fully funded phd in international relations

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Expertise, rigor, & excellence

The challenges currently facing our world are numerous and varied. Successfully handling these issues requires the brightest and best-trained minds. The School of International Service's (SIS) PhD in International Relations provides qualified and dedicated students with the training, knowledge, and experience necessary to pursue careers in the scholarly and policy worlds and to contribute game-changing solutions in international affairs as emerging thought leaders.

With its large and diverse faculty, SIS offers a broad, interdisciplinary, and policy-relevant approach to the study of international affairs. We value theoretical diversity, intellectual breadth, analytical rigor, and scholarly excellence. SIS is committed to maintaining, both among its faculty and within its doctoral program, the expertise needed for the rigorous analysis of critical issues in international affairs.

The PhD program requires 39 credit hours of approved graduate coursework, plus the successful defense of a dissertation. The first year is devoted to core courses and methods training. In the second year, students complete a field concentration.

Students must also successfully complete two comprehensive exams - a qualifying exam at the end of their first year and a concentration comp at the end of the second year. Students are also asked to demonstrate competency in a modern foreign language .

The dissertation must advance knowledge in the field of international relations, broadly defined. Students select and design their own research project in consultation with a committee of at least three experts in their chosen field of study. Students advance to candidacy upon the successful defense of a dissertation prospectus, usually in their third year. A public defense of the dissertation is required for graduation.

The PhD degree Full degree and admission requirements

SIS has more than 120 full-time faculty from across the social sciences, including anthropology, economics, geography, law, political science, and sociology. Our faculty research and write on a variety of geographic and intellectual areas; many have extensive experience in the public and private sectors, both in the United States and internationally.  

SIS PhD students use rigorous training in both qualitative and quantitative methods to pursue a variety of research topics including:

• The sources of cohesion in alliance relations.
• The interaction between state and local fisheries management practices in Uganda and how this effects compliance and legitimacy.
• The role of public diplomacy in US-China relations.
• Transitional justice and its relationship to governance in Poland.

Unless students bring their own external funding, normally those admitted to the program are offered a Dean's Fellowship, which is renewable for up to four years for full-time students who maintain good progress toward completing the degree. The Dean's Fellowship provides full tuition remission plus a stipend that requires the student to work for a member of the SIS faculty as a either a Research or a Teaching Assistant for a maximum of 20 hours per week during both the Fall and Spring semesters.

Other sources of funding are available for summer research, travel for conference presentations, and additional methods training.

PhD Placements

SIS PhD Alumni hold appointments at top schools and organizations, including:

• Georgetown University
• University of Warwick, Britain
• Fudan University, China
• Towson University

More PhD placements

Challenging Oppressive Hierarchies

K. Melchor Hall, SIS/PHD '14

Doctoral Faculty, Fielding Graduate University

At SIS, I was transdisciplinary, challenging boundaries of borrowed traditions.

I lived in Chocolate City before attending SIS, the experience deepened my understanding of the layering of cartographies of struggle and imperial maps. It was both disorienting and transformative to arrive where I started and find myself un-mapped. Studying international relations has deepened my commitment to challenging the oppressive hierarchies of Borderlands.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should i apply and when are the application deadlines.

In order to be considered for admission, applications and all supporting materials are due by December 15. New students begin in the fall semester. The program is designed for full-time study only and is not offered online. Students may not defer admission into the program.

View required application materials

Where will a PhD from the School of International Service take me?

Our graduates go on to careers in university teaching and research, government, and non-government organizations in the United States as well as around the globe.

Recent PhD program graduates are now on the faculty at a wide range of colleges and universities, including Virginia Tech, the University of Warwick, and the University of Denver. Graduates also hold government and industry positions, including with the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Foreign Service.

Looking for more information or help? The SIS PhD has a dedicated placement officer to assist current students and alumni.

Is there financial assistance available?

Applicants who are admitted to the SIS PhD program as full-time students and who maintain good progress towards completing the degree are granted a Dean's Fellowship, unless they have their own external funding.

Need-based aid is available through AU Central Office and generally takes the form of a federal low-interest loan package.

Federal loan and work study information for graduate students

Still have questions? Send us an email at [email protected]

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PhD in International Relations

Engage in problem-driven research with a truly global focus

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program in International Relations trains scholars to conduct cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research across key areas of international affairs and political science. A combination of in-depth hands-on fieldwork and comprehensive theoretical study enables Fletcher's PhD students to uncover the meaningful questions that ultimately shape both their future research and their careers.

Developing tomorrow's thought leaders

With approximately 50 students engaged in coursework or research, the PhD program is an integral and vibrant component of the Fletcher community. Working alongside our world-renowned faculty, Fletcher doctoral candidates acquire the theoretical and practical skills needed to produce research that will help shape future discourse on international relations. After completing their degrees, graduates go on to successful high-level careers in academia and research, and in the non-profit, government, and private sectors.

Fletcher’s PhD candidates come from around the world, bringing perspectives and experiences that inform their research and goals.  Get to know their stories and learn how they plan to shape the future of international affairs.

After completing their degrees, doctoral graduates go on to successful high-level careers in academia and research, and in the non-profit, government, and private sectors.  They make their impact on an array of fields, often maintaining a presence in both academia and practice.

Fletcher PhD students move through three program phases on their way from admission to graduation. They start with classes, arranged within a structured curriculum that still allows significant flexibility in course selection. When their class requirements are complete, students take comprehensive exams, and then move on as PhD candidates to research and write a dissertation.

Shaping Your PhD Through Coursework

In shaping their curriculum, students start with a primary field of study, through which they develop a depth of expertise unique to their interests. The primary fields of study that support PhD studies are:

• Comparative and Regional Studies
• Gender and Intersectional Analysis
• Human Security and Humanitarian Affairs
• International Business
• International Development and Environmental Policy
• International Security

Students build on their primary field of expertise by developing a breadth of foundational knowledge in a second field of study, which can be any of the  fields offered at Fletcher  or might be a self-designed field. Regardless of their choice of field, all students also pursue foundational courses in international relations theory and in research methodology. The two fields of study later become the basis for comprehensive exams.

Students seeking additional opportunities to individualize their studies may cross-register for up to a quarter of their classes at another graduate school at Tufts University or at Harvard University.

Students who have received their master's degree at another institution generally pursue twelve courses at Fletcher, with limited opportunities to have prior coursework applied to their degree. Those who possess a MALD generally pursue an additional four courses, for a total of twenty courses for the two degrees.

Demonstrating Knowledge Through Comprehensive Examinations

Students demonstrate mastery of their subjects through comprehensive examinations, composed of a written exam in each of the two fields of study and an oral exam that integrates the material from the two areas. Students generally sit for their comprehensive examinations within a year of completing their coursework.

Developing and Writing a Dissertation

Once they have passed their comprehensive exams and achieved PhD candidacy, students move on to propose, research, and write a dissertation. The completed dissertation should bear evidence of independent research and constitute a substantial contribution on the subject. When the dissertation is complete, the PhD candidate participates in a public oral defense of the dissertation.

