international affairs phd programs

Offered by the School of International Service   , the International Relations (PhD) program enables students to produce knowledge for careers in university teaching and research, government, and non-governmental organizations both in the United States and internationally. The curriculum provides training in international relations that is both multi-disciplinary and policy-relevant. The core courses in international relations, comparative politics, social theory, and methodology provide a foundation that allows students considerable flexibility to pursue additional coursework, research, and writing in international affairs. Major emphasis is placed on research and all students are required to successfully defend an original dissertation of their own design that makes a contribution to knowledge in their chosen area. In addition to completing the dissertation, students are encouraged to present conference papers, engage in collaborative work with faculty members, and submit articles to refereed journals.

Admission to the Program

Applicants for the PhD degree program must hold an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree, or its equivalent, in a field related to international relations. Applicants must have a prior cumulative grade point average that is substantially above B (3.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale) for coursework relevant to international relations.

The program is designed for study on a full-time basis. Applicants for the PhD degree are considered and admitted only for the fall semester each year. The school does not permit students to begin their doctoral work in the spring. Deferral of matriculation in the PhD program is not permitted. In order to be considered for fall admission, applications and all supporting materials must reach the SIS Graduate Admissions Office no later than December 15.

All applicants are required to submit results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Non-native English speakers are required to submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) unless they hold a degree from a US-accredited institution before enrollment at SIS. The minimum TOEFL score for full admissions consideration is 100 on the Internet-based test (iBT) or 600 on the paper-based test (PBT). The minimum IELTS score is 7.0. Applicants should plan to take the appropriate test well in advance of the December 15 deadline.

All applicants must submit at least three letters of reference which evaluate their suitability for undertaking doctoral study in international relations. At least one of those letters must assess their academic performance. Cultural factors are considered in making admissions decisions and in evaluating transcripts and examination results.

Doctoral students may transfer up to 6 credit hours of previous graduate coursework earned at accredited institutions with a minimum grade of B in each course. Such credits must have been earned within five years of admission and must be relevant to a student’s program of study. Requests for transfer of graduate credit are considered during the student’s first term.

Degree Requirements

• 39 credit hours of approved graduate work
• Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA in all graduate work is required to remain in good academic standing and to earn the degree
• Proficiency in a modern foreign language: Research competence in English and another modern foreign language relevant to the student’s career objectives must be certified
• The first or qualifying examination is normally taken at the end of the first year. The qualifying exam requires the demonstration of competency in theoretical, epistemological, and methodological literature and issues in international relations, comparative politics, and  social theory. These areas are addressed in the core seminars that students normally complete during their first year of residence, although the scope of the examination is not limited to topics covered in the seminars
• A second examination, the Field Comprehensive Examination, is in a student’s chosen field of specialization. This Comprehensive Field Examination is a scholarly paper in which students must demonstrate knowledge of the scholarly literature related to a research question approved by their Department’s PhD Point of Contact. With the permission of the SIS Director of Doctoral Studies and the advice of at least three qualified scholars, the student may also construct a special field
• The SIS Director of Doctoral Studies chairs the prospectus defense. The examiners also include the student’s dissertation committee, which is comprised of a minimum of three members, one of whom serves as chair and as the primary supervisor of the dissertation research. It is the responsibility of the student to secure the agreement of a full-time tenured member of the School of International Service faculty to serve as the chair of his or her dissertation committee. At least two members of the dissertation committee must be full-time, tenure-line members of the American University faculty. The members of the committee must be approved by the SIS Director of Doctoral Studies and the American University Doctoral Council
• Students are normally expected to complete their prospectus defense no later than the end of the sixth semester after entering the program. For details on scheduling comprehensive examinations and examination procedures, consult the director of the PhD program or the SIS Graduate Office
• Advancement to candidacy: To be advanced to candidacy, students must remedy any deficiencies specified at the time of admission, complete all graduate work, be certified as proficient in a modern foreign language in addition to English, have passed their written and oral examinations, have submitted certification of completion of Responsible Conduct of Research training, and have successfully defended their dissertation prospectus
• Students must present a completed draft of their dissertation for defense. They are responsible for ensuring that the final draft of their dissertation meet university style requirements. Dissertations must be approved by the dean of the School of International Service
• Statute of limitations: American University’s academic regulations provide that all graduate work for the doctorate must be completed in no more than nine years after the date of first enrollment as doctoral student. Prior to the expiration of that time limit, a student may petition for an extension of candidacy. Under compelling circumstances, students may apply for one-year extensions beyond the expected time to degree, with a maximum of three extensions. Students must petition the SIS Director of Doctoral Studies for each one-year extension; each extension must also be approved by the SIS Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Graduate Education and the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Research

