The Catholic University for Independent Thinkers
Do you have a question that is not addressed below? E-mail the chairman, Dr. Richard Dougherty (doughr@udallas.edu), or the department's Administrative Assistant, Moryam VanOpstal (mvanopstal@udallas.edu).
The following list links to answers in the FAQ.
Application
Q: What kind of financial aid and scholarships are available?
Q: Is there a minimum GRE score?
Q: Do students in the Masters program have a better chance of admission to the Ph.D.?
Q: How many students are admitted into the Politics PhD program each year? How many
apply?
Q: Do I need to have an MA before applying to the PhD program?
Financial Issues
Q: Do students frequently work while in the program?
Q: Are campus jobs available for graduate students?
Q: Are teaching opportunities available for graduate students?
Personal Life
Q: What is the age range of graduate students? Do any have families?
Q: Where should I live?
Q: Will I need a car?
Q: What airports are closest?
Academic Life
Q: How many classes do students typically take per semester?
Q: How many years does it take to complete the course work?
Q: What summer courses are offered?
Q: What kind of financial aid and scholarships are available?
A: In addition to the full tuition scholarship awarded to all Ph.D. students for their
Ph.D. courses, most Politics students receive a small living stipend for their first
3 years in the program. In 2011-12, students received $3,500. In 2011-12, a few students
received a higher level of funding. We expect this funding to continue, but there
are no guarantees.
Two students (usually in their 2d-3rd or 3rd-4th years) receive a two-year $17,000-per-year
stipend from the Sumners Foundation. This scholarship is typically awarded after several
students are nominated by the Department and two are selected by the Sumners Trustees
after an interview.
One student gets a $10,000 Hillman Foundation scholarship, typically for a year or
two. The Hillman is usually awarded to a second- or third-year student.
The Earhart Foundation funds a $17,000 scholarship for one second- or third-year student.
For more information, please see the Scholarship and Financial Aid links (here and
here).
Q: Is there a minimum GRE score?
A: There is no minimum score that serves as a cutoff point. The verbal score is more
important than quantitative or writing. In recent years, most admitted students had
a verbal GRE percentile in the 90s, with some in the upper 90s. The GRE is one factor
among several that are considered. The strength of the other applicants is also important
in determining who is admitted. It was easier to be admitted a decade ago than it
is now.
Q: Do students in the Masters program have a better chance of admission to the Ph.D.?
A: Masters students who apply for the Ph.D. program are judged primarily on their performance
in Politics graduate courses and less on other factors. Masters students therefore
increase their chances of admission if their performance is better than what would
have been expected on the basis of their original applications.
Q: How many students are admitted into the Politics PhD program each year? How many
apply?
A: Typically four or five students are admitted. Often one or two are admitted from
the Masters program. In recent years we have had 25 to 35 applications annually for
the Ph.D.
Q: Do I need to have an MA before applying to the PhD program?
A: No.
Q: Do students frequently work while in the program?
A: Some students work part-time jobs while in the program. Working usually means that
it will take longer to finish, because it is hard to work and take a full load of
courses. On the other hand, it is not prudent to burden oneself with massive loans.
Q: Are campus jobs available for graduate students?
A: Most campus jobs go to undergraduates as part of the Federal Work-Study program.
However, students occasionally find positions on campus. Others work off campus. See
the Human Resources department for employment opportunities at UD.
Q: Are teaching opportunities available for graduate students?
A: A few students are hired as adjuncts for a semester or two at the University of Dallas,
but this usually happens only after most course work is completed. It is more common
for students to find adjunct positions at nearby community colleges. The department
strongly recommends this as a way to get teaching experience before finishing the
Ph.D.
Q: What is the age range of graduate students? Do any have families?
A: Almost all are in their early to late 20s. Some come directly out of undergraduate
studies. Others have worked or done other things for several years. Perhaps a quarter
of our graduate students are married. A few have young children.
Q: Where should I live?
A: The only apartment complex within easy walking distance is Tower Village, which is
across the street from campus. A number of graduate students also live in the Colony
Apartments, which are about 3 miles from campus. There are many other apartments in
the area. Some students have also found that extended stay hotels are a good option
when first moving to the area.
Q: Will I need a car?
A: Although bus service is available, and there is a new DART rail station on the northeast
side of campus, public transportation tends to be inconvenient to use because buses
and trains do not run as often as one would like to the places where one would like
to go. Still, it is useable. Having a car is useful but not indispensable. Among one's
friends, there is usually someone who drives. There are no shopping locations in easy
walking distance from campus, but the number and quality of stores within 5 miles
is excellent.
Q: What airports are closest?
A: Dallas/Fort Worth International and Dallas Love Field are about equally close, 20
minutes by car (longer in rush hour).
Q: How many classes do students typically take per semester?
A: Students usually take 9 to 12 credits a semester (3 or 4 classes). One of those will
be the IPS core class. Another is often a language class.
Q: How many years does it take to complete the course work?
A: Students typically complete their course work in 3 to 4 years. The IPS Core Courses
are offered on a three-year cycle. The number of classes taken during a semester and
the number of summer semester classes taken will help determine how long it takes
to complete your course work.
Q: What summer courses are offered?
A: In recent years the Politics Department has offered one graduate course per summer.
Greek and Latin are offered annually in intensive summer courses.