Additional Graduation Requirements

In addition to the steps detailed above, students in the PhD program:

• Demonstrate proficiency in a second language.
• Submit a master's thesis for evaluation by a Fletcher faculty member. This could be a master's thesis written prior to enrollment at Fletcher, or a thesis written during the first year at Fletcher.

Length of Time Required to Receive the PhD

Once they have completed their coursework, PhD students generally take about five years to complete the degree, but the exact time varies according to the scope of each candidate's research, the amount of time devoted to PhD studies, and the time needed to research and write the dissertation.

Professional Development Opportunities

Fletcher's Office of Career Services  works with PhD students interested in a career in international relations practice. Our graduates have pursued careers at a wide range of institutions and organizations. For those focused on the academic job market, Fletcher offers support at a variety of levels. Fletcher faculty and the Office of Career Services support job candidates with career advice, professional development, and general assistance.

To develop teaching skills, students can participate in Tufts University’s three-week summer intensive  Graduate Institute for Teaching  and then to co-teach a class with a faculty mentor. Many students have also developed and taught classes in the University’s  Osher Institute  or  Experimental College .

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Top 15 Fully Funded PhD in International Relations

Hey there dream-chasers! Ready to dive into the world of International Relations and make a difference? We know that funding can be a big roadblock, but fear not! We’ve got your back with a list of the top 15 fully funded PhD programs in International Relations. These aren’t just academic programs; they’re your ticket to exploring the global stage without worrying about the financial hurdles.

• Stanford University – Department of Political Science: Imagine yourself at Stanford, where every idea is a step towards changing the world. They’ve got a fully funded PhD program in International Relations waiting for someone like you.
• Harvard University – Government Department: Harvard – the name alone sparks inspiration. The Government Department is your gateway to a fully funded PhD in International Relations. Ready to make your mark?
• University of Cambridge – Department of Politics and International Studies (POLIS): Picture yourself at the University of Cambridge, exploring the cobblestone streets and delving into groundbreaking research in International Relations. The best part? It’s fully funded.
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – Political Science Department: MIT – where innovation meets intellect. The Political Science Department has a fully funded PhD program waiting for your brilliant ideas. Ready to shine?
• Princeton University – Department of Politics: Princeton beckons, and your journey in International Relations begins here, fully funded and ready for your unique perspective.
• London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) – International Relations Department: LSE – the heartbeat of London. Imagine navigating global issues in the heart of the city, fully funded and supported. Ready to be a part of it?
• Yale University – Department of Political Science: Yale – where traditions meet the future. Dive into International Relations with a fully funded PhD program that values both theory and real-world impact.
• University of Chicago – Department of Political Science: The University of Chicago – where theory meets practice. Your fully funded PhD journey in International Relations starts here.
• University of Oxford – Department of Politics and International Relations: Oxford – where history and innovation collide. Picture yourself at one of the world’s oldest universities, fully funded and ready to make history.
• Columbia University – Department of Political Science: Columbia – the city that never sleeps meets the department that never stops pushing boundaries. Dive into International Relations fully funded and with the world at your fingertips.
• University of California, Berkeley – Department of Political Science: UC Berkeley – where diversity thrives and ideas flourish. Imagine a fully funded PhD in International Relations, exploring the intersection of ideas and cultures.
• Johns Hopkins University – Department of Political Science: Johns Hopkins – where research meets impact. Your fully funded PhD in Political Science, specializing in International Relations, awaits. Ready to be a changemaker?
• University of Michigan – Department of Political Science: The University of Michigan – where theory meets action. Join a fully funded PhD program in International Relations that values a balanced approach to making a difference.
• Georgetown University – Department of Government: Georgetown – where perspectives collide and ideas take flight. Your fully funded PhD in International Relations starts here, embracing diversity and curiosity.
• University of California, San Diego – School of Global Policy and Strategy: UC San Diego – where policy meets the global stage. Envision a fully funded PhD program in International Relations, focusing on real-world impact. Ready to shape the future?

Conclusion:

So, there you have it – your guide to 15 incredible fully funded PhD programs in International Relations. Your dreams are within reach, and these programs are not just academic institutions; they’re your partners in making a global impact. Take that leap, apply, and let your journey begin! We’re rooting for you!

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Looking for a scholarship to undertake a PhD study in international relations and Diplomacy with focus on Effects of Border Porosity on Zambia’s Economic Diplomacy, taking into consideration that Zambia is a landlocked country.

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5 Fully Funded PhDs in Peace and Conflict Studies

Doing a postgraduate study is very exciting. It provides a great opportunity to move closer to the level of expertise in one’s area of interest, and it provides a sense of accomplishment and self-worth for many. This feeling of pride is even further heightened if the postgraduate studies is for a PhD.  Expectedly, there is always a great euphoria that accompanies the realisation that a research proposal has been accepted by a University and that a PhD journey is about to begin. However, the euphoria can quickly give way to panic when one considers the possible challenge a lack of funding can pose to the pursuit. Most doctoral students either work part time to fund their studies or find a mixture of smaller grants from charities, organisations or industry. This article highlights institutions that offer fully-funded PhD programmes in peace and conflict studies , with the hope that it would encourage students to undertake courses in peace and conflict studies, thereby helping to build a critical mass of peacemakers, peacebuilders and conflict resolution experts.

• Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa

Programme Information: The Durban University of Technology’s Peacebuilding Programme is arguably the biggest and most exhaustive of its kind on the continent of Africa. With close to 50 doctoral students enrolled in the programme, it is one of the most diverse on the continent, and one of the most hands-on PhD programmes worldwide.  The degrees start with a compulsory on-campus component of one month during which time students attend classes and submit assignments on peace theory, receive training in practical peacebuilding and learn the details of writing a research thesis. Students are encouraged to work on action research topics which directly build peace among individuals and communities.

Programme Requirements:

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Learn how you can launch a career in peacebuilding

• A Master’s degree with a research component, normally at an upper class level (70%) or above.
• Strong written and spoken English
• Relevant life experience beyond studying at the university
• A commitment to attend the university full-time at the start of the academic programme, and a week at the start of the second year.
• A commitment to devote a minimum of 12-15 hours per week to thesis work, on average, following the on-campus period.

Funding Information: DUT offers tuition free studies for doctoral students for the first three years. It also supports cost of data collection and for the preparation of the final version of the thesis for submission.

Link: Professor Geoff Harris and Dr. Sylvia Kaye,   [email protected]

• University of Notre Dame’s PhD in Peace Studies.

Programme Information: The University of Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute for International Peace regularly offers PhD scholarships in the field of Peace Studies for students willing to study in the United States. Graduates are fully credentialed in one of the six disciplines as well as in peace studies. They are prepared for positions in research and teaching — in anthropology, history, political science, psychology, sociology, theology, or peace studies — and for contributions to peacebuilding practice .

