The JSIS Ph.D. program is particularly well suited for candidates with:

• professional experience in think tanks, NGOs, government organizations, and advocacy organizations whose work engages with international issues and/or foreign regions looking to gain academic expertise to further their professional career objectives in similar types of organizations
• significant academic training in international or area studies interested in returning to their home countries to advance academic careers
• interests in global issues (such as religion, technology, security, diplomacy, health, human rights, disability studies) and/or gaining deep regional expertise in areas including Africa, Americas, Arctic, Asia, Europe, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East

The JSIS Ph.D. can be an accelerated one (with completion of the degree in three years), especially for students who are supported by their government or other sources that provide three years of full funding. Otherwise, students typically require four to six years to balance teaching assistant responsibilities, grant applications, and research trips complete with coursework.