georgetown phd in international relations

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Graduate Admissions

Seek something greater. We welcome scholars in the pursuit of deeper knowledge and broader experiences through master’s, Ph.D. degrees, dual programs and certificates. Leave Georgetown poised to be a leader in your field and change-maker in your community.

Each of our graduate and professional programs has its own admissions process and requirements. To see specific requirements, check with the appropriate department or program.

Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service (SFS)

In a continually changing and unpredictable world, we prepare women and men to be creative leaders with a commitment to service and an understanding of the ethical component of global affairs. Our location in DC gives students access to rich resources, influential practitioners and renowned scholars, to help develop you as a leader in government, international and nongovernmental organizations or the private sector.

Named the #1 Master’s Program for International Affairs according to Foreign Policy magazine, the SFS houses two thematic master’s degrees, five regional master’s degrees and two joint degree programs in partnership with the university’s McDonough School of Business.

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, over 200 years old, offers a wide variety of doctoral, master’s and certificate programs encompassing both traditional and interdisciplinary studies.  Whether you’re interested in pursuing doctoral research in government or neuroscience, or exploring top-ranking master’s programs such as foreign service or public policy, you are sure to find unique opportunities in our graduate community.

Georgetown University Law Center

Georgetown Law students don’t just study the law. In D.C., they experience it. Washington, DC is the nation’s capital, a global hub and a lively metropolis. At Georgetown Law, students learn the law in the place where laws are made.

McCourt School of Public Policy

The McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown is a top-ranked public policy school located in the center of the policy world in Washington, DC.

Our mission is to teach students to design, analyze and implement smart policies and put them into practice in the public, private and nonprofit sectors, in the U.S. and around the world. The McCourt School flagship degree is the Master in Public Policy. McCourt also offers a Master in International Development Policy, a Master of Science in Data Science for Public Policy, a Master in Policy Management, an Executive Master in Policy Leadership, as well as  dual degree and executive programs.

McDonough School of Business

Georgetown McDonough’s graduate programs are designed to prepare you for the global stage with unrivaled access that only DC can offer.

We develop and educate principled leaders with a global mindset to be in service to business and society. Our rigorous curricula, diverse community, vibrant location and commitment to ethics come together to create an educational experience like no other. We offer Full-time and Flex MBAs, an Executive MBA, a Master’s in Management, a Master of Science in Business Analytics, a Master of Science in Finance, an Executive Master’s in Leadership, and a Master of Arts in International Business and Policy, in partnership with the School of Foreign Service.

School of Continuing Studies

The School of Continuing Studies inspires you to reimagine what’s possible. Through contemporary, hands-on programs, you’ll be challenged to ask questions, rethink traditional solutions and leave your comfort zone behind. You’ll learn to navigate the professional world with integrity and confidence.

Choose from a variety of full-time and part-time programs, available in on-campus, online and executive formats. Our programs include professional degrees, executive leadership programs, liberal studies, certificates and summer programs.

School of Nursing

The School of Nursing builds on a 120-year tradition of educational excellence at the professional, advanced practice, and doctoral levels, while raising the school’s profile in research and scholarship.  As the nation’s largest healthcare profession, nursing represents a fundamental core of the workforce. The School of Nursing offers numerous MS and doctoral degree programs. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a traditional four-year program. A highly regarded faculty provides students with a grounding in clinical skills; knowledge in the biological, physical, and social sciences; and nursing theory. Students have access to diverse health systems and community-based organizations around the Washington region. Georgetown educates nurses who are well prepared for licensure and certification examinations; first-time pass rates are exceptional, when not perfect.

School of Health

The School of Health, launched in 2022, builds on Georgetown’s 170-year commitment to health and medicine. The school offers graduate and undergraduate studies and provides a home for scholars and students to work collaboratively across disciplines and across the university to address human health and wellbeing from various perspectives — science, health, medicine, policy, law, economics and the humanities — to achieve a deeper understanding of the interconnected threads through the most challenging issues of our time, and to find solutions. The school will reflect the ongoing, urgent need to focus our collective efforts on applied health research and on creating a more equitable, evidence-driven and values-based health care system that can withstand the enormous challenges facing our country.  It is this interdisciplinary spirit of discovery that will best support the needed for evolution in health and health care.  

School of Medicine

At the School of Medicine, we train the healers and leaders of tomorrow. We are advancing healthcare by conducting innovative research, training future leaders to be scientifically competent and  compassionate providers and serving our local DC community and the nation.

Our school will educate you to become knowledgeable, ethical, skillful and compassionate physicians and scientists  dedicated to the care of others and health needs of our society.

Global Engagement

Global database, ph.d. in government.

Learn More About Ph.D. in Government

Department of Government

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Human Rights

Peace and Security

Political Economy

College of Arts & Sciences

Ph.D in Government

Please explore further each of our fields of expertise:

• American Government
• Comparative Government
• International Relations
• Political Theory

Course scheduling and course information is available on the Schedule of Classes . Graduate Students should select a Term. Then “Government” as the Subject and choose “Advanced Search” and select “MN or MC Graduate” for Level.

