The rigorous training and applied nature of the department’s core offerings and three (3) doctoral fields: Comparative Politics, Computational Analytics, and World Politics. The department also offers one field to interfield students in the Ph.D. program in Economics – International Politics and Political Science. In addition, the Department of International Studies allies with Department of Politics and Government and Department of Economics in the Methods Field. The department’s various programs provide the analytical expertise and practical experience for both academic and research-based positions.
Degree Requirements
Coursework. A minimum of 72 units are required for the doctoral degree. In addition to the tools requirements, students are required to complete six-course sequences in two of the program’s field offerings.
Research Tools. Satisfactory completion of research tool requirements through our core methods courses.
Practical Experience Milestone. See description below
Transdisciplinary Requirement. Doctoral students are required to complete a Transdisciplinary course (T-Course) within the first two years of their program or by the completion of 48 units in their program. The course will count as 4 units towards the doctoral degree requirement. It will not add any additional units to the student’s degree requirements nor count against the total number of transfer units from previous graduate coursework.
Qualifying Examinations. Successful completion of the written qualifying examinations in each of two major concentrations. Qualifying examinations are offered once in each of the fall and the spring semesters. An oral examination, if required, is administered within two weeks of the written examination.
Dissertation. Campus policies and procedures are detailed in the Doctoral Degree Regulations section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin and on the registrar’s webpage.
University Policies. Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.
Admission. Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.
Research Tools
1. Research Tools Sequence 1 (16 units):
- INST 400 - Math Preparations Workshop (0 units) for those who need basic calculus, linear algebra and probability theory
- INST 481 - Statistical Methods for Social Sciences
- INST 483 - Multivariate Analysis in International Studies Using SAS
- INST 487 - Advanced Topics in Applied Econometrics
- INST 489 - Advanced Research Design
For Ph.D. students well prepared in Mathematics, we recommend the following alternate 12-unit general methods sequence. This option is required for students in the Ph.D. Economics and International Studies & Political Science program.
1. Research Tools Sequence 2 (16 units):
Note:
*Students are expected to take courses for the methods you will be using for your dissertation, even if that means you need to take additional tools after your qualifying exams. PhD students need to contact their advisor if methods need to be altered for their specific tracks. PhD students who wish to substitute methods classes must gain prior approval by a Faculty Advisor and the Department Chair.
Transdisciplinary Requirement
One class (4 units).
Doctoral students are required to complete a Transdisciplinary (TNDY) course (T-Course) within the first two years of their program or by the completion of 48 units in their program. The course will count as 4 units towards the doctoral degree requirement. It will not add any additional units to the student’s degree requirements nor count against the total number of transfer units from previous graduate coursework. See the class schedule for TNDY classes.
Fields
Doctoral students must have two fields in the Department of International Studies. Each field is 24 units. Please choose from the following fields:
- Comparative Politics
- Computational Analytics
- World Politics
- International Political Economy (only for students in the PhD interfield program with the Department of Economic Sciences or those with Computational Analytics as the other field)
Comparative Politics
Core Courses (16 units)
Electives – two courses from the following courses (8 units)
*Other courses can be taken. Pre approval of the field chair is required.
Computational Analytics
Core Courses (16 units)
Electives. Choose two courses from the following (8 units):
Computational Analytics
Mathematics
Policy Context
Note: Consult with Faculty Advisor to select best courses for your goals. Pre-approval of electives is required.
Methods
Special transdisiplinary field by pre-approval only. Requires a pre-approved Ph.D. Exam Committee. Cannot be taken concurrently with Computational Analytics. Please contact your advisor for guidance on course sequences and specialization prior to transferring into this field.
World Politics
Core Courses (16 units)
Electives -Choose two courses from the following selection (8 units)
Note: Consult with Faculty Advisor to select best courses for your goals. Pre-approval of electives is required.
International Political Economy
Core Courses (20 units)
For Interfield students:
Core Courses 12 units
- SP&E 350 - Theories and Issues in Comparative Politics
- INST 410 - Political Economy of International Development
- INST 401 - World Politics
Note: All interfield students must take SPE 352 - Comparative Political Economy and SPE 411 - International Political Economy that are required in the general foundation for interfield students.
In addition, for both groups of students (interfield and computational) must complete:
Electives. Chose (2) courses from the following (8 units)
- ECON 370 - The World Economy: Trade and Finance
- SP&E 359 - International Development: Finance, Institutions and Policy
- PP 408 - Seminar in World Politics: Political Demography & Development OR
- TNDY 407I - Seminar in Social Demography
- PP 412 - Political Economy of International Integration
- PP 353 - Comparative Parties & Elections
- PP 354 - Politics of Developing Countries
- PP 356 - Politics of Non-Democratic States
- SP&E 364 - Democracy & Development
- PP 366 - Latin America Politics
- PP 417A - Public Policy in the European Union: Markets and Security
- PP 375/POST225 - Politics of Africa
- SP&E 429 - Political Economy of China
- SP&E 351 - Comparative Institutional Analysis
- SP&E 363 Politics and Economic Development in Asia
Note: CONSULT WITH FACULTY ADVISOR TO SELECT BEST COURSES FOR YOUR GOALS. PRE-APPROVAL OF ELECTIVES IS REQUIRED.
Electives
4 units of electives, as approved by your academic advisor.
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