When choosing a political science graduate school there are many aspects to consider. The first step is to do some self-evaluation. You will need to decide things such as whether you want to go to graduate school in political science and whether you want to earn a master's degree or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Your decision also will depend on whether you want to pursue an academic job teaching and researching political science, or whether you want to work in government or public affairs. These decision will affect which political science graduate school is the best choice for you.
There are two main types of political science graduate programs, one set focusing on academic aspects and the other focusing on public policy or public administration. You might wish to apply to both academic and policy-oriented programs, or you might wish to apply to just one type. Either way, the next step is to examine individual programs and decide which is the best fit for you.
Political science graduate school rankings from magazines, websites and other sources can be a helpful tool. Be aware that each ranking system uses its own methodology, sometimes published and sometimes unpublished, to rank programs. Aspects of the political science graduate school that are important to you might not be the same as the aspects that are highly valued by the ranking organization.
The best approach is to visit the website of each program you are considering and see which fits your needs. You also might want to visit several programs in person to meet the faculty and current students. Some programs are competitive and cut-throat, and others are cordial and cooperative. By visiting and talking with faculty members and students, you can get a sense of the program's vibe and whether it is a good fit for you.
Many political science graduate school websites have a listing of where their graduates are now working. This will give you an idea of what you can do with a degree from that institution, whether you can teach at a college as prestigious as you want or whether graduates find good government jobs. If you want to teach at the college level, be aware of the fact that graduates of Ph.D. programs usually get academic jobs at schools that are at the same level of prestige as the school from which they graduate or at schools with less prestige. In other words, most professors in prestigious political science programs graduated from a prestigious political science program. That being said, the more prestigious the school, the harder it is to get admitted, so knowing your own goals will help you decide which political science graduate school is right for you.
One of the most important aspects of graduate schools is the faculty teaching in the program. At the graduate level, you will be expected to conduct new and important research that contributes to the field of political science. You want to make sure that the schools to which you apply have faculty members who have research interests similar to your own.
If you want to study environmental politics, do not apply to programs with few or no environmental politics scholars. The best bet is to find one or more than one faculty member who you specifically want to work with and make sure that they are going to be willing and able to work with you. You can get in touch with the professor or director of the graduate program and ask those questions directly.