The mission of the Government Department Ph.D. program is to provide students with the analytical skills and substantive knowledge needed to both generate and evaluate research in political science, preparing them for careers at the highest levels of scholarship and teaching. A Georgetown Ph.D. in Government signifies theoretical, methodological, and substantive expertise in various topics of political significance, as well as the research and communication skills necessary for productive scholarship.

The degree indicates that the recipient has acquired extensive knowledge in at least two fields, both typically drawn from the four major subfields of political science, but which may also include related fields such as history, security studies, or public policy. A Georgetown Ph.D. in Government is granted only to students who have demonstrated the ability to synthesize large quantities of information and rigorously evaluate the merits of competing theoretical and empirical arguments. The degree indicates that its holder has obtained the analytical and methodological skills to design and conduct original research of the highest quality. It further certifies that its holder has the written and oral communication skills necessary to engage with debates at the leading edge of the field. Individuals holding a Georgetown Ph.D. in Government are also equipped with the knowledge and skills to teach political science at the university level in both survey courses and specialized seminars.

Doctoral-level seminars taken during coursework are designed to familiarize students with the scholarly literature in at least two fields of study. Students gain a broad understanding of the development and major topics of research within these fields, as well as expertise in several more specialized areas. Students learn to evaluate and engage with the major scholarly debates in their fields of study, both in classroom discussion and in written work. All students learn the methodological skills needed to carry out original research in their respective fields.

Ph.D. students are required to take comprehensive examinations in one major. The purpose of comprehensive examinations is to demonstrate a student’s broad familiarity with the literature in his or her fields of study. This prepares students both as professional members of a scholarly community and as future teachers at the university level. Our doctoral students write dissertations that consist of rigorous original research that contribute to our understanding of a topic of empirical importance and theoretical significance to the field of political science. Once a dissertation of high quality is complete, there is a dissertation defense at which the student presents the results of his or her research and is questioned about the implications of the work for the field of political science by the dissertation committee.

In addition to the formal requirements of the doctoral program, students are encouraged and expected to participate in opportunities for professional socialization and development. All four subfields of the department organize speaker series to host scholars from other universities and promote intellectual exchange. Doctoral students are also encouraged to attend our seminars on various aspects of the academic profession, including teaching, publishing, and the job market.

Students acquire teaching skills in a number of settings. Many serve as teaching assistants for the larger undergraduate courses offered by the department, while others may have the opportunity to teach their own undergraduate-level seminars. Students may also take advantage of training seminars offered by the department, as well as the certification offered through the  Apprenticeship in Teaching Program  run by the  Center for New Designs in Teaching and Learning .

Doctoral students engage with the political science community outside of Georgetown by attending specialized seminars and presenting their research at academic conferences.

For students admitted with a Fellowship, we provide tuition and a stipend of $38,000. Typically students in their first year are assigned a service-free fellowship and will work on coursework and related research. In their second year, students normally are assigned service assistantships and and will typically serve as TA’s in GOVT courses or on other assignments. Students in their fourth year are assigned service assistantships and typically serve as an RA for a professor or some other assignment. In the fifth year, students usually also are service-free conditional on having successfully defended their dissertation prospectus and advanced to ABD status.

Our Ph.D. graduates have tenure-track jobs at many excellent institutions, including:

• American University
• Cornell University
• University of Wisconsin at Madison
• LBJ School of Public Policy at the University of Texas at Austin
• George Washington University
• George Mason University
• University of California at Riverside
• University of Michigan
• Villanova University
• Carleton University

In addition, our Ph.D.s have been winning prestigious fellowships, including ones from Harvard, Princeton and Brookings.

Part of our placement success is due to our strong record of working closely with students, including producing jointly authored articles.

All inquiries should be sent to [email protected] .

Foreign Service

About the program.

MSFS seeks to educate and equip the next generation of international affairs leaders. Through a rigorous curriculum of historical, political, social, cultural, and economic studies, MSFS challenges students to both understand theory and history and apply their knowledge to bring impactful change. We do this while also instilling a commitment to service in the international community and an appreciation for the ethical dimension of international affairs.

Degrees Offered

Accelerated programs (Georgetown students only)

• B.S.B.A./M.S.
• B.S.F.S./M.S.

Joint programs

• M.S./M.B.A.
• M.S./M.P.P.

Admissions Requirements

For general graduate admissions requirements, visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s Application Information page. Review the  program’s website  for additional information on program application requirements.

