General Information
General Information
The PhD Program in Political Science aims to educate highly qualified scholars and policy experts who are capable of conducting original scientific research and producing knowledge that contributes to the advancement of political science. The program is designed to enhance students' theoretical knowledge while developing their analytical thinking, qualitative and quantitative research skills, academic writing, and presentation competencies.
The program is offered by the Department of Political Science and International Relations, the only academic department within the Institute of European Union and International Relations. Courses are delivered by experienced faculty members who actively conduct research in their respective fields and contribute to national and international academic scholarship. Through close interaction with faculty members, doctoral students are encouraged to develop independent research skills, critical thinking, and a broader academic perspective.
The faculty's research interests are reflected in the curriculum and provide students with opportunities to pursue advanced study and dissertation research in a wide range of fields, including political economy, global politics, political sociology, Turkish politics, Middle Eastern politics, Islamism, nationalism, migration, and international politics.
To complete the program successfully, students are required to fulfill a total of 240 ECTS credits through compulsory and elective courses in accordance with the University's graduate education regulations. After completing the coursework, students must take the Doctoral Qualifying Examination, which consists of written and oral components. The examination evaluates students' comprehensive knowledge of political science as well as their preparedness to conduct independent doctoral research in their proposed field of study.
Students who successfully pass the qualifying examination are eligible to proceed to the dissertation stage. They are required to prepare and defend a dissertation proposal within the specified period. Upon approval of the proposal, students continue their studies as doctoral candidates under the supervision of their academic advisor.
The doctoral dissertation is expected to make an original and significant contribution to the existing literature in political science. Therefore, students are encouraged to engage in academic activities beyond the curriculum, including extensive reading, participation in national and international conferences, publication of scholarly work, and involvement in research projects. The Institute supports these activities as an essential part of doctoral education.
The program consists of five compulsory courses, four elective courses, the Political Science Seminar, the Doctoral Qualifying Examination, the Dissertation Proposal Defense, dissertation research, and the Final Dissertation Defense. Students are required to complete all coursework before taking the qualifying examination. Admission to doctoral candidacy is granted upon successfully passing the qualifying examination and obtaining approval of the dissertation proposal.
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