Program type
Thesis
Political Science (PhD)
Primary campus
Sir George Williams (SGW)
Duration
4 years
Credits
90 credits
Start term
Fall
Program overview
The PhD in Political Science expands your training in the field as you work alongside experts in political theory, international relations and public policy. You will conduct primary research through surveys, archival data collection and fieldwork in order to make original contributions to the discipline. The program provides a stimulating environment in which to examine disciplinary subfields, allowing you to specialize in two areas of your choice. Our research-active faculty members will help you refine your analytical and writing skills, enabling you to better prepare your research for publication in top-ranking peer-reviewed academic journals such as the Canadian Journal of Political Science and the Review of International Studies. You will benefit from inter-institutional research networks, such as the Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship (CSDC), the Institute for Research on Migration and Society, engAGE, the Centre for Research and Expertise in Social Gerontology (CREGÉS), Latin American Studies Network of Montreal (RÉLAM), and the Groupe de recherche interuniversitaire en philosophie politique de Montréal (GRIPP). Our students have funded their research through fellowships and awards from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, the Fonds de recherche du Québec and GRIPP Montreal.
Students also have the opportunity to shape the future of immigrant integration research with Bridging Divides—a program offering generous funding to tackle key societal challenges and drive innovation in immigrant integration.
Program structure
Degree Requirements
Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 90 credits.
All students will select two areas of specialization (for example Canadian Politics and International Politics).
Please see the Political Science Courses page for course descriptions.
Political Science PhD (90 credits)
| 6 | credits of Core Courses, one course in each of the two chosen areas of specialization: |
| 6 | credits of Concentration Courses, one course in each of the same two chosen areas of specialization: |
| 6 | credits of Elective Courses, chosen from any area of specialization or a cognate course in a related field. For cognate courses, approval of the Director is required. In some cases, approval for registration in cognate courses must be obtained from the department involved. |
| 18 | credits: |
| 54 | credits: |
Canadian and Quebec Politics (PhD)
| |
Comparative Politics (PhD)
| |
International Politics (PhD)
| |
Political Theory (PhD)
| |
Public Policy and Public Administration (PhD)
| |
Admission requirements
Admission Requirements
- MA in political science, political studies, international relations, public policy, or another relevant field from an accredited university normally with a minimum GPA of 3.5 or equivalent.
- Proficiency in English. Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate that their knowledge of English is sufficient to pursue graduate studies in their chosen field. Please refer to the English language proficiency page for further information on requirements and exemptions.
Application process
Application deadlines
FALL
February 1 (Canadian resident)
January 15 (International)
WINTER
n/a
SUMMER
n/a
Priority will be given to complete applications submitted by the deadline. In some cases, programs may continue to accept applications as long as there is space available.
International students: Considering the waiting period involved in meeting the entry requirements to Canada and Quebec, we strongly encourage international applicants to apply early and submit supporting documents prior to the deadline.
Tuition & funding
Tuition and fees
Tuition and fees of the program may depend on your student status, among other key factors. Estimate these costs based on the most common situations.
Awards and funding
Funding packages are generally available for students in thesis-based programs. They come in the form of awards, teaching and research assistantships are offered at the time of admission to most students to allow them to focus on their research and studies. Research and thesis-based students are automatically considered for all entrance graduate awards when they apply to Concordia, provided they meet eligibility criteria. No separate application is required.
The Quebec and Canadian governments offer a number of competitive graduate scholarships. We encourage you to apply for these awards at the same time you are preparing your application.
