international phd programs

• PhD Study Abroad - Guides to International Doctoral Opportunities

PhD Study Abroad

A good PhD should push the boundaries of its academic field. Sometimes that means going further afield as a student, which is why thousands of postgraduates choose to study their PhD abroad each year: seeking out the best expertise and facilities for the doctoral research they want to do.

You'll have plenty of options to choose between for an international PhD, from historic universities in Europe and America to ambitious and high-tech institutions in Asia or Australasia .

Our guides will help get you started with clear and up-to-date information on universities, fees, funding options, student visas, and information on how to apply for a PhD abroad (no matter where it is!).

Interested in PhD study down under? Find out what it's like to study a PhD in Australia, including advice on visas, applications & scholarships.

A culture of innovation and creativity makes Sweden a popular choice for international PhD students. Our guide covers universities, doctoral programmes, fees, funding and visas.

Holland and the Netherlands are a welcoming destination for international PhD study with historic and globally-renowned research universities. Our guide covers admissions, visas, fees and funding.

Looking to study a PhD in Norway? Our guide explains entry requirements, visas, funding (it’s free to study) and more.

A checklist of the things you'll need to do when making an international PhD application, from meeting the entry requirements to sorting out your visa.

What documents you need for a complete study abroad application, what they are and what they should and should not include.

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You are here: American University School of International Service Doctor of Philosophy 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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About the PhD in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control Program

The PhD program in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control, International Health is more applied, multidisciplinary, and internationally oriented than standard infectious disease epidemiology programs. It prepares students to take leadership positions in important global public health settings with strong research components. 

This is a  STEM designated program . Eligible F-1 visa students can receive an additional 24 months of work authorization, beyond the initial 12 months of post-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT).

PhD in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control Program Highlights

Students will learn to use epidemiologic, immunologic, laboratory and statistical methods to design, implement, and evaluate disease control interventions for diseases of public health importance to underserved populations.

GLOBAL NETWORK

Research opportunities around the world

APPLIED LEARNING

Training in epidemiologic and biostatistical methods

Vaccine Training

From clinical trials to implementation

STEM DESIGNATED

Eligibility for a 24-month STEM OPT extension

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control

Visit the  Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Coordinator for Prescription Drug Overdose Response, National Center for Injury Prevention and Control
• Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer

Interactive Research and Development

• Director, Child Health & Vaccines Program, Pakistan Country Office

International Rescue Committee

• Technical Advisor for Research

National Institutes of Health

• Research Fellow, Division of International Epidemiology and Population Studies, ​Fogarty International Center

Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia

• Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

World Health Organization

• Scientist, Initiative for Vaccine Research

Curriculum for the PhD in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control

Students acquire a broad understanding of the methods needed to design studies and gain hands-on experience in the design, conduct and analysis of community and clinical trials and/or laboratory based investigations, including the immunologic and biologic basis of responses to immunizations and other prophylactic or therapeutic interventions.

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue , explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory , and find many more details in the program's  Academic Guides .

• Recent dissertations
• Student timeline
• Core competencies

Courses Available in the Following Areas:

• Infectious diseases
• Vaccinology
• Field trials
• Program implementation and evaluation
• Program design

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the  How to Apply  page. This specific program also requires:

Prior Graduate Degree

A degree in medicine, veterinary medicine, or dentistry, or a master’s degree or equivalent graduate training in epidemiology, statistics, international health, tropical medicine, microbiology, parasitology, immunology, or virology.

Prior Work Experience

Not required but highly desirable

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores  are required  for this program. This program accepts the following standardized test scores: GRE.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Program Faculty Spotlight

Melissa A. Marx

Melissa A. Marx, PhD ‘02, MPH ’98, evaluates maternal, child, and infectious disease programs, and has led response efforts for outbreaks including SARS, Ebola, and COVID-19.

Anna P. Durbin

Anna Durbin, MD, studies experimental vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, dengue, West Nile, Zika, malaria, and more in human clinical trials and in controlled human infection studies.

