{"id":658,"date":"2023-02-08T21:11:30","date_gmt":"2023-02-08T21:11:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/?page_id=658"},"modified":"2026-03-06T10:11:35","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T18:11:35","slug":"ph-d-program","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/ph-d-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Ph.D. Program Overview"},"content":{"rendered":"  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--intro-text align-center\"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--intro-text\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  \n          \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>The Political Science and International Relations (POIR) Ph.D. program began in 2003 and is part of the POIR Department. POIR is a medium-size Ph.D. program with approximately 60 students currently enrolled across all years. The POIR faculty have expertise in the fields of American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and research methods. Ph.D. students train in three of these areas, with most students emphasizing American politics, comparative politics, or international relations as their first field. Each incoming POIR cohort is approximately 8-12 students in size. Students take courses their first two-three years; take their qualifying exams in their third year; and write and complete their dissertations in years three, four, and five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \n    \n    \n  \n    \n    \n  \n    \n    \n  \n    \n    \n  \n    \n    \n  \n    \n  \n\n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--interactive-content-pane \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--interactive-content-pane\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n<div class=\"inner-wrapper\">\n  <div class=\"left\">\n              \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Learning Objectives\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n    <div class=\"pagination-wrapper\">\n      <ul class=\"interactive-content-pane-pagination\"><\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"right\">\n          <div class=\"swiper\">\n        <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Program\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n<p><font size=\"4\">The Political Science and International Relations Ph.D. program provides a well-structured and suitable education and training that reflects the current state of the disciplines and offers a breadth and flexibility rarely found in separate political science and international relations programs. Through effective and student-centered mentoring, research and teaching assistantships, professionalization workshops, and collaborative support for conference participation and publishing, POIR students train to be leading scholars who are competitive in both the academic and non-academic job markets.<\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"4\">*Please note: POIR does not offer a terminal Master&#8217;s Degree<\/font><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Coursework\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><font size=\"4\">Students will demonstrate mastery in critically applying knowledge and methodologies to address fundamental questions in the fields of American politics, comparative politics, international relations, and\/or methods, as evidenced by their academic performance in the programs curricular requirements and the qualifying examinations.<\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"4\">Students will gain, practice and evaluate their skills in various quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis to conduct scholarly research consistent with the highest standards of the discipline as evidenced by their academic performance in the core and advanced methodology courses, the acceptance of their dissertation proposal, participation in the POIR Math Bootcamp, and\/or completion of the POIR Methods field.<\/font><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Qualifying Exams\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><font size=\"4\">Students will be able to demonstrate mastery in recognizing, assessing and synthesizing the existing literature and research in the fields of political science and international relations as evidenced by students\u2019 academic performance in the program\u2019s core courses and the comprehensive examinations.<\/font><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Research &#038; Dissertation\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><font size=\"4\">Students will gain the intellectual independence and skills to conduct research that results in an original contribution to knowledge as evidenced by the extent of students participating at major conferences, the degree of students with peer-reviewed publications and grant applications, and the completion of their dissertations.<\/font><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Pedagogy\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><font size=\"4\">Students will demonstrate a mastery of pedagogical skills and knowledge at a level required for college and university undergraduate teaching in their discipline as evidenced by their academic performance in the teaching practicum seminar, the quality of students\u2019 teaching evaluations, and student participation in POIR and campus wide teaching workshops and trainings.<\/font><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n              <h3 class=\"pane-title\">\n                Professionalization\n              <\/h3>\n                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><font size=\"4\">Students will gain and demonstrate scholarly communication skills adequate to publish, prepare grant proposals and present work not only in the fields of political science and\/or international relations, but also across disciplines and diverse audiences as evidenced by the quality of their course papers and presentations, their participation at professional conferences and other research colloquia in various disciplines.<\/font><br \/>\n&nbsp;<br \/>\n<font size=\"4\">Students will develop the professional skills needed in their intended career placement as evidenced by their level of professionalism in the program, their participation in professionalization activities and training, the quality of their faculty mentorships, and the completion of the placement support group requirements.