Ph.D. in
Political Science
apply TODAY

CONSIDERING A GRADUATE DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE? Consider UCI!
Ranked #24 among all public political science programs in the country (U.S. News & World Report), the UCI graduate program in political science offers students six years of guaranteed funding. Scholars in the department have a proven track record of earning competitive research funding and fellowships from agencies including the National Science Foundation and the Henry Luce Foundation, and from campus-level fellowships, such as the Public Impact, Fletcher Jones and Chancellor’s Club fellowships.
QUICK FACTS
LOCATION
Campus is located less than 10 miles from Newport Beach.
FUNDING
Admitted students receive 6 years of guaranteed funding.
FIELDS
Primary research fields exist in American politics, comparative politics, international
relations and political theory.
DEGREE
Ph.D.; a master's degree may be earned while in pursuit of the Ph.D.
ENROLLMENT
Full-time, on-campus with housing.
CONCURRENT MASTERS
Political science Ph.D. students can simultaneously pursue an M.A. in demographic
and social analysis or an M.A. in mathematical behavioral sciences
RANKINGS
24
best public political science program in the U.S.
- U.S. News & World Report
01
university doing most for the American dream
- New York Times College Access Index
01
"coolest school"
- Sierra Club Magazine
06
best college in the nation
- Money Magazine
RECENT PLACEMENTS
- Arizona State University
- California Polytechnic University
- Department of Defense
- Gallup
- Georgetown
- Tufts
- UCLA
- University of Washington
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Wellesley College

UCI political science faculty publish regularly in top academic journals, and graduate students have ample opportunities to publish alongside them. Faculty and graduate students consistently present research at conferences, universities, and before governmental entities across the globe. Their expert advice is sought by journalists in the national media, lawyers, and policy makers. Members of the faculty have received national and international awards and testified before Congress to impact policy.

And if that wasn’t enough, the UCI campus is the #8 ranked public university in the U.S. (U.S. News & World Report), the #6 ranked best college in the nation (Money Magazine), and the #1 university doing the most for the American dream (New York Times College Access Index).
UCI has a pleasant physical climate, too, located about five miles from Newport Beach.
WHAT MAKES THE PROGRAM UNIQUE?

UCI political scientists explore changing notions of citizenship, strategies aimed at halting nuclear proliferation, impacts of redistricting and voter mobilization on elections and public policy, and contested notions of democracy.
Students select a primary field from among American politics, comparative politics, international relations, or political theory. They select a secondary field from these or from a more specialized area. Examples of secondary fields include critical theory; democracy studies; ethics; methodology and modeling; political economy; political psychology; public law; and race, ethnicity and politics, among others. Faculty actively mentor doctoral students and encourage them to become productive, publishing scholars before completing their graduate studies. Students have an opportunity to earn a master’s degree while in pursuit of their Ph.D., and are encouraged to enroll in interdisciplinary coursework.
Alumni have entered tenure-track positions at top research universities, highly competitive
post-doctoral positions, and research-oriented jobs in both the public and private
sectors.
"A top ranked program with research strengths in
American and comparative politics,
international relations, and political theory."

FURTHER PROGRAM INFORMATION
UCI political science is vibrant in many ways! Please contact us if you have questions about our application process.
DEPARTMENT WEBSITE
www.polisci.uci.edu
FACULTY
meet our exciting faculty
DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Louis DeSipio
ldesipio@uci.edu
949.824.1420
GRADUATE DIRECTOR
Kevin Olson
kevin.olson@uci.edu
949.824.8335
ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR
Marek Kaminski
mkaminsk@uci.edu
949.824.2744
GRADUATE ADVISOR
Jennifer Gerson
jennifer.gerson@uci.edu
949.824.4074