Bilkent University

The Ph.D. Program at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration is designed to provide Ph.D. candidates with theoretical background, analytical abilities, and empirical research skills in accordance with international academic standards in four major fields (Turkish Politics, Comparative Politics, Political Theory, Social Theory and Cultural Studies). Students are admitted to the program by written application and after an evaluation by the Graduate Admissions Committee of the Department. Also refer to the "Graduate Admissions" section in the introduction of this catalogue for the general graduate admission requirements.

A candidate for the Ph.D. degree must:

1. Successfully complete the core curriculum for Ph.D. Degree at the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. There are two elective pools in the core curriculum. These are Specialization Electives (POLS 601 Seminar in Turkish Politics, POLS 602 Seminar in Comparative Politics, POLS 606 Seminar in Political Theory, POLS 612 Seminar in Social Theory and Cultural Studies) and Research Methods Electives (GE 510 Fundamentals of Social Research Design, GE 511 Philosophy of Social Inquiry, GE 512 Quantitative Data Analysis for the Social Sciences, GE 513 Qualitative Research Methods). Three out of four of the Specialization Elective courses and two out of four of the Research Methods Elective courses must be satisfied. Other core courses are Research Methods and Academic Publication Ethics (GE 500), Academic Practices (GE 690) and the Ph.D. Dissertation (POLS 699).
2. Successfully complete the course requirements for the Ph.D. degree by earning at least 24 credit units of course work is required.
3. Show competence in the written and oral comprehensive examinations after completing all credit requirements and the seminar courses in the curriculum. Students with a Master's degree must take the comprehensive exam within the first five semesters. Students without a Master's degree must take the comprehensive exam within the first seven semesters.
4. Submit a detailed Ph.D. dissertation proposal within six months after successfully passing their comprehensive examinations.
5. A paper based on the candidate's thesis must be accepted or published in a reputable journal before the dissertation can be defended.
6. Submit and successfully defend a Ph.D. dissertation that represents an original contribution to knowledge in the field.