Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs

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Phd in global and sociocultural studies.

The PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies is an innovative interdisciplinary degree which combines the theories and practices of three key social science disciplines; geography, sociocultural anthropology, and sociology. All students receive interdisciplinary training and the opportunity to focus their coursework and dissertation research in one of the three disciplines. Of the minimum 75 semester hours required for the doctoral degree, 12 comprise the interdisciplinary core, 33 the major discipline, and 30 the electives inside and outside the Department of Global and Sociocultural Studies.

Global & Sociocultural Studies Graduate Student Handbook   GSS Graduate Student Handbook

FIU Graduate Catalog- Official Document on Program Requirements

The Ph.D. Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. program consists of 75 semester hours of course work (including the 36 hours a student may have earned in the Department's M.A. program). Students acquire competencies in theory, methods and proposal writing during the first two years of the Ph.D. program by successfully completing a common interdisciplinary core curriculum of 12 hours of coursework.

In addition to the common core curriculum, each Ph.D. program student declares a major in Geography, Sociocultural Anthropology or Sociology. Each major consists of the corresponding disciplinary theory course; one approved methods course, a minimum of two discipline-based seminars; and a dissertation supervised by a faculty member from the major discipline. A student may declare only one major. As student's progress through the program, they increasingly pursue their own research interests by taking elective courses across the disciplines and by working with their committee to prepare a doctoral dissertation. A student takes a minimum of 30 hours of electives.

A grade of “B” or higher must be earned in all courses and a cumulative average of 3.0 or higher must be maintained. Students may apply to transfer a maximum of 6 graduate credit hours earned in another program or institution. An exception is made for courses contained within an earned master’s or doctoral degree.

After completing the common core curriculum and the major's course requirements, and while continuing to take electives, a student typically takes the Ph.D. General Exam at the end of the third year of study. A student then takes the Dissertation Proposal and Defense/Candidacy Exam, prepares a dissertation under the guidance of a faculty committee, and defends the dissertation before the committee and the University community.

Core Courses (12 Credits)

  • ISS 6346 Theory and Inquiry
  • ISS 6305 Research Design and Methods
  • ISS 6306 Writing Research Proposals
  • ISS 6317 Social Research Quantitative Methods I

Major's Requirements (33)

  • GEO 6118 Theory in Geography (3)
  • One additional methods course taught within the Department, for which GIS may be used. (3)
  • One additional theory course, either ANT 6083 Theory in Anthropology or SYA 6018 Theory in Sociology
  • Geography course electives (6 minimum)
  • Exam Prep GEO 7964 (6 maximum)
  • Dissertation, GEO 7980, supervised by a member of the geography faculty (15 minimum)

Sociocultural Anthropology

  • Theory in Anthropology (ANT 6083).
  • One additional theory course, either GEO 6118 Theory in Geography or SYA 6018 in Sociology
  • Anthropology course electives (6 minimum)
  • Exam Prep ANG 7964 (6 maximum)
  • Dissertation, ANG 7980, supervised by a member of the anthropology faculty (15 minimum)
  • SYA 6018 Theory in Sociology (3)
  • One additional theory course, either GEO 6118 Theory in Geography or ANT 6083 Theory in Anthropology
  • Sociology course electives (6 minimum)
  • Exam Prep SYA 7967 (6 maximum)
  • Dissertation, SYA 7980, supervised by a member of the sociology faculty (15 minimum)

General Electives (30)

Students will take 30 hours beyond the common core curriculum and the majors’ requirements. This includes a maximum of one directed studies course (three hours). Students are allowed a maximum of two courses (six hours) taken in other departments. In some circumstances, such as the case of a student pursuing a graduate certificate, the Graduate Director may approve additional coursework outside of the department.

Total Credits (75)

Ph.d. general examination.

After successfully completing the common core requirements, the major's course requirements, and electives, a student prepares for the Ph.D. General Exam by enrolling in a maximum of six credits of exam preparation for their major. In preparation for the exam, a student forms a dissertation committee according to the regulations published on the University Graduate School web page (   http://gradschool.fiu.edu ). The Ph.D. General Exam addresses the student’s anticipated dissertation topic conducted according to the University Graduate School Policies and Procedures Manual and the Department’s Ph.D. General Exam guidelines.

The Dissertation Proposal and Defense/Candidacy Exam

After passing the Ph.D. General Exam, a student works under the guidance of the dissertation committee to prepare a dissertation proposal and defend it orally before the committee. The chair of the dissertation committee must hold Dissertation Advisor Status from the University Graduate School. The proposal defense serves as the doctoral candidacy exam for the Ph.D. program in Global and Sociocultural Studies. Upon passing the proposal defense, a student is admitted to candidacy status.

The Dissertation and Dissertation Defense

After successfully defending a dissertation proposal, a student conducts the proposed research and completes a dissertation under the guidance of a dissertation committee. Only after successfully defending the dissertation proposal may a student register for dissertation hours (ANG 7980, GEO 7980, or SYA 7980). The Ph.D. program requires a student to be continuously enrolled in a minimum of 3 hours of Doctoral Dissertation each semester from the time of advancement to candidacy until completion of the dissertation, including summers. Upon completion of the dissertation manuscript and authorization by the committee, a student defends the dissertation before the committee and the University community. The University Graduate School’s regulations governing the dissertation are described at   http://gradschool.fiu.edu .

Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs

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Combined m.a. in aads/phd international relations pathway, combined degree description.

The Combined MA in African and African Diaspora Studies / PhD in International Relations pathway allows qualified graduate students to complete the MA in African and African Diaspora Studies (MA in AADS) en route to the PhD in International Relations. This pathway will train doctoral students within the discipline of International Relations while giving them area studies expertise in African and African Diaspora Studies.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should consult the FIU catalog for the most updated requirements. To access the requirements for the MA in AADS in FIU's catalog, please   click here . For additional information regarding requirements and admissions, students can also visit the   department website .

To be accepted into this pathway, applicants must submit an application for the Ph.D. in International Relations with a subplan in African & African Diaspora Studies by January 15 in the year in which they wish to begin their studies for funding consideration & February 15 for all others.

To be considered for admission, students must meet the following requirements:

  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 in undergraduate work.
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.5 in any prior graduate work.
  • Minimum score of 1120 in the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). *Please reach out to the PHD program regarding updates to this requirement
  • International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 90 on the IBT TOEFL (equivalent to 575 on the paper-based version, or 232 on the computer-based version of the Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required.

Admission Procedure

To be accepted into this pathway, students must submit an application to the PhD in International Relations with a sub plan for a MA in African and African Diaspora Studies. This designation will appear in the menu of programs in the graduate application. The application must be submitted by   January 15   in the year in which they wish to begin their studies for funding consideration &   February 15   for all others. Only applications to begin studies in the fall semester will be considered.

The following documents must be submitted as part of the application. The documents should be submitted to FIU's Graduate Admissions online. Both departments will be able to access the documents, so applicants do not have to submit the documents twice. They will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee from both units.

