Security Studies, MA and Government, PHD (Joint Program)
Program Requirements
Students in the joint M.A./Ph.D. program are required to take a total of 60 credit hours of coursework, with up to 24 credits double-counting toward both the M.A. and the Ph.D. Students applying to joint M.A./Ph.D. must select International Relations as their area of focus for the Ph.D. Students accepted to the M.A./Ph.D. program must also attain proficiency in relevant languages and research methodologies and successfully complete and defend a dissertation to be awarded the Ph.D.
Security Studies
To receive a Master of Arts in Security Studies, students must complete 36 credits meeting the following course requirements:
- Theory and Practice of Security in the first semester of the program.
- Strategy, Policy, and Military Operations in the first semester of the program.
- One core course in the chosen area of concentration in the first or second semester.
- Three additional courses in the chosen concentration
- A minimum of eight courses (24 credits) sponsored by the Security Studies program
- One course in each of the following substantive areas: Area Security Studies, Economics and Security, and Technology and Security.
- Three SSP-approved free electives.
Students must also maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.000 or higher and pass a four-hour typed comprehensive examination during their final Spring or Fall semester in the program.
Government
Major Field Requirements (12 credits)
- Four 8000-level GOVT classes (12 credits) in major field
- Pass a Comprehensive Exam in the major field, typically within the spring semesterof the second year of study.
Distribution Requirements (9 credits)
- GOVT 8800: Fundamentals of Political Theory (3 credits) in the first semester of study
- Two additional 8000-level GOVT classes in oneor more substantive fields other than the major field of study.
Methods Requirements (6 credits)
- GOVT 8001: Quantitative Methods I (3 credits) or an approved equivalent quantitative methods class.
- One additional methods class (3 credits)
Electives (21 credits)
- 7 graduate-level courses in any field. At least one elective must be in a field that is neither the student’s major field nor methods.
Required Examinations
Security Studies
All students must pass a written comprehensive exam during their final semester in the program.
Government
Comprehensive Examinations
All students must complete a written Comprehensive Examination in their major field. The Comprehensive Exam is offered twice a year, and it is the student’s responsibility to inform the Department when they are ready to take the exam.
The International Relations Comprehensive Exam is offered over two days. On Day 1, students are given four questions related to the International Relations Field. They must provide written responses to two questions of their choosing within four hours. On Day Two, students select two questions from two different topic areas in International Relations.
Second Year Research Paper
Students in the American Government, Comparative Government, and International Relations fields are required to write a second-year research paper. The paper can be based on a paper written for a class and should follow the format and be of the length of an article in the field to which it pertains.
The Director of Graduate Studies will work with the chair of the field in which the paper fits to identify two appropriate faculty reviewers. Papers are graded as “Not Qualified,” “Qualified,” or “Qualified with Distinction.” Students who receive a rating of “Not Qualified” may submit a revised version of the paper, or another paper, within six months of receiving the grade.
Language Requirement
Students in Comparative Government, International Relations, and Political Theory fields are required to demonstrate research competence in at least one language.
Thesis Requirements
Government
Once students have completed the comprehensive exams, they must form a Dissertation Committee who have special competence in the area or topic and who collectively can help with the theoretical, methodological, and empirical dimensions of the student’s research.
Once the dissertation prospectus is written and students have received approval from their committee members, students will present their prospectus at a 90-minute colloquium that is open to Government Department faculty and students.
Students will spend at least two years researching and writing the dissertation. Results of the research will be presented at a public dissertation defense where anyone in attendance may ask the candidate questions. At the conclusion of the defense, the committee will vote in private to determine whether the student may proceed with submitting the dissertation to the Graduate School and ultimately graduating.
Academic Policies
Students in the Security Studies and Government joint degree program are expected to comply with policies set forth in the Graduate Bulletin.