In the first two years of the doctoral program in Political Science, students acquire research skills and tools, work on research projects, and acquaint themselves with professional norms in the discipline. Later, they have opportunities to develop their instructional and presentation skills and to conduct research answering an important question (or questions) in the field. Throughout, emphasis is placed on preparing students for life after graduate school in academia, government, or industry and their skills will include the following:

• knowledge building ability
• advanced data analytic skills
• advanced oral and written communication skills