45 Best Political Science PhD Degree Programs for 2025

Discover the leading Political Science PhD Degree programs for 2025. Our list of 45 courses is tailored to help you excel in your chosen field with WeUni.

2

Field of study

Course type

Only online courses

Where to study

Ph.D. in Public Affairs

University of Colorado South Denver

logo University of Colorado South Denver

United States of America (USA)

Political Science, Public Administration

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

This program emphasizes public administration scholarship, public policy, public management, and criminal justice/criminology in preparation for positions in academia and consulting firms, public management and administration, public policy analysis, politics and advocacy, and nonprofits.

Ph.D. in Public Affairs

University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs

logo University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs

United States of America (USA)

Political Science, Public Administration

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Public Affairs offers rigorous, an advanced study that prepares researchers to enter academia or join highly respected institutions involved in cutting-edge research in public affairs, policy, planning, and management/governance.

PhD in Higher Geostrategic and Geopolitical Studies

Académie de Géopolitique

logo Académie de Géopolitique

France

Political Science, International Relations

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Advanced Studies in Geostrategic and Geopolitical Studies (PhD) program offers an extensive definition of the international arena, with methodological work research, as well as a clear concept of change in the complex modern world of today. The program seeks to develop the capacity of research and critical analysis with a very high level of expertise.

PHD in Public Administration

Lanzhou University School of Management

logo Lanzhou University School of Management

China

Political Science, Social Policy, Public Policy, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Relying on various international cooperation and communication, the doctoral programs of LUSM pay close attention to administration system reform in China, public administration of Western China, and other important public policies. Several specializations have been formed, including government performance evaluation and management, ethnic administration development of Western China, sustainable development policy and government administration of Western China, the relationship between governments and enterprises, etc. Two university-level research institutes are formed on the platform of these programs, including the China Center for Government Performance and Evaluation, and the Center for Public Administration of Western China. Programs - Public Administration

PhD in Development Studies (by Research)

Institute of Development Studies

logo Institute of Development Studies

United Kingdom

Social Sciences, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The PhD in Development Studies by Research is IDS’s advanced research degree. It is awarded to candidates after a minimum of three years study, based on completion of original and significant research in the field of Development Studies – which is assessed through a written thesis.

English

3 Years

Find out more

Ph.D. in Public Affairs

University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs

logo University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs

United States of America (USA)

Political Science, Public Administration

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

This program emphasizes public administration scholarship, public policy, public management, and criminal justice/criminology in preparation for positions in academia and consulting firms, public management and administration, public policy analysis, politics and advocacy, and nonprofits.

Ph.D. in Political Science

Boston College

logo Boston College

United States of America (USA)

Social Sciences, Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The department's course offerings are organized in four fields: Political Theory, American Politics, International Politics, and Comparative Politics.

English

5 Years

Find out more

Ph.D. in Political Science

University at Albany SUNY Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy

logo University at Albany SUNY Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy

United States of America (USA)

Political Science, International Relations, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Ph.D. in Political Science program at UAlbany provides a broad foundation in classic and contemporary theoretical, empirical, and methodological debates in political science while allowing you to gain expertise in your area of interest. Choose from specialized majors in American politics, comparative politics, international relations, political theory, public law, and public policy.

Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy

American Graduate School in Paris

logo American Graduate School in Paris

France

Political Science, International Relations

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy at AGS allows students to specialize in a specific domain of knowledge while gaining the recognition that is instrumental to pursue advanced careers in academics, think tanks, international organizations, or government research.

English, French

4 Years

Find out more

PhD in Maritime Affairs

World Maritime University

logo World Maritime University

Sweden

Environmental Science, Sustainability, Engineering, International Relations, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The World Maritime University (WMU) was established by the UN’s International Maritime Organisation in 1983 and is IMO’s apex institution for postgraduate education and research in the maritime field.

English

3 Years

Find out more

Doctoral Program in Global Environmental Studies

Kyoto University - Graduate School Of Global Environmental Studies

logo Kyoto University - Graduate School Of Global Environmental Studies

Japan

Environmental Science, Sustainability, International Relations, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

This program accepts students who have obtained a master’s degree or the equivalent in various fields. The program encompasses the Department of Global Ecology, the Department of Technology and Ecology, and the Department of Natural Resources of the Hall of Global Environmental Research, as well as the Grove of Universal Learning. Students’ specialized study themes are selected from the vast range of themes related to global environmental studies, based on prior study and approaches in the humanities and social sciences as well as natural science, agriculture and engineering. After receiving a doctoral degree, students may work at universities or environment-related government/private-sector research organizations.

Doctorate in Urban Studies

INRS University

logo INRS University

Canada

Social Sciences, Sociology, Public Policy, Architecture, Urban Planning

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

In urban studies, you will take a look at the social issues of the day, study the city in all its dimensions. Whether it is to better understand the territory as a place of habitat, work, and mobility, as a management body or space for individual, collective, and community activities, you will produce knowledge that will guide action on the territory.

