Doctoral Program Degree Requirements

General Requirements

We are committed to a broad, rigorous, and student-centered curriculum. As we expect students to come from a wide range of backgrounds, we will be flexible in allowing students to substitute or pass-out of core requirements based upon previous experiences and coursework and under the guidance and approval of their committee. Reduction in credit is limited to nine hours total.

See the IAST graduation checklist.

Core Classes

  • INTA 6003 - Empirical Research Methods
  • INTA 6102 - International Relations Theory
  • INTA 6103 - International Security Policy *
  • INTA 6202 - Comparative Politics *
  • INTA 6302 - International Political Economy *
  • INTA 8010 - IAST PhD Proseminar
  • INTA 8000 - Seminar in Science, Technology, and International Affairs
  • INTA 8001 - Seminar in Science, Technology, and International Affairs II

   *Depending on tracks selected

Minor Concentration

Students must complete a minor concentration that complements the student’s pre-existing competencies enforcing their broad understanding in the areas of science, technology, and international affairs.

Example of a minor concentration with College of Computing (security):

  • CS 6250 - Computer Networks
  • CS 6262 - Network Security
  • CS 6725 - Information Security Strategies and Policies

Language/Advanced Methods

All students must satisfy the language requirement.

Language:  Demonstrated competency in one language other than English (equivalent of four semesters of college-level coursework or an equivalent exam). Competency also tested through translation exercise. Students can also choose to take a third year of language or take one year of advanced methods.

Advanced Methods:  Two semesters of coursework (in addition to core requirements) of advanced statistics, methods, and/or computer science can be taken in lieu of a third year of language either within the School or in other colleges of the Institute.

Comprehensive Exams

At the end of year two, students will be required to complete two written exams (reading list approved by faculty).

Student exams are given in the two subject tracks that students choose for their program.

Ph.D. Thesis and Defense

After passing the Comprehensive Exams and successfully defending the S&T Paper, the student will submit a dissertation proposal that must be defended and subsequently approved by the Dissertation Committee. The Dissertation Committee will be composed of relevant experts in the fields and should include a member external to the Institute. When the Committee Chair deems that student is ready, a public oral defense of the final written dissertation will be scheduled.