Graduate Program Requirements
The Department of Political Science offers a rigorous and comprehensive doctoral program designed to prepare students for successful careers in research and teaching within the discipline. Official program requirements are outlined in the UCI General Catalogue, which also includes a general list of courses offered by the department.
The Department has also prepared a Student Handbook to supplement the General Catalogue, providing an in-depth overview of program requirements and normative timelines, including departmental policies and guidelines.
- For graduate students who entered the program in Fall 2025 and before, use the 2025 Student Handbook
- For graduate students entering the program in Fall 2026 (i.e., prospective students), use the 2026 Student Handbook, which features important changes to our graduate program
Information on campuswide graduate policies and procedures are provided by UCI Graduate Division, as well as updated information on filing deadlines. Note: These filing deadlines are different (and later) than internal, department deadlines. Please refer the SOP for updates; Department Staff are not responsible for missed filing deadlines due to requests received after the internal deadline.
Department Documents:
The following forms are PDFs to be completed by students and require the approval of the DGS and/or Field Coordinator. See the Graduate SOP for instructions on submission.
Progress Tracker (for annual progress report check)
Certification of Language Requirement
Certification of Advanced Research Skill
Qualifying Paper Approval form
Dissertation Prospectus Defense Approval form
1st Field Requirement Forms:
Graduate Division Documents:
Forms for Graduate Division are routed through docusign, as they require multiple signatures (e.g., committee members, department chair, etc.). These include Advancement to Candidacy Form (Ph.D. Form 1) and Dissertation Defense Paperwork (Ph.D. Form 2).
The forms must be initiated by Staff. See the SOP for further information. All other Graduate Division Forms are available here (Please scroll to the bottom of the page for policies regarding each form).
MA Degree
Students may obtain a Master's degree en route to the Ph.D. This is not a terminal degree, and rules are laid out by Graduate Division.
Master's Advancement to Candidacy (Step 1)
Final Degree Paperwork for the Master's Degree (Step 2)