Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 November 2022
Two years ago I submitted some aggregate data to PS about time-span averages lying between graduation and completion of Ph.D. requirements in Political Science. These tabulations were based on the annual listings of “Doctorial Dissertations in Political Science” by the American Political Science Association. The following is an update and expansion on these findings. The idea was to relate departmental programs or guidelines—it is generally suggested that a period of four to five years should be sufficient for the completion of all Ph.D. requirements—to the time span that actually “lies” between graduation and the awarding of the doctorial degree.
In a number of responses some critics have pointed out that the calculated averages of 10.0 to 9.5 years (from 1970–72) do not reflect on actual seminar and research time, since they are inflated by such time consuming factors as military service, need to work for financial support, travel, etc. This is an important point which should be made very clear.
1 Sackmann, Peter J., “On Dissertations Revisited. Some Additional Data on Dissertations in Political Science, 1960 and 1970–72,” PS, Vol. VI, No. 1, Winter 1973, pp. 26–28.Google Scholar
2 The last listing occurred in PS, Vol. VII, No. 4, Fall 1974, pp. 484–614.
3 Cf. Jean P. Richert's—in this respect valid—comment (PS, Vol. VI, No. 3, Summer 1973, p. 369) and footnote #4 of my article.
4 These listings are also to be found in the Fall listings of PS.