Each of the six partner departments (anthropology, history, political science, psychology, sociology, and theology) has specific requirements for earning a dual Ph.D., while the requirements in peace studies are similar for all doctoral students. Doctoral students typically:

• Meet course requirements and pass a comprehensive examin one partner department as well as in peace studies.
• Take a minimum of 6 required peace studies coursestaught by Kroc Institute faculty as well as departmental courses with significant content relevant to peace studies
• Study core peace studiesliterature and research design
• Submit a peace studiesarticle to a scholarly journal to be considered for publication
• Submit at least one proposalto an external funding agency for doctoral research
• Complete a teaching assistantshipin “Introduction to Peace Studies”
• Complete one or more research or teaching assistantshipswith Kroc Institute faculty engaged in scholarship related to the Institute’s research themes, and
• Conduct dissertationresearch and writing under the guidance of Kroc faculty and fellows

Funding Information: The University provides admitted students with full financial support in the form of fellowships, graduate assistantships, and tuition scholarships, plus stipends for living expenses for five years.

• University of Uppsala’s PhD in Peace and Conflict Studies

Programme Information: The Department of Peace and Conflict Research at the University of Uppsala in Sweden offers a PhD programme that lasts for 4 years, including compulsory course work corresponding to about 1 year of fulltime studies. PhD candidates are often involved in teaching or administration up to 20% of their time, so it may take up to 5 years to complete the PhD programme.

The application should be in English, except for writing samples which could be in either Swedish or English. The documents submitted should consist of the following:

• A completed  application form for doctoral studies
• A short personal letter (1‒2 pages)
• certified transcripts of academic records
• A project plan (3‒5 pages)
• Letters of reference/recommendation (max 2 letters) or a list of references (max 2) which can be contacted by the admission committee.
• Writing samples (1‒3 samples)

Funding Information: It is important for prospective applicants to note that PhD candidates at the Department of Peace and Conflict Research, Uppsala University, as with most Swedish universities, become employees of the university, that is, they are not seen as students. A consequence of this is that there are no tuition fees, but normally there are also no scholarships available.

• University of Hamburg’s PhD in Peace and Security Studies

Programme Information: The aim of the PhD in Peace and Security Studies at the University of Hamburg is to facilitate both academic and practical career-oriented learning through an integration of young scholars into the activities of the centre’s activities. The programme has a comprehensive programme that includes seminars, research workshops and fieldtrips that help students deepen and broaden their knowledge of theories and methodologies, while gaining insights into current problems in peace research. Doctoral students also have opportunities to present their work-progress to a forum of professional experts during the seminars and workshops regularly organised by the department.

Requirements for the programme include:

• An above-average science, social science or humanities degree at master’s level or higher. The IFSH conducts its own selection procedure.
• A good knowledge of the fundamentals of peace research,
• And a dissertation topic in line with the current research program of the IFSH are expected. Doctoral students at the IFSH participate in working groups and research projects and are assigned personal advisors according the topics of their dissertations. A program director is responsible for the overall management of the program.

Funding Information: The PhD programme is tuition free. The IFSH does not offer funding itself, but suitable candidates are often provided with support in applying for scholarships.

• University of Otago’s PhD in Peace Studies

Programme Information: The University of Otago offers a fully funded PhD programme themed: Trusting the Enemy: Understanding Intergroup Trust in Conflict and Peace Studies through Social Psychological Approaches. The programme is built on the core belief that trust is the glue that holds relationships together. This project focuses on furthering our understanding of the multidimensional nature of trust. It aims for researchers and practitioners alike to better understand how conflict persists through distrust, how peace building can be empowered through trust , and how fragile intergroup relations can be strengthened through systematic trust building. This work intends to build on the Intergroup Trust Model, which hypothesizes that trust between groups is shaped by the five dimensions of competence, integrity, compassion, compatibility, and security.

Acceptance as a candidate for the PhD degree depends upon the University being able to provide adequate expert supervision in the intended area of research.

The University considers the following criteria when making an internal assessment:

• Academic standard: Prospective students must meet the highest academic standards. A first class Honours degree or Master’s degree including a significant research component is required; research publications (peer-reviewed articles in academic journals or book-chapters) are desirable.
• The project proposal must fit well with our research profile and appears manageable and feasible within a three-year time frame and given financial and other constraints.
• The project must be likely to generate high-quality, publishable work in peer-reviewed journals.
• A Master’s degree with a focus on peace and conflict studies is highly desirable.

In order for us to make internal assessment, the University needs four things from the applicant:

• Full academic transcripts highlighting which course is your thesis or dissertation and / or details of research publications.
• Where possible, an electronic copy of the piece of independent research submitted for examination.
• A curriculum vitae which includes publications, at least one reference letter and the contact details of referees (a minimum of two)
• A preliminary research proposal (about 5 pages) which identifies the contribution of the project to the discourse, a description of its theoretical framework, research design, methodology and time plan.

With this information, the University can assess the likelihood of scholarship funding and the ability of the Centre to provide adequate supervision for the project.  The candidate may be invited to a Skype interview as part of the selection process.  If an applicant is successful in this internal screening process, he / she may then proceed with a formal application.

Funding Information: The PhD programme is fully funded.

The Jackson School Ph.D. program advances problem-focused graduate education that combines a new cross-disciplinary approach with intensive area studies in the face of contemporary global and local challenges.

Regions & Themes

The Jackson School of International Studies (JSIS) Ph.D. in International Studies provides a unique opportunity for candidates who seek a highly individualized graduate program grounded in applied area and global studies. The program reflects the Jackson’s School’s scholarly commitment to the centrality of history, culture, and politics in advancing the understanding of and engagement in world issues.

The program is designed to provide students with the flexibility to apply, and build on, their existing field connections, area knowledge, research questions, and language skills. Working with faculty with expertise in international and area studies, students design their studies in ways that will best support their career plans. Toward this end, students will have the opportunity to select a broad set of possible final products, from dissertation to policy papers, that best allows them to engage and share their research questions and conclusions.

Is the JSIS Ph.D. Program right for you?

Ph.d. program news.

Q&A with Greg Guedel Ph.D. ’16

Sharing our grief on the death of Hayim Katsman (Ph.D. ’21) in Israel

Doctoral candidate yasir zaiden pens article on recent us sanctions in sudan // foreign policy, saadia pekkanen co-edits special issue on space diplomacy in the hague journal of diplomacy.

Sarah Lohmann quoted in article on President of Finland’s trip to Washington // Seattle Times

Doctoral alum pens article analyzing turkey’s military response after the earthquake // foreign policy, jsis ph.d. program, jesús hidalgo.

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Graduate Program Information Request

Let us know what program you are interested in and we will email you more information directly.

Information Request Form

, The Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, 2023 Skagit Lane, Thomson Hall , Box 353650 Seattle, WA 98195-3650

The Jackson School is a proud member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs .

© 2024 Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington | Seattle, WA

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Fully Funded PhD in International Relations at University of Oxford, England

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The DPhil programme is a full-time programme of doctoral research in the academic study of International Relations with an expected length of three to four years of full-time study or six to eight years of part-time study. Note that the part-time option is not a distance-learning programme; part-time students are required to attend face-to-face teaching in Oxford on up to three separate days each week during term.

PhD Program Requirements

A master’s degree at distinction level in international relations, or in a closely related discipline that has prepared you to undertake advanced graduate research on your chosen thesis topic; and

A first-class or strong upper second-class undergraduate degree with honours in politics or international relations, or in a related discipline such as economics, history, philosophy, sociology or law.

Entrance is very competitive and most successful applicants have a record of academic performance at first-class and/or distinction level.