Application Materials required:

• Application Form
• Non-refundable Application Fee
• Academic Statement of Purpose
• Optional: Statement on Diversity, Personal Background & Contributions
• Letters of Recommendation (2-3)
• Transcripts  – Applicants are required to upload to the application system copies of official  transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended. Visit the Office of Graduate Admission’s Application Information page for additional details and FAQs.
• Supplemental Data – Foreign Language Skills
• Video Statement (optional)
• GRE (optional)
• TOEFL = 100 minimum
• IELTS = 7.0 minimum

Application Deadlines

• January 15 (priority)
• April 1 (final)

Degree Requirements

The program requires two years of full-time study (12 credits per semester) in residence at Georgetown University (for 48 total semester hours) commencing in the fall of each year only. The first year combines a required and an elective curriculum. Offerings integrate the development of analytic and quantitative skills with advanced study in international politics, economics, history and electives in a selected field of concentration.

To fulfill the requirements of the MSFS program, a student must:

• Maintain a 3.0 average on a 4.0 scale.
• Pass a required curriculum of 18 semester hours.
• Pass an elective curriculum of 30 semester hours.
• Demonstrate proficiency in at least one modern foreign language — language proficiency is an essential skill for the professional in international affairs and is a requirement for graduation. Emphasis is placed on development of oral communication skills as well as on reading and writing ability. Because language classes do not count as electives toward the master’s degree, students must have an adequate level of proficiency upon admissions application. Placement tests are required upon entrance to the program.
• Pass an oral examination consisting of a brief presentation analyzing a current international issue and an additional period of questions by a three-member panel of faculty and foreign affairs practitioners.
• Intern for at least one internationally-oriented organization in the public, private or non-profit sectors.

Connect with Us

Program Contact: [email protected]

Quick Links

Begin your application today!

MAGES/Ph.D. in Government

CGES and the Department of Government offer a dual course of study leading to a MAGES/Ph.D. in Government. Within the Ph.D. program, students can choose from one of two tracks: Comparative Government or International Relations.

The curriculum includes a total of three years (63 credits) of course work drawn from the MAGES program and the Department of Government. This program is oriented towards students who wish to complement their disciplinary studies in Government with the interdisciplinary regional focus of the MAGES Program.

Candidates complete all requirements for both the Ph.D. in Government and the MAGES degree requirements with the following variations:

• MAGES free elective course work must be comprised of required courses from the Department of Government.
• Students must pass the MAGES second foreign language examination prior to taking departmental comprehensive examinations.

Application

Students who are interested in this program may either apply to both degree programs jointly, or may apply for the Ph.D. portion of the program during their first year of study in the MAGES program. Applicants to the joint MAGES/Ph.D. program must complete all application procedures and fulfill all entrance requirements for the MAGES program. Applicants must also submit a separate application packet for the Government program according to the guidelines set out by the Department of Government. Application requirements for the Government program can be found on the Department of Government website .

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Welcome to the McDonough School of Business

Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business builds global business knowledge and inspires ethical leaders to serve the common good.

Find the degree that’s right for your future.

Programs and Growing

Global Georgetown Alumni Network

Georgetown McDonough Rankings

Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business has a reputation for academic excellence, post-graduation career success, faculty thought leadership, and student satisfaction, as reflected in national and international rankings of our school and programs.

McDonough Advantage

Georgetown McDonough offers a world-class business education with the advantage of access to the thought leadership throughout the global capital city of Washington, D.C.; interdisciplinary opportunities to study at the intersection of business and other areas of expertise across the university’s other top programs; and the institution’s Jesuit values that connect rigorous academics, research, and experiential learning with the opportunity to serve the common good.

Custom Executive Education

Our highly regarded customized programs for organizations are built on Georgetown University’s tradition of excellence. We collaboratively design each program to provide an exceptional and unique experience for your team that advances your organizational goals.

Corporate Partnership

Located in the global capital city of Washington, D.C., Georgetown McDonough uniquely understands the critical intersection of business, government, and international relations. Our Georgetown faculty and students partner with the world’s leading organizations to unleash innovation, conduct ground-breaking research, and tackle the future of commerce.

Upcoming McDonough Events

Lifelong Learning – Risk Management May. 10

• Rafik B. Hariri Building

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• Washington, D.C. and New York City, New York

The Global Food Value Chain: Supply Challenges & the Impact of Climate Change and Conflict Jun. 17

• University Club, New York, New York

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Georgetown Law

J.d./ph.d. in government.

Juris Doctor/Doctorate in Government (Master of Arts En Passant)

The J.D./Government program awards the Juris Doctor and a Doctorate in Government (with an M.A. en passant). The program allows students to specialize in American Government, International Relations, Comparative Government, or Political Theory. Students may enroll in the joint degree program on a full-time or part-time basis. Students in the joint degree program are required to take the first year of law school as an intact block. This first year at the Law Center may be taken prior to or after completing one year of Government coursework, but no earlier or later.

J.D./Ph.D. students must satisfactorily complete graduation requirements for both the J.D. degree and the Ph.D. degree. Separate diplomas will be awarded, and upon satisfactory completion of the program, a Joint Degree Certificate will be awarded as well. An M.A. degree is awarded en passant to students enrolled in the Ph.D. program upon completion of 48 academic credits and course distribution requirements in the Government program and at least 6 credits of upperclass J.D. coursework. A student in this joint degree program may receive his or her J.D. degree before the completion of the program, provided that the coursework for the J.D. degree has been completed and the student has completed 48 credits of Government coursework.

