As a PhD student at the Schar School, you can study with eminent scholars in a wide variety of fields and conduct groundbreaking research to help you become a subject matter expert in your field and a key authority who influences public debate. Whether you desire to teach and do research at a university, lead a government or nonprofit organization, or craft innovative public policies and programs, we will prepare you to be the leader and academic you want to be.
The Schar School offers three doctoral programs (each available on a part-time or full-time basis):
- PhD in Biodefense
- PhD in Political Science
- PhD in Public Policy
On-Campus Programs
At the Schar School, our hope is to graduate a class of PhD students and who are ready to produce scholarly contributions to the field by way of advancing research, training and think tanks, or teaching. There are enormous opportunities for this PhD community and involvement at the Schar School, so it is the expectation that our PhD students will be fully involved in all the aforementioned opportunities and the community provided to them. Because of these reasons, this program is fully on campus.
Fall 2025 applications are now open!
Upcoming Virtual PhD Events
Prospective students are invited to attend a virtual open house to learn more about the Schar School of Policy and Government PhD programs.
From 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Please join admissions to cover the PhD application.
From 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Please join the PhD Program Directors to learn more about the programs and ask any questions you may have.
You are welcome to join the event for the full duration if you would like to hear from admissions and program faculty.
Virtual PhD Open House: Wednesday, September 18, 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Eastern
Schar School PhD International Student Information Session
Prospective international students are invited to attend a virtual information session to learn more about the admission requirements for our PhD programs that are unique to you and get your questions answered.
Virtual PhD International Student Information Session: Monday, October 7, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. Eastern
Biodefense Doctoral Program
Application Deadlines
Final Deadline: December 1, 2024
Materials Deadline: January 15, 2025
Application Requirements
- Valid GRE scores (taken within the past 5 years of the date of application). GRE scores must be official and sent directly from ETS using school code 5827. The GRE is mandatory for this program.
- Graduate application and fee.
- Unofficial transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the U.S. Additional requirements for students who have attended schools outside of the U.S. can be found here.
- A current resume.
- Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic contacts. (It is strongly recommended that at least one letter is from academia.)
- A 750-1,000 word written statement of your academic and professional goals. Please state your purpose in undertaking graduate study with this program. This statement should address your intellectual interests, academic objectives, career goals, and proposed topic(s) of graduate study. You should also explain how this program will help you fulfill your academic and professional objectives. The statement is a critical component of the application.
- Writing sample (approximately 10-25 pages in length) such as a technical report, professional publication, or term or seminar paper.
Political Science Doctoral Program
Application Deadlines
Priority Deadline: December 1, 2024
Priority Materials Deadline: January 15, 2025
Students interested in funding should meet the priority deadline.
Final Deadline: February 15, 2025
Final Materials Deadline: March 1, 2025
Application Requirements
- Graduate application and fee.
- Valid GRE scores (taken within the past 5 years of the date of application). GRE scores must be official and sent directly from ETS using school code 5827. The GRE is mandatory for this program.
- Unofficial transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the U.S. Additional requirements for students who have attended schools outside of the U.S. can be found here.
- A current resume.
- Three letters of recommendation from professional or academic contacts. (It is strongly recommended that at least one letter is from academia.)
- A 750-1,000 word written statement of your academic and professional goals. Please state your purpose in undertaking graduate study with this program. This statement should address your intellectual interests, academic objectives, career goals, and proposed topic(s) of graduate study. You should also explain how this program will help you fulfill your academic and professional objectives. The statement is a critical component of the application.
- Writing sample (approximately 10-25 pages in length) such as a technical report, professional publication, or term or seminar paper.
- Candidates may be requested to participate in an interview throughout their PhD application process. If requested for an interview, you must complete the interview in order to continue in the application process. A request for an interview is neither indictive or not indicative of admissibility. Not all candidates will be interviewed.
Public Policy Doctoral Program
Application Deadlines
Priority Deadline: December 1, 2024
Priority Materials Deadline: January 15, 2025
Students interested in funding should meet the priority deadline.
Final Deadline: February 15, 2025
Final Materials Deadline: March 1, 2025
Application Requirements
- Graduate application and fee.
- Valid GRE scores (taken within the past 5 years of the date of application). GRE scores must be official and sent directly from ETS using school code 5827. The GRE is mandatory for this program.
- Unofficial transcripts from all previous institutions attended in the U.S. Additional requirements for students who have attended schools outside of the U.S. can be found here.
- A current resume.
- Two letters of recommendation from professional or academic contacts. (It is strongly recommended that at least one letter is from academia.)
- A 750-1,000 word written statement of your academic and professional goals. Please state your purpose in undertaking graduate study with this program. This statement should address your intellectual interests, academic objectives, career goals, and proposed topic(s) of graduate study. You should also explain how this program will help you fulfill your academic and professional objectives. The statement is a critical component of the application.
- Writing sample (approximately 10-25 pages in length) such as a technical report, professional publication, or term or seminar paper.
- Candidates may be requested to participate in an interview throughout their PhD application process. If requested for an interview, you must complete the interview in order to continue in the application process. A request for an interview is neither indictive or not indicative of admissibility. Not all candidates will be interviewed.
Where to submit your materials for all PhD programs
Application materials should be uploaded directly to the application portal in the online application system. Test scores must be official and come directly from the testing center using school code 5827.
For documents that need to be mailed to the university, please use the following address:
Office of Graduate Admissions
4400 University Drive
MSN 4C8
Fairfax, VA 22030
Request information
Office Location:
Mason Square, Van Metre Hall, Fifth Floor
3351 Fairfax Drive, 5th Floor, MS 3B1
Arlington, VA 22201
Contact Information:
Phone: 703-993-8099
Fax: 703-993-4876
Email: schar@gmu.edu