<p>I recently looked at a graduate school for their graduate Political Science PhD program. I noticed that they offered many classes that are currently offered at my school at the undergraduate level, several of which I have already taken. I asked the women in charge of the poli sci PhD admissions and such and she said that if I had taken them as an undergrad it wasnt necessary for me to take them in grad school. This concerned me...shouldnt these courses be teaching the same material at a higher level? I asked her this, but she said it wasnt a problem and that they were essentially the same...These courses include political research methods, data analysis, intro to IR, international political economy, etc...is this typical? I am looking at top PhD programs and this was a very good school...</p>
<p>Keep in mind that not everyone who applies to a poli sci grad program has a poli sci background, hence the need for more intro level courses (that's my guess, anyway).</p>
<p>flgirl,</p>
<p>You'd be amazed how many poli sci undergrads never take data analysis courses...</p>
<p>It's quite normal to get more "humanities" students caught up and into the quantitative mindset for the PhD.</p>
<p>thanks for the feedback. I'm coming from a pretty extensive and highly ranked undergrad program...so I guess it makes sense that some courses would be repeats. Thanks! And yes, I can't believe how few undergrads and grad students havent used data programs. But I like math, so maybe im just abnormal for a social science major. haha</p>