Best Political Science Doctoral Degree Programs for 2025 - WeUni

International Medical Doctor Program

Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele

Italy

Medicine, International Relations

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

The International Medical Doctor Program at Vita-Salute San Raffaele University has been designed to foster a new kind of doctor. This doctor will possess the necessary human, cultural and professional values to provide healthcare and share ideas in today’s globalized world.

English

6 Years

PHD in Public Administration

Lanzhou University School of Management

China

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

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

Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural, Social, and Political Thought

University of Lethbridge

Canada

Philosophy, Political Science, Social Sciences

Doctor of Education (EdD)

The Cultural, Social, and Political Thought major in the Ph.D. program is interdisciplinary in nature. It is based on a cohort learning model that fosters an environment of interdisciplinary engagement and exchange, research, peer mentoring, and collaboration.

English

4 Years

Ph.D. in Public Affairs

University of Minnesota Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs

United States of America (USA)

Public Administration, Political Science

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.

English

Ph.D. in Public Affairs

University of Colorado South Denver

United States of America (USA)

Public Administration, Political Science

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.

English

PhD in Development Studies (by Research)

Institute of Development Studies

United Kingdom

Public Policy, Social Sciences

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

PhD in Higher Geostrategic and Geopolitical Studies

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.

French

Doctor of Strategic Security

Henley-Putnam National American University

Online

United States of America (USA)

Criminal Justice, Public Policy, Emergency & Disaster Management

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.

English

Centre of Resilience for Social Justice

University of Brighton- Doctoral College

United Kingdom

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

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.

English

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

United Nations University

Japan

Business Administration, Public Policy, Economics

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

PhD in Maritime Affairs

World Maritime University

Sweden

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

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

Ph.D. Social Sciences and Education Policy

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

United States of America (USA)

Public Policy, Social Sciences, 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.

English

Ph.D. in Marine Affairs

University of Rhode Island College of the Environment and Life Sciences

United States of America (USA)

Environmental Science, Public Policy, Sustainability

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.

English

Ph.D. in Public Affairs

University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs

United States of America (USA)

Public Administration, Political Science

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

English

Ph.D. in Political Science

University at Albany SUNY Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy

United States of America (USA)

Political Science, Public Policy, International Relations

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.

English

PhD of Public Administration

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

United States of America (USA)

Organizational Leadership, Public Policy, Public Administration

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

Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy

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

PhD in Social and Political Science

Università Bocconi

Italy

Political Science

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

The PhD in Social and Political Science focuses on advanced research in social and political sciences. Students explore topics such as political theory, electoral behavior, public policies, and social dynamics. The program includes the production of an original thesis that contributes to academic debate, preparing them for careers in research, university teaching, or in consulting and policy-making roles in both public and private sectors.

English

4 Years

PhD in Law & Policy Program

Cambridge Graduate University

United States of America (USA)

Public Policy, Law

PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy)

Cambridge Graduate University’s College of Law, Policy & Global Studies has an unmatched academic program, offering law and policy Masters and Doctoral degrees – the LL.M., Masters in

Executive Ph.D. in Public Policy

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

United States of America (USA)

Public Administration, Political Science

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.

English

50 Best Political Science Doctoral Degree Programs for 2025

International Medical Doctor Program

PHD in Public Administration

Doctor of Philosophy in Cultural, Social, and Political Thought

Ph.D. in Public Affairs

Ph.D. in Public Affairs

PhD in Development Studies (by Research)

PhD in Higher Geostrategic and Geopolitical Studies

Doctor of Strategic Security

Centre of Resilience for Social Justice

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

PhD in Maritime Affairs

Ph.D. Social Sciences and Education Policy

Ph.D. in Marine Affairs

Ph.D. in Public Affairs

Ph.D. in Political Science

PhD of Public Administration

Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy

PhD in Social and Political Science

PhD in Law & Policy Program

Executive Ph.D. in Public Policy

Doctoral Degrees, Political Science