Welcome to our PhD Program in Political Science!
For students interested in graduate study in political science, we provide excellent opportunities for you to succeed at Ohio State. Our location in Columbus offers exciting extra-departmental opportunities as a major research university in one of the thirty largest metropolitan areas in the country. In 2021, U.S. News and World Report ranked the department 17th overall in the country, 12th in International Relations, 11th in American Politics, 20th in Comparative Politics, and 13th in Political Methodology.
Our distinguished and diverse faculty are strongly committed to working closely with graduate students. We combine traditional disciplinary major fields and innovative departmental specializations along with providing students with the most up-to-date training in theory and methods.
You will have the opportunity to join a highly competitive, supportive community of students, who typically receive full financial support to pursue their degrees. Most students receive a five-year funding package that pays a stipend, tuition and fees, and health care.
Fields of Study and Departmental Specialization
For most students, arriving at a course of study will involve the selection of two focus fields and a course-out minor from either one of the focus fields, a graduate interdisciplinary specialization, or a graduate minor.
Focus Fields of Study
American Politics (Ranked 11th in the nation in 2021)
Comparative Politics (Ranked 20th in the nation in 2021)
International Relations (Ranked 12th in the nation in 2021)
Political Methodology (Ranked 13th in the nation in 2021)
Political Theory
In addition, students may choose one or more departmental specializations. More individualized programs emphasizing either breadth or depth may be developed in consultation with an academic advisor.
Departmental Specializations
Political Psychology
Formal Theory
Political Economy
Race, Ethnicity, and Gender
"I was attracted by Ohio State’s graduate program in political science because of its commitment to supporting graduate student research. The department’s outstanding faculty have guided me throughout the challenging process of selecting a dissertation topic, gathering preliminary evidence, spending months abroad collecting data, and finally writing my Ph.D. thesis. I am particularly grateful for exceptional financial support that allowed me to travel across Africa in search of the best available evidence for answering my research questions." - Vladimir Chlouba, Ph.D. Candidate