Because of the large number of applicants, gaining admission into a top-notch program doctorate program is usually very competitive. For many schools, applicants must possess a master's degree in international relations or political science to become eligible and must have attained excellent grades and strong scores during their studies to get selected. Along with the application, prospective students typically also must submit their official transcripts, a resume, multiple letters of recommendation, a writing sample, all standardized test scores and a personal statement describing their background, personality, relevant experience regarding international relations and their reasons and motivations for wanting to enroll in the program. Furthermore, applicants generally must present a detailed proposal for a dissertation topic to get accepted.
Many Ph.D. programs in international relations take students four to six years to complete, depending on the student and the particular program. The curricula typically incorporate independent study, research and seminars into the program. The seminars for many programs address important subjects such as history of diplomacy, international law and organization, U.S. public diplomacy, ethics in international politics, research writing methods, international humanitarian studies, qualitative research methods, conflict resolution theory and international negotiation procedures. Students can also select an area of concentration. Options for specialties typically include health, law, communications, security or trade. Additionally, students in many programs are required to successfully complete a dissertation that enables them to conduct research in laboratories for an original and significant topic related to the industry.
Graduates who receive a doctorate degree from a high quality program are qualified to obtain prestigious employment positions working for government organizations, advising global corporations or conducting research in advanced laboratories. Some specific positions and titles available for graduates of international relations programs include diplomat, immigration specialist, demographer, international relations researcher, intelligence specialist and language specialist. Graduates can also work in positions such as intelligence officer, international business manager, foreign correspondent, foreign service officer, non-governmental organization manager, peace corps administrator, history or political science teacher, policy analyst and United Nations staff.
According to Education-Portal.Com, the best school in 2011 for international relations in the United States is the Department of Government at Georgetown University. Students in the program benefit from the school's advanced resources, innovative technological equipment and expert faculty members who are highly regarded in the industry for their excellent professional contributions as well as for their superior teaching abilities. The school offers Ph.D. programs in government, and students can concentrated their studies in international relations. The Ph.D. program combines informative seminars and valuable research assignments, and the coursework covers relevant topics such as U.S. foreign policy, international political economy, security studies, institutions, international law and ethics.
John Hopkins University is ranked as the 2nd best school for international relations by Education-Portal.Com, as of 2011. The program enables students to work with experienced instructors and to utilize the many superior research facilities that are available to the school in the Washington D.C. area. The school prepares students to competently and effectively contribute to the field as scholars and practitioners in international affairs, helping to solve the complex problems confronting the current international environment. Graduates are qualified for leadership positions in government, international organizations, research institutions, the private sector and academia. Other top-notch schools for international relations include Harvard University, University of Michigan, University of Chicago, Stanford University and University of San Diego.