Applicants without a master’s qualification will not normally be admitted for doctoral study.

Each application will be assessed upon its own merits, and candidates with a degree in an unrelated discipline should demonstrate the relevance of their academic background to their proposed subject or topic of study.

For applicants with a degree from the USA, the minimum GPA sought is 3.7 out of 4.0.

Research or work experience that is relevant to your proposed study may provide further evidence of your academic potential.

Publications are not expected, but a peer-reviewed publication in international relations or an allied discipline may be taken as prima facie evidence of aptitude for research.

PhD Funding Coverage

The University expects to be able to offer over 1,000 full or partial graduate scholarships across the collegiate University in 2024-25.

You will be automatically considered for the majority of Oxford scholarships, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria and submit your graduate application by the relevant December or January deadline.

Most scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and/or potential.

Application Requirement

1. Online Application

2. Official transcript(s): Your transcripts should give detailed information of the individual grades received in your university-level qualifications to date. You should only upload official documents issued by your institution and any transcript not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation.

3. Research proposal: You should submit a detailed outline of your proposed research, written in English, covering areas such as the background to the research, methodology, expected results and the contribution to the field of learning.

4. Written work: You may submit academic essays on any subject or theme within the discipline of international relations but preferably ones that relate to your proposed area of study.

5. GRE General Test scores: No Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or GMAT scores are sought.

6. English language proficiency: This course requires proficiency in English at the University’s higher level. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence that you meet this requirement.

Application Deadline

5 January 2025

Application Fee

An application fee of £75 is payable per course application.

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PhD Political Science (International Relations)

McMaster has nine full time faculty members who specialize in teaching and conducting research in international relations. Our PhD International Relations program’s strengths are in the fields of:

• Canadian Foreign Policy
• Critical International Relations Theory
• Critical Security Studies
• Global Governance
• Global Political Economy
• Politics of the Global South

About the Program

McMaster’s PhD is one of the strongest critical international relations programs in the country. Critical IR approaches reveal the unequal power relations of world order and seek to challenge those conditions. We draw on a wide variety of theoretical traditions including constructivist, ecological, feminist, historical materialist, post-colonial and post-structural approaches.

Faculty members have overlapping interests in alternative diplomacies, citizenship studies and transnational social movements, climate change, international political economy, international relations theory, global governance, post-colonialism and politics of the global south. PhD students are encouraged to take advantage of the activities of the Institute on Globalization and the Human Condition , as well as our annual student focused Mapping the Global Dimensions of Policy conference .

Research Opportunities Several faculty members in the department have funded research programs that provide potential opportunities for collaboration or research assistant positions for PhD students enrolled in political science. Potential PhD students with research interests or preparation that align with one of the projects below should contact the relevant faculty member(s) as they prepare their applications for admission to the PhD program.

Faculty Specializing in International Relations:

Nathan Andrews : Political Economy of Resource Extraction, Social/Development Policy, Global Governance, International Relations Theory & Critical Pedagogy

Marshall Beier : Critical Approaches to Security, Militarization of Childhood, Indigeneity & International Relations, International Relations Theory

Thomas Marois : Neoliberalism & Development, Public Banking, Political Economy

Stephen McBride : North American Political Economy, Trade & Investment Governance, Austerity

Peter Nyers : Critical Security Studies, Citizenship, Borders, Refugees, Undocumented Migration

Robert O’Brien : Global Political Economy, Labour Internationalism, Global Civil Society, Climate Change, Global Governance

Tony Porter : Global Governance & Standard Setting, International Finance

Alina Sajed : Post-colonial International Relations, Political Violence & Revolution, Global South

Lana Wylie : Canadian & US Foreign Policy, Alternative Diplomacy, Cuba

In addition, several other faculty members have an interest in International Relations:

Michelle Dion : Comparative Politics, Gender & Politics, Globalization, Public Policy, Social & Health Policy

Catherine Frost : Communications, Globalization, Nationalism, Political Theory, Politics & History, Politics of Representation

Ahmed Shafiqul Huque : Public Policy & Public Administration in the Global South

James Ingram : Critical International Relations, Globalization, Political Theory, Post-colonial Theory

Inder Marwah : Critical International Relations, Globalization, Political Theory, Politics of Representation

Netina Tan : Sources of Authoritarian Resilience, Political Representation of Women & Ethnic Minorities in Asia & Globally

Requirements and Timelines

The International Relations doctoral program is designed to equip graduates to conduct research and teach at the university level in International Relations and one other field chosen from Canadian politics, comparative politics, public policy, or political theory.

Students take six courses, including three required ones. They then prepare comprehensive examinations in their two major fields, which they write in August of their first year and December of their second year. Students also fulfill a language requirement to demonstrate their competency in a language other than English which is relevant to their research. This is normally done before the approval of the thesis proposal.

The remainder of the program involves preparing a thesis proposal, and then completing and defending the dissertation.

A thesis proposal will normally be submitted in April of the student’s second year. The thesis should normally be no more than 60,000 words long, and it is expected that the thesis will be finished about two years after the proposal is approved. Overall, then, full-time students are expected to take about four years to complete the program. Part-time students may take up to eight years to complete the degree but are encouraged to finish in less time.

Admissions and Applications

Admission to the PhD program will normally require a Master’s degree in political science with an average of at least an A– (A minus).

Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty members in the Department of Political Science regarding potential supervision.

Required Application Documents:

Graduate Studies Online Application

Applicants are required to complete the Graduate Studies Online Application which opens October 1st each year. In addition to the online application, applicants must also submit the required documents listed below. Most required documents must be submitted through the online application.

Statement of Interest 

• An electronic statement of interest (approximately 500 words, single or double-spaced, maximum of 1 page ).
• The statement must be uploaded as a PDF attachment only through the online application system.
• Your statement of interest is a crucial element of the application process.  Canadian Politics  applicants should describe the analytical problem or question about the Canadian political system that their dissertation will pursue.  Comparative Politics  applicants should emphasize the comparative elements of their project compared. C omparative Public Policy  applicants should highlight the comparative nature of their research and policy area which concerns them.  International Relations  applicants should identify the international, transnational or global elements of their research projects.  Political Theory  applicants should identify the philosophical traditions, concepts, or figures that they wish to study at the doctoral level.
• All applicants would benefit from indicating particular faculty members or research clusters that overlap with their projects.

CV/Personal Resume 

• An electronic copy of your CV/Resume must be uploaded as a PDF attachment through the online application system.

Official Academic Transcripts 

• Upload a scan of ALL official university transcripts completed to date to the application system. Remember to include a copy of the transcript key/legend or scale from the transcript.  
• Transcripts from institutions where you completed courses on Letter of Permission and/or as part of a Student Exchange Program must also be included.
• If the official language of instruction at your institution is not English, please include both the original language document and a certified English translation.  
• DO NOT submit an unofficial transcript or a student record prints.
• If you receive an offer of admission further instructions will be given on how to submit formal official transcripts.  

Academic Reference 

• Three (3) confidential e-reference reports from instructors most familiar with your academic work.  
• All referees are required to complete the e-Reference.
• You will be required to include contact information and an email address for each referee.
• The electronic referencing system will send an e-Reference request on your behalf.

