The PhD program within the department is governed by the examination regulations for the PhD in Politics and Public Administration. Furthermore, it is subject to the general provisions of the University of Konstanz PhD regulations and its inherent subject-specific rules for the Department of Politics and Public Administration (from pg. 50).
The current examination regulations for doctoral students, who were accepted after March 1, 2014, can be found here. They will be elaborated upon below. The examination regulations that apply to those who were accepted before March 1, 2014, can also be found on this page.
The PhD program is completed during a standard study period of 6 semesters, which includes the completion of the dissertation and the provision of an oral doctoral examination. There are a total 180 ECTS credits to be earned, of which 120 credits count for the dissertation, and 8 credits for the oral defense of the dissertation. The remaining 52 credits will be earned while completing the PhD program and its study- and examination requirements.
There is the possibility to submit several former scientific works, if related to each other with regards to content, as one dissertation ("cumulative dissertation"). The requirements for those former works can be found in Article 5 in the subject-specific regulations of the Promotion regulations of the University of Konstanz (starting at page 49, only in German).
Requirements
In the course of completing the PhD program, the following requirements must be fulfilled:
- After the first year of study, an elaborate dissertation concept of approximately 25 pages (16 credits) is to be submitted, which both supervisors will grade as either passed or failed. Exceeding the submission deadline will lead to revocation of the admission status to the PhD program, unless the doctoral student is not personally responsible for exceeding the deadline.
- During the PhD program, four doctoral seminars (each 4 credits) are to be completed, including an oral presentation requirement for each seminar.
- All doctoral students are required to attend two doctoral colloquiums during their PhD program in order to present on the status of their dissertation project (each 4 credits). The first presentation must take place in the second semester and present the draft dissertation concept. The secondpresentation is scheduled for the 5th semester. Primary and secondary supervisors, in addition to all other topic- or field-relevant professors, should be in attendance during the presentations.
- Furthermore, 4 credits are to be earned through the participation in academic events from the area of higher education didactics and academic staff development, or specifically designed key qualification courses for doctoral students.
Doctoral students who did not complete their MA program at the department or a comparable course of study may be required to complete additional coursework, especially if they completed only a one-year MA program after a three-year BA program. The doctoral committee will make the final decision in these cases. The doctoral students will be notified of such decisions through the admission to PhD program.
Study and Exam Requirements
In the course of completing the PhD program, the completion of one research paper per course is required in the context of two of the required seminars (each 4 credits). The course instructor and the supervisor of the dissertation will grade the research papers.
The first research paper must be submitted by the end of the fourth semester, otherwise the approval to continue with PhD program will expire.
Recommended Program Schedule
Coursework | ECTS | Grade Requirements | ECTS | Total ECTS | |
1 | Doctoral Seminar Course: Higher Education Didactics/ ASD/SQ | 4 cr 2 cr |
|
|
6 cr |
2 | Doctoral Seminar Doctoral Colloquium Dissertation Concept | 4 cr 4 cr 16 cr |
|
|
24cr |
3 | Doctoral Seminar
| 4 cr
|
Research Paper |
4 cr |
8 cr |
4 | Doctoral Seminar
| 4 cr
|
Research Paper |
4 cr |
8 cr |
5 | Doctoral Colloquium Course: Higher Education Didactics/ ASD/SQ | 4 cr 2 cr |
|
|
6 cr |
6 |
|
| Submitted Dissertation Oral Dissertation Defense
|
8 cr |
8 cr |
|
| 44 cr |
| 16 cr | 60 cr |
Initiating the Promotional Procedure
Once all program and exam requirements have been fulfilled and the dissertation has been completed, you may submit to initiate the promotional procedure through the Central Examinations Office of the University. Application documents and information can be obtained at the office through Ms Edelgard Matzner (Room C401, Phone No.: 07531 88-3114. For further information regarding the Central Examination Office, please see the bottom of this page.
With the application to initiate the promotional procedure, you should include the completed form for proof of program and exam requirements for the initiation of the promotional procedure within the Politics and Public Administration PhD program. This form is available here. Before submitting the aforementioned documents at the Central Examinations Office, you need to receive both confirmation and a signature from the examination office of the department.