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Politics and Policy

PhD in Political Science

Through rigorous research and applied curriculum, the PhD in Political Science provides an in-depth understanding of politics and government and the underpinnings of national and global civil society.

In the contemporary world, understanding politics and policy is one key to successful, peaceful, and prosperous national and global civil society. The PhD program in Political Science equips you with the politics and international studies expertise to make an impact not only in American political life and thought but also in political arenas around the globe. You will develop the analytical ability and practical experience for both academic and research-based positions. Our highly engaged faculty-scholars conduct research on a range of contemporary issues, such as voting rights, non-state war, the rise of China, conserving liberty, environmental justice, state capacity, data visualization, citizen participation, globalization, corruption, the administrative state, and immigration. Our program prepares scholars for academic careers, teaching, and research as well as government and public service.

Program Highlights
  • PhD students typically complete the 72-unit program in five years.
  • All students choose two areas of concentrated study from American Politics, Comparative Politics, Public Policy, International Relations and International Political Economy, and Research Methodology.
  • Our graduates work in government and the private sector, at NGOs and international institutions; they are also found teaching at prestigious universities across the world.
  • Pursue your PhD in Political Science in conjunction with another degree, such as an MA in Psychology. You earn a diploma for each degree and  “double count” some units from one program to the other to decrease your required total units.

Program At-a-glance

  • 72 units

    required units

  • PhD in Political Science

    degree awarded

  • In Person

    modality

  • Spring, Summer, Fall

    program start

  • 4 years | full time*

    estimated completion time

    7 years | part time

    estimated completion time

Areas of Concentration

  • American Politics

    The study of American Politics examines political institutions and political behavior in the United States. Courses cover all levels of government: national, state, and local.

  • Comparative Politics

    Scholars of Comparative Politics investigate similarities and differences in patterns of politics across the world. The field of Comparative Politics includes, among others, the study of political institutions and regimes; electoral behavior and procedures; identity, ideology, and culture; public policy; political economy and political and economic development; social movements and organizations; and protest and revolution.

  • International Relations and International Political Economy

    Explore the intersection of global politics, security, and economic development through advanced computational methods and a comprehensive study of political and economic theories. This concentration emphasizes the role of international and domestic political and economic processes, institutions, and relationships in shaping national security, economy, international conflict and peace, as well as the global economic landscape.

  • Public Policy

    Develop an interdisciplinary approach to address complex social challenges and analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of policy and program-based solutions to those challenges. Inform evidence-based policy decisions to promote social justice and wellbeing; enhance public services, health, technology and infrastructure; protect the environment and ameliorate the effects of climate change; and guide economic growth and sustainability. Pursue a career in academia, government agencies and nonprofit organizations, or think tanks and consulting firms focused on decision-making, policy analysis, and program evaluation.

  • Research Methodology

    Become an expert in political science by studying and solving real-world problems through research design, data collection and management, and data analysis and interpretation. Apply a wide variety of statistical tools—from big data and machine learning to computational analytics and data visualization techniques—to political experimental, quasi-experimental, and observational data. Pursue a data science career in academia or at public and private organizations focused on the analysis of sociopolitical, economic, and policy data.

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

Faculty

  • Portrait of Mark Abdollahian

    Mark Abdollahian

    Full Clinical Professor

    Research Interests

    Strategic Decision Making, International Political Economy, Sustainable Development

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  • Portrait of Graham Bird

    Graham Bird

    Clinical Professor of Economic Sciences
    Program Director: International Money and Finance; International Economics and Development Policy
    Co-Director: Claremont Institute for Economic Policy Studies

    Research Interests

    International Finance, International Macroeconomics, Economic Development

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  • Heather Campbell

    Heather E. Campbell

    Thornton F. Bradshaw Professor of Public Policy
    Director, Division of Politics & Economics

    Research Interests

    Public Policy, Urban Environmental Policy, Environmental Justice

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  • Portrait of Yi Feng

    Yi Feng

    Luther Lee Jr. Memorial Chair Professor

    Research Interests

    International Political Economy, International Relations, Political Economy of China and Latin America, Quantitative Methodology

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  • Robert Klitgaard Portrait

    Robert Klitgaard

    University Professor

    Research Interests

    Public Policy, Economic Strategy, Institutional Reform, Corruption

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  • Portrait of Jacek Kugler

    Jacek Kugler

    Elisabeth Helm Rosecrans Professor of International Relations

    Research Interests

    Causes and Consequences of War, Political Performance, Power Transition

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  • Tanu Kumar

    Tanu Kumar

    Assistant Professor

    Research Interests

    Development, political behavior, urban politics, digital technology

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  • Javier Rodríguez

    Associate Professor
    Field Chair for Policy

    Research Interests

    Public & Health Policy, Social Inequality, Quantitative Methods for Social Science Research

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  • Portrait of Melissa Rogers

    Melissa Rogers

    Associate Professor, Politics & Policy
    Co-Director, Inequality and Policy Research Center
    Field Chair, Comparative Politics
    Field Chair, American Politics

    Research Interests

    Comparative Politics, Political Economy, Economic Inequality

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Application Guidelines

University Requirements
Application Fee

$80 (fee is non-refundable)
Official Transcripts
English Proficiency Exam
Resume

Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume.
Program Requirements
Statement of Purpose

Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.
Letter of Recommendation

Key Dates & Deadlines

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025

Summer 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – March 1, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – April 1, 2025
Classes begin – May 19, 2025

Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025

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Cost & Aid

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 72 units
Tuition per unit* $2,020

*Based on 2024-2025 tuition rates.

 

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
$245 Student Fee
$150 Technology Fee
International Student Services Fee*: $661 fall semester, $776 spring semester
**Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to change.

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2024-2025.

review financial aid

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