The pre-Ph.D. track offers an analytically rigorous, methodologically sophisticated curriculum in which participants take Ph.D.-level coursework in quantitative analysis and formal political theory, and are eligible to participate in some Ph.D. level seminars ordinarily reserved for doctoral students. The pre-Ph.D. track is specifically designed for students who are interested in pursuing academic careers in political science but who would like to invest in increasing their chances of admissions to top Ph.D. programs.
The state-of-the-art training participants receive in cutting edge social science techniques both improve their preparedness for Ph.D.-level study and enable them to demonstrate their aptitude and ability to succeed in a demanding program. And the track enables students to establish working relationships with top scholars in political science, and benefit from theiguidance and mentorship.
Coursework for the pre-Ph.D. track begins in the summer, when students take foundational coursework online in Math for Political Science, Quantitative Analysis I, Game Theory I, and a core substantive seminar (depending on the year, Comparative, International Relations, or US Politics). Over the following year, participants will continue to take a blend of M.A. and Ph.D. level courses. In the spring, each student will begin a research apprenticeship with a member of the regular permanent NYU Politics faculty, who will service as the student’s mentor in the program. The capstone is a Master’s thesis, which may be completed that spring or the following summer.
Students excelling in the track will be given special consideration if they choose to apply to the NYU Ph.D. program in Politics.
Competitive partial-support merit fellowships to help offset tuition costs will be available.
Key differences from the standard MA track:
- Start in the summer with a set of Ph.D. methods courses
- Access to other Ph.D. seminars based on performance in the summer Ph.D. courses
- Research apprenticeship with a permanent NYU Politics faculty
- Ability to complete the program faster
Students from the Pre-Ph.D. track have gone on to recieve Ph.D. admissions offers from top political science programs including New York University, Columbia University, Michigan University, Duke University, University of California San Diego, Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Univerity of Maryland, and SIAS at John Hopkins University.