J.D./Government students must complete all required courses and the total number of academic credits for graduation (76 credits of Law Center courses and 48 credits in Government for the M.A. degree). Students must complete an additional 15 credits of Government coursework for a Ph.D. degree in the fields of Comparative Government, International Relations, or Political Theory. Alternatively, students interested in earning a Ph.D. degree in American Government must complete an additional 18 credits of Government coursework.

Nine credits of Government coursework will count towards the J.D. degree requirements, and approximately 21 credits of J.D. coursework will count towards the Ph.D. degree requirements. The program also requires a J.D./Government student to:

• perform satisfactorily on a written foreign language examination;
• submit a dissertation proposal;
• successfully complete and defend a dissertation in Government;
• successfully complete all degree requirements for the J.D. degree; and
• and maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.00/4.00 in their Government program and the required minimum cumulative grade point average for the J.D. program (see the Juris Doctor Program chapter of the Georgetown Law Student Handbook of Academic Policies).

Note: The Government program will waive the minor comprehensive exam requirement for J.D. students who earn a B+ or better in three law courses.

Contact Info

Office of academic affairs.

[email protected]

J.D. ADMISSIONS INFO

Office of admissions.

[email protected]

The World Order — and Where It’s Heading

The subject of international relations is more relevant than ever. We are living through a time of disruption and promise. On one hand, technology offers more people a voice—on the other, populist movements threaten democracy. The world economy is more connected than ever, yet threats like pandemics shut down supply chains and cause shortages. Industry is more productive, but causes environmental ills. How do these problems and potentials interact? Who are the new movers and shakers? What will your role be in the future? If you are interested in international relations, politics, law, economics or just curious about how our world works, this course is a must.

Program Dates

Choose the course length that works for you: 1-week intensives, 2-week sessions, and 4-week sessions

Eligibility

For students ages 13 and up

How Does the World Work — and How Will It Work?

What is international relations.

Our world isn’t just a collection of nations, leaders, and issues—it’s an intricate system. Learn the history of international relations, skills required, and the many career opportunities.

Understand the Structure of Today’s International System.

Think of it as a chess game, and the resulting power shifts in every move. Explore the players, goals, and rules of the game of international relations.

Learn How Human Rights Have Become a Guiding Force.

Evaluate different world viewpoints on human rights. Review and discuss genocide and the evolution of international human rights law. Are healthcare and education human rights? 

Gain Insight Into the Many Kinds of Force.

Learn how war differs from terrorism and cyber attacks. Study the international laws related to the use of force and a nation’s right to defend itself.

Apply the Tools of International Relations to a Simulated Crisis.

Assume the role of a President faced with a human rights crisis in a far-off nation. Identify the actors, issues, and determine what actions to take.

Explore College Majors and Future Careers.

Topics in this course offer a good background for potential college majors and career paths related to international relations, political science, law, history, sociology, and the sciences.

How You Will Benefit

• Learn the skills needed to be an international relations professional.
• Identify the leading players of today’s global system.
• Learn the different theories of human rights.
• Be able to discuss environmental issues, international conflict, and technological change in an informed manner.
• Gain insight into the many forms of global conflict.
• Discover your role and what your future could hold.
• Complete a Final Capstone Project to demonstrate what you’ve learned.
• Earn a Certificate of Completion from Georgetown University.

Three Learning Advantages Designed for You

Final capstone project.

Assume the role of the U.S. President and make a decision about how to solve a global crisis. This will involve:

• Writing a “Policy Paper” outlining your goals, recommended actions, and what success looks like.
• Thinking through how you will modify your decision based on interactions with international organizations such as the Security Council.
• Answering the question: will you use force, economic sanctions, or diplomacy?

You’ll receive guidance from a mentor who will support you and answer questions throughout your learning experience. You can expect:

• Encouragement and direction on all assignments.
• Inspiration and motivation to help you succeed.
• Brainstorming to help you prepare for your capstone project.
• Feedback on your Final Capstone Project.

Flexible Learning

• 100% online learning that works with your schedule.
• Flexible format: you’ll learn through video lectures. Tune in anytime that works for you.
• 20 to 30 hours of total instruction and course work, including engaging multimedia, simulations, and curated assignments for which you will receive guidance and support from mentors.

Apply Now for the Next Available Course

May 19 - june 2.

Length: 2 weeks

Cost: $1,795.00

Application Deadline: Sunday, May 12, 2024

Type: Enrichment

June 9 - July 7

Length: 4 weeks

Application Deadline: Sunday, June 2, 2024

June 9 - June 23

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What Our Students Are Saying

"It was an amazingly informative experience that lets you connect with people across the world with similar interests to you. That coupled with the ability to take it at whatever pace you want made it an incredibly enjoyable course. "

"The course was super fun, and I feel that I learned a lot! I would absolutely recommend it to anybody interested in International Relations."