English Language Proficiency (if applicable) 

• If English is not your native language, an official copy of your English Language Proficiency score or other evidence of competency in English is required. Such applicants are required to supply this evidence as part of your application. Applicants whose university studies were complete at an institution where English is deemed the official language of instruction may be exempted from this requirement (an official letter from the institution is required).  
• The English Proficiency exam must have been completed within 2 years of the application due date.  
• This requirement must be met prior to an offer of admission. There will be no exceptions to the language requirement.  
• The most common evidence is a score on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
• TOEFL: minimum score is 92 (iBT-internet based), 237 (computer based) or 580 (paper based). The McMaster University TOEFL/TSE Institution Code is 0936 and the Department Code for Political Science is 89.  
• IELTS (Academic): minimum overall score is 6.5, with at least 5.5 in each section.  

NOTE: International students wishing to enter Canada on a study permit should also contact the nearest Canadian Embassy or Consulate for further information.

Application Fee 

The system will charg e a non-refundable application fee. Please have a valid credit card ready to pay the application fee. The fee will not be refunded or waived.

ANY LATE OR MISSING DOCUMENTS WILL DELAY YOUR APPLICATION AND NOT BE REVIEWED BY THE DEPARTMENT’S ADMISSION COMMITTEE.   

Application Deadline: 

January 14, 2024 (for September 2024 admission)  

We do not offer a Winter (January) or Spring (May) start date.

Financial Information, Scholarships and Awards

The Ellen Louks Fairclough Scholarship in Political Science

The Ellen Louks Fairclough Memorial Scholarship in Political Science was established in 2004 to commemorate the life of The Right Honourable Ellen Louks Fairclough, P.C., C.C., F.CA., L.L.D., F.R.C.G.S., D.H., U.E., Canada’s first female federal cabinet minister and lifelong advocate for women’s rights. To be awarded to a student enrolled in a graduate program in Political Science who holds an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. Preference will be given to a student with an interest in Canadian public policy.

The Political Science Travel Grant

To support research and professional development by assisting graduate students with costs related to doing field-work or attending academic conferences. This grant is open to both MA (thesis option) and PhD students. There are two rounds of applications each year with the deadlines being October 15th and January 30th.

The William Coleman Fund

The William Coleman Fund was established in 2011 by Dr. William Coleman. To support Ph.D. students in the Department of Political Science who are conducting field research.

To see additional information regarding awards and funding, please visit the Awards & Funding page .

Academic Support

International Relations Faculty  

The Department has many faculty specializing in International Relations. Their names and research interests are:  

Marshall Beier – Critical approaches to security, militarization of childhood, Indigeneity and IR, IR Theory  

Stephen McBride – North American Political Economy, Trade and Investment Governance  

Peter Nyers – Critical Security Studies, Citizenship, Borders, Refugees, Undocumented Migration  

Robert O’Brien – Global Political Economy, labour internationalism, global civil society, climate change, global governance  

Tony Porter – Global governance and standard setting, international finance  

Alina Sajed – Post-colonial IR, political violence and revolution, global south  

Lana Wylie – Canadian and US foreign Policy, alternative diplomacy, Cuba  

In addition several other faculty have an interest in international relations:  

Michelle Dion – Comparative politics, gender and politics, globalization, public policy, social and health policy  

Catherine Frost – Communications, globalization, nationalism, political theory, politics and history, politics of representation  

Ahmed Shafiqul Huque – Climate, water and sustainability, policy, public policy  

James Ingram – Critical IR, globalization, political theory, post-colonial theory  

Inder Marwah – Critical IR, globalization, political theory, politics of representation  

Apply to a PhD Program in Political Science (International Relations)

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Mapping the Global Dimensions of Policy Conference 13: Globalization and Public Policy

March 08, 2024

Ph.D. in Public Affairs

Ph.D. Admissions

Apply here . 

Preparing to Apply

Before starting the application process please read the information about the graduate program requirements  and read our  Frequently Asked Questions . You may also find the Guide to Getting Into Grad School helpful. 

The Political Science department recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

All questions regarding graduate admissions should be directed to politicalscience [at] stanford.edu (subject: Admissions%20Enquiry) ( politicalscience[at]stanford[dot]edu ) .

The principal goal of the Stanford Ph.D. program in political science is the training of scholars. Most students who receive doctorates in the program do research and teach at colleges or universities. We offer courses and research opportunities in a wide variety of fields in the discipline, including American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, Political Theory, and Political Methodology. The program is built around small seminars that analyze critically the literature of a field or focus on a research problem. These courses prepare students for the Ph.D. comprehensive exam requirement within a two-year period and for work on the doctoral dissertation.  

Admission to the graduate program in political science is highly selective. About twelve to fifteen students, chosen from a large pool of applicants, enter the program each year. The small size of our student body allows more individual work with members of the faculty than most graduate programs. It also makes possible financial assistance in one form or another to most students admitted to the Ph.D. program. 

Graduate Admissions FAQ

Please visit our list of  frequently asked questions.

You may also find the following links useful if you have general questions about student life and graduate study at Stanford University:  

Vice Provost of Graduate Education (VPGE)

• Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures Handbook (GAP)
• Graduate Life Office
• Stanford Bulletin
• Explore Courses

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Join dozens of Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences students who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as Knight-Hennessy Scholars (KHS). KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your PhD studies at Stanford. Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment. If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about KHS admission .

CREEES Professional Resources Forum

Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies at The University of Texas at Austin

Fully-funded PhD in International Relations, Russian Foreign Policy (University of Groningen)

Deadline: january 11, 2024.

Applications are invited for a fully-funded four-year PhD position in the field of International Relations, focusing on the evolution of Russian foreign policy in the context of its war against Ukraine. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 represents a watershed moment in the country’s foreign policy as well as its internal state-society relations. The war has caused a complete breakdown of Russia’s already foundering relations with Europe and the US, an acceleration of its turn towards China, India and other Global South states, and the ramping up of authoritarianism at home. Despite several of these trends being underway at least since 2014, this turning point caught many academics, analysts and governments by surprise and the question of what drives Russia’s foreign policy behaviour has thus once more emerged as a prominent topic in political, societal and academic debates, though not always in a rigorous or informed manner. There is therefore a need for further scientific, methodical and evidence-based investigation of the topic, especially of its evolution since the full-scale invasion, which has turned several ‘received wisdoms’ upside down. The overall research question the PhD project will investigate is thus: How has Russian foreign policy and the key factors, contexts and actors shaping it evolved in the context of its war against Ukraine?

Under the joint supervision of Dr David Cadier and Dr Adrian Rogstad, and with Prof Tom Casier as the professor of record, the successful candidate will develop their own specific focus within these broad parameters, depending on their own interests and research experience. A particularly welcome research focus would be the evolution of Russia’s foreign policy identity, role conception and status seeking. Other possible foci can pertain to the domestic, political, institutional, bureaucratic, discursive or ideational contexts in which Russia’s foreign policy is formulated (reconfiguration of these contexts, emergence of new or empowerment of existing actors, dynamics, factors, constituents, etc) and/or to Russia’s foreign policy towards specific states or regions (such as China, India, Europe or the Global South).

