Degree Requirements



	The M.A.
	Advanced Standing
	The M.Phil.
	The Ph.D.

For the M.A. Degree

In order to qualify for the Master of Arts degree, students must meet the following requirements.

Residence Requirement

In addition to registering for individual courses, students in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences are required to register for Residence at the University. In all Ph.D. programs and most M.A. programs, this is typically done by registering for Residence Units during the academic year, which provide the basis for tuition charges.

Two Residence Units are required for the Master of Arts degree.

Students who have have received an M.A. degree from another institution should see the section below on Advanced Standing.

Consult the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Bulletin for further detail on the residence requirement.

Course Requirements

Students in the Ph.D. program (within two academic years) must take a minimum of six (6) political science courses for Examination credit (for a letter grade), including:

two colloquia or seminars (8000- or 9000-level courses);or equivalent courses that include the requirement of writing a paper.
two courses, normally in one of the four subfields of political science (i.e., American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and political theory);
two additional courses, normally in a second subfield of political science.

One of the two sets of courses in the non-colloquium section of the requirement must be completed with an average grade of B+ or better.

Courses in other departments may be substituted for those of the Department of Political Science with the prior written approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. Students in the sequential M.A. program should select courses with M.Phil. course distribution requirements in mind.

Research Tool Requirement

For the M.A. degree, the department requires command of one research tool, selected from the following list:

a reading knowledge of a foreign language, demonstrated by successfully passing the proficiency exam offered by most language departments, or by placing out of the fourth year on the placement exam offered by one of the university's language departments;
an approved two-course sequence in quantitative analysis with an average grade of B or better;
an approved two-course sequence in formal modeling with an average grade of B or better;

one course in qualitative methodology in combination with any one of the below quantitative or formal modeling courses (or, for PhD students who are pursuing a minor in quantitative methods, in combination with a substantive course in a field other than the major field) with an average grade of B or better. Courses in qualitative methods include:

POLS G6802 (methods of inquiry and research design)
POLS G9290 (qualitative& interpretative methods in PS)
SOC G6091 (historical method & documentary analysis)
Or an alternative approved by the DGS

a comparable level of proficiency in a comparable research tool, approved in writing by the MAO Program Advisor or DGS upon recommendation of the student’s advisor.

Two-course sequences that fulfill the “Research Tool” requirements are:

Quantitative Analysis

W4910 and W4911
W4910 and W4209
W4912 and W4291
W4912 and W4292

Formal modeling

W4209 and W4210
W4360 and W4209

Languages used to fulfill the research tools requirement are to be chosen in consultation with the advisor from among those encompassing a significant literature in political science, including French, Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and Italian. Certain other languages necessary for the student’s research interests may be offered as a foreign language upon approval by the student’s advisor and the MAO Program Advisor or DGS. English may not be offered as a foreign language.

Human Subjects Training Requirement

In the first semester of residence, all Ph.D. students must complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Board’s online training course in human subjects protection. Details and links to the training course can be accessed here.

When training is complete, students should download the certificate proof of completion and deliver it to the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Advanced Standing

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences awards advanced standing to students who have received M.A. degrees before entering the Ph.D. program. Usually, eligible students are credited with two units of advanced standing, which reduces the residency requirement for the M.Phil. by two residence units. A student who has completed the M.I.A. or M.P.A. at Columbia's School of International and Public Affairs is usually awarded three units of advanced standing.

A student who has already earned the M.A. in a particular field and who receives two units of advanced standing on the basis of that degree is not eligible for the Columbia M.A. in that field.

It is also possible for a student to receive one or three units of advanced standing depending on the prior graduate education experience. Usually, one unit is given to a student who has completed the M.A. in a similar or related, but not identical, field. For example, political science doctoral candidates who have completed the M.A. in international relations/affairs, public affairs, philosophy, or regional studies may receive one unit of advanced standing.

A student who receives one unit of advanced standing is still eligible for the Columbia M.A.