Course Designed by Georgetown University Faculty

Anthony Clark Arend, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair of the Department of Government at Georgetown University

Dr. Arend, a renowned and popular professor at Georgetown University, designed and leads both the international relations and the international law pre-college courses. He earned a Ph.D. and an M.A. in Foreign Affairs from the Department of Government and Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia, and he received his B.S.F.S from Georgetown University. He is also the author of  Legal Rules and International Society.

Meet Your Mentors

Georgetown University student working toward a Ph.D. in American Government. Served as a TA for U.S. Politics and Polling and Survey Methodology courses at Georgetown. Gabrielle's research is primarily focused on environmental politics, with a secondary focus on research related to political science pedagogy and democracy in the U.S.

Undergraduate student majoring in Finance with a minor in Politics and International Affairs. Completed internships at Bank of America, AT&T, and South State Bank. Aspires to become the Chief Financial Officer of a Fortune 500 company.

Undergraduate student at Georgetown University majoring in International Political Economy and minoring in Women’s and Gender Studies. Laidlaw Scholar conducting research in eldercare in East Asia. Aspires to work in the federal government as a foreign service officer.

How to Apply

It’s easy. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required. Our application asks you to provide the following:

• Basic contact information for you and your parent or guardian.
• Why you wish to take this course, and a bit of your story, through writing, video, photos—any media you prefer.

Begin the guided process . It should take only a few minutes to answer the questions.

Want to Know More?

Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch.

Our application process is easy. You can expect a prompt decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will you be graded? What are assignments like? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you’re admitted? Find answers to your questions here .

Scholarships

We offer need-based scholarships in each cohort to students exhibiting high potential and an inability to pay full tuition. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship but you:

• Haven’t applied to the program, complete your application now. The scholarship application is included.
• Applied to the program and didn’t fill out a scholarship request, resume your application and click “Apply for Scholarship”.
• Are unsure about whether or not you applied for a scholarship, reach out to us at [email protected] for assistance.

The University reserves the right to modify the course as may become necessary.

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Graduate Profile: Samirah Jaigirdar, MTS ‘24

How I've Changed   

The growth I’ve experienced at HDS, both personal and academic, has been beyond anything I expected. A key takeaway for me is the importance of embracing curiosity without reservation. I'm continually inspired by the innovative work of my peers, motivating me to explore new frontiers in academia. 

Memorable Moment 

One memorable event from the fall of 2022 was the Halloween Dance, where students and faculty, including the Dean of HDS, spontaneously participated in a line dance. 

Favorite Class or Professor 

This is a tough question. It would be a tie between Dr. Teren Sevea's "What is Lived Islam?" and Dr. Swayam Bagaria's "Interreligious Dynamics of South Asia." While both classes are tangentially related to my research interests, they were both instrumental in pushing me out of my comfort zone and making me think critically about my own work and the methods I hope to use. 

Message of Thanks   

First and foremost, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the best mom and friends a budding academic could ask for! Thank you for diligently proofreading my papers, encouraging me to pursue my research, and reminding me that there is always joy in life (I just have to remember to look). Secondly, I am immensely thankful for the faculty and mentors who I have been lucky enough to learn from at HDS: Teren Sevea, Jocelyne Cesari, Swayam Bagaria, Hussein Rashid, Diana Eck, and Ellie Pierce. Lastly, a huge shout-out to the HDS Admissions team - Odeviz Soto, Margaret Okada-Scheck, John Rzasa, Alessandra Luedeking, and Victoria Quint - for making Harvard feel like home.  

What I Hope to Be Remembered By 

People usually know me as the girl who studies religion and violent extremism, but I also hope people remember me for my jokes, kindness, and soft spots for Lamont's basement and iHop's French toast.  

Future Plans 

I will be starting my PhD in International Relations at Georgetown University this fall! I hope to continue researching religion, counterterrorism, and political violence in South Asia.  

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• Harvard Divinity Bulletin

Title: From Vietnam to Georgetown: Le Dong Hai Nguyen’s (SFS’23, MSFS’24) Journey to Global Impact

As someone who has been an “international relations nerd” since high school, the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown felt like a natural fit for Nguyen. He also felt a more personal draw to the Hilltop in particular because of his Vietnamese identity. “Georgetown has been deeply intertwined with the [Vietnam War]… from the peace treaty negotiated by SFS professor Henry Kissinger to the rapprochement under President Clinton (SFS’68),” Nguyen explains. 

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s recent visit to the Hilltop reminded Nguyen of Georgetown’s position at the center of global affairs. “That’s why I wanted to study here,” he says. “To learn from the past, to understand our present challenges, and to use my SFS education to help shape a more peaceful and prosperous future for all.”

In the Classroom

Nguyen’s academic journey at Georgetown was marked not only by a strong theoretical foundation provided by the international economics program but also enriched by real-world engagements through his master’s program. “My studies challenged me to refine—or, as economists would say, ‘relax’—my assumptions, equipping me with the practical tools to tackle complex global issues,” he explains. This blend of theory and practice was pivotal in shaping his approach to international relations and economic policy.

