01
A verifiable degree
A diploma issued by USA Open University, paired with a public verification record at our certificate portal.
Manifesto · Vol. II
Est. 2010
Political Science Doctorate.
This online program is delivered fully asynchronously to learners worldwide. Coursework blends recorded seminars, live cohort sessions across timezones, and project-based assessment, so working profes…
I
The catalog entry
A standard built for working learners.
Everything you need to budget your time, your tuition, and your transcript before you apply.
01
Degree Level
Doctorate
02
Duration
3 years
03
Total Courses
12
04
Total Credits
62
05
ECTS Credits
180
06
Delivery
Online · Asynchronous
07
Language
English
08
Intakes / year
3
Programme overview
What you will study — and how.
A self-paced syllabus with weekly checkpoints, asynchronous lectures, and live cohort rooms across timezones.
This online program is delivered fully asynchronously to learners worldwide. Coursework blends recorded seminars, live cohort sessions across timezones, and project-based assessment, so working professionals can balance study with their existing responsibilities.
Faculty are drawn from partner institutions across multiple continents. Every term opens with a syllabus, a clear assessment ledger, and direct access to academic advising — no commute required, no campus assumed.
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Chapter III · The curriculum ledger
Course breakdown, semester by semester.
12
courses · 62 Credits
Across 6 semesters
Across 6 semesters
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Semester 1 · term 1
Code
Course
Type
Theory
Practice
Credits
ECTS
PPL802
Advanced Quantitative Methods
Causal inference, panel data, and Bayesian methods in PS.
Core
3
0
3
10
PPL803
Comparative Political Analysis
Methodology and major debates in comparative politics.
Core
3
0
3
10
PPL801
Doctoral Seminar I: Political Theory
Classical and contemporary debates in political theory.
Core
3
0
3
10
II
Semester 2 · term 2
Code
Course
Type
Theory
Practice
Credits
ECTS
PPL811
Doctoral Seminar II: International Relations
Advanced IR theory and contemporary research debates.
Core
3
0
3
10
PPL813
Public Policy & Governance Analysis
Doctoral seminar on policy theory and analytic methods.
Core
3
0
3
10
PPL812
Qualitative & Mixed Methods
Process tracing, interviews, and case-study design.
Core
3
0
3
10
III
Semester 3 · term 3
Code
Course
Type
Theory
Practice
Credits
ECTS
PPL821
Comprehensive Examination
Written and oral examination on field literature.
Core
0
6
3
10
PPL822
Dissertation Proposal Defense
Formal proposal defended before a committee.
Core
0
6
3
10
PPL823
Doctoral Colloquium I
Peer presentation of work-in-progress chapters.
Core
0
4
2
10
IV
Semester 4 · term 4
Code
Course
Type
Theory
Practice
Credits
ECTS
PPL831
Dissertation Research I
Field/archival research and data collection.
Core
0
12
12
30
V
Semester 5 · term 5
Code
Course
Type
Theory
Practice
Credits
ECTS
PPL841
Dissertation Research II
Analysis and chapter drafting with advisor supervision.
Core
0
12
12
30
VI
Semester 6 · term 6
Code
Course
Type
Theory
Practice
Credits
ECTS
PPL851
Dissertation & Defense
Completion of dissertation and public oral defense.
Core
0
12
12
30
Chapter IV · What graduates leave with
A degree built to be used.
Every outcome below is part of the program contract — not a marketing add-on.
02
A global cohort
Study alongside peers from dozens of countries — every cohort is intentionally international.
03
Async & live blend
Recorded seminars you watch on your timezone, plus optional live rooms each week with faculty.
04
Transferable credit
ECTS-aligned credits accepted by partner institutions for transfer or further graduate study.
05
Career-aware mentoring
Every program pairs you with an academic advisor and access to the alumni mentoring network.
06
Accredited and audited
Curricula reviewed annually against accreditation standards listed on our charter page.
Chapter V · Admissions snapshot
Tuition, intakes, and the paperwork.
Numbers you can budget against. Every figure routes through admin settings — what you see here is what the bursar publishes.
$69 / cr
Per-credit rate
Locked for the length of your degree at admission.
$50
Application fee
Non-refundable; waived for partner-agency referrals.
3 / yr
Intakes per year
Rolling admissions, three terms a year.
60 days before each term
Application window
Apply early to lock the published rate.
Chapter VI · Common questions
Before you apply.
The answers most working learners ask first — collected and updated by admissions.
Is the degree fully online — or are there required visits?
Every part of this program is delivered online. Lectures are recorded for asynchronous study, live cohort rooms run across multiple timezones, and assessments are completed through the student portal. No in-person attendance is required to enroll, study, or graduate.
How is the diploma issued and verified?
A physical diploma is mailed to the address on file once the degree is conferred. A verifiable digital credential is also published to our certificate verification portal — anyone can confirm authenticity using the document number and the student’s name.
Can I transfer credits in or out?
Yes. Credits earned at accredited institutions are evaluated against the curriculum on a course-by-course basis. Outgoing credits are ECTS-aligned and accepted by partner universities for graduate study or transfer.
What is the time commitment per week?
A typical full-time term load is 12 credit hours and runs about 18–22 hours of study per week, including recorded lectures, readings, and assignments. Part-time pacing is supported — you set the load each term within your degree window.
What support do online students receive?
Each student is paired with an academic advisor at admission. You also have access to the digital library, an alumni mentor network, and admissions video sessions across timezones for any administrative question — every channel is online.
Is the program accredited?
Yes. The full list of accrediting bodies and partner memberships is maintained on our accreditation page and reviewed annually. The page is the canonical source — please refer to it for the most current accreditors.
Closing · Vol. II
Begin the next chapter — on your timezone.
Submit an application for Political Science, or speak to admissions in a video session at a time that suits you.