Visit the American Political Science Association's website to learn about career options for political scientists with PhDs. Get resources to help you decide if this career is a good fit for you. Find links to research grants and financial aid information as well.
Register at the Princeton Review website and select possible schools and areas of concentration. You can save your selections, once you register. This site has PhD fellowship links, along with information about federal and state loans.
Sign up to take the Graduate Record Exam at the Educational Testing Service website. Unless otherwise stated, most universities require scores from this exam as part of the application for admission to their PhD programs. Download exam preparation materials and study guides for the GRE at ETS.
Narrow your list of schools down to no more than 5. Application fees, test score transmittal fees and transcript fees add up quickly. Request admissions applications and financial aid information from each school.
Complete the applications for a minimum of 3 schools. Order and pay for your undergraduate transcripts and send your GRE test scores.
Enroll and complete the degree courses. Depending on your concentration and the school's requirements, expect to finish classes in no more than three years. Many graduate programs in political science require students to pass a comprehensive subject examination before continuing to the research phase of their program.
Conduct the research for your dissertation and successfully defend it. This may take an additional 2 years, for most people.