Organisation

Since its foundation in 1614, the University of Groningen has established an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative university offering high-quality teaching and research. Its 34,000 students are encouraged to develop their own individual talents through challenging study- and career paths. The University of Groningen is an international center of knowledge: It belongs to the best research universities in Europe and is allied with prestigious partner universities and networks worldwide.

The Faculty of Arts – which includes the Department of International Relations and International Organisation (IRIO) – is located in the historic heart of the city of Groningen. You will be enrolled in the Graduate School for the Humanities and affiliated with IRIO. With around 1,000 students and 70 academic staff, IRIO is the largest IR department in the Netherlands and one of the largest in Europe. You will work most closely with the Global Politics of Europe chair group, consisting of 19 staff members (including both supervisors) and four PhD students. The chair group, department and wider faculty contain several experts on Russian foreign policy, EU-Russia relations, and wider European security politics. You will also have the opportunity to join one of the National Research Schools, which offer training and funding opportunities for PhD students in the Netherlands, and be able to participate in wider networks in which the supervisors are embedded.

Qualifications

To be competitive for the position, prospective candidates must have:

• A Master’s/Research Master’s degree in a relevant social science or humanities discipline (International Relations, Political Science, Russian and East European Studies, History, etc.) with high academic merit—an average grade of 8.0 or above on the Dutch scale (or international equivalent, with some flexibility possible)
• Excellent analytical skills and capacity to do innovative research
• A clear and well-articulated motivation for pursuing PhD research
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Excellent command of written and spoken English
• Good Russian language skills and willingness to pursue further language training if needed.

The following would be assets for prospective candidates:

• Training in/experience of social-scientific and/or policy-oriented research, whether as part of previous degrees or professional experience
• Familiarity with Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) as an analytical approach and with its core concepts, theories and debates, including more critical FPA approaches
• Familiarity with specific research methods such as discourse analysis, process tracing, etc.
• Previous academic publications or other output demonstrating writing skills (policy papers, media articles, etc.)
• Professional experience, especially demonstrable experience of working in teams and/or in relevant fields such as think tanks, research institutes or policy making
• Competence in other languages
• Experience of fieldwork in Russia.

Knowledge of Dutch is NOT required.

Conditions of employment

In accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, we offer

• A salary of €2,770 gross per month in the first year, up to a maximum of €3,539 gross per month in the final year, based on a full-time position
• A holiday allowance of 8% gross annual income
• An 8.3% end-of-the-year allowance
• A temporary 1.0 FTE appointment for a specified period of four years. The candidate will first be appointed for twelve months. After six months, an assessment will take place of the candidate’s results and the progress of the PhD project, in order to decide whether employment will be continued
• Excellent work-life balance
• The PhD candidate is expected to conduct a total of 0.4 FTE teaching during the second, third and fourth year of their appointment
• Willingness to move and reside in the Netherlands.

For more detailed information about working conditions and working for the University of Groningen, please check:  https://www.rug.nl/about-us/work-with-us/

The appointment will commence as soon as possible, no later than May/June 2024

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Fully Funded Scholarships in South Korea for International Students: Complete Details Here

• Updated on  
• Jun 3, 2024

South Korea, is a global leader in Technology and innovation. It’s lively culture and the best education system make it appealing to brilliant international students. Several fully funded scholarships are available to international students in South Korea, which opens doors for them to follow their academic objectives across a wide range of Undergraduate , Postgraduate , and Doctoral degree programs . These Fully funded scholarships give international students a chance to learn specialised subjects and advance their jobs on a worldwide scale. From cutting-edge fields in Engineering and Data Science to well-known ones in the Arts and Social Sciences . Read on to learn more about the exciting fully funded scholarships in South Korea and find the best university to start your academic journey in South Korea.

This Blog Includes:

Details of top 5 fully funded scholarships in south korea for international students, factors affecting selection for fully funded scholarships in south korea for international students, list of fully funded scholarships in south korea for international students.

Here are some of the most popular fully funded scholarships in South Korea for International Students.

• Scholarship Name: Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

Types of Awards : Government-funded

Coverage : Tuition, stipend, settlement allowance, flight costs,

Study Level: Undergraduate & Graduate

• Scholarship Name: Korean Government Scholarship Program for Foreign Exchange Students (KGSP)

Coverage : Tuition, stipend, and accommodation

Study Level: Undergraduate

• Scholarship Name: Graduate Student Scholarship – Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies (KFAS)

Types of Awards : Research-oriented

Coverage : Tuition, stipend, research allowance, and health insurance

Study Level: Master’s & PhD (Korean Studies or Korean Development)

• Scholarship Name: Seoul National University Scholarship

Types of Awards : University-specific

Coverage : Tuition, living expenses

Study Level: Undergraduate & Graduate (varies by program)

• Scholarship Name: KAIST Scholarship

Coverage : Tuition, living expenses, and health insurance

Study Level: Master’s & PhD (Science, Engineering, Technology)

• Scholarship Name: GIST Scholarship

Coverage : Tuition, stipend, accommodation, health insurance

• Scholarship Name: Yonsei University Scholarship for Undergraduate Program at Underwood International College (UIC)

Coverage : Tuition, housing, meal plan

• Scholarship Name: Korea University Graduate School of International Studies (KU GSIS) Scholarship

Coverage : Tuition, stipend, research allowance

Study Level: Master’s (International Studies)

• Scholarship Name: POSTECH Scholarship

Coverage : Tuition, stipend, housing

Study Level: Master’s & PhD (Science, Engineering)

• Scholarship Name: Samsung Global Hope Scholarship Program

Types of Awards : Corporate-sponsored

Also Read: Seoul National University Acceptance Rate

Here are details of the Top 5 Fully Funded Scholarships in South Korea for International Students

1. Global Korea Scholarship (GKS)

This is a prominent scholarship program that is financed by the government and provides financial assistance to international students from all over the world who are traveling to Korea to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees (Master’s and PhD) as well as research programs. The scholarship will cover the costs of tuition, a monthly stipend, a settling allowance, airline expenses, and further instruction in the Korean language. Between February and April, applications are normally accepted.

2. Korean Government Scholarship Program for Foreign Exchange Students (KGSP)

To provide financial assistance to exceptional undergraduate students from other countries who want to further their higher education in Korean universities, the Korean Ministry of Education has established this scholarship. The KGSP scholarship program provides financial assistance for tuition, a monthly stipend, and lodging in a dormitory or off-campus housing for the winning student. Between September and November, applications are normally accepted.

3. Graduate Student Scholarship–Korea Foundation for Advanced Studies (KFAS)

International students who are pursuing Master’s and Doctoral degrees in specified fields of study that are relevant to Korean studies or Korean development are eligible to receive financial assistance via this KFAS Scholarship, which is made available by the Korean Foundation for Advanced Studies. In addition to providing health insurance, the scholarship also provides a monthly stipend, a research allowance, and tuition. Generally speaking, the application period is available from April to June.

4. Seoul National University Scholarship

A variety of scholarships, including fully funded scholarships that cover both tuition and living costs, are available to overseas students who are enrolled at Seoul National University (SNU). A wide range of programs provide financial aid in the form of scholarships to students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The months of March and September are normally when applications are accepted.