  • Official transcripts of all prior college-level work (undergraduate Bachelor’s degree and any graduate transcripts);
  • Official GRE scores or equivalent;*Please reach out to the PHD program regarding this requirement
  • Official TOEFL scores, if applicable;
  • A curriculum vitae;
  • A detailed statement of research interests, which should include the reasons for seeking the MA/ PhD, future career goals, a summary of scholarly and extra-curricular activities, and the names of faculty members who would be appropriate dissertation advisors (Note: Consult the   department website   for information about faculty members)
  • A writing sample (such as a seminar paper) which demonstrates the ability to conduct research and write effectively; and
  • Three letters of reference from academic sources or others able to judge academic abilities and potential.

In addition, an interview (in person or phone) with members of the MA in AADS Program and/or appropriate faculty in the Department of International Relations is highly recommended.

The application file must be complete before the African and African Diaspora Studies/International Relations Graduate Program Committees will consider the applicant for admission. We encourage applicants to send their application material sooner.

Required Credits

Students must fulfill the requirements for both programs. The 30 credits for the MA in AADS earned by students will count toward the 75 credits required for the Ph.D. in INR.

Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English according to the nature of their thesis or research paper/proposal and professional interests. The Director of AADS Graduate Programs will ask a university faculty member fluent in the language of interest to the student, to evaluate the student's fluency by asking her/him to summarize or synthesize the content of a text of between 10 to 20 pages, published in that language, in no more than one page. That exercise will have to take place at the university during a limited period of time. The text will be given to the student at the beginning of the exercise. The chosen text will have some connection to the student's research interest. Once a student has demonstrated proficiency for the M.A. in African and African Diaspora Studies,that proficiency will be recognized by the International Relations Ph.D. program. Therefore, proficiency in a foreign language will not be part of the candidacy exam. Credit hours earned in meeting the language requirement will not count toward the 30 credit hours required for the M.A. degree.

Students should apply for graduation with the M.A. in African and African Diaspora Studies as soon as they have completed all requirements for the degree – including the exit requirements, as specified for the M.A. in African and African Diaspora Studies. Ordinarily, students will complete these requirements and earn their M.A. before advancing to candidacy for the Ph.D. in International Relations. The research paper/proposal option is the only option available for students enrolled in this combined M.A./Ph.D. pathway.

MA in African & African Diaspora Studies Requirements (MA in AADS)

This 30-credit, one year, three semester program occurring over the Fall, Spring, and Summer includes 9 credits of core AADS courses, which includes 3 credits for the directed research paper exit option, 6 credits of core International Relations courses, and 15 credits of electives. There is also a Foreign Language Requirement.

MA in AADS Core Courses: (9 credits)

  • AFA 5005 African and African Diaspora Studies Theory 3
  • AFA 6920 AADS graduate colloquium 3 (1 credit for 3 semesters)
  • AFA 5855 Research Methods in African and African Diaspora Studies

Combined MA in AADS/PhD in International Relations Core Courses: (6 credits)

  • INR 5609 Contemporary Dynamics of International Relations 3
  • INR 6706 Political Economy of International Relations 3

M.A. in AADS in electives (15 credits) 15 credits of elective courses with an AADS focus may be from outside the International Relations Department and within the Green School of International and Public Affairs. Students wishing to take courses outside of the Green School must seek prior approval.

MA in AADS Research Proposal or Paper Option To graduate from the MA in AADS,students enrolled in this combined MA/PhD program must elect to complete either a research proposal or research paper for their exit option. Those who elect to write a research proposal must take AFA 6911 Research Paper/Proposal Writing in African and African Diaspora Studies.

Application for Graduation from MA in AADS

Students should apply for graduation for the MA in AADS as soon as they have completed all requirements for the degree – including the exit option. Ordinarily, the MA will be conferred before the student advances to candidacy for the PhD in International Relations. The research paper/proposal option is the only option available for students enrolled in this dual MA/PhD pathway.

Total credits for the M.A.: 30

Doctor of philosophy in international relations (75 credits) (the following courses in addition to all 30 m.a. credits).

  • GEO 6473 Space, Place, and Identity 3
  • INR 5615 Research Design in International Relations 3
  • INR 6608 International Relations Theory 3

Major and Minor Fields (12 credits)

  • 9 credits in major field of study
  • 3 credits in minor field of study

Electives: (6 credits)

additional elective course work according to the specific information about elective courses indicated in the Ph.D. in INR section of the catalog.

Comprehensive examinations: once students have achieved 60 credits of course work, they must sit for written examinations on the core sequence of their fields as per the Ph.D. in INR section of the catalog.

Dissertation (15 credits)

See the university catalog for relevant sections of the Ph.D. Program in International Relations for details.

Cost of Attendance and Funding Opportunities

Click here   to access information regarding the cost of tuition for graduate students at Florida International University.

Click here   to access information on graduate funding.

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Department information and typical discipline-specific academic degree & qualifications 1 of faculty within politics and international relations.

The School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) in the College of Arts and Sciences brings together many of Florida International University's internationally oriented disciplines to provide cutting-edge research, first-rate teaching, and innovative training necessary for the globalized world of the 21st century. SIPA includes four signature departments: Politics and International Relations, Global and Sociocultural Studies, Public Administration, and Criminal Justice.

Combining the traditional disciplinary strengths of Political Science with a multidisciplinary approach to the study of International Relations, the Department of Politics and International Relations offers rich undergraduate and graduate programs. The department comprises 34 nationally and internationally-recognized faculty with expertise that is not only geographic (in particular Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia) but also subfield (American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations, and Political Theory).

Degrees offered

The Politics and International Relations Department offers these programs:

  • BA in International Relations
  • BA in Political Science
  • BA in Political Science: Social Studies Education Major
  • Combined BA in International Relations/MA in International Studies
  • Combined BA/MA in Political Science MA in International Studies
  • MA in International Studies
  • MA in Political Science
  • Combined MA in International Studies/Master of International Business
  • Combined MA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies/Ph.D. in International Relations
  • Combined MA in Latin American and Caribbean Studies/Ph.D. in Political Science
  • Combined MA in Asian Studies/Ph.D. in International Relations
  • Combined MA in African and African Diaspora Studies/Ph.D. in International Relations
  • Combined MA in Religious Studies/Ph.D. in International Relations
  • Ph.D. in International Relations
  • Ph.D. in Political Science

Terminal Degree 2 for each discipline taught in Politics and International Relations

  • Ph.D. in International Relations and Affairs (45.0901)
  • Ph.D. in Political Science and Government (45.1001)

Related Disciplines 3

  • American/United States Studies/Civilization (05.0102) - all courses
  • International/Global Studies (30.2001) - all courses