Nguyen was deeply influenced by the interdisciplinary teaching methods and the global perspective that the School of Foreign Service offers. His academic experiences were further broadened during a year spent at the Georgetown University in Qatar campus in Doha, where he engaged in a research assistantship with the Brookings Doha Center and explored economic diversification and governance in the Middle East.

Nguyen also values the vibrant academic culture that extends beyond the classroom. “Heated debates and discussions after classes are not uncommon, often spilling into the echoing hallways of the ICC,” he says. “I’m grateful for a community that not only sees my potential but challenges me and always offers a helping hand along the way.”

Throughout his academic journey at Georgetown, Nguyen found invaluable guidance and support from faculty like MSFS Professor David Wallis, who transcended the role of an academic advisor to become an important mentor in his personal development. “He has always gone above and beyond,” Nguyen reflects. “I am deeply grateful for his constant support and understanding, always making time for everything from a quick chat to last-minute class registration advice.”

Making an Impact

Outside the lecture halls, Nguyen engaged in a wide array of student leadership roles that underscored his commitment to service. As an MSFS Centennial Fellow and a section editor of the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs , he played a crucial role in shaping the discourse on international economics and policy on campus. His involvement in the Doyle Global Dialogue and the Georgetown University Honor Council , as well as his position as vice president of the Georgetown Graduate Consulting Club , further highlight his broad interests and capabilities.

Nguyen also had opportunities to apply his academic training to practice through internships at organizations like the World Bank, where he served as a sustainability consultant. “Contributing to the Climate Action Plan and helping organize a sustainability forum were incredibly rewarding and aligned perfectly with my passion for sustainable development,” he recalls and credits his professors and the SFS Career Center for connecting him with these impactful opportunities.

Making a Home

Reflecting on his time at Georgetown, Nguyen cherishes the various ‘slice-of-life’ moments that transformed Georgetown from an educational institution into a home. “The late-night run to Epi’s for a quick quesadilla bite. The shared laughter as we witnessed Leo’s … ‘unique’ take on Vietnamese Phở,” Nguyen fondly remembers. These experiences, woven together, created a rich, vibrant tapestry of life that extended well beyond academics. “Through it all, the constant rings of the Healy bells were a comforting reminder that I found a home 9,000 miles away from home – that I was exactly where I was meant to be.”

Nguyen found opportunities to make those 9,000 miles feel a little less daunting by bringing his Vietnamese identity to campus. “Whether I’m holding the Vietnamese flag proudly at a university ceremony, wearing our traditional costumes, introducing friends to our beloved Phở and cà phê, or singing ‘Hello Vietnam’ during the International Student Night, these experiences evoke a profound sense of belonging and pride thousands of miles away from home,” he explains.

Along with these experiences, Georgetown has helped Nguyen reaffirm his values and his outlook on the future. “From environmental philosophy classes that awakened me to the climate crisis, to applied econometrics and trade practicum that changed my views on economic policy and social justice, to energy transition and project finance seminars that served as a ‘reality check’ on the challenges of financing and implementing sustainable solutions—my time on the Hilltop had fueled my commitment to service,” he says. “While the wide-eyed idealism of that 17-year-old self has matured into a more pragmatic outlook, my dedication to finding solutions for the shared challenges facing my community and the world is stronger than ever.”

Looking Ahead

As Nguyen looks to the future, he is determined to leverage his Georgetown education to foster sustainable economic growth and social justice in Vietnam and beyond. “As one of the first generations of Vietnamese to grow up in peacetime and to go to college – one of the world’s finest, no less – I recognize the immense privilege and responsibility I have,” Nguyen says.

Reflecting on his transformation from a young student from Vietnam to a global scholar ready to make a mark on the world, Nguyen is grateful for the journey.  “I want to help write the next chapter of Vietnam’s sustainable development journey, whether it’s through promoting foreign investment to support our energy transition or engendering equitable policies to ensure prosperity for all; I’m determined to make a difference.”

As Nguyen stands on the brink of a new chapter, he remembers the rich experiences and lessons learned during his time in the MSFS program.“[It’s] not just a pipeline for diplomats, but it’s a springboard to diverse careers,” Nguyen says about the multidisciplinary degree. “It becomes what you make of it.” 

Nguyen offers advice to prospective students of the MSFS program: “As long as you have a genuine passion for making a difference in the world, you’ll fit right in!”

University of South Florida

School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies

College of Arts and Sciences

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Graduate programs, phd in politics and international affairs.

The doctoral degree in politics and international affairs is an interdisciplinary program designed to prepare students to teach at the university and college levels and to conduct high-level research in the academic and nonacademic sectors. It combines a broad focus on international relations, comparative politics, American politics, and political theory with a critical understanding of institutions, rights, citizenship/identity, governance, global policy, and justice. Students work closely with faculty to frame their dissertation research and to advance their knowledge of their chosen fields of specialization. The program’s interdisciplinary approach to a variety of global issues provides a rich and open-ended opportunity to research current and past problems, movements, and transformations in politics.

