A description of the program requirements follows. To go to the Graduate Programs page for general information, click HERE. For instructions on applying for admission, click HERE.

Click here for current NAU catalog requirements for PhD.

Students in the Ph.D. program must complete 63 hours of coursework selected in consultation with and approved by their advisor. This portion of the program requires the following:

Course Requirements 39 hours

PS Core - 9 hours:

• POS 600 Approaches to Political Inquiry
• POS 601 Research Methods and Analysis
• POS 607 Philosophical Perspectives

First Field of Study - 21 hours

Choose one of the following three fields as your first field of study and complete all requirements listed for that field.

American Politics/Public Administration

• POS 610 American Political Institutions
• POS 612 American Political Processes
• POS 641 Public Administration

Plus 9 additional hours of POS or other courses related to the field.

Comparative Politics/International Relations

• POS 670 Comparative Politics
• POS 676 Area Studies
• POS 680 International Relations Theory
• POS 683 Topics in International Policy Studies

Plus 9 additional hours of POS or other courses related to the field.

Public Policy

• POS 643 Theories of Organization
• POS 671 Policy Processes

Plus 2 of the following courses:

• POS 552 Political Economy
• Other approved political economy-related courses

Plus 9 additional hours of POS or public policy related courses

Second Field of Study - 18-21 hours 

Choose an additional field from the 3 listed above as your second field of study and complete all required courses in that field (i.e., in American/PA take POS 610, 612, and 641; in Comp/IR take POS 670, 676, 680, 683; in Policy take 643, 671, and 2 of POS 552, ECO 655, or other economy-related courses).

• Cognate (for fields of Comp/IR and American/PA) or Policy
• Concentration (for the field of Public Policy) 
• Complete 12-15 hours of course work within the chosen subject matter.

The above outlined 63 hours of course work must be approved by the student's advisor. In addition, completion of the Ph.D. program requires:

A minimum of 15-18 Dissertation hours (POS 799)

Fulfillment of a Research Tool requirement, through one of two options:

• Foreign language research tool - demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English (equivalent of two years of University coursework) OR
• Methodology research tool - complete POS 601 and two other research methodology courses with a grade of B or better. Courses must be selected from the department list, and must have your advisor's approval.

1. Comprehensive exams consisting of written, oral, and third field paper components.

2. Third field paper in specialized area of study.

3. Completion and oral defense of a dissertation.

4. Other university requirements (see catalog)

Students may also take coursework which does not apply to the above requirements, such as hours taken under POS 597 Reading for Comprehensive Exams, POS 691 Professional Development if planning to pursue an academic career, and/or other courses not approved by the department for inclusion in the program of study.

Ph.D. Programs of Study:

• American Politics/Public Administration
• Comparative Politics/International Relations
• Public Policy