The PhD in Political Science is a new research program that will integrate rigorous requirements and training consistent with disciplinary norms while offering innovative features, flexibility, and professional development designed to prepare students for both traditional academic careers and non-academic career paths. The program features a set of distinctive elements, including a set of mandatory professional development seminars. On top of the regular academic program, students can take an experiential option (students can take a co-op or pursue internship opportunities through organizations like Mitacs or other placements, and will receive additional professional training in non-academic career development) and a teaching option (including in-department mentorship in teaching and additional professional development in teaching out of the Centre for Teaching Excellence). Course work will provide advanced training in the discipline with the ability to apply the knowledge and skills acquired to myriad political and policy problems. The program culminates with a capstone project in the form of a traditional dissertation or tailored format beyond that of the traditional monograph.