields to prepare for the examinations.
Passing the preliminary examination moves you to the rank of “doctoral candidate.” From this notable milestone, you will have a maximum of three years to complete your PhD degree program. Any extension of time must be approved by PPPA faculty and the Graduate School.
Years four to six
Dedication to your chosen research area is essential to advance your skill set, collect data supporting peer-reviewed publications, and prepare for graduation and future employment.
Under the guidance of your thesis committee, you will develop and present a dissertation prospectus detailing a thorough and systematic investigation of a significant problem related to one your chosen areas of study.
You will continue to develop your independence as a researcher, making new discoveries and increasing the depth of your knowledge and experience.
You will become the expert on your dissertation topic. As you delve more deeply into your project, and reading of the literature will foster a broad and open-minded approach to research and discovery.
You must meet with your committee at least once each year, usually in the spring semester, to present a progress report. In most cases, your PhD dissertation committee will be composed of the same members as your preliminary examination committee but can vary.
Your dissertation
Your written PhD dissertation is the capstone of your graduate career and will describe a significant body of original discovery and research. The adequacy of this work will be judged by your advisor and committee members.
After successfully completing your written dissertation, your committee may require revisions prior your oral defense.
Oral Defense
Once your written dissertation has been approved by your graduate committee and presented to the WSU Graduate School, you may schedule your final oral defense. While the oral defense usually centers on the dissertation, you should be prepared to respond to questions relating to the full scope of your scholarly work.