Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy

The Ph.D. in International Relations and Diplomacy at AGS allows students to specialize in a specific domain of knowledge while gaining the recognition that is instrumental to pursue advanced careers in academics, think tanks, international organizations, or government research.

AGS admits very few selected Ph.D. candidates every year and tailors the international affairs program based on each one's interests and career objectives. The highest academic standards are sought in the coursework as well as in the methodology, research, and writing of the doctoral dissertation. A unique aspect of the Ph.D. program at AGS is the very close guidance provided to students throughout the dissertation process.

The program takes full advantage of its location in Paris, which offers access to countless libraries, archives and special collections, and provides an excellent venue for conducting interviews with diplomats and members of government institutions, inter-govermental organizations and NGOs.

Please note that the Ph.D. degree is not accredited at this time.

Curriculum

International Relations and Diplomacy Ph.D. candidates must successfully complete:

• Seven required courses

• Five elective courses, including two area courses

The international relations and diplomacy curriculum has a multi-disciplinary scope. Required courses cover the disciplines of international relations, political science, economics, international law, international organizations, and diplomacy. The choice of electives is made in accordance with the domain in which the candidate wishes to pursue his or her research.

Ph.D. candidates may take internships as part of their curriculum in order to develop a network of useful contacts and in order to combine hands-on experience with the scholarly work involved in the Ph.D. program. (more information on internships here).

Required as well as elective courses can be transferred from another university if they meet the standards of AGS.

Click here for course descriptions

Required Courses

AGS-R01 : Factors and Theories of Analysis in International Relations and Diplomacy

AGS-R02 : Research Methodology and Design

AGS-R03 : Foreign Policy Formulation and Diplomacy

AGS-R04 : International Public Law

AGS-R05 : Current Economic Problems and Policies

AGS-R06 : International Organizations

AGS-R07 : Current Issues in International Relations

Elective Courses

AGS-E01 : Historical and Contemporary Geopolitics

AGS-E02 : Strategy and Conflict Resolution

AGS-E03 : Cultural Development and Awareness

AGS-E04 : Global Communications, Media and International Affairs

AGS-E05 : International Trade, Banking and Finance

AGS-E06 : Theory and Origins of Global Conflict

AGS-E07 : Principles of Economics

AGS-E08 : Beginnings of the Contemporary Political Order

AGS-E09 : Anthropology and Politics

AGS-E10 : Post-Modernity and International Relations and Diplomacy

AGS-E11 : Comparative Politics

AGS-E13 : Issues in U.S. Foreign Policy

AGS-E14 : International Environmental Politics

AGS-E99 : Internship

Elective Area Courses

AGS-EA10 : Central and South America

AGS-EA20 : Eastern and Western Europe

AGS-EA30 : The Middle East and North Africa

AGS-EA40 : Sub-Saharan Africa

AGS-EA50 : South and Central Asia

AGS-EA60 : East and Southeast Asia

Degree requirements

In order to be awarded the AGS's Ph.D. degree in International Relations and Diplomacy, students must meet the following requirements:

• Having successfully completed the coursework (including possible transfers from other universities) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0

• Having passed a pre-dissertation comprehensive examination

• Having achieved the writing and defense of a doctoral dissertation of at least 75,000 words of research, analysis, and corroborating data.
  Click here to see examples of Ph.D. Dissertation Topics
  

All requirements for the Ph.D. degree must be met within six years of admission to Ph.D. candidacy, with a minimum of two years for the research and writing of the dissertation.

Stages of the program

• Depending on the number of transfer credits, the coursework can be completed in 12 to 18 months on a full-time basis.

• Once the coursework is satisfactorily completed, Ph.D. candidates must pass a pre-dissertation comprehensive examination.

• At this stage Ph.D. candidates must identify a dissertation advisor. The candidates may choose their doctoral advisor from the school's faculty or from a pool of accomplished international scholars working with AGS, according to the domain in which they wish to pursue their doctoral research. External advisors are also permitted upon approval of the Academic Committee.
  Note: Ph.D. candidates are responsible for finding their own advisors. AGS assists them in this process by putting them in contact with potential advisors when needed.

• Ph.D. candidates must submit a research proposal which has to be approved by the methodology counsellor, the dissertation advisor and the Academic Committee. Please note that students must have the ability to use primary sources in any foreign language(s) necessary for the doctoral dissertation.

• The methodology, research and writing of the dissertation are conducted by the candidate under the close guidance and supervision of the Ph.D. advisor.

• The Ph.D. dissertation defense involves a five-member jury including the advisor, AGS professors, and external specialists when helpful.

Combined M.A.-Ph.D. program

AGS offers a combined M.A.-Ph.D. program per the American model. The combined M.A.-Ph.D. program allows students to take the seven required courses for both degrees simultaneously. Ph.D. candidates having done their M.A. in International Relations and Diplomacy at AGS would therefore not have to take the required courses again, but would only have to take five elective courses.

Note: Passage from the M.A. to the Ph.D. program is not automatic. It is subject to approval by the Academic Committee.

More

Graduate Course Catalog

Current Course Offering

Internships for Credit

Optional French Language Courses

Class Schedule

Academic Calendar

Tuition

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