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Academic catalog · 2026–2027

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in International Relations

The Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations is an advanced research degree concerned with international order, sovereignty, global governance, war and peace, diplomacy, and religion in world politics. Candidates engage the principal theoretical and methodological traditions of the discipline while developing an original field of inquiry.

Program overview

Natural law, the law of nations, Christian political thought, international ethics, human dignity, and the international activity of the Holy See form constitutive areas of doctoral study. Each dissertation must contribute original scholarship and demonstrate command of the relevant theoretical, historical, empirical, and normative literature.

Admission requirements

  • A master’s degree or equivalent graduate preparation in a field relevant to the proposed research.
  • Official transcripts from every postsecondary institution attended.
  • A curriculum vitae documenting academic and research experience.
  • A statement of purpose explaining the applicant’s doctoral aims and preparation for advanced research.
  • A preliminary dissertation proposal identifying an original and viable research question.
  • A substantial scholarly writing sample demonstrating advanced research and argumentation.
  • Evidence of proficiency in the language of instruction and in any source language required by the proposed research.

Curriculum

  1. Advanced Theory of International Relations — 3 credits
  2. International Order and Historical Systems — 3 credits
  3. Sovereignty, Authority, and the Law of Nations — 3 credits
  4. Religion and Global Politics — 3 credits
  5. War, Peace, and International Ethics — 3 credits
  6. Global Governance and International Institutions — 3 credits
  7. Diplomacy, Mediation, and Peacebuilding — 3 credits
  8. Christian Political Thought and World Order — 3 credits
  9. Holy See in International Affairs — 3 credits
  10. Doctoral Seminar in International Relations — 3 credits
  11. Advanced Research Methodology — 3 credits
  12. Doctoral Research Colloquium — 3 credits
  13. Dissertation Proposal — 6 credits
  14. Doctoral Dissertation — 18 credits

Learning outcomes

  • Critically evaluate advanced theories and methods in international relations.
  • Interpret transformations of international order, sovereignty, and the law of nations across historical systems.
  • Conduct original inquiry into war, peace, diplomacy, religion, or global governance.
  • Integrate empirical evidence with Christian political thought, natural law, and international ethics where relevant to the research question.
  • Assess the Holy See and other religious actors without conflating theological and political forms of analysis.
  • Design a feasible doctoral project with defensible methods and responsible evidence practices.
  • Produce and orally defend an original dissertation that contributes to international-relations scholarship.

Assessment

  • Assessment includes doctoral seminar papers, methodological protocols, conference-style presentations, historiographical and theoretical examinations, and a comprehensive examination. Advancement to candidacy requires approval of the dissertation proposal; the completed dissertation is examined by an appointed committee and defended orally.

Completion requirements

  • Earn all 60 required credits.
  • Pass the comprehensive examination and remain in satisfactory academic standing.
  • Obtain approval of the dissertation proposal.
  • Complete and successfully defend an original doctoral dissertation.
  • Resolve all academic-record and graduation requirements before conferral.