In some departments, students who receive advanced standing are considered second-year Ph.D. students and therefore are expected to complete certain requirements, such as comprehensive examinations, on the same schedule as students who entered the Ph.D. program a year earlier.

In the Department of Political Science, students who enter with the M.A. in political science are not considered second-year doctoral students. Upon admission, these students will be considered for advanced standing, and if the department recommends an award of two units of advanced standing, they will not be eligible for the M.A. in political science from Columbia. However, this department's expectation is that students who receive advanced standing will complete degree requirements on the same schedule to which students entering without advanced standing are held. For example, the expectation is that students who enter the program with advanced standing will complete the required twelve courses no later than the fourth term, the comprehensive exams no later than the fifth term, and the M.Phil. degree no later than the eighth term.

An award of one, two, or three units of advanced standing does not automatically reduce any M.Phil. degree requirements. Previous graduate coursework may be offered in fulfillment of degree requirements; however, each course must be petitioned to the DGS.

The Department of Political Science does not count "credits," only courses. So, while twelve points of credit from another institution are typically translated to one unit of advanced standing, this does not mean that one unit of advanced standing reduces by twelve the number of credits required for the M.Phil. since the degree requirements are conceived and expressed as course distribution requirements, not credit-hour requirements.

Finally, students who enter the Ph.D. program with the M.A. in political science or a related field and are awarded advanced standing may decide to complete degree requirements, such as the comprehensive exams, ahead of schedule. However, taking a comprehensive exam early requires permission of the DGS in consultation with the student's advisor.

(Any student who wants to attempt the comprehensive exams ahead of schedule may do so, whether or not they have received advanced standing or entered the program with previous graduate experience. The permission of the DGS is required in either case.)

Consult the bulletin of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for further detail on policies related to Advanced Standing.

For The M.Phil. Degree

Residence Requirement

Six Residence Units are required for the M.Phil. degree, This total includes two Residence Units required for the M.A. earned in progress toward the M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees or advanced standing and a complementary number of Residence Units.

Course Requirements

Courses and research tools used to fulfill the M.A. degree requirements all can be used to fulfill M.Phil. degree requirements.

In order to qualify for the Master of Philosophy degree, students must meet the following requirements.

During the first four semesters of residence, students must take a minimum of twelve (12) political science courses for Examination credit (for a letter grade), including:

three of the department’s four Field Surveys (i.e., 6210, 6403, 6601, 6801);
four of the department’s colloquia and seminars (i.e., 8000- and 9000-level courses), at least two of which must involve the preparation of research papers;
one course in quantitative analysis or formal modeling.

The twelve courses students must take for Examination credit must include at least two courses in each of two different subfields of political science.

The department’s field surveys are:

G6210, Theories and Debates in American Politics
G6403, Issues in Comparative Politics
G6601, Issues in Political Theory
G6801, Theories of International Relations

Certain approved courses may be offered in lieu of the third field survey requirement. Students should inform the DGS of their intention to offer one of these courses to fulfill the field survey requirement. The approved courses are:

American Politics:

G8223, Legislative Behavior and Institutions

Comparative Politics:

Any 8000 level course in comparative politics

International Relations:

G8804, International Political Economy
W4895, War, Peace and Strategy

Political Theory:

W4134, Modern Political Thought

The courses that fulfill the “one course in quantitative analysis or formal modeling” requirement are:

W4209Y, Game Theory and Political Theory
W4210X, Research Topics in Game Theory
W4291X, Advanced Topics in Quantitative Research
W4910X, Quantitative Political Research
W4911Y, Analysis of Political Data
W4912Y, Multivariate Political Research
W4330, Regression and Multilevel Models (Statistics Department)
G7110, Political Science Methodology (Statistics Department)
G7300, Research in Bayesian Statistics (Statistics Department)

Research Tools Requirement

For the M.Phil. degree, the department requires command of two research tools, selected from the following list:

a reading knowledge of a foreign language, demonstrated by successfully passing the proficiency exam offered by most language department, or by placing out of the 4th year on the placement exam offered in a few departments (e.g., East Asian languages);
an approved two-course sequence in quantitative analysis with an average grade of B or better;
an approved two-course sequence in formal modeling with an average grade of B or better;
a two-course combination of an approved course in qualitative methodology and any quantitative or formal model course or a substantive course for students who are pursuing a minor in quantitative methods with an average grade of B or better;
a comparable level of proficiency in a comparable research tool, approved in writing by the MAO Program Advisor or DGS upon recommendation of the student’s advisor.

