2026-27 ACADEMIC YEAR ADMISSIONS SUSPENDED

Thank you for your interest in our Ph.D. program; the Jackson School of International Studies has decided to suspend admissions to the program for the 2026-27 academic year.

We look forward to receiving new applications in Autumn 2026 for the 2027-2028 academic year.

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HOW TO APPLY

Create a profile and begin your application to the UW Graduate School here.

Complete and submit ALL of the following materials online by Dec. 31, 2024:

1. Statement of Purpose: detailing research questions and interests regarding research themes and regions; and also identifying where possible how relevant JSIS faculty members and institutional resources would fit into a course of study (3-4 pages);
2. Personal History Statement: detailing any racial, ethnical, educational, cultural, and economic opportunities and disadvantages that you have experienced, and ways those experiences have affected the development of your special interests, career plans, and future goals (max. 2 pages);
3. Writing Sample: published or unpublished writing sample (generally not to exceed 10,000 words) demonstrating ability to write critically and analytically;
4. Curriculum Vitae;
5. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation;
6. TOEFL (for international students who have not completed a graduate degree from an English Language institution) sent directly by the Educational Testing Service. (See Graduate School English Language Proficiency Requirements); and
7. All Undergraduate and Graduate Transcripts: unofficial PDFs of your transcripts as digital uploads only.

*The Ph.D. program requires all applicants to have completed a Master’s degree before they start the Ph.D. program.

**The JSIS PhD program views connection with JSIS faculty members who can serve as an academic mentor, especially during the first year of the program, as a tremendous benefit for students. In order to ensure that students can start their Ph.D. program with mentors/advisors in place, we expect candidates to contact JSIS faculty members and consult them as part of the application process. (If you need help identifying faculty members, please reach out to our Graduate Programs Adviser, Jesús Hidalgo; jhidalgo@uw.edu). In addition, the admission’s committee strongly suggests that applicants have already asked a JSIS faculty member about potentially chairing their doctoral supervisory committee.

In your Statement of Purpose and the application portal, please list any faculty member who you have consulted with during the application process and whether you have discussed the possibility that they might serve as the chair of your doctoral supervisory committee.

***Foreign Language: In most fields of study prior language study is an asset, and stronger applicants will normally have knowledge of relevant language sufficient for research.

****While the program welcomes GRE test scores and will consider them if they are submitted, they are an optional part of your application. To submit your GRE scores, the UW’s institution code is 4854; department code: 5199 (any department).  Contact jsisphd@uw.edu if you have any questions. 

The application fee is $90.

International applicants aren’t eligible for application fee waivers. As this webpage states, “The only individuals that do not qualify based on immigration/residency status are those on F or J visas. This is due to federal requirements tied to eligibility for these visas”.

Applicants are responsible for verifying that the details and materials of their application are correct before submitting to the University of Washington Graduate School. Applications cannot be changed after submission. Shortlisted applicants may be requested to participate in a remote interview.

Applicants will be asked to submit official copies of all transcripts to the University of Washington Graduate School prior to enrollment.

Official copies of transcripts should not be sent to the Jackson School unless requested.