To earn a PhD in political philosophy, you must complete a series of educational tasks in a specific order. A master’s degree in political philosophy or a related subject may be required for obtaining a PhD, but this is not always the case. A doctoral degree requires extensive study of a subject, as well as the completion and defense of a dissertation on a specific aspect of the subject being studied. The postgraduate experience in political philosophy will focus on elements of political thought from antiquity to the present.
A bachelor’s degree in political philosophy, or a subject directly related to it, such as political science, history, or philosophy, is required for a PhD in political philosophy. A master’s degree may be required, but it could also be a degree earned while working on your PhD. The application process varies institution, but you’ll typically need qualifying GRE scores from when you finished your bachelor’s degree, as well as three letters of recommendation from previous professors and your complete transcripts. You may also be required to meet with the department chair of the universities to which you are applying for an interview.
Your PhD in political philosophy program will begin with an orientation, and you may be given the option to teach or assist with undergraduate political philosophy courses in exchange for teaching experience and a stipend if you are accepted. This opportunity is especially beneficial if you intend to use your PhD in political philosophy to teach after graduation. Teaching assistantships can also help you integrate more quickly into the university’s political philosophy department.
The number of courses required for a PhD in political philosophy varies depending on the university, the program, and the emphasis you want to pursue. The average number of credit hours required for a political philosophy PhD is between 22 and 30 in many programs. You’ll need to choose an emphasis, a dissertation topic, an adviser, and a committee to evaluate and approve your completed dissertation once you’ve completed the first or second academic term.
Every society in human history has benefited from political philosophy. You can select an emphasis that focuses on political thought in a specific culture or time period in history. You can also choose to concentrate your research on the works of a single political philosopher or the tenets of a specific school of political thought.