Course Requirements

Core theory (12 credit hours).

• SIS-801 Schools of Thought in International Relations (3)
• SIS-802 Comparative and Regional Studies (3)
• SIS-803 Advanced Seminar in International Relations (3)
• SIS-804 Social Theory in Comparative and International Perspective (3)

Social Science Research Methodology (15 credit hours)

• SIS-806 Quantitative Methods in International Relations (3)
• SIS-807 Qualitative Methods in International Relations (3)
• SIS-808 Politics and Policy Making in International Relations (3)
• SIS-810 Research Design (3)
• SIS-811 Dissertation Development Workshop (3)

Concentration (9 credit hours)

• 9 credit hours in a major field of concentration determined in consultation with the PhD Point of Contact from one of the SIS Departments

Electives (3 credit hours)

• 3 credit hours from coursework relevant to a student’s program of study and approved by the PhD Point of Contact from one of the SIS Departments

Research and Writing Requirement

• A student is required to maintain full-time status until they successfully defend a dissertation. Upon advance to candidacy, a student maintains enrollment status by registering for SIS-899 Doctoral Dissertation (9)   . For each semester, up to 9 credit hours of SIS-899    is priced at the equivalent of one graduate credit hour

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

• Campus: Washington DC
• Program Duration: Average time to completion 5.5 years; Full-Time

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General Information

Regarding the PhD program should be directed to  [email protected]

Become an Expert

Throughout your PhD studies you will gain a comprehensive understanding of qualitative and quantitative analytic skills, international relations, economics, and regional studies. The program is divided into a pre-dissertation, resident stage based in Washington DC, and a non-resident, dissertation stage.  

International Policy

• American Foreign Policy
• Energy, Resources and Environment
• Global Theory and History
• International Development
• International Relations
• International Political Economy
• Strategic Studies

Regions of the World

• African Studies
• Canadian Studies
• China Studies
• European and Eurasian Studies
• Japan Studies
• Korea Studies
• Latin American Studies
• Middle East Studies
• South Asia Studies
• Southeast Asia Studies

What Your Schedule Will Look Like

The PhD program will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of qualitative and quantitative analytic skills, international relations, economics, and regional studies.

The Pre-dissertation resident stage status lasts up to two years if you have completed the two-year Master of Arts degree at Johns Hopkins SAIS and up to three years without the two-year Masters of Arts degree from the school. You will complete coursework, comprehensive exams, and defend the dissertation prospectus.

During this portion of the PhD program you will be based at the school's main campus in Washington DC and take a full course load or approved independent study. 

Required Courses

In addition to individualized coursework agreed upon by a faculty advisor, all students must complete the following:

• Research Methodology
• International Economics
• Statistics and Econometrics

Research Methodology: all students must successfully pass  Theories and Methods of Qualitative Political Research  and  Research Design and Causal Inference . Prerequisites for  Research Design and Causal Inference  include fulfilling  Statistical Methods for Business   and   Economics  and  Econometrics .

Within six months of passing the third comprehensive exam, you must prepare a written prospectus of the dissertation and present it in a formal defense that is open to members of the university doctoral community.

During the dissertation non-resident stage, you can explore opportunities to study at SAIS Europe, the Hopkins-Nanjing Center, or at other prominent global institutions.