We welcome your interest in our doctoral program. The department's deadline for fall admission is January 5. The School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies only admits for the fall semester. Students must apply online through the Office of Graduate Admissions. For a listing of the admission requirements, students should consult the Graduate Catalog . 

*Effective starting with the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, GRE test scores are no longer required for applications to our doctoral program in Politics and International Affairs*

*International students should review the Office of Admissions International Students website for additional information and requirements.

*International students are also encouraged to contact the Office of International Services for information on visas, international travel, etc. 

PLEASE NOTE: International students whose native language is not English and who want to be considered for a teaching assistantship must show proficiency in spoken English even if their TOEFL has been waived for admission to a graduate program. More information on the TOEFL requirement can be found under Admission Requirements in the graduate catalog.

Program Requirements

For the Doctoral Degree in Politics and International Affairs degree requirements, students should consult the Graduate Catalog. Students should adhere to the requirements within the Graduate Catalog under which they were admitted.

• Degree Requirements Beginning 2023-2024 Catalog

*Students can elect another catalog following the one they were admitted under. More information on this policy, and other policies, can be found in the Graduate Catalog.

*Students must request approval from the graduate director for any course not pre-approved and listed under the degree in the Graduate Catalog.

Additional information on program requirements:

Student can also select POS 6933/6747 Advanced Topics in Quantitative Political Analysis or another graduate course approved by the graduate director for the methods requirement. The Capstone Seminar will be conducted with doctorial students in Sociology and History and focus on dissertation proposal. 

Research Fields

The Doctorate in Politics and International Affairs specializes in the following four fields of research:

International Relations In the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies, the International Relations (IR) faculty focuses on four areas of study: international relations theory, global political economy, international security, and human rights. We stress the importance of cutting-edge scholarship in our teaching of the graduate seminars as well as bridging the many emergent gaps in theory and practice in the various subfields that comprise International Relations, including American foreign policy, international ethics, global governance, and international law and organizations. One of our central aims is to advance innovative applications of the central theoretical perspectives (and their variant strands) in International Relations, namely, realism, liberalism, critical theory, constructivism, Marxism, international political theory, and gender. These applications involve in-depth theoretical and empirical analysis of key global issues, such as Asian security, moral accountability, the enforcement of human rights, immigration, and political and economic inequality. The International Relations faculty have published numerous books and peer-reviewed articles on these issue areas. These include monographs on the political tensions on the Korean Peninsula or North Korea’s nuclear arms buildup, the political cosmopolitan character and shifting dynamics of the International Criminal Court (ICC), hegemony and inequality in the global political economy, and China’s rapidly increasing support of intervention in African states. Together our published research emphasizes the production of critical theoretic knowledge, or the advanced methodological analysis of the contradictions and tensions informing the substantive debates in International Relations. This not only requires the particular mastery of concepts, methods, and claims but also an open-ended and historical understanding of the changing social forces shaping the behavior of states and the relations among global and local actors. It is this scholarly approach that we adopt to train our graduate students specializing in international relations, particularly as they advance their dissertation research and empirical knowledge of the global and regional contexts of problems and issues. One of the outcomes we strive for, then, is to encourage our doctoral students to develop rigorous theoretical and contextual analysis from which they can devise solutions and prescriptions to global issues.

Comparative Politics Comparative Politics in the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies is committed to theory-driven, empirical research from an interdisciplinary perspective that is situated in a political, historical, cultural, and economic context.  The Comparative Politics faculty employ a variety of methodological approaches from both the social sciences and humanities, which utilize qualitative and quantitative research methods to study the patterns of similarities and differences. In particular, we conduct comparative and case study research to inquire into these patterns and to develop our theoretical propositions. One of our aims is to produce knowledge about the changing social, political, and legal conditions affecting the lives, development, cultural practices, and customs of underrepresented peoples. In meeting this aim, our research focuses on several themes of comparative politics, including social movements, democracy/democratization, citizenship, decolonization, genocide, hegemony, race and identity, development, legal systems and customary law, social justice, and indigenismo or the political ideology focusing on the changing relations of state and local peoples. Much of our published research draws creatively on social, critical, and political theory to advance knowledge of the laws, changing social relations, and attitudes in several countries, which includes Brazil, Ecuador, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Iran. Our research strengths lie in the areas of race and citizenship, social movements theory, human security and law (or legal custom) in Eastern Africa, indigenous rights in various Latin American countries, and security relations in the Middle East. With these thematic foci, we encourage graduate students to create and develop their own research by selecting a region of the world as their emphasis and adopting theoretically informed research and comparative methods that allow them to analyze the changing social and political conditions in the countries of this region.