Centre of Resilience for Social Justice

University of Brighton- Doctoral College

logo University of Brighton- Doctoral College

United Kingdom

Social Sciences, Psychology, Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work, Counseling Psychology, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Working directly through our social enterprise and network, which is known as 'Boingboing', the Centre of Resilience for Social Justice tackles disadvantage and brings genuine change to people's lives around the world.

PhD of Public Administration

University of Illinois at Chicago College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs

logo University of Illinois at Chicago College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs

United States of America (USA)

Public Policy, Public Administration, Organizational Leadership

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The doctoral program in the Department of Public Administration provides students with a rich and diverse education through a combination of hands-on research training and a foundation of coursework targeted at your specific areas of interest.

English

4 Years

Find out more

Ph.D. Social Sciences and Education Policy

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

logo University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

United States of America (USA)

Social Sciences, Public Policy, Education

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Explore research and the literature of sociology, political science, anthropology, and cultural studies. Students can expect a multidisciplinary focus on the social context of educational policy and practice, particularly in terms of social justice in formal and informal contexts of teaching and learning.

Ph.D. in Marine Affairs

University of Rhode Island College of the Environment and Life Sciences

logo University of Rhode Island College of the Environment and Life Sciences

United States of America (USA)

Environmental Science, Sustainability, Public Policy

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The world’s coastal regions have become trendy places to live and visit. Our coasts and oceans are also immensely important ecologically and economically. Our coasts and oceans, however, are particularly vulnerable to overuse and climate changes.

Doctor of Strategic Security

Henley-Putnam National American University

logo Henley-Putnam National American University

Online

United States of America (USA)

Emergency & Disaster Management, Public Policy, Criminal Justice

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Today, security environments evolve quickly and demand strategic thinkers equipped with the confidence and problem-solving skills to lead their organizations safely and securely into the future.

PhD Programme on Innovation, Economics and Governance for Development (IEGD)

United Nations University

logo United Nations University

Japan

Economics, Public Policy, Business Administration

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The Ph.D. Programme on Innovation, Economics, and Governance for Development (IEGD) is a multidisciplinary course offered by UNU-MERIT and its School of Governance. The programme focuses on research skills and methods, training fellows to become both scholars and practitioners in the fields of governance and the economics of technology. The programme provides advanced training in the knowledge and skills most relevant to the economics of technology and innovation, and to governance, social protection, and migration. Built around a core of courses on innovation and development, the programme also features modules on the economics of technological change, complex social systems, governance and policy evaluation, social protection, and migration. During their first year, fellows complete an intensive programme of required and elective courses, taught by leading scholars of UNU-MERIT and our partner universities. These courses are taught in English, in Maastricht, and spread across two semesters, starting in September each year. The course work is followed by three years of dissertation research and writing, ending with a completed Ph.D. thesis. At the end of the programme, the doctoral degree is awarded by Maastricht University upon successful defense of the thesis. Our students pursue a wide variety of dissertation topics, fitting into any of the institute’s eight research themes: 1. Economics of Knowledge and Innovation 2. Structural Change and Economic Development 3. Economic Complexity and Innovation 4. Governance and institutions 5. Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Sustainability Transitions 6. Migration and Development 7. Social Protection 8. Population, Development and Labour Economics

Executive Ph.D. in Public Policy

Southern University Baton Rouge Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences

logo Southern University Baton Rouge Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences

United States of America (USA)

Political Science, Public Administration

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Everyone is impacted by Policy. For every problem, there is a solution. How the solution is devised, shared, interpreted, implemented, how it is paid for, who is impacted by it, and the outcomes are all components of public policy. These two introductory statements are the genesis of public policy and its multi-discipline genre. Whether an individual works or aspires to work in education, transportation, healthcare, hospitality, entertainment, for the government, in corporate America, or for self, public policy is essential to advancement and success. This is the only program that benefits a multitude of professions. Whether the policies impact staff, the local community, a population within the community, the state, the nation, or the world, they must be devised properly and intentionally using a systematic method to ensure the desired outcomes are achieved and federal, state, and sometimes local compliance is implicit in the planning. To this end, no matter who you are, where you work, or what you do, public policy impacts you.

PhD in Intercultural Studies

Georgia Central University

logo Georgia Central University

Online

United States of America (USA)

Anthropology, International Relations, Cultural Heritage, Foreign Languages and Literatures

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The purpose of the Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies program is to equip students for the vocations of teaching and research in theological schools, colleges, and universities or for the academic study of missional and ministerial practice.

English, Kanuri

4 Years

Find out more

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy), Political Science

A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is the highest academic degree awarded by universities. It involves conducting original research in a specific field and making a significant contribution to knowledge. PhDs are typically pursued by individuals seeking careers in academia, research, or specialized industries requiring advanced expertise.

Political Science is the study of government systems, political behavior, and public policies. It explores the dynamics of power, governance, and decision-making at local, national, and international levels. Students in this field analyze political theories, institutions, and processes to understand and address complex societal issues and contribute to shaping public policies and governance structures.