Graduate Programs
The expertise of the School of Public and International Affairs is oriented to challenge our understanding of politics in fundamental ways and is positioned to translate new discoveries about those fundamentals into practical analysis that advances thinking in the political world. The school's faculty and students, thus, engage in pursuit of knowledge at the nexus of theory and action, advancing UC's overall institutional strengths in applied learning and discovery.
PhD Programs
Masters Programs
Graduate Certificates
Dual Degree Programs
- Master of Arts or PhD - Political Science / College of Law Juris Doctor (JD) Program
- DA - Diplomatic Academy, Vienna, Austria / MA or PhD - Political Science, SPIA, University of Cincinnati
MA or PhD / JD Dual Degrees - SPIA and College of Law
The MA/JD and PhD/JD programs are offered in collaboration with the College of Law at the University of Cincinnati. Students may complete the MA/JD program in four years and the PhD/JD program in six years. Jointly administered by the School of Public and International Affairs and the College of Law, students may spend their first year in either program, their second year in the other college, and their subsequent years completing a combination of seminars, writing projects and externships to satisfy the requirements in both colleges. In addition to completing the required coursework, the MA degree is earned by completing either a Master's thesis or professional paper, or through satisfactory performance on the doctoral comprehensive examinations.
Diplomatic Academy - Vienna, Austria and University of Cincinnati
Through the Diplomatic Academy Dual Degree program, students are first admitted to the DA in Vienna Austria, complete one or two years of work and then enter the MA or PhD track at UC, earning a degree from both institutions.
SPIA Research Strengths
Our school has research strengths in several areas, with multiple professors working within each:
- Constitutional Law, International Law, and Human Rights (with options of MA/JD and PhD/JD with the UC College of Law, home of the Urban Morgan Center for Human Rights):
- Cybersecurity or Security Studies (UC is home to the Ohio CyberRange and the Ohio Cyber Range Institute):
- Feminist Comparative and International Politics (view the PhD Concentration above for further details):
- Media and Politics (two Political Science faculty are also affiliated with Journalism):
- Religion and Politics - US and International. SPIA has the largest number of religion and politics scholars in a United States doctoral program.:
- Research Methods ranging from quantitative to interpretive (including a Graduate Certificate in Public Opinion and Survey Research):
- Social Justice (including our Social Justice focused MPA Program):
- South and East Asian Politics (with the option of an Asian Studies Graduate Certificate):
Funding and Financial Aid
The school funds a limited number of its graduate students to assist in their pursuit of degrees. Students applying to the school who wish to be considered for school funding must have their online application completed no later than January 15th for Fall Semester admission. The primary form of funding is a graduate assistantship, which includes a stipend and is accompanied by a full tuition scholarship. The school will prioritize the funding of doctoral students with outstanding potential and will typically maintain that funding for four years when students continue to make substantial progress through the program.
Political Science Graduate Student Association (PSGSA)
PSGSA is open to all UC students. PSGSA provides professional opportunities, external speakers, and research support for graduate students. Read more about PSGSA and Crystal Whetstone, a PhD student.
Research Symposium
Each year the School of Public and International Affairs and Political Science Graduate Student Association (PSGSA) hold a Symposium.