PhD
PhD
Political Science,
Graduate study in Political Science offers students the opportunity to work with well known teacher-scholars in American politics, international relations, and political psychology.
Description
Students in the program have close working relationships with faculty and receive quality training for careers in academia, government, the nonprofit sector, and business. Graduate students often collaborate with faculty on research, publish articles in peer-reviewed academic journals, and present at conferences.
The department offers four main areas of study, including American politics, international relations, and political psychology. The department is also actively involved in several cross-departmental specializations, including Environmental Studies, Ethnic Studies, Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, and Women’s & Gender Studies, and has ties to other organizations on campus, including the Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior, the National Strategic Research Institute, and the Nebraska Public Policy Center.
MA/PHD: Students hoping to earn the PhD degree and dual enroll in the MA degree (recommended for students applying with BA or equivalent).
PHD: Students hoping to earn the PhD degree who already have a MA degree (or equivalent).
For more information, visit: Political Science
Academic Pathways
Specializations
Applying for Admission
Standard requirements for all graduate programs
- Application for Admission with $50 non-refundable application fee.
- Transcripts (unofficial): Uploaded as part of application form.
If International: Uploads must include all college- or university-level transcripts or mark sheets (records of courses and marks earned), with certificates, diplomas, and degrees plus certified English translations.
After admission: Official documents are required from all students who are admitted and enroll. Photocopies of certified records are not acceptable. International students enrolled in other U.S. institutions may have certified copies of all foreign records sent directly to the Office of Graduate Studies by their current school’s registrar office.
- If applicant’s native language is not English, verification of English proficiency
is required.
When sending TOEFL scores, our institution code is 6877 and a department code is not needed.
- If applicant is not a US citizen and expects an F or J visa: financial information.
- Applicants must also fulfill any additional requirements the department specifies at the time of application.
Additional requirements specific to this program
- Minimum English proficiency: Paper TOEFL 600, Internet TOEFL 100, IELTS 6.5.Three recommendation letters.
- Three recommendation Letters
- Writing sample: One paper, no more than 20 pages. Example: a paper you wrote for a political science class.
- Personal Statement: This two-page statement should describe your immediate educational and long-term career goals and how graduate study in political science at Nebraska will help you achieve your goals. Discuss which area or research question within political science that you want to investigate during your graduate studies. If there is a particular faculty member with whom you wish to study, give that person's name and explain why you want to study with that person. You may also include other information, such as undergraduate research experience, internships, or other experiences you may have had to prepare you for advanced study in political science.
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae: 1-2 page resume or CV detailing your educational and professional preparation for graduate school.
- GRE scores are optional
Admission Application Deadlines
The priority application deadline for Fall 2025 is December 15, 2024.
Department
Graduate Chair
Support Staff
Campus Address
Program Faculty
Dona-Gene Barton (bio)
Political Behavior, Public Opinion, Political Psychology
Pierce Ekstrom (bio)
Political Psychology, Political disagreement and conflict, Moral beliefs, values, and convictions, Social identity
Andrew Goodhart (bio)
International Security, International Relations, Quantitative Methodology, Public Opinion
Ingrid Haas (bio)
Political Behavior, Political Psychology, Political Neuroscience
Courtney Hillebrecht (bio)
International Relations, International Law, Human Rights
Sara Houston (bio)
Law, Health Equity
Alice Kang (bio)
Comparative Politics, International Relations
Ari Kohen (bio)
Contemporary and Ancient Political Theory, Human Rights, Ethnic and Intrastate Conflict, Restorative and Transitional Justice
Geoff Lorenz (bio)
American Political Institutions, Congress and Legislative Politics, Interest Groups and Advocacy Organizations
Patrice McMahon (bio)
International Security, Comparative Politics, International Relations
Rupal Mehta (bio)
International Security, International Relations Theory, Formal/Quantitative Methods, Research Design/Political Analysis, Comparative Politics, South Asia
Ross Miller (bio)
International Relations, Comparative Politics, Methodology
Kevin Smith (bio)
Public Policy, Public Administration, American Politics, Biology and Politics
Elizabeth Theiss-Morse (bio)
Political Psychology, Public Opinion, Political Behavior
Sergio Wals (bio)
Political Behavior, Public Opinion, Political Psychology, Immigration, Race and Ethnicity (Latino Politics), Democratization in Latin America (Mexican Politics)
Tyler White (bio)
National Security, Inteligence Studies, U.S. Nuclear Policy, U.S. Foreign Policy, Deterrence
UNL Graduate Chairs and staff please complete the program update form to provide edits. Updates to graduate program pages are made on an annual basis in conjunction with the Graduate Application for Admission.