SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

American University · Washington, D.C.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS

SIS offers both Ph.D. and Master's programs. The Ph.D. in International Relations program is designed to prepare graduates for careers in university teaching and research. The curriculum combines core offerings in international relations theory, comparative politics, and methodology with a structure that allows students considerable flexibility. Major emphasis is placed on research; in addition to the dissertation, students are encouraged to to present conference papers, engage in collaborative work with faculty, and submit articles to refereed journals.

The SIS Master's program, together with the many co-curricular opportunities the School offers, provides key links between theory and practice. The program, with its eight major fields of study, equips graduates with the competence and skills necessary for professional careers in today's increasingly complex and globalized environment. The SIS experience includes the depth necessary for intellectual and skills development and the flexibility students need to shape their studies precisely to fit their professional objectives. Each field includes theory, economics, social science research methods, and resources and opportunities for experiential learning. Further, students construct their minor field by choosing a set of courses from one of the School's fields or by designing a uniquely tailored field to meet their needs.