Christine Marie George

Christine Marie George, PhD, is an infectious disease epidemiologist who designs infectious disease control programs to promote health equity and prevent infections globally.

Rupali J. Limaye

Rupali Limaye, PhD ’12, MPH, MA, studies how health information can best be communicated to individuals in different contexts and through different channels.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the CBA to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help.

Elisabeth Simmons, MEd Academic Program Administrator [email protected]

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The Stevens Doctoral Program welcomes applicants from across the world. In our global community, you’ll collaborate with world-class researchers and build lifelong connections.

An international applicant is anyone who is not a US citizen or permanent resident of the United States at the time of application to Chicago Booth. Here’s what you need to know about Chicago Booth PhD requirements for international applicants.

When to Apply

The application deadline for Fall 2024 admission has now passed. You will be notified of your admissions decision by email no later than early March. For more information about applying, see Application Process . Please note that all international applicants must determine if they meet the University of Chicago’s English-language requirements by either taking the TOEFL or IELTS exam and receiving the minimum accepted scores, or if eligible, receiving a language requirement waiver. Please find more information related to fluency determination here.

Academic Requirements

To be considered for admission, you must have the equivalent of a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited university (or expect to receive one by the time you enter the program).

Booth reserves the right to review the academic records of all international applicants to determine whether their academic credentials from a non-US institution are comparable to a US bachelor’s degree.

Applicants holding only professional diplomas or higher certificates or members of professional associations such as the Institute of Chartered Accountants are not qualified to apply for admission unless they also hold recognized university degrees.

Academic Records

You must submit academic records (transcripts or mark sheets) with grading scales for each year of college or university education completed or in progress, as well as copies of degrees awarded. Records must provide information on the content and quality of your performance, courses taken each year, and grades received. Class rank should be noted whenever possible.

You must submit both original language records and official English translations . All translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records, and must be prepared or verified by someone whose position requires a knowledge of both English and the original language. All supporting materials must also be in English.

Please upload all required academic records to the online application system. If you are admitted, you will be required to submit official academic records and official copies of degrees awarded (and official English translations where applicable). Photocopies and facsimiles of the documents are not acceptable.

Fluency in English

If English is not your native language, you will need to meet the University of Chicago’s English-language requirements by taking either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

Sending Your Scores

Please have your TOEFL scores sent directly from the testing agency to the Stevens Program. The Chicago Booth Stevens Program TOEFL code is 1819.

Please contact the Booth PhD office with your IELTS TRF number.

TOEFL or IELTS score reports are valid for two years, and scores will be considered expired if a test was taken more than two years prior to Chicago Booth Stevens Program’s application deadline. For admission for Autumn 2022, scores from tests taken prior to December 15, 2019, are considered expired. If your score has expired, you must retake the examination and submit the official scores before the application deadline. We will not accept photocopies of expired scores while awaiting the official results of a recent examination. Scores must be sent directly from TOEFL or IELTS.

Minimum Test Score Requirement

TOEFL Internet-based (iBT): 100 overall score, no subsection requirements

IELTS Overall score of at least 7, with sub scores of at least 7 each

TOEFL/IELTS Waivers

The English-language requirement may be waived if: English has been a primary language of communication and schooling for you since childhood; or you completed a degree or were enrolled for at least one academic year (two semesters or three quarters) in full-time status in a degree-seeking program within the last ten years prior to the deadline for this application at an accredited, English-medium, post-secondary institution in one of the following countries or territories: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Hong Kong, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Kingdom, or the United States.*

*Note: This applies only to English-medium universities in these countries or territories. Study in English-medium universities in any other countries or territories not listed here does not qualify you for a waiver.

Waivers only apply to those who have studied full-time for at least one academic year in a degree-seeking program in one of the countries/territories listed above. Employment in an English-speaking country alone does not make you eligible for a waiver.