5. KAIST Scholarship

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) provides international students with a variety of scholarships, some of which are fully funded scholarships that cover all of the costs associated with attending the university, including tuition, living expenses, and health insurance. In the fields of science, engineering, and technology, there are scholarships available for students pursuing master’s degrees and doctoral degrees. The months of February and August are normally when applications are accepted.

Also Read: How to Apply for a Student Visa for South Korea

Here are some factors that can affect your chances of getting a fully funded scholarship in South Korea for International Students.

• Most scholarships prioritize applicants with excellent academic records, shown by a high GPA or strong performance in relevant subjects.
• Good scores on tests like the TOEFL , SAT , or ACT (depending on the scholarship) can strengthen your application.
• Some scholarships are restricted to students from specific countries or regions.
• Some scholarships may favor applicants with relevant academic experience or research experience in the chosen field.
• Scholarships target specific academic areas related to Korean development or industries the country prioritizes (e.g., Engineering, Technology, Korean Studies).
• Strong Personal Statement allows you to showcase your academic goals, motivation, and how the scholarship aligns with your aspirations.
• Letters of Recommendation from professors or relevant professionals can add credibility to your application.
• Some scholarships may require a minimum level of Korean language proficiency (TOPIK score) or offer language training as part of the scholarship.
• Show leadership, relevant experience, or achievements can make your application stand out.

South Korean universities offer Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD programs, and students who apply can get full scholarships to pay for all four years of their degrees.

At least 80% of the people in your class should get at least that score, or you should be in the top 20% of your class. Your CGPA must be at least 2.64/4.0, 2.80/4.3, 2.91/4.5, or 3.23/5.0.

All students can apply for scholarships, which are given out based on their needs and skills. There are merit-based, need-based, and global fellowships for applications that can make the school more diverse.

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Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and Beyond

Kasey Chatterji-Len and Anna Kovner

Becoming a PhD economist can provide a fulfilling and financially secure career path. However, getting started in the field can be daunting if you don’t know much about the preparation you’ll need and the available job opportunities. If you’re wondering what it means to be an economics researcher or how to become one, please read on. We’ll review how to prepare for a career in economics research, what an economics PhD program entails, and what types of opportunities it might bring. Economic education is a core component of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s mission to serve the community. To empower would-be economists, this post provides information for students who seek a career in economics research. We hope this information will be helpful to students interested in economics, regardless of their background and economic situation.  This information is most applicable to students applying to programs in the United States.  

The Breadth of Economics Research  

Academic disciplines conduct research in different ways, so it’s important to have a basic understanding of the types of questions economists ask and how they approach answering them. There are many definitions of economics, but a broadly useful one is the study of how people, organizations, and governments make decisions under different constraints, and how those decisions may affect their outcomes. 

When answering these questions, economists seek to ground their analyses in models and to be quantitatively precise about the effects they assign to any given cause. The range of topics economists can study is wide, but the accepted approaches to answering questions are stricter. Some examples of what economists might ask: 

• How do different public housing programs affect the children who live there? 
• Does a certain type of law encourage businesses to innovate? 
• How will a change in the interest rate affect inflation and unemployment rates? 
• How much does affordable health insurance improve people’s health? 
• How can poor countries eradicate poverty? 

There are many different subfields within economics, including, but not limited to behavioral, econometrics, energy/environmental, development, financial, international, monetary, public, and urban economics. You can familiarize yourself with the latest work in economics by subscribing to working paper series, such as NBER’s New This Week or the New York Fed’s Staff Reports . To get an idea of the breadth of questions economists can answer, you could listen to Stephen Dubner’s “ Freakonomics Radio ” podcast. You may also want to explore the Journal of Economic Perspectives , the New York Fed’s Liberty Street Economics blog, VoxDev , or VoxEU .  

What Is a PhD Program Like?    

Economics PhD programs typically last five to seven years. Unlike masters programs, they are often fully funded with a stipend, though most require students to complete teaching assistant and/or research assistant (RA) work as part of their funding package. In the first two years, students take classes, many of which are mathematically demanding. The rest of the program can include additional classes but is primarily devoted to original research with the aim of producing publishable papers that will constitute the dissertation.  

Faculty advisors are a central part of PhD programs, as students look to them for guidance during the research process. Economics PhD programs are offered within university economics departments, but there are similar programs in public policy and business schools. You can look at their websites to understand any differences in coursework and subsequent job placements. 

What Can You Do with an Economics PhD?  

Upon graduation, students can obtain jobs in a variety of industries. Many PhD students hope to become university professors. Governments and public policy-related institutions such as the Federal Reserve System, the U.S. federal government, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) also hire economists to work on policy, lead programs, and conduct research. Finally, economics PhD graduates can also find employment at a variety of private sector companies, including banks, economic consulting firms, and big tech companies. The pay for these different positions can vary. According to the American Economics Association (AEA), the average starting salary for economics assistant professors in 2022-23 was approximately $140,000 at PhD granting institutions and $98,000 at BA granting institutions. 

Programs often publish the placements of their PhD graduates, so you can look online to see specific employment outcomes. See, for example, the University of Maryland’s placements . Ultimately, economists are highly regarded as authorities on a variety of topics. Governments, nonprofits, philanthropic foundations, financial institutions, and non-financial businesses all look to economists to answer important questions about how to best achieve their goals. Thus, earning an economics Ph.D. can potentially help you to influence issues that are important to you. 

Preparing for an Economics PhD Program  

There are several components to an economics PhD program application: college transcripts, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. Please download the Appendix linked below to learn more about transcripts and letters of recommendation. The Appendix details ways in which you can select coursework, obtain research experience, and develop relationships to position yourself for success as a PhD applicant.  

If you feel that you are too far along in your academic career to take enough of the classes described in the Appendix, this does not necessarily preclude you from pursuing an economics PhD. For example, it’s possible to take some of these classes through a master’s program, or through a pre-doctoral RA job. Some pre-doctoral RA jobs, such as the one here at the New York Fed , may enable you to take classes in preparation for graduate school. If you are concerned about your transcript, reach out to an economist at your university for advice; program standards for coursework and grades vary, and it’s a good idea to get more personalized advice. 

Research Experience   

If you’re interested in becoming an economics researcher and applying to PhD programs, it’s best to get research experience as soon as possible. Working as an RA is a great way to learn how to conduct research and get a better idea of whether it’s the right career path for you. Additionally, it can help you obtain a letter of recommendation for graduate school applications and improve your qualifications.  

All types of academic research can be enriching, but it’s beneficial to gain experience working directly with an economist. To find a position, you can reach out to professors whose work you find interesting or find an RA program at your school. Typical RA tasks may involve data collection and cleaning, as well as running analyses and creating charts to represent results. This is where coding skills become crucial; having taken math, statistics, and econometrics courses will also enable you to take on more responsibilities. 

You may also have the opportunity to conduct your own research, possibly under the supervision of a professor at your university. This research could be self-initiated or part of a course such as a thesis workshop. Self-directed research is a great opportunity to learn about all stages of the research process. It’s also an excellent opportunity to create a writing sample for graduate school applications. Ultimately, though, your motivation for conducting your own research project should be that you want to answer a question.  One thing economists have in common is a love of answering questions using data and theory. 