Two-course sequences that fulfill one of the Research tools requirements are:

Quantitative Analysis:

W4910 and W4911
W4910 and W4912
W4910 and W4209
W4912 and W4291
W4912 and W4292

Formal modeling:

W4209 and W4210
W4360 and W4209

Approved Qualitative Methods Courses:

POLSG6802, Methods of Inquiry and Research Design
POLSG9290, Qualitative and Interpretative Methods in Political Science
SOCG6091, Historical Method and Documentary Analysis

Courses used to fulfill the “research tools” requirement simultaneously fulfill the “one course in quantitative methods” requirement but cannot be counted towards the four-course requirement of those completing quantitative methods as a minor subfield.

Languages used to fulfill the “research tools” requirement are to be chosen in consultation with the advisor from among those encompassing a significant literature in political science, including French, Spanish, German, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and Italian. Certain other languages necessary for the student’s research interests may, upon approval by the student’s advisor and the DGS, be offered as a foreign language. English may not be offered as a foreign language.

The research tool used to fulfill the M.A. degree requirement automatically fulfills one of the two research tools requirements of the M.Phil. But the tool used to fulfill the M.A. degree research tool requirement does not have to be one of the tools used to fulfill the M.Phil. research tools requirement.

Methods Minors may satisfy the Research Tool requirement with two courses from the same subfield outside of their major subfield. For example, a student could satisfy the requirement with two courses in international relations as long as international relations is not the student’s major subfield.

Residency and Continuous Registration Requirement

A Residence Unit (RU) is a tuition category. Students must register for and accumulate six RUs in order to be eligible for the M.Phil. After fulfilling the residency requirement, students register for Extended Residence (ER) or Matriculation and Facilities (M&F). Students are required to continuously register through out their years in the program, including the term in which they distribute the defense copies of the dissertation. Click here for more information on Resident Units and Other Registration Categories.

Each unit of advanced standing reduces the number of residence units required for the M.Phil. by one residence unit. Students who have been granted two units of advanced standing have fulfilled the residency requirement at the end of their 2nd year, but can obviously only receive the M.Phil. if they have fulfilled the other degree requirements.

Mid-Program Interview:

Each student will be scheduled for a mid-program interview during his or her third semester or in their second semester with . Two members of the faculty, normally the student’s advisor and the DGS, will conduct the interview. The goal of the meeting is to assess progress, to evaluate the student’s preparation thus far for the comprehensive exams, to counsel about future coursework and completing the degree requirements, and to discuss the student’s research interests. The interviewers compile a short record of the meeting in the student's file for future reference.

Research Paper Presentation Requirement

In the spring of their second year, students must present a research paper at the departmental student conference, referred to as “Mini-APSA.” This paper need not be written especially for this occasion, but can be or grow out of one completed for a course. Students will not be graded for the exercise, but will receive comments from a faculty discussant.

Comprehensive Examination in Subjects

A candidate for the M.Phil. degree takes on-campus written and oral examinations in a major and a minor field after no more than four semesters of residence, unless the DGS gives permission in writing for an extension.

Students select a major and a minor field from among the four subfields: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory. Students may also select pre-approved minors in Economics, Quantitative Methods, or Law. Students may petition to do a special minor by following procedures outlined below.

In order to take comprehensive exams, students must meet minimal expectations for academic achievement. Each student's academic record is reviewed by the Fellowship Committee annually on the basis of academic performance, including the timely and satisfactory completion of course, research tool, and research paper requirements. A student who does not meet minimal expectations will be so notified by the DGS, and, in a meeting with the DGS and the student's adviser, will be informed of what improvements must occur in order for the student to be eligible to take the comprehensive exams. Students who are so notified and who do not meet these expectations prior to the exams will not be allowed to take them, and will be considered to have failed the exams one time.