NOTE: The above-listed circumstances are the ONLY circumstances that qualify you for a waiver. Students who have only taken an ESL course, been an exchange or visiting student at a qualifying institution, studied less than full-time (or have not completed a degree or at least one year of full-time study at a qualifying institution), and/or students who have worked in the United States or other English-speaking countries only are NOT eligible for a waiver. 

If you meet the above criteria, the TOEFL/IELTS requirement will be automatically waived upon review of the relevant transcripts.We cannot assist in determining your eligibility for the waiver based on the primary language criteria described above. Falsifying this information, as with any information on the application, may lead to revocation of an offer of admission.

Student Visas

Visa eligibility forms are issued upon admittance to the program. Depending on your nationality and particular circumstances, you will receive either the I-20 or the DS-2019 form. These forms enable you to obtain an F-1 or a J-1 visa, respectively, when presented to a US consul. You will need to verify financial support before a visa eligibility form can be issued. A financial resource statement will be sent upon admittance.

If you still have questions after reviewing our doctorate in business FAQ , please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Doctor of International Affairs (DIA)

• Campus: Washington DC , SAIS Europe
• Program Duration: Two and Three Year tracks; Full-Time | Three Years; Part-Time

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The Doctor of International Affairs is designed for professionals with at least five-years of full-time work experience in international affairs or a related field who seek to further their expertise through an advanced practitioner’s degree. Under the guidance of school experts and scholars, you will take courses and conduct research on the issues that most align with your professional interests.

Become an Expert

The program is delivered on an accelerated two- or three-year timeline and culminates with a doctoral thesis. The curriculum emphasizes learning, research, and evaluation allowing you to apply existing practice and knowledge toward solving real-world problems in fields such as:

• conflict resolution and negotiation
• climate change, energy access, global environmental policy
• sustainable development, foreign aid, and global poverty
• human rights and humanitarian affairs, democratization, nation-building
• international political economy, economic development, emerging markets
• American foreign policy, grand strategy, history and statecraft
• defense and security, cybersecurity, and terrorism/counterterrorism
• regions of the world, and more

Doctor of International Affairs vs. PhD

The Doctor of International Affairs is a practitioner’s degree where students conduct applied research culminating in a doctoral thesis within their area of professional expertise. It is different from a traditional PhD, which requires comprehensive exams and is usually thought of as producing an original body of knowledge in preparation for careers that include, but are not limited to, academia.

What Your Schedule Will Look Like

48-credit Program 

Advanced standing is available if you possess a relevant master’s degree. You must complete 32 credits prior to the final, non-residential thesis year. 

• Eight courses in the academic year, including two methods courses
• Six courses based on your specific interests and research agenda

The final year is completed part-time on a non-resident basis while finishing research and writing a doctoral thesis under the guidance of your faculty advisor.

• 8 credits of “Thesis” each semester

80-credit Program 

Years One and Two

You will complete courses on a full-time, resident basis through fall and spring semesters for two academic years. You may begin your studies at either the Washington DC campus or at SAIS Europe.

• Fulfill the requirements of the school's Master of Arts in International Relations degree (MAIR) in international economics, quantitative reasoning, research methods, and foreign language proficiency

Build your expertise through classes based on your specific interests and research agenda. 

• Complete four courses of your choice in the academic year, two each semester

The second year of study will entail a combination of methods courses and courses based on your specific interests and research agenda.

• Complete four courses in the academic year, two each semester. This includes two method courses and two courses based on your specific interests and research agenda.

LEARN FROM THE BEST

Peter Lewis

Warren Weinstein Associate Professor

In the News

In the Small Wars Journal, Professor Albert J. Marckwardt writes about the authorization for the use of force against Mexican cartels was introduced in Congress. 04/29/24

Q&A with SAIS’ Jonas Nahm, Co-Author of 2024 U.S. Presidential Economic Report

The breadth and depth of the Economic Report of the President…reflects the deep bench of expertise at the Council of Economic Advisers, and the federal government more broadly.