Research experience is also often obtained after completing an undergraduate or master’s degree. Taking on a full-time RA position before applying to PhD programs is very common and can make you a more competitive applicant. You may either get an RA job working for a professor or participate in a pre-doctoral RA program.  

Research assistant programs are more structured than positions with individual professors or projects, which could be helpful. Universities, parts of the government, think tanks, research organizations, and the Federal Reserve System are all good places to look for research assistant programs. To help you decide which opportunities are most desirable, you may want to ask potential employers : Where do people in this program tend to go afterward? Will I be working directly with an economist? How much of my time will be spent on academic research work? Will I be able to take classes as part of this program? Considering whether an economist will be able to evaluate your performance is an important factor for recommendation letters. The ability to take classes, either through tuition reimbursement or waivers, can also be an important benefit. 

The Research Analyst program here at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York is one example of these programs and you should check it out here . The Federal Reserve Board of Governors also has a large program, and many other regional Federal Reserve Banks have similar programs. In addition, the PREDOC website and the  NBER post listings of RA opportunities. J-PAL and IPA also tend to recruit RAs for economic development projects. Another source of RA opportunities is the @econ_ra account on X. 

Who Should Get a PhD in Economics?  

A PhD may not be for everyone, but it is for anyone—people of all genders, religions, ethnicities, races, and national origins have PhDs in economics. Many economists majored in economics, but others majored in math, physics, or chemistry. Because economics is such an integral part of policymaking, it is important that economists come from a wide range of backgrounds so policy can be stronger and more effective. The inclusion of differing perspectives helps ensure that the contribution of economists to work in public policy, academia, and beyond effectively serves the broadest range of society. 

• Coursework Appendix

Kasey Chatterji-Len is a research analyst in the Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s Research and Statistics Group.

Anna Kovner  is the director of Financial Stability Policy Research in the Bank’s Research and Statistics Group.

How to cite this post: Kasey Chatterji-Len and Anna Kovner, “Thinking of Pursuing a PhD in Economics? Info on Graduate School and Beyond,” Federal Reserve Bank of New York Liberty Street Economics , May 31, 2024, https://libertystreeteconomics.newyorkfed.org/2024/05/thinking-of-pursuing-a-phd-in-economics-info-on-graduate-school-and-beyond/.

You may also be interested in: AEA: Resources for Students

PREDOC: Guidance for Undergraduates

RA Positions-Not at the NBER

Disclaimer The views expressed in this post are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or the Federal Reserve System. Any errors or omissions are the responsibility of the author(s).

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Liberty Street Economics features insight and analysis from New York Fed economists working at the intersection of research and policy. Launched in 2011, the blog takes its name from the Bank’s headquarters at 33 Liberty Street in Manhattan’s Financial District.

The editors are Michael Fleming, Andrew Haughwout, Thomas Klitgaard, and Asani Sarkar, all economists in the Bank’s Research Group.

Liberty Street Economics does not publish new posts during the blackout periods surrounding Federal Open Market Committee meetings.

The views expressed are those of the authors, and do not necessarily reflect the position of the New York Fed or the Federal Reserve System.

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Purdue HHS students recognized with highly competitive awards for research/study abroad

Written by: Denise Buhrmester, [email protected]

Nine Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences students were recently recognized by the National and International Scholarship Office in the John Martinson Honors College for receiving highly selective external awards requiring a campus nomination from Purdue.

• Samuel Gray (psychological sciences major) — Fulbright U.S. Student Program Alternate*
• Victoria Patellos (psychological sciences major) — Fulbright U.S. Student Program Grant Offered
• Deirdre Sullivan (psychological sciences major) — Fulbright U.S. Student Program Alternate*
• Lydia Farmer (psychological sciences and developmental and family science majors) — Gilman Scholarship Recipient
• Marina Haworth-Snow (medical laboratory sciences major) — Gilman Scholarship Recipient
• Madison Koenig (family and consumer sciences education major) — Gilman Scholarship Recipient
• Autumn Reynolds (public health major) — Gilman Scholarship Recipient
• Nicholas Walters (kinesiology major) — Gilman Scholarship Recipient
• Alanna Patterson (early childhood education and exceptional needs major) — Gilman-McCain Scholarship Recipient

Fullbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides postbaccalaureate funding for eight to 12 months for individuals to study, research or teach abroad while promoting cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Eligible applicants include undergraduates entering their senior year, alumni who earned a bachelor’s or master’s degree from Purdue as their most recent degree, and current graduate students who will not have completed a PhD prior to the beginning of their grant year.

There are two major types of Fulbright awards for U.S. students: study/research grants and English teaching assistantship grants .

Gilman Scholarship

The Gilman Scholarship Program broadens the student population that studies and interns abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints.  The program also aims to encourage students to study and intern in a diverse array of countries and world regions.

Award amounts vary depending on the length of study and student need. Applicants who are studying  a critical-need language  while abroad in a country in which the language is predominately spoken may be considered for the Critical Need Language Award for a total maximum award of $8,000.

New:  In 2023, Gilman now offers a STEM Supplemental Award of up to $1,000 to conduct STEM research associated with the student’s study abroad program.

Gilman-McCain Scholarship

The  Gilman-McCain Scholarship is a congressionally funded initiative of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and named after the late senator John S. McCain from Arizona. The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.

*Fulbright Alternate: A candidate who can be promoted to finalist status if additional funding becomes available.

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Three McCormick Faculty Participating in Frontiers of Engineering Symposium

Erica hartmann, emma alexander, and ryan truby are three of 100 outstanding early career engineers selected.

Northwestern Engineering’s Erica Hartmann , Emma Alexander , and Ryan Truby have been selected to participate in the Grainger Foundation Frontiers of Engineering 2024 Symposium , scheduled for September 11-14 at the National Academies' Beckman Center in Irvine, California. 

Hartmann, Alexander, and Truby are three of 100 outstanding early career engineers who will meet for an intensive 2 1/2-day symposium to discuss cutting-edge developments in four areas:

• Water-Air-Surface Connections for Indoor Microbiology and Health
• Building the Future of AI
• Understanding and Engineering Connections Between the Gut and the Brain
• The Impending Revolution of Digital Twin

Hartmann, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering at the McCormick School of Engineering, is an event committee member and is co-chairing the session, “Water-Air-Surface Connections for Indoor Microbiology and Health.” Hartmann’s research focuses on understanding, at the molecular level, how microbial communities respond to anthropogenic chemicals. Hartmann then uses that information to influence real-world outcomes, especially by controlling the spread of undesirable traits such as antibiotic resistance.

Alexander, assistant professor of computer science, is an event participant. Alexander investigates low-level, bio-inspired, physics-based computer vision and reverse engineers principles of natural vision, contributing to the next generation of cameras and displays.

Truby, June and Ronald Brewer Junior Professor and assistant professor of materials science and engineering and mechanical engineering, is also an event participant. He aims to develop material systems whose forms and functionalities give soft devices and robots novel bioinspired actuation, perception, control, and power capabilities. 

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