Normally, students take the exams in the first semester of their third year of study. Students who propose to take an exam before their third year of study must have their academic records reviewed by the DGS to ensure that they are meeting minimal expectations for academic achievement. Students who take the exam early (and only such students) are permitted to take the major without simultaneously taking the minor, which must be taken by or before the normal time.

The oral examination committee (comprised of three faculty members if both major and minor fields are being examined, or two members if only the major or only the minor field is being examined, normally specializing in the field(s) under examination) will make a recommendation regarding the outcome of the exam, taking into consideration the student's performance on both the written and oral components. The faculty as a whole will then render a collective deliberation evaluating the merits of the exam itself for a final decision on whether the student has passed or failed the exam.

A student who fails the comprehensive exam on the first attempt will be given written feedback from the orals committee regarding the reasons for the failure and the areas in which improvement is needed (students who pass may see the chair of the oral examining committee for comments). . A student who fails the comprehensive exam a second time is eligible to receive the M.Phil. if the faculty so agrees based on his or her record even when she or he is not eligible to continue the program toward the PhD dissertation.

If the faculty decides to pass a student on the comprehensive exams, the presumption is that the student will continue to pursue the Ph.D. unless the DGS has identified problems in the student's record that require a faculty discussion about his or her ability to continue in the doctoral program, in which case the faculty will discuss whether the student shall receive a terminal M.Phil. (contingent on satisfaction of all M.Phil. requirements). In making this decision, the entirety of the student's record and performance will be considered. This includes grades, the number of Incompletes (more than one at the time of the exam weakens the student's record), the quality of the student's research papers, and the performance on the comprehensive exams (students with weaker academic records will be helped by good performance on the exams). If the faculty decides that the student's record is not satisfactory for continuation toward the Ph.D., the DGS (in consultation with the faculty and under GSAS rules) will notify the student of the problems that exist with the record, what must be done to address these problems, and a timeline within which they must be addressed to the satisfaction of the faculty. After the allotted time, the faculty will make a collective decision regarding whether the student can then continue to pursue the Ph.D. or shall receive a terminal M.Phil. (contingent on satisfaction of all M.Phil. requirements).

Grievances regarding the outcome of comprehensive exams can be pursued according to the procedures laid out in GSAS rules.

*Please note that there is no oral exam for sociomedical science students minoring in political science; they take only the written minor exam in one subfield.

Click here for sample exams, examples of passing essays, and a more detailed explanation of the grading procedure (access limited to Department student, faculty, and staff).

Quantitative Methods as a Minor Field

The Minor in Quantitative Methods ("Methods" or "Methodology") is intended for Political Science doctoral students whose research plans call for a strong background in statistics or mathematical modeling. The minor will usually include four or more courses in statistical or formal methods taught at the graduate level. Students may take graduate level courses in the Departments of Economics, Sociology, and Statistics or in the Business School. Students wishing to pursue the minor should submit for approval by the Committee on Quantitative Methods an application containing the following: a proposal for a particular course of study; a statement of research plans; and the names of at least two faculty members, which may include one outside the Department of Political Science, who have agreed to serve as advisers and examiners. After the completion of all coursework, the student will submit and defend a research paper demonstrating an ability to deploy advanced quantitative methods and/or mathematical modeling in service of substantive research in political science. A "satisfactory" grade on this paper, the maintenance of a B average in the quantitative courses taken for the minor, and a satisfactory performance in the student's oral exam will determine whether the student has successfully completed the Minor in Quantitative Methods. The paper may not be used for seminar credit in any other course, nor may it be used to fulfill the "Research paper presentation" requirement.

No course taken in fulfillment of the Research Tool requirement may count toward any part of the minor in quantitative methods, and no course taken in fulfillment of the minor in quantitative methods may count toward the Research Tool requirement.