A Closer Look at the Gaza Casualty Data

Good Authority (blog), December 14, 2023. With Marc Lynch.

The Ghosts of Lebanon

Foreign Affairs, November 14, 2023.

The Political Dynamics of Disasters

Arts & Sciences Magazine, November, 2023.

Eliot A. Cohen wrote in The Atlantic, 06/01

It’s Not Enough for Ukraine to Win. Russia Has to Lose

Eliot A. Cohen wrote in The Atlantic, 05/19

The Shortest Path to Peace

Eliot A. Cohen wrote in The Atlantic, 02/28

Breaking barriers: Women in Nigeria defy odds to contest in elections, but face uphill battle

Chiedo Nwankwor cited in Africa News, 02/14

Beyond the Classroom

Through study treks, research projects, staff rides, and more you will gain practical, hands-on experience.

Study Treks

Each year the school organizes more than two dozen study treks, providing students with valuable opportunities to conduct field research, engage with partner organizations, and gain new perspectives on major global issues.

Networking Events

Network with alumni and professionals and organize student-led events exploring your area of interest's challenges and opportunities outside the classroom.

World-Class Events

The school regularly hosts expert policymakers, CEOs, heads of state, and scholars to campus. Students are encouraged to explore topics of interest by attending lectures, presentations, and special programming.

Staff Rides

During a staff ride, students gain lessons in strategy, leadership, and decision-making by visiting a historic battle site and reenacting key moments. Each year, at least one staff ride occurs outside of the US and recent staff rides have been conducted in South Korea, Scotland, Italy, and Poland.

• Youth Program
• Wharton Online

International Students

Wharton is an international community, with students, faculty, and alumni representing 153 countries worldwide. as an international doctoral student, you will find the intellectual and cultural diversity of the wharton community to be a welcoming environment for your doctoral studies. wharton’s faculty research touches upon an extremely broad range of global business topics, providing you exceptional opportunities to explore your areas of interest., applying as an international student.

International candidates must have a college-level education equivalent to a four-year United States baccalaureate degree. There are a number of universities around the world that offer three-year undergraduate programs. If you received a bachelor’s degree upon completion of one of these undergraduate programs, you are eligible to apply to Wharton’s doctoral programs. Many candidates from three-year programs have a master’s degree as well, but it is not required.

Application Requirements for International Students

When applying, you need to carefully review the requirements for submitting all of your transcripts and student records. These include all post-secondary educational institutions you have attended, including technical and professional schools.

There is not a limit on the number of international students who will be accepted into the Doctoral Programs each year. Acceptance is based on academic history, test results, recommendations, and personal statement.

Financial Aid

International students who are accepted into the Wharton Doctoral Programs receive the same financial package as domestic students. Please see the Expenses & Financial Aid section of this site for additional information

Language Proficiency

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required if you are an international applicant whose native language is not English. Please carefully review all the requirements for the exam explained in Standardized Test Scores .

International students who are accepted into the program and whose first language is not English may be required to take the SPEAK test offered through the English Language Programs office.

This test is used to determine/confirm a student’s fluency in English. If test results indicate a student would benefit from additional language instruction, arrangements will be made for summer class work and tutoring. Students will be expected to complete this additional work to ensure their proficiency in written and spoken English in professional settings.

Immigration and Taxes

For detailed information regarding immigration and taxes, please visit Penn’s Penn Global . In order to maintain legal student status in the United States, international PhD students must be enrolled for a full-time course load, which means a minimum of three courses per semester. Full-time enrollment does not include audits or incompletes. Once you have completed your coursework and are working on your thesis or dissertation, you must maintain your full-time status by registering for doctoral dissertation tuition or registration.

For detailed information regarding immigration and taxes, please visit Penn’s Penn Global .

• Penn Graduate Catalog
• International Student & Scholar Services
• Penn English Language Programs