You will advance to the dissertation stage after successfully defending a prospectus. You are not required to be on campus, however you are still considered full-time status. You should defend the dissertation within five years of the prospectus defense.

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Feature: The Top 10 International Relations Ph.D. Rankings

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The Top 10 International Relations Ph.D. Rankings

Schools for the next generation of global intellectual heavyweights..

These rankings are part of the Teaching, Research, and International Policy (TRIP) survey , conducted by Paul C. Avey, Michael C. Desch, James D. Long, Daniel Maliniak, Susan Peterson, and Michael J. Tierney. All additional information provided was added by Foreign Policy and is not part of the survey results.

1. Harvard University Admitted class size: 14-26 Average time to graduate: 5-6 years Funding: All admitted students considered for fellowships, amounting to full/partial tuition and stipends Star professors: Robert Bates, Jeffry Frieden, Stephen M. Walt Website : http://www.gov.harvard.edu/graduate-program

2. Princeton University

Admitted class size: 40 Average time to graduate: 5 years, minimum Funding: Full tuition funding for four years, including living stipends Star professors: Robert Keohane, Uwe Reindhart, Anne-Marie Slaughter, Website: http://wws.princeton.edu/

3. Stanford University

Admitted class size: 12 Average time to graduate: N/A Funding: Full tuition and living stipend provided Star professors: Francis Fukuyama, Stephen Krasner, Condoleezza Rice Website : http://politicalscience.stanford.edu/

4. Columbia University

Admitted class size: 20 Average time to graduate: 5-7 years Funding: Guaranteed five-year fellowship , including living stipends Star professors: Jagdish Bhagwati, Robert Jervis, Jeffrey Sachs

Website: http://www.columbia.edu/cu/polisci/index.html

5. Yale University

Admitted class size: 23 Average time to graduate : 6.7 Funding: Guaranteed funding for five years . The first four years of tuition are guaranteed, followed by a university dissertation fellowship Star professors: Bruce Ackerman, David Cameron, Bruce Russett Website: http://www.yale.edu/polisci/index.html

5. University of Chicago

Admitted class size: 15-20 Average time to graduate: N/A Funding: Full tuition, plus $21,000 for five years, including $3,000 summer funding Star professors: John Mearsheimer, Robert Pape

7. University of California/San Diego

Admitted class size: 15-20 Average time to graduate: 5-6 years Funding: Guaranteed for four years, followed by teaching assistantships Star professors: Peter Gourevitch, Larry Krause, Susan Shirk Website: http://irps.ucsd.edu/programs/phd-in-political-science-and-international-affairs-phd/

8. University of California/Berkeley

Admitted class size: 18-26 Average time to graduate: 5-6 years, including 1 year of field research Funding: Five years of funding via fellowships, research, and teaching assistantships, (contingent on California residency) Star professors: Barry Eichengreen Website : http://polisci.berkeley.edu/

9. University of Michigan/Ann Arbor

Admitted class size: 12-17 Average time to graduate: 4-6 years Funding : Five years of funding , including a fellowship for the first year Star professors: Paul Courant, Kenneth Lieberthal Website: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/polisci/

9. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Admitted Class Size: 7-11 Average Time to Graduate: 5-6 years Funding: Five years of funding, including nine-month stipends Star professors: Daron Acemoglu, Barry R. Posen, Daniel Posner

Website: http://web.mit.edu/polisci/academic-programs/graduate/phd.shtml

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Ph.D. in Public Affairs

International Relations

Undergraduate

The Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree is designed for industry professionals with years of work experience who wish to complete their degrees part time, both on campus and online, without disruption to their employment. Our typical student is over 30, has previously completed one or two years of college, and works full time.

Students enrolled in the Master of Liberal Arts program in International Relations will gain critical insight into today’s pressing global issues and a deep understanding of the factors influencing relationships between nation-states and supranational organizations.

International & Global Affairs Concentration

In this section.

