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Become a thought leader in international affairs.

Pursuing a PhD is a unique experience. Focused scholarship combines with the need to meet exacting requirements, all in the interest of satisfying a desire to make the pursuit of knowledge one’s life’s work . At SIS, our interdisciplinary faculty research and write on a variety of geographic and intellectual areas; many have extensive experience in the public and private sectors, both in the United States and internationally. They work to ensure that PhD students at SIS attain training in international relations that is both multi-disciplinary and policy-relevant .

Our program was created to prepare outstanding scholars for careers in research and teaching at academic institutions, government, and non-governmental organizations throughout the world. If you're prepared for a focused, challenging, and meaningful experience, we invite you to explore our PhD program. 

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Degree Progression

To pursue a PhD at SIS, you will identify a field concentration, take comprehensive examinations, and write and defend both a dissertation prospectus and a dissertation. You'll emerge ready to take your place among international relations scholars and contribute to the body of knowledge in this exciting field.

During their first year, students take six required courses . In the fall semester students take SIS-801 Schools of Thought in International Relations , SIS-802 Comparative and Regional Studies , and SIS-806 Quantitative Methods in International Relations . During the spring semester, students take SIS-803 Advanced Seminar in International Relations , SIS-804 Social Theory in Comparative and International Perspective , and SIS-807 Qualitative Methods in International Relations . 

Students will also join more advanced PhD students in regularly scheduled research colloquia as well as events to help mentor students in grant writing, conference presentations, publications, and professional skills for the job market.

At the end of their first year, students take a written and oral qualifying comprehensive exam that requires them to demonstrate competency in theoretical, epistemological and methodological literature and issues in international relations, comparative politics, and social theory.

Field Concentrations

During their second year, students will identify a field of concentration  aligned with one of the SIS departments, or in consultation with the Director of Doctoral Studies, construct one of their own. Each concentration comprises 3 courses plus a field comprehensive paper and oral exam. 

Required Coursework

Also required during the second year, normally during the fall semester, is SIS-808 Politics and Policy Making in International Relations  and SIS-810 Research Design . Students will also select one elective to develop an additional area of concentration, further explore a potential dissertation topic, or for additional methods training. This elective can be chosen from graduate courses at the School of International Service, as well as graduate courses in other programs at American University or at other universities in the National Capital area that are members of the Washington Metropolitan Consortium of Universities.

In their third year of study, students take SIS-811 Dissertation Development Workshop  and register for SIS-898 Doctoral Continuing Enrollment to maintain full-time enrollment.

Dissertation Prospectus

Before advancing to candidacy, all PhD students must write and defend a dissertation prospectus that reviews the relevant literature, identifies relevant theoretical, epistemological, and methodological issues, and provides a detailed research design that includes a timetable for the completion of the work. Students are expected to successfully defend their prospectus no later than the end of their third year. For information about the process leading up to and including the prospectus defense, please see the SIS PhD Handbook .

Doctoral Dissertation

Each student must complete and successfully defend a dissertation (or three scholarly papers) that contributes to knowledge that is relevant to international affairs. This dissertation is defended orally before the student's dissertation committee and members of the academic community. The required processes for assembling a dissertation committee, and writing and defending the dissertation are laid out in specific detail in the  SIS PhD Handbook .

For full detailed information on courses and requirements, explore the SIS PhD handbook .

During their second year, students will affiliate with a department at SIS for their field concentration, or in consultation with the Director of Doctoral Studies, construct one of their own. Students will take three courses (9 credits) as for their chosen concentration and will take the field’s comprehensive exam at the end of their second year.

Environment, Development & Health

The Department of Environment, Development, and Health (EDH) defends and cares for life on Earth through research, teaching, advocacy, and policy. We work on justice- and equity-informed approaches to climate change, environmental degradation, poverty, migration, urbanization, emerging technologies, governance, and global health. 

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Politics, Governance & Economics

Resolving today’s transnational crises requires a global perspective that unites pioneering research with a foundational understanding of economics, politics, and governance. In SIS’s Politics, Governance, and Economics (PGE) department, our faculty of political scientists, economists, and top regional specialists investigate longstanding and emerging questions related to power, identity, and institutions. Our courses train students with the foundational knowledge and data analysis skills to resolve pressing international, regional, and local issues. 

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Peace, Human Rights & Cultural Relations

Through ethical engagement, the SIS Department of Peace, Human Rights & Cultural Relations (PHRCR) seeks to eliminate violence, from war and genocide to interpersonal and structural violence. We work to achieve this through theoretical, policy-oriented, and ethical research and by educating our students in conflict resolution, human rights, international and intercultural communication, economic justice, and the role local, national, transnational, and international actors play. 

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Foreign Policy & Global Security

The Department of Foreign Policy and Global Security (FPGS) produces new knowledge on international policy and security challenges and trains the next generation of leaders to navigate those challenges effectively. We are a multidisciplinary hub for research and teaching, comprised of a diverse group of renowned scholars and practitioners. In our community, we examine the policies of the United States, other countries, and global and transnational actors, as well as the determinants of security at all levels. 

