An undergraduate major in political science is preferred but not required. Applicants must demonstrate both past performance of exceptional quality in their academic work and promise of sustained excellence in the future. Three letters of recommendation must be submitted to the department at the time of application, in addition to the transcripts and results of the Graduate Record Examination. Completed applications should be in the department by February 1, so that decisions can be reached by mid-March. The Department is usually able to provide financial support to our doctoral candidates for a period of three or four years, although the department's initial commitment typically is only for two years, with additional years of funding contingent on the student's performance.
Regular grants carry a stipend and full tuition remission.
They entail six to eight hours per week of research assistance to members of the faculty or teaching assistance in undergraduate courses. Each year the department also awards the Thomas P. O'Neill Fellowship to an incoming student in American politics. Named in honor of the former Speaker of the House, this fellowship carries a larger stipend in addition to full tuition remission. The grant entails some assistance to the O'Neill Professor or other activity related to the O'Neill program.