<\/font><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                          \n  \n                          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n  \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n  <div class=\"background-images\">\n          <div class=\"swiper swiper-background-images\">\n        <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2023\/02\/flags-Cropped-768x432.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2023\/02\/flags-Cropped-768x432.jpg 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  alt=\"A picture of a variety of flags representing different nations across the globe hanging in the outdoor hallways of the DMC building.\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2023\/02\/flags-Cropped-768x432.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2023\/02\/flags-Cropped-768x432.jpg 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  alt=\"A picture of a variety of flags representing different nations across the globe hanging in the outdoor hallways of the DMC building.\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2023\/02\/flags-Cropped-768x432.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2023\/02\/flags-Cropped-768x432.jpg 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  alt=\"A picture of a variety of flags representing different nations across the globe hanging in the outdoor hallways of the DMC building.\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2023\/02\/flags-Cropped-768x432.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2023\/02\/flags-Cropped-768x432.jpg 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  alt=\"A picture of a variety of flags representing different nations across the globe hanging in the outdoor hallways of the DMC building.\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2023\/02\/flags-Cropped-768x432.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2023\/02\/flags-Cropped-768x432.jpg 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  alt=\"A picture of a variety of flags representing different nations across the globe hanging in the outdoor hallways of the DMC building.\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                      <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n                                                                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--image\">\n\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \n              \n      <img decoding=\"async\"\n                            src=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2023\/02\/flags-Cropped-768x432.jpg\"\n          srcset=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2023\/02\/flags-Cropped-768x432.jpg 768w\"          sizes=\"(min-width:1200px) 75vw, (min-width:768px) 83vw, 100vw\"\n        \n                  alt=\"A picture of a variety of flags representing different nations across the globe hanging in the outdoor hallways of the DMC building.\"\n        \n        \n                                      \/>\n\n    \n    \n  \n  \n\n<\/div>\n                          <\/div>\n\n                  <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n        \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--cta-cards-collection \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--cta-cards-collection\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n      <div class=\"header-container\">\n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--section-title\">\n\n    \n  <h2>\n          Program Concentrations\n      <\/h2>\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n                  \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p>Pursue your specialized area of study and research within Political Science and International Relations<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n      \n      \n    <\/div>\n  \n      <div class=\"cards-container\">\n      \n        <div class=\"card\">\n\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/american-politics-concentration\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n            \n                                    <h3>American Politics<\/h3>\n                \n                                    <span class=\"card-description\">Field Director: Christian Dyogi Phillips<\/span>\n                \n                            <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n      \n        <div class=\"card\">\n\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/comparative-politics\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n            \n                                    <h3>Comparative Politics<\/h3>\n                \n                                    <span class=\"card-description\">Field Director: Jefferey Sellers<\/span>\n                \n                            <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n      \n        <div class=\"card\">\n\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/international-relations\/\" target=\"_blank\">\n            \n                                    <h3>International Relations<\/h3>\n                \n                                    <span class=\"card-description\">Field Director: Saori Katada<\/span>\n                \n                            <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n      \n        <div class=\"card\">\n\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/methods-and-research-tools-mrt\/\" >\n            \n                                    <h3>Methods and Research Tools<\/h3>\n                \n                                    <span class=\"card-description\">Field Director: Brian Palmer-Rubin<\/span>\n                \n                            <\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n  \n\n            \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--stacking-cards \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--stacking-cards\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n    \n            <div class=\"cards-container\">\n            \n                <div class=\"card\">\n\n                    <div class=\"title-description\">\n\n                                                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          