Economics as a Minor Field

The Economics Minor is intended for Political Science doctoral students whose research plans call for a strong background in an area of economics. The minor usually includes four or more classes in economics taught at the Ph.D. level. Students may also include Ph.D. level courses from the Business School if they are appropriate for his/her research interests.

The requirements of the minor are:

Taking four courses in economics taught at the Ph.D. level; and
Passing one of the three-certification exams administered by the economics department.

Students in the minor must complete at least one of the three introductory economic sequences:

G6211-G6212. Microeconomic Analysis, I and II;
G6215-G6216. Macroeconomic Analysis, I and II;
G6411-G6412. Introduction to Econometrics, I and II

Please note that in order to take the Microeconomic sequence a student must demonstrate sufficient knowledge of mathematics by either passing G6410, Mathematical Methods for Economists, or by passing a special examination (given in September) in the application of real analysis, differential calculus, linear algebra, and set and probability theory to economic problems.

We recommend that students take either or both the first year microeconomics and macroeconomics sequences. In May of each year the economics department holds certifications exams for all thee introductory economic sequences. The student must pass the certification exam in one of the sequences they took during the year.

Students should also take at least two other Ph.D. economics classes for E credit in the field of their primary interest after this introduction (e.g., international trade, development, etc.). Four econ courses take for E credit will count toward the 12-course required for the M.Phil.

Students should note that doing this track is very mathematics intensive. Completion of the graduate micro and macro courses requires serious mathematical skills, which should be obtained before entering the course.

To be admitted to the minor a student must submit for approval to the Chair of the Economics Minor an application containing the following:

A statement of his or her research plans, and an explanation of why study of economics is important to the fulfillment of those plans;
A proposal for a particular course of study identifying the courses to be taken; and the name of at least one faculty member in the political science department to serve as advisor.

Questions related to economics as a minor field should be directed to the Department of Political Science

Law as a Minor Field

For a minor in law, students must take no fewer than three courses in the School of Law and must work with two professors of Law who agree to read an original research paper (i.e., a new paper that has not been prepared for course credit) and conduct an oral examination. A member of the Political Science faculty must approve these arrangements.

Special Minors

Students may, with departmental approval, fulfill the minor field requirement by constructing am ad hoc minor field. Special minor fields must be directly relevant to topics in the field of political science, but may include work in disciplines other than political science. Any student who wishes to fulfill the minor field requirement with a special minor must submit a proposal for this field to the DGS and receive approval from the DGS and another faculty sponsor. The proposal must specify three courses the student will take in the special minor field, one of which must be equivalent in scope to the Department’s field survey courses (note that this course is taken in addition to the three departmental field survey courses). In addition, the student must submit an original research paper in the special minor field and must take and pass an oral examination based on the research paper given by two faculty members, at least one of whom must be a member of the Department of Political Science. The student will be certified by the DGS to have fulfilled the minor field requirement when he or she has taken and passed the three courses with an average grade of B or better, submitted the research paper, and passed the oral examination.

Note: Just as with the regular comprehensive minor exam, a student who fails the special minor exam (or its equivalent) on the first attempt will be given written feedback from the orals committee regarding the reasons for the failure and the areas in which improvement is needed (students who pass may see the chair of the oral examining committee for comments). A student who fails the exam a second time is eligible to receive the M.Phil. if the faculty so agrees based on his or her record even when she or he is not eligible to continue the program toward the PhD dissertation.

Deadlines for Completion of Special Minor Fields

Students wishing to minor in quantitative methodology, economics, law, or a special field must complete all requirements for the minor by the end of the first semester of the student's third year. If a student does not pass the first oral exam (i.e., if the faculty committee requires revisions of the paper and a second oral exam), all revisions and the second oral exam must be completed by the end of the next semester. Students who do not pass the exam and complete all course requirements for the minor by the end of their third year (end of classes in the Spring semester of their third year) will not have completed the minor field requirement necessary to be granted candidacy for the Ph.D. and will not be allowed to continue in the program. A regional institute Certificate does not satisfy the minor requirement.

