A message from Dr. John Ishiyama, Professor and Political Science Graduate Advisor | Department of Political Science
September 12, 2019

A message from Dr. John Ishiyama, Professor and Political Science Graduate Advisor

Dear UNT student:

I hope this message finds you well. Sorry to be writing out of the blue, but I wanted to introduce myself and pass along some information about our graduate programs in political science here at UNT. My name is John Ishiyama and I am the Director of Graduate Studies/Graduate Advisor in the Department of Political Science here at UNT. I wanted to write to let you know about the exciting opportunities we can offer you if you are thinking about pursuing a graduate degree in political science and/or international relations.

As the former editorial homes of two of the top political science/international relations journals in the world, the American Political Science Review (APSR) and International Studies Quarterly (ISQ), the department of political science is comprised of some of the leading scholars in the field. Our graduate programs are well suited for students interested in a variety of fields, but we are particularly strong in conflict studies and peacebuilding (particularly studies of civil war), comparative political institutions and democratization, political theory, political economy, transitional justice, immigration, and US political behavior (voting behavior, and race and ethnic Politics). We also have area strengths in Latin America, Africa and Eurasia.

We offer a range of graduate degrees (PhD, MA/MS) as well as competitive funding packages for qualified students. We focus on the development of skills that can translate into career opportunities--- in particular analytical reasoning, quantitative skills, and written and oral communication skills. Our graduates not only become leading scholars and Professors, but many have found very rewarding careers in government (both at the federal and state and local levels) think tanks, Not for Profit/ Non-Governmental Organizations, International Organizations (like the United Nations, the World Bank etc.) and in the private sector.

Perhaps most importantly, we are a supportive academic community, whose focus is on graduate student success (i.e. it is not a "dog eat dog" department you might find elsewhere). If you are looking for the opportunity to acquire important and employable skills, and want to conduct cutting edge research in political science and international relations, but would also benefit greatly from such a supportive environment, please consider our graduate programs (see the attached brochure). You can also find more information about the admissions process and the graduate program at https://politicalscience.unt.edu/graduate-studies-political-science.

I would also like to let your know that UNT will be holding two graduate school preview events where you can come and talk with us in person. The first is Graduate & Professional School Fair on Thursday, September 19 | 11:00am - 2:00pm (University Union) Co-hosted with the UNT Career Center. The second is the Graduate Preview Fair on the main campus in Denton on Saturday, October 19, 2019 (time and schedule TBD by the Toulouse Graduate School). We will have a table at both events and you should feel free to drop in and visit with us.

If you have any questions about our graduate programs, please do not hesitate to contact me at john.ishiyama@unt.edu or the graduate administrative assistant Brenda Davidson Swartz (Brenda.Davidsonswartz@unt.edu)

Sincerely,

John Ishiyama, Ph.D.

University Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science

Director of Graduate Studies/ Graduate Advisor

Piper Professor of Texas

Former Editor in Chief American Political Science Review

Department of Political Science,

University of North Texas,

Denton TX, 76203-5340

John.Ishiyama@unt.edu

URL: https://politicalscience.unt.edu/people/john-ishiyama