• Concentration Details

The International and Global Affairs (IGA) concentration trains the next generation of policymakers and leaders like you to tackle the complex issues of a globalizing world.

As an IGA concentrator, you add a layer of depth to your master's degree through further intensive coursework taught by Harvard Kennedy School faculty members who are among the world’s leading scholars of global affairs.

The concentration provides training for you to become a globally minded policymaker serving in a national, regional, or local government agency; international or nongovernmental organization; or multinational corporation. Many concentrators translate their IGA training into careers in international security , human rights , energy security, environment and resource systems , or information systems —all of which address international and global challenges and governance .

IGA-Affiliated Faculty Members

Graham Allison

Senem Aydin Duzgit

Lotem Bassan-Nygate

Jeeyang Rhee Baum

Jacqueline Bhabha

Claude Bruderlein

Matthew Bunn

Erica Chenoweth

William Clark

Dara Kay Cohen

John Holdren

Sheila Jasanoff

Juliette Kayyem

Halla Logadottir

Fredrik Logevall

Rana Mitter

Meghan O'Sullivan

Eric Rosenbach

David Sanger

Bruce Schneier

Daniel Schrag

Kathryn Sikkink

Roya Talibova

Dustin Tingley

Stephen Walt

Rand Wentworth

There are a number of centers and programs at HKS that focus on topics and issues central to the IGA concentration and possibly your area of academic interest. 

IGA-Affiliated Research Centers

Belfer center for science and international affairs.

The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs is the school's hub for research, teaching, and training in international security and diplomacy, environmental and resource issues, and science and technology policy.

Carr Center for Human Rights Policy

The Carr Center for Human Rights Policy produces research, teaching, and writing guided by a commitment to make human rights principles central to the formulation of good public policy in the United States and throughout the world.

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Elliott School of International Affairs

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• B.A. in International Affairs
• B.S. in International Affairs
• B.A. in Asian Studies
• B.A. in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies
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• Minor in International Affairs
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Master's Programs

Where in the world will your talents, training, and contributions to our most pressing global issues take you? Graduates of the Elliott School of International Affairs are leading experts in business, security, diplomacy, public service, development, conflict resolution, public health, and other fields. 

We offer an array of interdisciplinary master’s degrees with many specializations, dual-degree and joint-degree options , as well as accelerated programs designed specifically for mid-career professionals. The Elliott School has deep roots and global recognition for excellence, scholarship, and prestige. You will be joining a school community of peers at the forefront of shaping the ever-changing international landscape. 

All of our master’s programs hold courses in the evenings, with the option to study full-time or part-time. Students in our accelerated Master of International Policy and Practice (MIPP) program and M.A. in Security Policy Studies program also have a 100% online program option. Whichever program you choose, you will find we have maximized the flexibility of our degrees for your priorities, interests, and career goals.

Explore our programs below and let us send you more information about the programs that could be a fit for your interests and goals.

Our Master’s Degrees in International Affairs at a Glance

Master of Arts in Asian Studies

Explore the major political, economic, and historical issues affecting Asian diplomacy, business, security, culture, and more. Focus your studies with thematic specializations, including Politics and Policy or Business and Development, and further refine your degree with one of eight professional specializations.

Learn more about M.A. Asian Studies

European & Eurasian Studies

Master of Arts in European and Eurasian Studies

Beginning in the fall of 2023, the Elliott School is no longer offering admission to the MA in European and Eurasian Studies.

Master of Arts in Global Communication

This master’s program has a dual emphasis on international affairs as well as communication and journalism. Pursue or advance your career in public, private, or non-profit sectors as you gain the skills to connect with audiences around the world.

Learn more about M.A. Global Communication

Master of Arts in International Affairs

Become a seasoned leader in the global issues that matter the most. This master’s program offers both a broad foundation for understanding pressing economic, social, political, and cultural issues, as well as at least one specialized area of knowledge expertise.