Teaching Requirement

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences requires all M.Phil. candidates to "fulfill a one-year GSAS teaching requirement that must be completed in their first four years of residence." In addition, GSAS multi-year teaching fellowships carry an obligation to participate in the instructional activities of the Department for three years. As a rule, in the second, third and fourth years of study, students gain exposure to teaching as assistants to professors in or section leaders in lecture courses offered by the Department of Political Science.

Students who are interested in broadening their teaching apprenticeships are eligible to teach in the undergraduate Core Curriculum once they have received the M.Phil. Students may only apply to be a Core preceptor if they have or expect to have the M.Phil. by the May prior to being appointed as a preceptor, and if they are not past their sixth year of registration during the first year of the preceptorship. Students may not hold instructional appointments after their seventh year of study.

Exceptions to the teaching requirement may be available to students who secure outside fellowships and/or research assistantships. Inquiries about exceptions should be made to the DGS. Non-native speakers of English are required to take the English Proficiency Test offered by the American Language Program before teaching.

For the Ph.D. Degree

Continuous Registration

After fulfilling the residency requirement, students register for Extended Residence (ER) or Matriculation and Facilities (M&F). Students are required to continuously register through out their years in the program, including the term in which they distribute the defense copies of the dissertation. Click here for more information on registration.

Dissertation Seminars:

Students in their third and fourth years of residence are required to participate in one of the dissertation seminars approved by the department. Registration for a letter grade is recommended but not required. Participation by students in earlier years of residence is by permission of the instructor. Participation is strongly recommended for students in later years of study unless they are off campus conducting research.

The courses that fulfill the dissertation seminar requirement are:

G9901x-G9902y, Dissertation Seminar and alternatives approved by petition to the DGS

These seminars are for students in all fields working on any and all topics in political science. Students will have the opportunity to present draft dissertation proposals and draft dissertation chapters.

In addition, other co-curricular seminars and workshops supervised by departmental faculty may also be used to fulfill the dissertation seminar requirement upon approval of the DGS. The main guidelines for such approval are that the seminar series meet regularly, have regular faculty supervision and attendance, and provide opportunities for students to present proposals and chapters. Several existing seminars on contentious politics, political theory, political economy, and other topics would in most cases be approved for this purpose.

Fellowship Application Requirement

Students are expected to apply for at least one external fellowship during their first four years of study.

Writing and Defending the Dissertation

Dissertation Proposal

Every student who has passed comprehensive exams must submit a dissertation proposal by the end of the sixth semester of residence, or during the semester in which the special minor exam is passed, whichever comes latest. The proposal defense needs to be approved by at least one sponsor, who is presumed to be the sponsor of the student's dissertation. The student can pass, fail or pass with revisions. If revisions are required, the sponsor has the obligation to establish a deadline for revisions and inform the DGS of the student's completion of those revisions so that the proposal may be approved. If the student has not successfully defended his or her dissertation proposal by the end of the fourth year of study, the faculty will deliberate and make a decision on whether the student may continue in the Ph.D. program.

Please see the department's dissertation proposal guidelines here.

Dissertation Seminars

Students in their third and fourth years of residence are required to participate in one of the dissertation seminars approved by the department. Registration for E credit is recommended but not required. Participation by students in earlier years of residence is by permission of the instructor. Participation is strongly recommended for students in later years of study unless they are off campus conducting research.

Final Examination

The Dissertation Defense is the final requirement for completing the Ph.D. Once the faculty advisor has approved a dissertation as ready for defense, she assembles a committee of examiners in conjunction with the Department Chair's office. The application for dissertation defense is forwarded to James Cunha, the Dissertation Officer in the Office of Student Affairs. The dissertation office will schedule the defense.

See the University regulations for defense and permanent deposit of the dissertation under Degree Requirements in the Bulletin of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Usually, no more than seven years of candidacy for the Ph.D. degree from the time of initial registration in the department is allowed. Semesters of residence granted as advanced standing are not counted toward the time limit for fulfilling M.Phil. or Ph.D. requirements.