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Degree Requirements

PhD candidates must satisfy the following requirements while enrolled in the program for a minimum of 3 years and receiving necessary research guidance.

To obtain 6 credits (3 courses) from the “Core Required Courses” (listed below).

International Relations Cluster

Advanced Studies in Theories of International Relations, Advanced Studies in International Political Economy, Advanced Studies in International Security

Economics Cluster

Advanced Microeconomics, Advanced Macroeconomics, Advanced Econometrics

Public Management Cluster

Advanced Public Management, Advanced Politics and Governance, Advanced Public Policy Process

• To obtain 9 credits from “PhD Dissertation Advanced Seminar I, II and III” (which carry 3 credits each).
• To pass the comprehensive examination conducted at the end of 1st year. Candidates will be given a second chance during the 2nd year to take this examination if they fail the examination in the 1st year.
• To pass the evaluation and the final examination of their PhD dissertation. The PhD dissertation is, in principle, comprised of three academic papers, one of which must be accepted by a refereed academic journal.

Curriculum and Courses

The PhD curriculum consists of Core Required Courses and PhD Dissertation Advanced Seminars. The coursework is designed to give students the high-level specialized and scholastic knowledge and research capability required for PhD candidates. The PhD Dissertation Advanced Seminars are designed to give students guidance for writing a PhD dissertation.

Core Required Courses

Advanced Studies in Theories of International Relations (Fall, 1st year) / Advanced Studies in International Political Economy　(Winter, 1st year) / Advanced Studies in International Security (Spring, 1st year) /Advanced Microeconomics (Winter, 1st year) / Advanced Macroeconomics(Fall, 1st year) / Advanced Econometrics (Spring, 1st year) / Advanced Public Management (Fall, 1st year) / Advanced Politics and Governance (Winter, 1st year) / Advanced Public Policy Process (Spring, 1st year)

PhD Dissertation Advanced Seminars

The PhD Dissertation Advanced Seminars are designed to prepare students for a PhD dissertation in International Relations, Economics, or Public Management. PhD Dissertation Advanced Seminar I (1st full year) / PhD Dissertation Advanced Seminar II (2nd full year) / PhD Dissertation Advanced Seminar III (3rd full year)

Year 1

Fall (Sept-Dec)

• Coursework: Core required course (1 course per term).
• PhD Dissertation Advanced Seminar (year-long, 13 credits) begins.
• Supervisor Selection.

Winter (Jan-March)

• Coursework: Core required course (1 course per term).
• PhD Dissertation Advanced Seminar continues.
• Formation of Thesis: Define the research focus and objectives.

Spring (April-June)

• Coursework: Core required course (1 course per term).
• PhD Dissertation Advanced Seminar continues.
• Research Proposal Submission.

Summer (July-Aug)

• Comprehensive Exam Preparation and Defense (usually open to the public).
• Conducting Research begins.

Year 2

Fall (Sept-Dec)

• Conducting Research.
• PhD Dissertation Advanced Seminar II continues (year-long course).
• Writing/Posting Academic Papers begins.

Winter (Jan-March)

• Conducting Research continues.
• Interim Report (Open): Present progress and research results to the supervisory committee, including paper posting status.

Spring (April-June)

• Writing/Posting Academic Papers continues.
• Submission of at least one paper to a peer-reviewed journal.

Summer (July-Aug)

• Research and Writing Continues.

Year 3:

Fall (Sept-Dec)

• Conducting Research and Writing Academic Papers continues.
• Mid-Term Review (Open): Present progress on the dissertation and publication status to the supervisory committee.

Winter (Jan-March)

• Submission of Dissertation Abstract to the supervisory committee.
• Formation of Thesis Examining Committee, which includes an external examiner.

Spring (April-June)

• Final Examination (Open Defense) of the dissertation.
• Conferral of PhD Degree after successful defense.