Related Disciplines for specific courses 3

  • African Studies (05.0101) - CPO 3202
  • African-American/Black Studies (05.0201) - CPO 3202
  • Asian Studies/Civilization (05.0103) - CPO 3502, 4507, 4541, 4553
  • Creative Writing (23.1302) - POS 4784, 5785
  • East Asian Studies (05.0104) - CPO 3502, 4507, 4541, 4553
  • Economics (45.0601) - INR 3703
  • English Language and Literature (23.0101) - POS 4784, 5785
  • Film/Cinema Studies (50.0601) - POS 4784, 5785
  • Geography (45.0701) - all INR courses
  • History - INR 3081, 5609
  • International Law and Legal Studies (22.0209) - all GEA, GEO, GIS and INR courses
  • Latin American Studies (05.0107) - CPO 3304, 4303, 4323, 4333, 5325, 6307, 6316, 6376, ASN and INR courses
  • Law (22.0101) - CPO 4062, INR 3403, 4408, 4411, 4412, POS 2042, 2690, 3283, 3603, 3604, 3652, 4605, 4606, 4622, 4627, 4684, 4930
  • Natural Resources/Conservation (03.0101) - all GEA, GEO and GIS courses
  • Public Policy Analysis (44.0501) - INR 3030

Other Teaching Qualifications (Description of Required Academic Degree and Justifications 4 for the programs in Political Science)

Consideration of other teaching qualifications in lieu of academic credentials is made on a case-by-case basis and accepted in special cases where evidence of exceptional industry experience, research or other qualifications can be documented and are directly applicable to the course being taught.

1 Whenever instructors are not credentialed by their advanced degree or by an approved CIP relationship, they must be credentialed through a narrative justification of the instructor's qualifications to teach this/these course(s). Such credentialing is based on the proposed instructor's academic and professional preparation; diplomas, certificates, or relevant licensures; publications and presentations in the field; honors, awards, and professional recognitions; and other demonstrated competencies, skills, and experiences which the instructor brings to the University. These must be clearly tied to the specific courses to be taught and should establish beyond doubt that the instructor is qualified to teach the specific courses they are to be assigned.

The Office of the Provost reviews all such justifications and where the justifications warrant the instructor's teaching the courses proposed, it will either approve the justification for the appropriate period (seven years for full-time faculty members, or four years for part-time faculty members) or employ one of two additional clearance categories beyond the advanced degree and related-discipline categories which it may use to credential some instructors where their accomplishments warrant this:

Active Research Clearance in the Discipline or Active Artistic/Special Talent Clearance in the Discipline

2 The level and discipline of the terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., MS, MFA, doctorate) that is required to teach graduate courses in the discipline

3 For each discipline, all strongly-related degree(s) and/or equivalent names for the discipline (include level) that would also be appropriate for teaching at the graduate level

4 (1)The appropriate academic degrees and justifications for each related degree above if not obvious; (2) the justification for why the terminal degree is not a doctorate in a discipline, e.g., specific examples of best practice in the discipline and accrediting association language; and (3) any other criteria used to determine appropriate academic qualifications to teach specialty courses in the program.

Current/Effective Date 04/01/2020

Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs

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Combined m.a. / ph.d., combined m.a. in religious studies/ph.d. in international relations.

The combined M.A. in Religious Studies/Ph.D. in International Relations program allows qualified graduate students to pursue both degrees simultaneously.

Students must fulfill the requirements for both programs, and up to 36 credits completed as part of the M.A. in Religious Studies will be counted toward the 75 credit Ph.D. in International Relations.

Admission Requirements:

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission.

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution for higher education (or equivalent);
  • Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for the last two years of undergraduate work and/or a GPA of 3.5 on any previous graduate work;
  • Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores;
  • Minimum 156 GRE verbal score or a minimum 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for the last two years of undergraduate work.
  • International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English and who have not obtained a degree from an English-speaking academic institution are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 90 on the internet-based TOEFL (equivalent to 575 on the paper-based version) is required.

Although admissions decisions typically are made in the spring, decisions for students who have not yet received their bachelor’s degree will be conditional, pending confirmation of the B.A. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the program.

All applications are subject to review by the members of the Department of Politics and International Relations and the Religious Studies Department.

Admission Procedures:

To be accepted into this program, students must submit an application to the Ph.D. in International Relations with a sub-plan for a M.A. in Religious Studies. This designation will appear in the menu of programs in the graduate application.

The application must be submitted by January 15 in the year in which they wish to begin their studies.

The following documents must be submitted and will be reviewed by the Admissions Committees from both units.

The following must be submitted as part of the on-line application:

  • Online application and application fee;
  • Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework; 3. Official GRE scores;
  • Official TOEFL scores, if applicable;
  • A statement of research interests, including reasons for seeking the M.A./Ph.D., future career goals, and a summary of scholarly preparation for this program;
  • Three letters of reference from academic sources or others able to judge academic abilities and potential; and
  • A curriculum vitae.

Masters of Arts in Religious Studies Degree Requirements (36 credits)

  • RLG 6935 Seminar in Sacred Sources 3
  • RLG 6013 Modern Analysis of Religion 3
  • RLG 5038 Advanced Fieldwork in Religious Studies 3

12 credit hours of electives approved by the Graduate Program Director 12

  • RLG 6971 Thesis or 6 additional hours of elective credits 6
  • INR 5615 Research Design in International Relations 3
  • INR 5609 Contemporary Dynamics of International Relations 3
  • INR 6706 Political Economy of International Relations 3

Students who choose the thesis exit option must include at least one Politics and International Relations faculty member, though the majority must be from Religious Studies.

Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations Degree Requirements:

Students will begin study towards the Ph.D. in International Relations immediately following their satisfactory completion of M.A. in Religious Studies requirements. A minimum of 39 credits beyond the M.A. degree in Religious Studies will be necessary to satisfy the requirements of the Ph.D. Program in International Relations.

Degree Requirements beyond the M.A. in Religious Studies are the following:

9 Core Course credits:

  • GEO 6473 Space, Place and Identity 3
  • INR 6604 International Relations Theory I 3
  • INR 6608 Contemporary International Relations Theory 3

12 Major Field credits in either:

  • Global Institutions and Issues,
  • Comparative Area Studies,
  • Foreign Policy and Security Studies, or
  • International Law.

With advisor approval, these may include 3 credits taken in satisfaction of the requirements for the M.A. in Religious Studies.

9 Minor Field credits in either:

  • a second field from the above major field list, or
  • a field offered within another Ph.D. program at FIU (with approval of the Graduate Program Director), or
  • a petition field (with approval of the Graduate Program Director).

Elective Credits:

Elective credits necessary to bring total credits earned beyond the M.A. in Religious Studies to a minimum of 24.

Dissertation Credits:

15 credits of dissertation research.

Comprehensive Exams

After completing 60 hours of course work (or in the semester in which they expect to do so), students may take their written comprehensive examinations on the core sequence and in both of their fields. Students must sit for these examinations within 6 months of completing the minimum 60 hours of coursework unless granted an extension by the International Relations Graduate Program Director. Before advancing to candidacy, students must also demonstrate an ability to use a foreign language other than English for scholarly purposes.

Dissertation

Within 3 months of passing the comprehensive examinations, students should publicly present a dissertation proposal that is acceptable to a committee of at least four qualified scholars. Three members of the committee, including the dissertation supervisor, must be graduate faculty members of the Department of Politics and International Relations. One must be from outside the department, but inside FIU. Other members must be approved by the International Relations Graduate Program Director. To complete program requirements, Ph.D. degree candidates must enroll for a minimum of 15 dissertation credits and maintain enrollment for 3 credits every semester until the degree is awarded.

