The Department of Government.
Calling all researchers, leaders, and changemakers.
When you join Harvard University’s Department of Government, you become part of a highly-recognized intellectual community of scholars, researchers, visionaries, leaders, and changemakers. Our strength in teaching and research in all fields of political science is reflected in both our faculty and our curriculum.
Harvard University’s Department of Government is a world leader in the study and scholarship in political science. Our programs of study include:
- American Government
- Comparative Politics
- International Relations
- Political Methodology/Formal Theory
- Political Philosophy and Its History
Our innovative curriculum reflects a diverse range of fields and methodologies. The vibrant graduate student body receives hands-on training by conducting supervised dissertation research and working with our faculty in research projects and undergraduate teaching.
Here, scholars have access to unparalleled resources. They have the opportunity to define and formulate their own research questions and to apply a variety of research methodologies.
- Graduate students research is greatly facilitated by the exceptional resources offered by the Department of Government and the University.
- Harvard has the largest university library in the world.
- Harvard expansive network of research centers and top international studies centers bring together scholars and researchers from around the globe.
Scholars can also take advantage of Harvard’s generous financial aid program. In addition, there is just no match to the energy and excitement that accompanies student life in the Cambridge/Boston area.
Harvard University does not discriminate against applicants or students on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry or any other protected classificiation.
PhD Requirements
Candidates for the PhD in Government are expected to complete the required coursework during their first two years of graduate study and take the General Examination at the end of the second year. A typical schedule consists of these two years, followed by three or four years of work on a dissertation, combined with supervised teaching.
Admissions
The graduate program of the Department of Government is designed to train students for careers in university teaching and advanced research in political science. The department does not offer an independent master’s program, the master of arts in political science being reserved for PhD candidates on the way to their final degrees. Click here to visit the Graduate School of Arts and Science’s page on admission to the Government Department to learn more about the application process.
Application for Admission
The application for admissions is available at http://www.gsas.harvard.edu/apply.
The application fee is $105. Applicants can determine eligibility for a fee waiver by completing a series of questions in the Application Fee section of the application. Once these questions have been answered, the application system will provide an immediate response regarding fee waiver eligibility.
Application information and instructions are available at www.gsas.harvard.edu. Applicants with admissions questions should call 617-496-6100 from 2-5pm EST or email admiss@fas.harvard.edu. Applicants with financial aid questions should call 617-495-5396 or email gsasfinaid@fas.harvard.edu.
Financial Aid and Fellowship Opportunities
Financial aid is administered under the direction of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS). The department intends that all graduate students should have support adequate to enable them to complete their studies while enrolled full-time. Prospective students apply for financial aid at the same time they apply for admission and are also required to submit a Statement of Financial Resources. The financial aid package for government students typically includes tuition and fees plus a stipend and a summer research grant for the first two years; tuition and fees plus guaranteed teaching fellowships and a summer research grant for years three and four; tuition and fees in year five; and tuition and fees plus a stipend for the completion year.
In addition to funding from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, graduate students are encouraged to apply for outside fellowships and grants. Please visit the website of the GSAS Fellowships Office for more information.