At SAIS, the Doctor of Philosophy is conferred in recognition of mature scholarship and originality of thought, upon fulfillment of the specific requirements elaborated in the Program Requirements section. This program is designed specifically to develop a doctoral student’s proficiency in three interrelated fields of international studies selected by the student, including one field of specialization. Applicants to the program must declare their prospective field of specialization and, if admitted, are under the general supervision of the faculty director of that field. A doctoral student’s primary advisor may be a program director or, subject to approval by the Faculty Ph.D. Committee, another tenured faculty member. After being admitted to the program, any request to change a field of specialization must be approved by the director of the proposed new field and by the Faculty Ph.D. Committee. | 
