The Doctorate program aims to prepare students for research, teaching, or professional careers where they will apply the competencies they acquire. The structure and curriculum of this program are designed to deepen students’ knowledge of political science and particular research areas.

This program encourages Doctorate students to focus on issues such as Democratization, Citizenship, Civil Society, Urban and Migration Studies, Public Survey, Foreign Policy, Global Economy Politics, Energy and Environment Security, and Comparative Politics (US, Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, Central Asia, and the Middle East).

This program consists of all courses indicated in the curriculum, the Doctorate Qualification Exam, and the preparation and defense of a dissertation. Doctorate candidates must complete the coursework within four semesters. Students who complete the coursework can start working on their Doctorate dissertation after passing the Ph. D. Qualification Exam. Then, after completing the Doctorate dissertation under the supervision of an advisor, students defend their dissertation before the jury. Those who succeed in their defense complete the program and become entitled to receive a doctorate.
Political Science is a broad field, and as such, it offers a variety of specialization paths or “majors” for students to focus on. The specialization pathways that are typically available in the political science in AACTD’s field:

1. Comparative Politics: This pathway is about comparing political systems across different countries to understand patterns of government and analyze how different cultures impact political situations.
2. International Relations: This major involves studying the relationships between different countries, including diplomacy, international security, global economic issues, and the role of organizations like the United Nations.
3. Political Theory: This path involves the study of the ideas and theories that have shaped governments and political systems. Students might explore the works of political philosophers like Plato, Hobbes, and Rousseau, among others.
4. Public Policy/Administration: This pathway focuses on creating and implementing public policy. Students may study policy analysis, public budgeting, and management principles, often with an eye toward careers in public service.
5. Political Economy: This integrates economics into studying political behavior and institutions. It’s about understanding how political forces influence economic policies and vice versa.
6. American Politics/U.S. Government: This specialization focuses on the political system of the United States, including its history, institutions (like Congress, the Presidency, and the courts), political behavior, and public policies.
7. Political Methodology: This path is for students interested in the methods used to study political phenomena. This might include statistical analysis, research design, and experimental methods in political research.
8. Environmental Politics: This focuses on how different political systems and the political implications of environmental policy deal with ecological issues.
9. Human Rights: This path focuses on the politics of human rights, including their philosophical basis, legal frameworks, and the role of international organizations in protecting them.

Notice that our university has different names for these specializations or combines them differently. Also, the pathway choice will often influence students’ careers after graduation, such as in government, international organizations, non-profits, academia, law, journalism, and business.

Course Structure Diagram with Credits

To see the course details (such as objectives, learning outcomes, content, assessment, and ECTS workload), click the relevant Course Code given in the table below.