Learn more about M.A. International Affairs

Master of Arts in International Development Studies

Global development challenges for some of our most vulnerable populations are highly complex and this master’s program will equip you to engage with other leading innovators. The curriculum leverages a combination of field-based research, studies in cultural contexts and ethics, and innovative practices to develop your marketable skills and experience.

Learn more about M.A. International Development Studies

Master of Arts in International Economic Policy

Get the hard skills that will give you an advantage in the competitive fields of international business, development economics, international economics, and more with this master’s program designed for working professionals and students pursuing internships in Washington, D.C.

Learn more about M.A. International Economic Policy (MIEP)

International Science & Technology Policy

Master of Arts in International Science and Technology Policy

More than ever before, innovation and advances in science and technology have a global impact. The policies that govern these fields are drafted and revised by a handful of leaders, but they affect billions of individual lives. This master’s program will give you the skills, experience, and access to begin making your contribution at the forefront of these fields.

Learn more about M.A. International Science and Technology Policy

Latin American & Hemispheric Studies

Master of Arts in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies

Beginning in the fall of 2023, the Elliott School is no longer offering admission to the MA in Latin American and Hemispheric Studies.

Master of Arts in Middle East Studies

Renowned scholarship and critical policy research anchor this master’s program which produces leaders in business, security, diplomacy and public service, public health, conflict resolution, and related fields in the region. The interdisciplinary structure of this program will give you multiple perspectives on critical issues and accommodate a special academic focus or personal interest in your studies.

Learn more about M.A. Middle East Studies

Master of Arts in Security Policy Studies

How to respond to our most pressing 21st-century international security issues is at the heart of this policy-focused master’s program. You will explore challenges and ways to address threats from terrorism and criminal networks, weapons proliferation, cyber threats, climate change, health pandemics, and more as you develop specialized knowledge to help you advance in your career. This program can be completed online or on-campus.

Learn more about M.A. Security Policy Studies

International Policy & Practice

Master of International Policy and Practice

Designed for mid-career professionals, this 27-hour, accelerated master’s program focuses on cultivating your skills for data analysis, strategic design, and leadership. The program can be completed online or on-campus, and there are short-term study abroad opportunities to enhance the practical real-world application design of this program’s curriculum.

Learn more about MIPP

International Studies

Master of International Studies

This master’s program recruits participants exclusively from alumni of Elliott School international partner institutions. It offers a unique and prestigious opportunity for studying the key theories and practical applications of today’s most salient economic, social, political, and cultural issues in the global arena. The program brings together scholars of established excellence in a spirit of international collaboration at the center of U.S. policy and governance decision making in Washington, D.C.

Learn more about International Studies (MIS)

Combined Bachelor's/ Master's Degrees

Combined Bachelor's/Master's Program

This accelerated program allows Elliott School undergraduates to work towards a bachelor's and master's degree at the same time. It offers the opportunity to save time and money while jump-starting a career in international affairs.

Learn more about the combined degree programs

Joint & Dual Degrees

Joint and Dual Degree Programs

The Elliott School of International Affairs offers two Joint-Degree programs: a Master of Arts and a Juris Doctor in cooperation with the Law School and a Master of Arts and a Master of Business Administration in cooperation with the School of Business.

Learn more about the joint-degree programs

Students interested in doctoral studies in international relations are encouraged to apply to a PhD program through the GW Department of Political Science .

Get Detailed Information and Program Comparisons for Your Interests

Interested in learning more about program offerings at the Elliott School? Create a Customviewbook to find the program that is right for you.

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5 Reasons to Major in International Relations

• by Katy Pattison
• September 21, 2021

Are your passions as wide as the world? Consider a major global enough to encompass them all — and a major that will take you where you want to go, whether near or far.

I majored in international relations when I was a UC Davis student. Now, as an undergraduate advisor in the Department of Political Science, I help students decide if international relations is the right major for them.

There are many reasons to pursue an IR major. Here are five.