Combined M.A. in Religious Studies/Ph.D. in Global and Sociocultural Studies Degree Pathway

The combined Religious Studies M.A./Global and Sociocultural Studies Ph.D. pathway allows qualified graduate students to pursue both degrees at the same time. Students can develop an expertise in Religious Studies while progressing towards a Ph.D in one of the three majors in the Global and Sociocultural Studies Ph.D. geography, sociology, or anthropology. The dissertation may be directed by a qualified professor in either department

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission

  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution for higher education (or equivalent)
  • Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores,
  • International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English and who have not obtained a degree from an English-speaking academic institution are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80 on the internet based TOEFL (equivalent to 550 on the paper-based version) or a 6.5 overall on the IELTS is required.

Admission Procedures

To be accepted into this pathway, students must submit an application to the Ph.D. in Global and Sociocultural Studies with a sub-plan for a M.A. in Religious Studies. This designation will appear in the menu of programs in the graduate application. To be accepted into this pathway, students must submit an application by March 1 in the year in which they wish to begin their studies.

  • Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate coursework;
  • Official GRE scores;
  • Statement of purpose explaining their interest for enrolling in both the M.A. Religious Studies program in the Department of Religious Studies and in the Ph.D. program in GSS. The statement of purpose must clearly address the applicant's academic and professional objectives for enrolling in both fields of inquiry. The statement of purpose must also indicate the intended major (anthropology, geography, or sociology) the applicant plans to select while engaged in the Ph.D. in GSS;
  • Three letters of recommendation from university professors who are able to comment on the various aspects of the student's academic ability;
  • A curriculum vitae; and
  • Writing samples and other relevant professional work that may support their applications

Degree Requirements for M.A. in Religious Studies

The 36 credits earned for the M.A. in Religious Studies will count towards the 75 credits required for the Ph.D. in GSS.

Religious Studies Core (9 credits)

Courses required for gss track (12 credits).

  • ISS 6346 Theory and Inquiry (Fall)
  • ISS 6306 Writing Research Proposals (Spring)
  • ISS 6305 Research Methods and Design (Spring)
  • ISS 6317 Social Research Quantitative Methods I (Fall)

Electives (9 or 12 credits depending on exit option)

9 or 12 credits or elective courses from within the Department of Religious Studies Department

Religious Studies MA Exit Options (6 or 3 credits)

Students may choose any of the exit options offered by the Religious Studies degree.

RLG 6971 Thesis (minimum 6 credits) See the Religious Studies program description for more information. The thesis is publicly defended and approved by a committee of three graduate faculty members

RLG XXXX (3 credits) Preparation of two directed research papers. Both papers require an oral presentation, defense and approval by a committee of three graduate faculty members;

RLG XXXX Internship and major research paper (3 credits). Supervised internship leading to a major research paper based upon the students work during the internship. The research paper requires an oral presentation and approval by a committee of three graduate faculty members.

SIPA Language Requirement

Students must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English according to the nature of their thesis or research paper/proposal and professional interests.

Application for Graduation from Religious Studies program

Students should apply for graduation for the Religious Studies degree as soon as they have completed all requirements for the degree including the exit option. Ordinarily, the M.A. will be conferred before the student advances to candidacy for the Ph.D. in GSS.

Matriculation to Ph.D. in GSS

All students must undergo a successful M.A. review upon completion of the Religious Studies Program requirements in order to continue toward the Ph.D. in GSS. The GSS Graduate Committee, along with an appointee from Religious Department conducts these reviews. The purpose of the M.A. review is to determine the ability of the student to do Ph.D. level work with the department's faculty. Among the information considered during the review are a students overall performance, grades in courses, and faculty recommendations.

Degree Requirements for Ph.D. in Global and Sociocultural Studies

The doctorate in Global and Sociocultural Studies requires a minimum of 75 credits beyond the baccalaureate including a dissertation based on original research. A maximum of 36 credits of the Religious Studies Master program will count toward the 75-credit minimum. Thus, a minimum of 39 credits must be earned beyond the M.A.

Major Requirements (33 credits)

All doctoral students will choose a major in Anthropology, Geography, or Sociology. The following distribution of coursework is required.

  • Major theory (3)
  • Additional methods (3)
  • Major course electives (6 minimum)
  • Doctoral Exam Preparation (6 maximum)
  • Doctoral Dissertation (15 minimum)

General Electives (6 credits)

GSS and non-GSS Department electives.

Ph.D. General Examination

After successfully completing the common core requirements, the major’s course requirements, and electives, a student prepares for the Ph.D. General Exam by enrolling in a maximum of six credits of exam preparation for their major. In preparation for the exam, a student forms a dissertation committee according to the regulations published on the University Graduate School website . The Ph.D. General Exam addresses the student’s anticipated dissertation topic, and is conducted according to the University Graduate School Policies and Procedures Manual and the Department’s Ph.D., General Exam guidelines.

The Dissertation Proposal and Defense/Candidacy Exam

After passing the Ph.D. General Exam, a student works under the guidance of the dissertation committee to prepare a dissertation proposal and defend it orally before the committee. The chair of the dissertation committee must hold Dissertation Advisor Status from the University Graduate School. The proposal defense serves as the doctoral candidacy exam for the Ph.D. program in Global and Sociocultural Studies. Upon passing the proposal defense, a student is admitted to candidacy status.

The Dissertation and Dissertation Defense

After successfully defending a dissertation proposal, a student conducts the proposed research and completes a dissertation under the guidance of a dissertation committee. Only after successfully defending the dissertation proposal may a student register for dissertation hours (ANG 7980, GEO 7980, or SYA 7980). The Ph.D. program requires a student to be continuously enrolled in a minimum of 3 hours of Doctoral Dissertation each semester from the time of advancement to candidacy until the completion of the dissertation, including summers. Upon completion of the dissertation manuscript and authorization by the committee, a student defends the dissertation before the committee and the University community.