Director of Graduate Studies\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n                                                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Brian Palmer-Rubin<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:brian.pr@usc.edu\">brian.pr@usc.edu<\/a><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n\n\n                    \n                <\/div>\n\n            \n                <div class=\"card\">\n\n                    <div class=\"title-description\">\n\n                                                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          Graduate Program Advisor\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n                                                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><font size=\"4\">Danielle De Rosa Ballard<br \/>\n<a href=\"mailto:dderosa@usc.edu\">dderosa@usc.edu<\/a><br \/>\nDMC 357B<\/font><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n\n\n                    \n                <\/div>\n\n            \n                <div class=\"card\">\n\n                    <div class=\"title-description\">\n\n                                                      \n<div class=\"f--field f--cta-title\">\n\n    \n  <h3>\n          Graduate Student Association\n      <\/h3>\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n                                                        \n<div class=\"f--field f--description\">\n\n    \n  <p><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Shenali Pilapitiya, President<br \/>\nYana Demeshko, Vice-President<br \/>\nDamin Jung, Secretary and DGSA Senator<br \/>\nSandra Barcenas, Treasurer<br \/>\nSinan Kircova, Programming Chair<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n                        \n                    <\/div>\n\n\n                    \n                <\/div>\n\n            \n        <\/div>\n    \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n                      \n  \n    \n\n\n\n\n\n\n<div\n  class=\"cc--component-container cc--link-list \"\n\n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  >\n  <div class=\"c--component c--link-list\"\n    \n      >\n\n    \n  \n      <div class=\"links-container\">\n\n                        \n        \n          \n            <div class=\"column\">\n                <ul>\n                                                                  <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/application-guidelines\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Applications &#038; Admissions\"  \n>\n    Applications &#038; Admissions \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/admitted-ph-d-students-next-steps\/\n    aria-label=\"Read more about Admitted Ph.D. Students: Next Steps\"  \n>\n    Admitted Ph.D. Students: Next Steps \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/65\/2025\/09\/POIR-Grad-School-PhD-Handbook-_090525.docx\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about POIR Program Guidelines and Handbook\"  \n>\n    POIR Program Guidelines and Handbook \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/degree-requirements\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about POIR Degree Requirements (By Year)\"  \n>\n    POIR Degree Requirements (By Year) \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/fellowships-and-funding\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Funding: Fellowships &#038; Graduate Assistantships\"  \n>\n    Funding: Fellowships &#038; Graduate Assistantships \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/external-fellowships\/\n    aria-label=\"Read more about External Fellowships\"  \n>\n    External Fellowships \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                          <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n\n          \n          \n        \n          \n            <div class=\"column\">\n                <ul>\n                                                                  <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/conferences\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Conferences &#038; Travel Awards\"  \n>\n    Conferences &#038; Travel Awards \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/ph-d-professionalization-resources\/\n    aria-label=\"Read more about Ph.D. Professionalization Resources\"  \n>\n    Ph.D. Professionalization Resources \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/graduate-student-resources\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Student Resources\"  \n>\n    Student Resources \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/summer-opportunities\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Summer Opportunities\"  \n>\n    Summer Opportunities \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                                                        <li>\n                                \n<div class=\"f--field f--link\">\n\n    \n    \n  \n<a \n  class=\"link\"\n  href= https:\/\/dornsife.usc.edu\/poir\/predoctoral-summer-institute-for-first-generation-scholars\/\n  target=\"_blank\"  aria-label=\"Read more about Predoctoral Summer Institute for First-Generation Scholars\"  \n>\n    Predoctoral Summer Institute for First-Generation Scholars \n  <svg version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" x=\"0px\" y=\"0px\" viewBox=\"0 0 35 35\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 35 35\" width=\"25\" height=\"25\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><polygon fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" fill=\"#000\" points=\"19.3,27.5 29.3,17.5,19.3,7.5 16.3,10.4 21.4,15.4 6.7,15.4 6.7,19.6 21.4,19.6 16.3,24.6 \"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n                                                    <\/li>\n                                                          <\/ul>\n            <\/div>\n\n          \n          \n        \n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n  \n\n  <\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":284,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-658","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Ph.D. Program Overview - Department of Political Science and International Relations<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" 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