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Global Inquiry

The Department of Global Inquiry (DGI) is engaged in producing knowledge and educating students in ways that contribute to the overall transformation of the world. We equip students with the skills they will need to keep up with our rapidly changing world order. With an emphasis on theory and history, DGI courses focus on how and why international relations change over time, allowing students to forecast and envision future change.

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Application At a Glance

View a detailed admission and degree requirements listing for your degree of interest.

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Offered By: Department of International Health

Onsite | Full-Time | 4 years

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About This Program

The PhD in International Health prepares students to become independent investigators in academic and non-academic research institutions and emphasizes contribution to theory, public health science, and implementation science. Applicants to the PhD in International Health apply directly to one of four concentrations. All four options have the same deadline, program structure, and funding.

Please review the specific program page for more information:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Systems

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Nutrition

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social and Behavioral Interventions

The Department's current concentrations in the PhD program include:

The PhD in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control prepares students to take leadership positions in important global public health settings with strong research components. Students learn to use epidemiologic, immunologic, laboratory, and statistical methods to design, implement, and evaluate disease control interventions for diseases of public health importance to underserved populations. Students may earn a Certificate in Vaccine Science and Policy, to understand everything from vaccine clinical research to implementation and evaluation of vaccine programs, in both the U.S. and internationally.

Core content research areas in GDEC include infectious diseases, epidemiology, and biostatistics.

Learn more about the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Global Disease Epidemiology and Control

The Health Systems program equips students with the technical skills for carrying out cutting edge health policy and systems research and preparing them to take leadership positions in global health settings. The program works to design systems and implement equitable and cost-effective strategies for delivering health care and health promotion interventions to disadvantaged and underserved communities in the U.S. and abroad. This mandate is carried out through research, service, and training with and for the populations being served.

Health Systems doctoral research focuses on health policy, health planning, financing, management and evaluation, institution and capacity building, community development, and health systems strengthening.

The overall goal of the PhD program is to produce the next generation of leaders in health systems research and practice, particularly in low- and middle-income country settings.

Learn More About the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Systems

Human Nutrition provides students with the theoretical knowledge and state-of-the-art scientific, programmatic, policy, and leader- ship skills for addressing pressing global and domestic challenges in public health nutrition.

Doctoral students acquire and apply knowledge and skills in nutritional issues across the life span, the role of nutrients in cells and biologic systems, nutritional epidemiology, socio-cultural aspects of nutrition, and food and nutrition policy. Students are challenged to identify and consider solutions to important nutritional problems facing societies in terms of their causes, extent, severity, and health effects throughout the life cycle.

The PhD degree prepares candidates for careers in the design, conduct, and publication of innovative research and in public health leadership across diverse areas of applied nutrition.

Learn More About the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Human Nutrition

Social and Behavioral Interventions (SBI) offers multidisciplinary training for researchers and public health practitioners who wish to use the social sciences in the design, implementation, and evaluation of global public health programs. The program’s goal is to work in partnership with communities to understand local, social, cultural, and policy contexts and develop effective programs. SBI’s primary focus is on the application of theory and data collection into research and public health action. The combined use of qualitative and quantitative methods is a focus of the program. Students also gain a strong foundation in social and behavioral theory and formative research.

Learn More About the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social and Behavioral Interventions

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the  How to Apply  page. For program-specific program requirements, please visit the individual program/concentration pages.

Program Faculty Spotlight

Svea Closser

Svea Closser, PhD, MPH, studies the social relations and political dynamics that shape primary health care.

Anna P. Durbin

Anna Durbin, MD, studies experimental vaccines for SARS-CoV-2, dengue, West Nile, Zika, malaria, and more in human clinical trials and in controlled human infection studies.

Parul Christian

Parul Christian, DrPH '96, MSc, studies how to improve maternal and child nutrition and prevent micronutrient deficiencies with effective solutions in low-income settings.

Krishna Dipankar Rao

Krishna D. Rao, PhD ’04, MSc, finds ways to improve access to quality health services and financing of health care in low and middle-income countries.

Per the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with the JHU PhD Union, the minimum guaranteed 2025-2026 academic year stipend is $50,000 for all PhD students with a 4% increase the following year. Tuition, fees, and medical benefits are provided, including health insurance premiums for PhD student’s children and spouses of international students, depending on visa type. The minimum stipend and tuition coverage is guaranteed for at least the first four years of a BSPH PhD program; specific amounts and the number of years supported, as well as work expectations related to that stipend will vary across departments and funding source. Please refer to the CBA to review specific benefits, compensation, and other terms.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU   starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

For general information regarding tuition and fees, visit the Bloomberg School’s  Tuition and Fees  page. For program-specific information regarding funding and scholarships available, please visit the individual program/concentration pages.

Questions about the program? We're happy to help.

Elisabeth Simmons, MEd Academic Program Administrator [email protected]