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Asian Studies (MA)

Degree type: Graduate College: Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs

Athletic Training (MS)

Degree type: Graduate College: Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Behavioral Neuroscience (BS)

Degree type: Undergraduate College: Arts, Sciences & Education

Biochemistry (BS)

Biochemistry (PhD)

Biological Sciences (BS)

Biological Sciences (BS) - Biology Education

Biological Sciences (BS) - Quantifying Biology in the Classroom

Biology (MS)

Biology (PhD)

Biomedical Engineering (BS)

Degree type: Undergraduate College: Engineering & Computing

Biomedical Engineering (MS)

Degree type: Graduate College: Engineering & Computing

Biomedical Engineering (PhD)

Biomedical Sciences (PhD)

Degree type: Graduate College: Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

Business Administration (PhD)

Degree type: Graduate College: Business

Business Analytics (BBA)

Business Analytics (MBA)

Chemical Education (BA)

Chemistry (BA)

Chemistry (BA) - Biochemistry

Chemistry (BA) - Environmental Chemistry

Chemistry (BA) - Forensic Chemistry

Chemistry (BS)

Chemistry (MS)

Chemistry (PhD)

Civil Engineering (BS)

Civil Engineering (MS)

Civil Engineering (PhD)

Communication (BS) - Digital Broadcasting

Communication (BS) - Digital Journalism

Communication Arts (BA) - Art and Performance

Communication Arts (BA) - Design Studies

Communication Arts (BA) - Organizational Communication Studies

Degree type: Undergraduate Online Available Online College: Communication, Architecture + The Arts

Computer Engineering (BS)

Degree type: Undergraduate Online Available Online College: Engineering & Computing

Computer Engineering (MS)

Degree type: Graduate Online Available Online College: Engineering & Computing

Computer Science (BA)

Computer Science (BS)

Computer Science (MS)

Computer Science (PhD)

Construction Management (BS)

Construction Management (MS)

Counselor Education (MS)

Creative Writing (MFA)

Crime Science (BS)

Criminal Justice (BS)

Criminal Justice (MS)

Curriculum & Instruction (EdD)

Curriculum & Instruction (EdS)

Curriculum & Instruction (MS)

Degree type: Graduate Online Available Online College: Arts, Sciences & Education

Curriculum & Instruction (PhD)

Cybersecurity (MS)

Cybersecurity Risk Management (MBA)

Data Science (MS)

Dietetics and Nutrition (BS)

Degree type: Undergraduate College: Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

Dietetics and Nutrition (MS)

Degree type: Graduate College: Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

Dietetics and Nutrition (PhD)

Digital Communication and Media (BS)

Disaster Management (BA)

Disaster Management (MA)

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)

Doctor of Medicine (MD)

Early Childhood Education (BS)

Degree type: Undergraduate Online Available Online College: Arts, Sciences & Education

Early Childhood Education (MS)

Earth Sciences (BA)

Earth Systems Science (PhD)

Economics (BA)

Degree type: Undergraduate College: Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs

Economics (MA)

Economics (PhD)

Educational Leadership (EdS)

Educational Leadership (MS)

Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (EdD)

Electrical and Computer Engineering (PhD)

Electrical Engineering (BS)

Electrical Engineering (MS)

Elementary Education (BS)

Engineering and Computing Education (PhD)

Engineering Management (MS)

English (BA)

English (MA)

Environmental Engineering (BS)

Environmental Engineering (MS)

Environmental Policy and Management (PSM)

Environmental Studies (BS)

Environmental Studies (MS)

Exceptional Student Education (EdD)

Exceptional Student Education - ESOL and Reading Endorsement (BS)

Exceptional Student Education - Special Education, Educational Foundations, and Policy (BS)

Executive (MBA)

Finance (BBA)

Degree type: Undergraduate Online Available Online College: Business

Finance (MS)

Foreign Language Education (MS)

Forensic Science (MS)

Forensic Science (PSM)

French (BA)

Geography (BA)

Geosciences (BS)

Geosciences (MS)

Global Affairs (MA)

Global and Sociocultural Studies (MA)

Global and Sociocultural Studies (PhD)

Global Sustainable Tourism (BA)

Degree type: Undergraduate Online Available Online College: Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

Healthcare (MBA)

Health Informatics and Analytics (MS)

Health Services Administration (BHSA)

Degree type: Undergraduate Online Available Online College: Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Health Services Administration (MHSA)

Degree type: Graduate Online Available Online College: Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Higher Education (PhD)

Higher Education Administration (MS)

History (BA)

History (MA)

History (PhD)

Hospitality Management (BS)

Hospitality Management (BS) - Beverage Management

Degree type: Undergraduate College: Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

Hospitality Management (BS) - Entertainment Management

Hospitality Management (BS) - Event Management

Hospitality Management (BS) – Food Innovations & Entrepreneurship

Hospitality Management (BS) - Hotel/Lodging Management

Hospitality Management (BS) - Leadership

Hospitality Management (BS) - Restaurant & Culinary

Hospitality Management (BS) - Spirits Management

Hospitality Management (BS) - Travel and Tourism Management

Hospitality Management (MS)

Degree type: Graduate Online Available Online College: Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management

Hospitality Management (MS) – Cruise Line Operations (online only)

Hospitality Management (MS) - Executive (online only)

Hospitality Management (MS) - Mega Events

Hospitality Management (MS) - Real Estate Development

Hospitality Management (MS) - Revenue Management (online only)

Human Resource Management (BBA)

Human Resource Management (MS)

Information Systems (MS)

Information Technology (BA)

Information Technology (BS)

Information Technology (MS)

Interdisciplinary Engineering (BS)

Interdisciplinary Studies (BA)

Interior Architecture (MA)

Interior Architecture (MIA)

International (MBA)

International and Intercultural Education (MS)

International Business (BBA)

International Business (MIB)

International Crime and Justice (PhD)

International Real Estate (MS)

International Relations (BA)

International Relations (MA)

International Relations (PhD)

Internet of Things (BS)

Internet of Things (MS)

Juris Doctor (JD)

Degree type: Graduate College: Law

Juris Master (JM)

Kinesiology and Exercise Science (MS)

Landscape Architecture (MLA)

Latin American & Caribbean Studies (BA)

Latin American & Caribbean Studies (MA)

Liberal Studies (BA) - Health and Human Concerns

Liberal Studies (BA) - Humanities and Cultural Traditions

Liberal Studies (BA) - Law, Business and Society

Liberal Studies (BA) - Local and Global Environment

Linguistics (MA)

Logistics and Supply Chain Management (BBA)

Logistics and Supply Chain Management (MS)

Logistics Engineering (MS)

Management (BBA)

Management Information Systems (BBA)

Marine Biology (BS)

Marketing (BBA)

Marketing (MS)

Mass Communication (MS) - Global Strategic Communications

Degree type: Graduate Online Available Online College: Communication, Architecture + The Arts

Mass Communication (MS) - Spanish Language Journalism

Master of Laws (LLM)

Materials Science and Engineering (MS)

Materials Science and Engineering (PhD)

Mathematical Sciences (BS) - Applied Math

Mathematical Sciences (BS) - Biology

Mathematical Sciences (BS) - Chemistry

Mathematical Sciences (BS) - Comprehensive Math

Mathematical Sciences (BS) - Computer Science

Mathematical Sciences (BS) - Economics

Mathematical Sciences (MS)

Mathematics (BA) - Mathematics Education

Mechanical Engineering (BS)

Mechanical Engineering (MS)

Mechanical Engineering (PhD)

Music Education (MS)

Nursing (BSN) - Accelerated Option

Degree type: Undergraduate College: Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences

Nursing (BSN) - Generic

Nursing (BSN) - Veterans Medic to Nurse

Nursing (MSN) - Advanced Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner

Nursing (MSN) - Advanced Child Nurse Practitioner

Nursing (MSN) - Advanced Family Nurse Practitioner

Nursing (MSN) - Advanced Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner

Nursing (MSN) - Nurse Executive

Nursing (PhD)

