We are delighted that you are considering a Ph.D. in International Studies at the Jackson School.
Our doctoral program is the only one of its kind. It introduces a new approach to global themes in international studies, international relations, international affairs, and/or foreign affairs by combining four unique foundational fields with our world-renowned expertise in area studies.
Within this grid, you can tailor your program to your research interests:
- If you are interested, for example, in the way religious forces affect foreign policy you might want to take advantage of our field of “Religions, Cultures, and Civilizations (RCC)” and combine it with our expertise on the Americas or in Middle East Studies.
- Or, if you want to examine the possibilities of microfinance in fostering development in emerging countries, you might consider our field of “States, Markets, and Societies (SMS)” and think about combining it with offerings in our South Asian Studies Program.
- If you are passionate about the spread of human rights around the world, you can focus on “Law, Rights, and Governance (LRG)” working with our Latin America experts and the resources of the UW Center for Human Rights.
- Or, as one last example, if you are intrigued by the rise of Asia and its security implications, consider our “Peace, Violence, and Security (PVS)” field of study and explore its themes across the China, Japan, and Korea Studies Programs.
Our approach is designed to train the next generation of scholars and practitioners, who aim to develop deep knowledge of world regions in the context of specific contemporary global themes, policy challenges, and real-world problems. The program has been designed for you to complete the degree expeditiously. Our doctoral program combines a tutorial system with specific coursework to allow you to finish in 3-4 years. Our training will provide you critical research skills, whether you are aiming for work in academia, government agencies, international organizations, non-governmental organizations, think-tanks, media, or the private sector.
So please explore the Jackson School, and its established area programs. Take a look also at our faculty and what drives their teaching and research. If you then find your area interests line up with one of our foundational fields, and you have a research focus that fits our approach, we encourage you to get in touch with the relevant faculty and send us your application. You can also view a brochure for our Ph.D. program below.
We very much look forward to hearing from you, and learning what you want to explore through your research with us.
Saadia Pekkanen
Founding Director, Jackson School Ph.D. Program
Job and Gertrud Tamaki Professor, Jackson School of International Studies
Adjunct Professor, School of Law
Adjunct Professor, Department of Political Science
