Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College | The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs

Georgia Tech Ivan Allen College The Sam Nunn School of International Affairs

Graduate Programs

Doctoral Program — Degree Requirements

We are committed to a broad, rigorous, and student-centered curriculum. As we expect students to come from a wide range of backgrounds, we will be open to flexibility allowing students to substitute or pass-out of core requirements based upon previous experiences and coursework and under the guidance and approval of their committee. Reduction in credit is limited to 9 hours total.

Supported by over 20 outstanding faculty members in their fields of specialty, the Ph.D. program will specifically offer training to improve dual competency in several key areas, including:

  • International security

  • Cyber security

  • Information Communications Technology (ICT)

  • Innovation and economic welfare

Core Classes:

  • INTA 6003 Empirical Research Methods

  • INTA 6004 Modeling, Forecasting, and Decision Making

  • INTA 6102 International Relations Theory

  • INTA 6103 International Security Policy

  • INTA 6202 Comparative Politics

  • INTA 6302 International Political Economy

  • INTA 7010 Introduction to International Affairs Pro-Seminar

  • INTA 8000 Seminar in Science, Technology, and International Affairs

  • INTA 8001 Seminar in Science, Technology, and International Affairs II

Minor Concentration:

Students must complete a minor concentration that complements the student’s pre-existing competencies enforcing their broad understanding in the areas of science, technology, and international affairs. Three related INTA courses at the 6000 and 8000 levels in international innovation or security or three courses in other Schools of the Ivan Allen College, or in colleges or interdisciplinary fields of the Institute or elsewhere.

Example of a minor concentration with the School (security):

  • INTA 6105 Technology and Military Organization

  • INTA 6132 Korean Security Policy

  • INTA 8803 Problems of Proliferation

Example of a minor concentration with College of Computing (security):

  • CS 6250 Computer Networks

  • CS 6262 Network Security

  • CS 6725 Information Security Strategies and Policies

Language/Advanced Methods:

All students must satisfy either the language or advanced methods requirement.

Language:
Demonstrated competency (reading proficiency only) in one language other than English (equivalent of four semesters of college-level coursework or an equivalent exam).

Advanced Methods:
Two semesters of coursework (in addition to core requirements) of advanced statistics, methods, and/or computer science taken either within the School or in other colleges of the Institute.

Comprehensive Exams:

At the end of year two, students will be required to complete two written Field Exam Papers (reading list approved by faculty).

Theories of International Relations
  • International Relations Theory

  • Comparative Politics

Functional Issues in International Relations
  • International Security Policy

  • International Political Economy

Ph.D. Thesis and Defense:

After passing the Comprehensive Exams and S&T Paper, the student will submit a dissertation prospectus that must be approved by the Dissertation Committee. The Dissertation Committee will be composed of relevant experts in the fields and should include a member external to the Institute. When the Committee Chair deems that student is ready, a public oral defense of the final written dissertation will be scheduled.