American Politics The study of American Politics in the doctorate program in politics and international affairs provides a comprehensive overview as well as an in-depth analysis of American politics. Our faculty focus on various aspects of American politics, including theoretical foundations, federalism, institutions (Congress, the executive branch, the bureaucracy, the judiciary), political behavior (political parties, the media, interest groups, social movements, and elections), and public policy (foreign and domestic), and employ a range of methodological approaches such as historical development, legal doctrine, institutional rules, and quantitative analyses of the behavior of political actors and the mass public, to advance the student's research skills.  Our core class, Seminar in American Politics, for instance, surveys the key foundations, institutions, and behavior in American politics, introducing students to both qualitative and quantitative methodological approaches for analyzing and testing the changing trends and outcomes in American politics. Special topics courses provide opportunities to gain in-depth knowledge on new research on a range of themes, including political development, the social bases of politics, and the global impact of American politics. The faculty in American politics have made important contributions in the areas of race and ethnicity, the judiciary, the presidency, Florida government, civil liberties, health care, environmental justice, economic inequality, and animal rights. Our strengths lie in economic inequality, animal rights, the Presidency, Judicial Behavior, Race and Ethnicity, and State and Local Government. In these specific areas, we have published several cutting-edge books and articles in leading peer-reviewed journals, which examine the emergence and implementation of nonhuman animals' regime of rights, the changing directions of the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank and its impact on world politics, and alternative strategies for natural disasters in the United States. Our scholarship is thus distinctive for the ways in which it addresses American government and politics in a global context. This is how we seek to train our doctoral students on the rapidly changing, nuanced linkages between local, state, federal and global institutional politics.  

Political Theory Political Theory introduces students to the core normative issues in the study of political science. These normative issues provide the bedrock assumptions on which much of the study of political science depends. For example, while nearly everyone agrees that democracy is the best form of government, why do we place such faith in it? In addition, the long tradition of political thought offers multiple versions of democracy, each with its own strengths and limitations. How are we to identify the best version for our needs? Similarly, while we might extol non-violence in politics, is it always the best path for political movements? How are we to justify its alternatives? Clarifying our moral commitments, sharpening our conceptual tools, and outlining pathways for transforming theoretical knowledge into action requires philosophical, historical, and conceptual capabilities. The political theory faculty at the School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies trains students to develop these capabilities. To that end, political theory classes not only familiarize students with many of the canonical texts that were read by generations of prominent political thinkers (from Aristotle to Martin Luther King Jr), they also teach students to read these texts critically and with an eye towards contemporary political developments. As such, training in political theory is a critical supplement to graduate work at School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies. The faculty’s expertise in feminist theory, postcolonial theory, the role of emotions in politics, environmental political thought, and Indian political thought complements the terminal degrees offered in American Politics, Comparative Politics, and International Relations.

Financial Assistance 

Most of our successful applicants qualify for funding offered by the department or the Office of Graduate Studies. Funded doctoral students will receive a graduate assistantship that includes:

• a stipend for the academic year (9 months)
• a tuition waiver (not including school fees)
• the option of health insurance mostly paid by the department (the student only pays a small amount towards insurance).

All applicants for the doctoral degree are considered for a graduate assistantship - they do not need to complete a separate form.

The graduate assistantship is guaranteed for four years but is based on maintaining satisfactory annual academic progress. It requires each student to work 20 hours per week, in which case the student would be first assisting professors of the department with their teaching and class preparations and later, after having passed the doctoral comprehensive exams and completed teacher training seminars, teach a class at the University of South Florida. 

Please visit the graduate assistantships page for further information. The department also provides funding for conference travel or the presentation of research at conferences upon approval.

Information on eligibility for graduate assistantships can be found on the Graduate Assistantships Resource Center website. 

We also strive to fund our students in the fifth year, though this funding is not guaranteed. Depending on additional funds that become available, students may have the opportunity to extend their graduate assistantship to one, possibly two academic semesters. Students in the fifth year are also encouraged to seek external funding. For more information on this, please consult our Graduate Resources Page .

Outstanding candidates may also be nominated by the school’s director and/or graduate committee for prestigious and highly competitive university fellowships, including the Presidential Doctoral Fellowship , the Dorothy Auzenne Fellowship , and the University Graduate Fellowship. There is also the opportunity for minority students to be awarded a McKnight Fellowship, which provides annual tuition up to $5,000 for each of three academic years, plus an annual stipend of $12,000. The program also offers travel grants and other forms of financial support. For additional information on this fellowship opportunity, please visit the McKnight Fellowship's informational page.

• Politics and International Affairs Doctoral Handbook 2022 - 2023
• School of Interdisciplinary Global Studies Graduate Resources
• Independent Study / Directed Research Contract
• Office of Graduate Studies Forms
• Dissertation Proposal Approval Form
• Admission to Doctoral Candidacy Form
• Graduate Student Supervisory Committee Appointment Form
• Dissertation Checklist
• Electronic Thesis & Dissertation Certificate of Approval Form
• Comprehensive Exam Reading Lists
• Research Conference Travel Award Request
• Dissertation Defense Announcment

Spring 2024 Course Offerings

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For further information or questions about the PhD in Politics and International Affairs, please fill out this form .