Nursing Practice (DNP)

Occupational Therapy (MS)

Philosophy (BA)

Physical Education - K-12 (BS)

Physical Education - Sports and Fitness (BS)

Physical Therapy (DPT)

Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Physics (BA) - Biophysics

Physics (BA) - Business

Physics (BA) - Entrepreneurship

Physics (BA) - Physics Education

Physics (BS)

Physics (MS)

Physics (PhD)

Political Science (BA)

Political Science (MA)

Political Science (PhD)

Portuguese (BA)

Professional (BBA)

Professional (MBA) Downtown

Professional (MBA) Flex

Professional (MBA) Jamaica

Professional (MBA) Online

Professional (MBA) Online in Sports Management

Professional (MBA) Weekend

Psychology (BA)

Psychology (MS) - Organizational Sciences

Psychology (MS) - Professional Counseling Psychology

Psychology (PhD) - Child and Adolescent Psychology

Psychology (PhD) - Cognitive Neuroscience

Psychology (PhD) - Developmental Science

Psychology (PhD) - Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Psychology (PhD) - Legal Psychology

Public Administration (MPA)

Public Affairs (PhD)

Public Health (MPH) - Biostatistics

Public Health (MPH) - Environmental Health Sciences

Public Health (MPH) - Epidemiology

Public Health (MPH) - Health Policy and Management

Public Health (MPH) - Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Public Health (MPH) Online Generalist

Degree type: Graduate Online Available Online College: Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work

Public Health (PhD) - Environmental Health Sciences

Public Health (PhD) - Epidemiology

Public Health (PhD) - Health Promotion and Disease Prevention

Public Health (PhD) - Health Systems Research

Public Policy and Service (BPPS)

Public Relations Advertising and Applied Communications (BS)

Reading Education (MS)

Real Estate (BBA)

Recreation and Sport Management (BS)

Recreation and Sport Management (MS)

Recreation and Sport Management (MS) - Recreational Therapy

Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy (BS)

Religious Studies (BA)

Religious Studies (MA)

School Psychology (EdS)

Social Welfare (PhD)

Social Work (BS)

Social Work (MSW)

Spanish (BA)

Spanish (MA)

Spanish (PhD)

Special Education (MS)

Speech Language Pathology (MS)

Statistics (BS)

Statistics (MS)

Sustainability and the Environment (BA)

Telecommunications and Networking (MS)

Theatre (BA)

Theatre (BFA)

Urban Design (MA)

Urban Education (MS)

Visual Arts (MFA) - Studio

Women's and Gender Studies (BA)

Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs

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Tuition funding assistance.

FIU offers various Fellowship and Assistantship opportunities for new and continuing students.

Fellowships

Fellowship options for new students are:

  • The Presidential Fellowship
  • The McKnight Doctoral Fellowship
  • FIU McNair Graduate Fellowship
  • Latin American and Caribbean Fellowship

For current students the fellowship options are:

  • The Dissertation Evidence Acquisition Fellowship (DEA)
  • The Dissertation Year Fellowship (DYF)

For more information on how to apply for these fellowships,   click here .

Graduate Assistantships

Prospective PhD applicants who submit complete applications before the Jan 15 deadline may also be considered for a Graduate Assistantship.

Recipients will be awarded a yearly stipend, health insurance coverage, tuition waiver for up to 9 credits per semester and 6 credits in the Summer semester in exchange for 20 hours of Teaching Assistant work per week.

For more information on the duties and responsibilities of Graduate Assistants,   click here .

Out-of-State Linkage Programs

International students from Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Eastern Europe, France, Israel, Japan, and West Africa are also eligible for out-of-state tuition waivers through Florida Linkage Institutes administered by other institutions. For more information on these waivers,   click here .

Useful links

  • More information on   Graduate Funding.
  • FIU Financial Aid Office

Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs

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Ph.d. in international crime and justice.

The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice (DCCJ) offers a Ph.D. in International Crime and Justice (ICJ) onsite and fully online. Considered to be the first and only doctoral program in international crime and justice in the United States, the curriculum offers a rigorous set of courses to equip students to produce original research that generates insights into criminology issues and their international nexus. The courses in the curriculum focus on providing students with an extensive education in theory, research methods, and statistics. Alumni of the program have careers in academia and research. 

The DCCJ is housed under the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs. The Green School is a full member of the prestigious  Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), making it the only university in Florida and one of just 40 universities globally to hold this distinction, along with Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and the University of Toronto. Membership in APSIA is comprised of the foremost graduate schools of international affairs, whose stated aim is to enhance global affairs education and promote international understanding. FIU's Ph.D. program in International Crime and Justice is the first of its kind and the first APSIA-affiliated doctoral program in criminology and criminal justice. 

For inquiries, contact Sr. Program Coordinator, Dylan Matthews at   [email protected]  

To be considered for the program, applicants must fulfill all of the below requirements. Admission to the ICJ Ph.D. program is a competitive process with limited available spaces. Therefore, not all the applicants who meet the minimum requirements will be admitted to the program.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • GPA of 3.2 or higher in upper-division coursework or a 3.2 or higher for all master's degree coursework.
  • Grade of “B” or better in an undergraduate or graduate research methods course.
  • International applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate the English language through any of the assessments approved by the University .

Required Documents:

  • Fall (starts in August) - February 15
  • Official university/college transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Applicants who graduated from FIU do not need to request FIU transcripts.   Information on submitting transcripts.
  • Two letters of recommendation from professors or employers familiar with your academic and professional qualifications. Submit through the online graduate application portal.
  • Your long-term research goals and how they fit with the research conducted in the ICJ Ph.D. program. 
  • Specific skills, knowledge, and abilities that qualify you to be a successful student in the ICJ Ph.D. program.
  • Your long-term plans to commit to completing coursework and independent research simultaneously. A commitment that may take up to 5 years, on average.
  • Interest in a graduate assistantship, if any.
  • Completed research paper or thesis that demonstrates writing skills. Submit through the online graduate application portal.

Required Core Courses (30 credits)

  • CCJ 6025 Criminological Theory
  • CCJ 6705 Research Methods in Criminal Justice
  • CCJ 6706 Data Analysis in Criminal Justice
  • CCJ 6741 Advanced Data Analysis in Criminal Justice
  • CCJ 6079 Geospatial Crime Analysis
  • CCJ 6485 Criminal Justice Policy Analysis (Pre-requisite: 15 credits of criminal justice graduate courses)
  • CCJ 6040 Comparative Crime and Criminal Justice Systems
  • CCJ 6675 Applied Research in Human Rights
  • CCJ 6676 Transnational Crime and National Security
  • CCJ 6926 Teaching Methods & Strategies

Research Tools Requirement (9 credits)

Classes that may satisfy the research tools requirement include quantitative analysis, legal research, grant writing, qualitative research methods, program evaluation, and performance measures, survey research and design, and secondary analysis. This listing is not intended to be exhaustive. Approval of the research tools by the graduate director is required.

