University of Alberta PhD in Political Science: A Deep Dive into the Doctoral Program

The University of Alberta’s PhD in Political Science offers a rigorous academic journey for students aiming to become leading scholars, researchers, and policy experts. This doctoral program is designed to provide intensive training in political science theory, research methods, and specialized fields. It prepares students for impactful careers both within and beyond academia, equipping them with the skills to conduct original research and contribute to the field.

The program emphasizes academic excellence and independent scholarship. It is a significant commitment, typically requiring four years of full-time study and research, with a maximum of six years to complete all requirements. The University of Alberta provides comprehensive support to help doctoral candidates navigate this challenging yet rewarding path.

Why Pursue a PhD in Political Science at the University of Alberta?

Choosing to pursue a PhD is a major decision, and the University of Alberta’s program is structured to support students throughout their doctoral studies. The department encourages prospective applicants to align their career aspirations with the program’s offerings. Key strengths of this doctoral program include its demanding academic training, opportunities for advanced research, diverse specialization options, and preparation for various career paths.

The program also offers strong faculty supervision, flexible dissertation formats, and access to a dynamic research community. These elements combine to create an environment conducive to developing expertise and making significant contributions to political science.

Program Structure and Duration

The PhD in Political Science at the University of Alberta is a research-intensive degree. It generally requires a minimum of four years for completion, with students having up to six years to fulfill all degree requirements. A mandatory residency of two academic years of full-time attendance at the university is also required.

A significant portion of the doctoral journey involves self-directed research focused on a student’s chosen area of specialization within political science. This independent work is central to developing original contributions to the field.

Academic Requirements and Coursework

Doctoral students must complete 18 graduate-level credits, which typically equates to six three-credit graduate courses. All students are required to take POLS 680, a core course usually offered in the Fall semester. Additionally, participation in the Graduate Lab is mandatory. This lab is specifically designed to help students prepare for their comprehensive examinations.

Areas of Specialization

Students must select two areas of specialization from the following fields offered by the Department of Political Science:

Canadian Politics

This specialization delves into the intricacies of Canadian political institutions, public policy, federalism, and political behavior. Students examine governance and democratic processes within the Canadian context.

Comparative Politics

Focus areas within comparative politics may include the study of different political systems, democratization processes, political development, and state-building. Comparative public policy is also a key research area.

Gender and Politics

This field explores gendered political structures, feminist political theory, and issues of representation and participation. Students also analyze public policy through the lens of gender equality.

International Relations

Research in international relations can cover global governance, the role of international organizations, security studies, diplomacy, and the international political economy.

Political Theory

Students investigate classical political thought, contemporary political philosophy, democratic theory, and concepts of justice and ethics.

Additional coursework is typically chosen from 500-level and 600-level Political Science courses at the University of Alberta.

Year-by-Year Program Progression

The PhD program follows a structured progression to guide students through their doctoral studies.

Year 1

The first year involves completing required coursework, specialized training, and participating in the Graduate Lab. Students also begin establishing initial supervisory arrangements. By the end of this year, students should have officially designated a supervisor.

Year 2

During the second year, students focus on completing their Comprehensive Examinations in both chosen specialization areas. These exams assess a student’s depth of knowledge and readiness for advanced research.

Year 3

After successfully passing comprehensive examinations, students move on to developing their dissertation proposal and preparing for their oral candidacy examination. This examination evaluates the quality and feasibility of the proposed dissertation project. By the end of Year 3, students must have completed comprehensive exams, the candidacy exam, language requirements, ethics training, and all other program requirements except the dissertation itself. At this point, they officially become PhD Candidates, often referred to as ABD (All But Dissertation).

Years 3-6

The final years of the program are primarily dedicated to conducting original research, writing the dissertation, publishing scholarly work, and presenting research findings. This period also involves preparing for future career opportunities after graduation.

Dissertation Options

The University of Alberta offers two distinct pathways for completing the dissertation requirement.

Option 1: Traditional Dissertation

The traditional dissertation is typically a monograph of 50,000 to 80,000 words, structured into four to seven integrated chapters. It includes an introduction, conclusion, bibliography, and any necessary appendices or research data. The dissertation must present original research, demonstrate rigorous analysis, and make a substantial contribution to existing knowledge, meeting publication-quality scholarly standards.

Dissertation Examination Process

Once the supervisory committee approves the dissertation, it is sent to two independent examiners, one of whom must be an external expert from outside the University of Alberta. All five examiners then participate in the final oral defense of the dissertation.

Option 2: Dissertation-by-Publication

Alternatively, students can opt for a dissertation-by-publication format. This structure includes an introduction chapter, several journal-style research papers, and a conclusion chapter. The key difference from the traditional format is that the body of the dissertation consists of independent, publishable journal articles rather than integrated monograph chapters. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss these format options with their supervisor early in the program, and the chosen format must be approved before the candidacy examination.

Language and Ethics Requirements

Language Requirement

All doctoral students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English. This can be met by completing a second-year undergraduate language course within the past five years. Alternatively, students can pass a translation examination, which involves translating a 400-500-word scholarly text into coherent English. The choice of language may be influenced by the student’s research area, such as French for those specializing in Canadian Politics. Students whose native language is not English may, under specific circumstances, satisfy this requirement if additional language skills are not essential for their dissertation research.

Ethics Training Requirement

All graduate students at the University of Alberta must complete a minimum of 8 hours of Graduate Ethics Training (GET). This includes 5 hours through the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies and 3 additional hours through department seminars on academic integrity or approved university workshops.

Professional Development

A professional development component is required for all graduate students. This component is designed to enhance research skills, leadership abilities, career readiness, communication competencies, and professional networking opportunities.

Supervision and Faculty Support

Admission to the PhD program is closely linked to the availability of faculty supervision. Students are admitted when their research interests align with a faculty member’s expertise, and a faculty member agrees to supervise their proposed project. The supervisor plays a vital role in research design, dissertation development, publication planning, academic mentoring, and career preparation. Students work closely with a primary supervisor and two additional faculty members on their supervisory committee.

Career Opportunities After Graduation

Graduates of the University of Alberta’s PhD in Political Science program are well-prepared for a variety of career paths. These include positions in academia as university professors or research fellows, and in government and public policy as policy analysts or advisors. Opportunities also exist within international organizations as political affairs officers, in the non-profit sector as advocacy specialists or program directors, and in the private sector as political risk analysts or strategic consultants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical duration of the University of Alberta’s PhD in Political Science program?

The program generally requires a minimum of four years of full-time study, with a maximum of six years to complete all requirements.

What are the main specialization areas offered in the Political Science PhD program?

Students can specialize in Canadian Politics, Comparative Politics, Gender and Politics, International Relations, or Political Theory.

What are the dissertation options available to PhD students?

Students can choose between a traditional monograph dissertation or a dissertation-by-publication format, which consists of journal-style research papers.

What are the career prospects for graduates of this program?

Graduates are well-prepared for careers in academia, government, international organizations, the non-profit sector, and the private sector.