University of California-Berkeley Fully Funded PhD in Political Science
PhD @University of California, Berkeley posted 2 days agoJob Description
Program Overview
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Institution: University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)
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Department: Charles and Louise Travers Department of Political Science
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Location: Berkeley, California
UC Berkeley’s PhD program in Political Science is consistently ranked among the top in the United States. The program offers rigorous training across various subfields, including American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, Methodology, and more. Students benefit from a collaborative environment, interdisciplinary opportunities, and access to renowned faculty and research centers.
Funding Package
All admitted PhD students receive comprehensive financial support, which includes:
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Tuition and Fees: Full coverage, including student health insurance.
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Annual Stipend: Competitive stipend to support living expenses.
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Duration: Five years of guaranteed funding, contingent upon satisfactory academic progress.
Funding is provided through a combination of university or departmental fellowships, and academic student employment, such as Graduate Student Instructor (GSI) or Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions. U.S. citizens and permanent residents are expected to establish California residency by the end of their first year to maintain eligibility for continued fee support.
Curriculum Structure
The PhD program is structured into two major phases:
Phase 1: Coursework and Examinations (Years 1–3)
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Complete a minimum of 40 units of graduate-level coursework.
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Demonstrate competence in three of nine subfields, including passing a written exam in one major subfield.
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Submit an M.A./second-year research paper.
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Prepare and defend a dissertation prospectus during the Qualifying Examination.
Phase 2: Dissertation Research and Writing (Years 4–6)
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Engage in original research leading to a doctoral dissertation.
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Work closely with faculty advisors from the dissertation committee.
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Complete and defend the doctoral dissertation.
Students are typically expected to advance to candidacy by the end of the third year and complete the program within six years.
Admission Requirements
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Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree in political science or a related field.
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Application Materials:
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Online application through UC Berkeley Graduate Admissions.
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Statement of Purpose.
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Personal History Statement.
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Three letters of recommendation.
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Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
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Resume/CV.
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Writing sample demonstrating scholarly work.
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GRE scores (required for Fall 2025 admissions, with few exceptions).
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TOEFL or IELTS scores for international applicants, unless exempt.
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Application Fee:
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$135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
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$155 for international applicants.
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Fee waivers are available for eligible applicants.