International Crime and Justice Electives (9 credits)

Students must complete a minimum of nine credits from the following list:

  • CCJ 6047 International Criminal Justice
  • CCJ 6620 Immigration and Crime
  • CCJ 6696 Human Trafficking
  • CJE 6025 Comparative Policing
  • DSC 6020 Terrorism and Homeland Security

Other course approved by the graduate director.

General Electives (9 credits)

Students may complete nine credits of general electives outside the department as approved by the graduate director.

Comprehensive Exam and Dissertation (18 credits). These two milestones can take 2+ years to complete.

Dissertation requirements and student forms are available   online .

  • CCJ 7960 Comprehensive Exam (3)
  • CCJ 7980 Ph.D. Dissertation (15)

The dissertation shall be written in a form that is mechanically sound and grammatically correct. The following are recommendations made by the Department:

  • Grammarly.   An online program to assist students with grammar.
  • Scribbr . An online service provider for proofreading and editing.

The Ph.D. in International Crime and Justice requires a minimum of 75 credit hours total —57 credit hours of coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree, 3 credit hours of comprehensive exam, and 15 credit hours of dissertation. A minimum of 30 credit hours must be earned in academic courses that are part of the doctoral program (excludes, comprehensive exam, and dissertation credits). A maximum of 27 credits are transferable from a completed master’s degree program with the approval of the graduate program director. 

Doctoral programs normally include courses at the 6000 level and above. Courses at the 5000 level may be included in a doctoral degree program in appropriate cases. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher is required for graduation. All program requirements, including the dissertation, must be approved by the University Graduate School. 

Funded students should aim to complete the ICJ Ph.D. program within the allotted years of funding—5 years for students entering with a bachelor’s degree and 4 years for students entering with a master’s degree.  

Award of M.S. en route to Ph.D. : Students with a bachelor’s degree directly admitted into the Ph.D. program may apply to be awarded the M.S. degree in Criminal Justice. To be eligible students must have completed all degree requirements of the M.S. in Criminal Justice, have on file a UGS approved Dissertation Proposal, and be currently enrolled in good academic standing.

I CJ Ph.D. Student Handbook

ICJ Pathway to Success

ICJ Comp and Dissertation Process

University of Florida

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Political Science - International Relations

Program information.

The Department of Political Science currently offers two graduate degrees: Master of Arts (thesis or non-thesis option) and Doctor of Philosophy. The political science–international relations program currently offers the Master of Arts (thesis or non-thesis option). Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees Section of this catalog. For further information, please contact the Political Science Department directly or visit their departmental catalog page .

Admission to graduate study in the Department of Political Science normally requires the completion of an undergraduate major in political science or its equivalent. Students without this preparation may be required to make up deficiencies early in their graduate work. The core sequence begins in the fall term, providing basic knowledge that students need in later semesters. In evaluating candidates for admission, the Department considers

  • Prior academic achievement
  • Letters of recommendation from three faculty members or others familiar with the academic potential or work habits of the applicant
  • A statement of purpose that conveys intellectual ambitions, indicates how the program of study satisfies the student’s interests and goals, and tells how the student would contribute to the program.

Political science–international relations: The M.A. degree in political science– international relations is designed to provide professional education to those whose primary interest is a career in foreign relations. In this program, students must complete course work in the core of international relations theory and in two or more of the four major subfields of international relations, international political economy, international security, foreign policy, and international organization. The M.A. is a 36-hour degree, requiring successful completion of a 6-credit political science core sequence, 15 credits of departmental or extra-department electives, and a 15- credit international relations major. Students may pursue either a thesis option or take a comprehensive examination at the end of the program.

Law/Public Affairs joint degree program: This program culminates in the Master of Arts in political science and Juris Doctor degrees. A joint degree program culminating in the Master of Arts in political science international relations and Juris Doctor degrees is also available. The joint program enables students to earn both the J.D. and the M.A. in less time than would be required to earn both degrees consecutively. Full-time students who make satisfactory progress can usually earn both degrees in 4 years. Candidates for the joint degree program must meet the entrance requirements for, and be admitted to, both the College of Law and the Department of Political Science. These requirements include both the LSAT and the GRE. Students are encouraged to announce their intent of seeking a joint degree as soon as possible. The Department of Political Science will allow 12 hours of appropriate law school courses to be credited toward the M.A. degree. The 12 credits selected from the law curriculum must be approved by the Political Science graduate coordinator on the recommendation of the student’s supervisory committee. The College of Law will permit 12 hours of credit earned in political science graduate courses to be credited toward the J.D. degree. Students in the joint degree program are permitted, but not required, to pursue a companion certificate program in public affairs, or political campaigning.

Degrees Offered with a Major in Political Science - International Relations

  • Master of Arts
  • Master of Arts in Teaching

Requirements for these degrees are given in the Graduate Degrees section of this catalog.

Political Science Departmental Courses

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Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs

Master of Arts in Global Affairs

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About the Program

Be the change you want to see in the world — become part of the next generation of global leaders, critical thinkers, and successful professionals! 

This two-year professional degree program offers students a premier graduate global affairs education preparing graduates for careers in government, nongovernmental, and international organizations, as well as the private sector.

The university’s location in Miami – the gateway to the Americas and a vibrant global city – combined with its fresh entrepreneurial approach, make studying global affairs at the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs a unique experience.

florida international university phd international relations

Ready To Take The Next Step?

Unlike traditional graduate programs in international affairs, the Master of Arts in Global Affairs offers pragmatic skills combined with the theoretical rigor to tackle some of the world’s perplexing concerns brought upon by globalization. Set a bright future in motion by applying today.

The Master of Arts in Global Affairs is ranked among the top 40 International Relations programs in the world by Foreign Policy.

Programs from the Green School have been ranked among the top 10 in International Global Policy and Administration in the country by U.S. News & World Report.

9 out of 10 of our students have secured employment at or after graduation.

Life At the Green School

The Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs is a lively, diverse and professional community of students, faculty, and staff.

florida international university phd international relations

A lively and professional cohort of 40+ new master’s students each year makes the Green School community a close-knit one.  

Located in the center of FIU’s beautiful Modesto A. Maidique Campus (MMC), the Green School building is just a quick walk away from plenty of dining options, as well as the Wellness & Recreation Center.

FIU’s MMC is nestled in the heart of suburban Miami, right on iconic 8th Street. The campus is within driving distance of historic Coral Gables, the Wynwood Art District, the beach, and plenty of other options for Miami fun.

Connections

From career fairs, networking events, lecture series, and Professional Development Seminars, we've got a plethora of options to supplement your education and career preparedness. We also offer the unique opportunity to learn a foreign language.

Most if not all of what was covered in the Global Affairs program is relevant to my current work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Overall I have no doubt that the experience with Global Affairs has only made me a more skilled professional. — Donald Dinehart ‘16, Skyline Ultd Inc.

Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs

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M.a. in asian studies.

The M.A. in Asian Studies (MAAS) is an interdisciplinary program designed for students who wish to pursue advanced studies of historical and contemporary trends. The degree provides students with a strong foundation in the traditional cultures and modern socio-economic societies of Asia, with an emphasis on East Asia.

