Discipline Coordinator

Robert K. Evanson, (816) 235-5217, evansonr@umkc.edu

Click here to see Political Science faculty who are members of the doctoral faculty.

Note: The political science discipline is accepting applications for the co-discipline only.

Political Science is a discipline in the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Program administered by the School of Graduate Studies.

Note: The discipline-specific requirements listed here are in addition to the requirements listed in Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Application Procedure and Minimum Criteria for Admission and Minimum Interdisciplinary Ph.D. Academic Regulations and Degree Requirements.

Discipline-Specific Admission Requirements

Political Science only accepts students as a co-discipline in the Interdisciplinary Ph.D. program.

Applicants who designate political science as a co-discipline must have earned at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale in 12 or more hours in political science or closely related courses or otherwise demonstrate sufficient background in the discipline. Applicants must also submit samples of written work, including a one- or two-page preliminary proposal for an interdisciplinary plan of study and fulfill other requirements for full admission as determined by the political science doctoral faculty.

The political science doctoral faculty will recommend to the dean of the School of Graduate Studies whether or not an applicant should be admitted. It should be understood that a student who satisfies the criteria of the School of Graduate Studies and the requirements of the Department of Political Science may or may not be granted full admission to the Ph.D. program. Availability of faculty and resources will be among the factors determining admission.

 

Qualifying Requirements for Full Admission

Applicants who designate political science as their coordinating-unit discipline and lack an M.A. in political science or a related field may be admitted provisionally pending completion of an M.A. in political science at UMKC. Applicants who have an M.A. in another field but lack adequate preparation in political science may be admitted provisionally pending completion of designated undergraduate courses in the discipline. For full admission, applicants must also present a master's thesis or its equivalent in graduate-level written work and demonstrate acceptable research skills.

Students who designate political science as a co-discipline but lack adequate preparation in political science may be admitted provisionally, pending completion of designated undergraduate courses in the discipline.

Suggested Compatible Co-disciplines

Economics , history, public affairs and administration, and educational leadership, policy and foundations.

 

Core Program Requirements

Students with political science as their primary discipline must take at least 12 hours in political science after the M.A., other than the dissertation. They also must take at least 12 hours in their co-discipline(s). If a co-discipline requires more than 12 hours, its requirement takes precedence. In general, students must take whatever specific courses are deemed necessary by their committees.

The amount of work required for the Ph.D. depends on the student's level of preparation. A student entering the Ph.D. program without an M.A. in political science may expect to do significantly more work than that required of a student with such a degree in hand.

Students with political science as their co-discipline must take at least 12 hours in political science as designated by their committees. 

Requirements for Comprehensive Examinations

These examinations are given twice a year. Further information is available from the department.