The Political Science graduate program is intense from day one. During your first year, you will acquire fundamentals in research design and in quantitative methods, and have the option of training in qualitative methods.
Through a seminar and more informal department activities, such as brown bag lunch series, you will learn about the professional side of political science and have a chance to present your own working papers and research projects.
The first year is also when you will cover the groundwork in your sub-fields of specialization, be they in American Politics, Comparative Politics, Political Theory or International Relations.
In your next semesters of course work, you will take electives in your areas of specialization, and have the option of taking several courses (credit towards your degree) in other departments and programs at ASU. The department also offers some flexibility in the composition of your supervisory committees, enabling you to benefit from the expertise and guidance of faculty members in another department or School at ASU.