1. Make the major y our  major

International relations is a multidisciplinary major that consists of four tracks for students to choose from, each looking at issues of trade, development, conflict, environment, health, race and culture on a global scale. Courses come from over 40 campus departments and programs and overlap for a deeply nuanced curriculum that gives each student the opportunity to shape their major to their educational and professional interests. As an alumna, I can say that this appealed to me enormously. I bounced from comparative literature to political science to environmental policy analysis and planning. When I found the international relations major, I was so excited to see that I could choose just about every component of my requirements. And I advise students to pay attention to their interest in their courses when choosing a major. If you find yourself deeply compelled by your courses, you are going to be more open to research, internships and service opportunities that arise and that lay the groundwork for your professional development and networking.

2. Career flexibility

Regardless of their major, all students are familiar with the experience of a well-intentioned friend, family member or workplace proximity associate asking, “What can you do with that degree?” These inquirers often have a linear career path in mind (political science = politician, psychology = psychologist, etc.), which is understandable! But with a social science degree in international relations, students are given broad skill sets with universal applications. International relations majors are trained to think analytically, communicate effectively, speak a second language, and research extensively. These are desirable skills for employers across many fields. While I was completing my IR degree at UC Davis, one of my best friends (whom I met through the UC Davis Quarter Abroad program in Mendoza, Argentina) was also an IR student. I went on to get a master’s degree in higher education leadership and policy studies, while she went on to get a medical degree (also from UC Davis!). I use this information to demonstrate the wide range of professional applications for an IR degree and to encourage students to devote time to personal and professional exploration so that they are familiar with the myriad of career options available.

3. Groundbreaking faculty

With a choice of courses campus-wide, IR students benefit from learning with distinguished faculty from departments ranging from political science to environmental science, religious studies and economics. IR students study under faculty like Professor Keith Watenpaugh, founding director of the UC Davis Human Rights Studies program and Article 26 Backpack ; Distinguished Professor Zeev Maoz, director of the Correlates of War Project and recipient of the Social Science Research Innovation Award; and Distinguished Research Professor Suad Joseph, who founded the Middle East/South Asia Studies program at UC Davis. The IR program director and staff frequently update curriculum to include new courses that faculty create in order to capture the most current issues being examined across campus.

4. International relations will take you places!

International relations sends more students abroad than any other major at UC Davis. Here at UC Davis, we benefit from UC Davis-specific and UC-wide study abroad programs in more than 40 countries. Our program’s variety gives students incredible access to unique course offerings from other institutions all over the world. This, plus international relations being multidisciplinary with both global and regional emphasis, allows our students the ability to complete a substantial amount of major coursework while abroad. Because of this, many IR students pursue multiple study abroad programs during their time as undergraduate students. Some have even gone abroad for a year or longer! As I mentioned above, I was fortunate enough to participate in the UC Davis Quarter Abroad Program to Mendoza, Argentina. This experience proved to be one of the most formative of my undergraduate experience. I completed several major requirements while abroad, traveled throughout South America, met amazing people , and made connections that benefited me educationally and professionally in years to come. I recommend all my students look into fitting study abroad in their academic plan if at all possible.

5. Connect with the international campus community

While the international relations major encourages all students to explore a study abroad experience if at all possible, our students do not have to leave campus to be part of a vibrant international community. Members of the International Relations Student Association meet to discuss international affairs and host events, such as talks by visiting scholars and alumni panels. Many of our students hold student employee or internship positions with the International Center in various capacities. During COVID-19, a number of our students have participated in virtual internships with organizations all over the world. The International House is a social gathering space where people from around the globe come together. The PAL Program partners domestic and international students to promote cross-cultural engagement. The international relations program prides itself on connecting students to international resources available to help bring classroom learning into real-world applications.

Katy Pattison (B.A., international relations, ’04, M.A  higher education leadership and policy, ’10) is an undergraduate advisor for the Department of Political Science (international relations, political science – public service). She views it as a privilege to guide her students not just on degree requirements but also on achieving their personal, educational and professional goals. You can make an appointment with Katy at appointments.ucdavis.edu or contact her through  [email protected] .

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