Doctor of Philosophy

A Curriculum for a Complex World

Course Catalog

Specialized Coursework

Faculty advisers assist in developing a course of study related to individual research needs. 
All Ph.D. students complete the following research methodology courses:

  • Theories and Methods of Qualitative Political Research
  • Quantitative Methods of Political Research (Most students will need to take the prerequistes (1) Statistical Methods for Business and Economics and (2) Econometrics.)

If a student has a strong background in statistics, he/she may request to take the waiver exam.

Comprehensive Examinations

Ph.D. students must pass three comprehensive examinations, including one in their area of study.
The examination areas are as follows:

  • American Foreign Policy
  • Comparative Politics
  • International Development
  • International Economics
  • International Political Economy
  • International Relations
  • Political and Economic Theory
  • One of the SAIS Regional Studies Programs

Languages

Ph.D. students must demonstrate competence in a primary and secondary foreign language or in a primary foreign language and quantitative methods of analysis.

  • Primary Foreign Language – Tested in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
  • Secondary Foreign Language – Tested in reading only.
  • Quantitative Methods of Analysis – Passing courses in Econometrics and Applied Econometrics.

Outside of the Classroom



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