Welcome to the Ph.D. Program at the Jackson School of International Studies (JSIS), University of Washington.

This Student Handbook describes the structure and requirements of the JSIS Ph.D. Program. It is intended to be a general source of information for doctoral students progressing through the program and clarify the requirements that need to be met in order to be awarded a JSIS Ph.D. It is also intended to serve as a guide to potential applicants to the program. Students are responsible for knowing and adhering to the latest updated version of the Handbook.

In navigating their way through the program, Ph.D. students should always turn to their appointed Faculty Advisers (FA) for guidance on intellectual matters. They can then also seek the guidance of the Graduate Program Administrator (GPA), who can help orient and guide them generally through administrative matters, program requirements, curriculum, university policies, etc.

Broader questions or issues can also be brought to the Associate Director for Graduate Studies in the JSIS school who serves as the Director of the PhD program. The roles of the faculty and staff who work with Ph.D. students are explained in the administrative structure section of this Handbook.

* To download the 2023-2024 Ph.D. Student Handbook, click here.

** To review the Ph.D. Student Handbook for students admitted before 2023, click here.

I. General Information

1. Eligibility
2. Admission Procedures and Deadlines
3. Departmental Funding Policy

II. Administrative Structure and Advising

1. Ph.D. Program Director
2. Graduate Program Adviser (GPA)
3. Faculty Advisers (FA)

III. Curriculum

1. Academic Requirements Overview
2. Required Courses and Electives
3. Sample Course Schedule for Year 1 and Year 2
4. Dissertation

IV. Doctoral Committees

1. Doctoral Supervisory Committee
2. Doctoral Reading Committee
3. Appointing your Doctoral Committee

V. Doctoral Examinations

1. Preliminary Exams
2. General Exams
3. Final Examinations

VI. Student Status and Standing

1. Annual Progress Reports (APRs)
2. Academic Progress
3. Withdrawal
4. On-Leave status
5. Reinstatement

VII. Policies

1. Enrollment Requirement
2. Repeating a Course
3. Grading System for Graduate Students
4. Final Quarter Registration

Appendixes

1. Agreement between JSIS Faculty Advisor (primary advisor) and JSIS Ph.D. Student
2. All Ph.D. Forms (online)
   • Appoint Supervisory Committee Form
   • Preliminary Exam Form
   • Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee Form
   • Annual Progress Report Form