Coursework is available from outstanding professors in a variety of disciplines including history, international relations, political science, religious studies, and more. FIU Asian Studies faculty have won prestigious awards and fellowships and have published numerous books and articles in leading outlets.

FIU's Miami location, with its international focus and multicultural population, is the ideal place to conduct graduate studies. Additional resources for students are available in different departments, schools, and colleges throughout the university. Inquire about a focus on global or cross-regional issues.

M.A. Admissions Requirements

Applications to the Master of Arts in Asian Studies Program must be made through the FIU University Graduate School (UGS) online portal. Applicants must also submit the following materials, as required by UGS:

  • Statement of Purpose
  • One Letter of Recommendation
  • Transcripts from previous accredited institution(s)

As required by the Asian Studies Program, applicants must meet one of the following minimum requirements for admission to the MAAS program:

  • A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
  • 3.2 GPA in undergraduate degree program;
  • 3.0 GPA in undergraduate degree program with appropriate language or study abroad background as determined by examination or evaluated by the program faculty committee.
  • A Master’s degree in the humanities or social sciences from an accredited institution;

NOTE: The above admission requirements are minimums and not all students meeting them are assured admission. The GRE is not required.

International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80 on the iBT TOEFL or 6.5 overall on the IELTS is required.

Please review the following items to complete the application:

  • Complete FIU Graduate School on-line application .
  • Official transcripts from all the universities attended (Note: Official certified translations are required for foreign transcripts where the language is not English)
  • One letter of recommendation from a college or university professor.
  • Statement of purpose (750 words).
  • Certified official proof of diploma/degree if undergraduate degree is earned from a foreign institution. Certified translations are also required if the original language is not English.

Please note: If you did not earn a higher education degree (two year or four year institution) from one of http://gradschool.fiu.edu/toefl-exempt-countries/ , proof of high school diploma earned in the U.S. or TOEFL/IELTS scores are required.

In addition, foreign students must also submit:

  • 80 internet-based TOEFL
  • 6.5 overall on the IELTS
  • 550 paper and pencil TOEFL
  • 213 computer-based TOEFL
  • Declaration and Certification of Finances (DCF) form
  • Bank Letter
  • Sponsor Letter (Waived if you are sponsoring yourself)
  • Certified translation of foreign transcripts, where the language is not English

NOTE: International Students should visit the International Student and Scholar Services at ISSS as well as the University Graduate School for important guidelines: UGS .

Send official transcripts electronically or via mail to:

Florida International University Graduate Admissions P.O. Box 659004 Miami, FL 33265-9004

U.S. Students Deadlines

  • June 1 at 5:00pm EST for fall semester
  • October 1 at 5:00pm EST for spring semester

International Students Deadlines

  • Click here for important deadlines and procedures: https:/ internationaladmissions.fiu.edu graduate/

Asian Studies Graduate Admissions Committee

Dr. Steven Heine, Director of Asian Studies, Professor of Religious Studies and History, [email protected]

After Submitting Your Application

After submitting your application to Graduate Admissions, all inquiries about your application, confirmation of arrival of documents, etc. should be directed towards the Asian Studies Program by phone (305) 348-1914 or email [email protected] .

For Financial Aid questions, or to check graduate tuition & fees , please refer to the FIU OneStop site. For International Students, please review the options available through the ISSS financial resources site.

Continuation Policy

Students are expected to maintain an overall GPA of 3.2 throughout their studies in order to continue in the program. Students who fail to maintain the minimum overall GPA of 3.2 or who demonstrate academic misconduct (such as cheating or plagiarism) may not be eligible to continue in the program. Performance will be evaluated at the end of every semester, and students will be informed if they are on probation. A probation status can only be maintained for one semester before a final decision is reached by the Asian Studies Graduate Committee.

M.A. Program Requirements

MAAS offers three exit options: Non-Thesis Master Essay (30 credits), Non-Thesis Research Essay plus Self-Study (30 credits), or Thesis (30 credits)

Core Coursework (9 credits)

Please select three courses from the following list to satisfy the Core Coursework requirement.*

  • ASN 5315 Topics in Modern Asia
  • ASN 5050 Methods in Asian Studies
  • ASN 5815 Studies of East Asian Texts
  • SYD 6901 Cities in Asia
  • ASN 5213 Asian Studies Colloquium
  • ASN 5910 Independent Research in Asian Studies
  • ASN 6930 Seminar in Asian Studies
  • ASN 6940 Internship in Asian Studies

Core Concentration Coursework (15 credits)

Students must complete 15 credits of additional coursework relevant to their research topic. Students may receive credit through independent study, study abroad, or Internship approved by the program advisor.

An additional research methods course in a discipline related to the student’s primary area of study may be taken as an elective, such as:

  • HIS 6059 Historical Methods
  • INR 5615 Research Design in International Relations
  • POS 5706 Research Methodology
  • RLG 6013 Modern Analysis of Religion
  • RLG 6935 Seminar in Sacred Texts
  • SYA 6305 Research Methods I
  • or equivalent

Students may take up to 6 credits in independent studies or internship coursework.

Master's Degree Exit Options

  • a. ASN 6972 Master's Thesis (6 credits)
  • b. 70 pages of research required
  • a. ASN 6912 Master's Essay (3 credits) & Area Studies Courses (3 credits)
  • b. 40 pages of research required

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE M.A NON-THESIS/THESIS REQUIREMENTS

PLEASE NOTE - To pursue the Thesis option, approval from the Program Director is required. Students are also expected to submit all necessary paperwork to Asian Studies, SIPA, and UGS on a timely manner. Moreover, students are responsible for finding qualified faculty who will agree to form part of their thesis committee.

Click here to view the MAAS Graduate Handbook.

Note about Language Requirements : Proficiency in an Asian language may be required if relevant to thesis project. Relevance will be determined by the thesis committee.

Students must take full responsibility to ensure the completion of all requirements. Please keep in mind that graduate students MUST be enrolled in at least one credit of graduate coursework in the semester in which they plan to graduate. If the student is completing the Thesis Option they must be enrolled in at least one Thesis credit in the semester in which they plan to graduate. Failure to enroll in the appropriate credit may result in the postponement of graduation.

To set up an appointment for advising, please contact Asian Studies by phone at 305-348-1914 or by e-mail: [email protected] .

If you would like to track your progress in the M.A. Program, a checklist for degree progress is available at the Asian Studies office or online.

A limited number of teaching assistantships and tuition waivers may be available for students with outstanding credentials (i.e. high GPA, high GRE score, and/or experience in Asia or research ability in an Asian language). Tuition is waived for the Fall and Spring semesters only (but fees have to be paid separately by the student). This is not available during the Summer term. Students who receive teaching assistantships must be enrolled full-time in the Fall and Spring terms. Continuing students may apply for vacated assistantships as they become available.

Graduate students receiving an assistantship are assigned to faculty members for 20 hours per week as teaching assistants. New assistants must attend TA Orientation at the beginning of the school year. Assistantships are renewable, subject to satisfactory academic progress. Students receiving financial assistance may not carry incomplete grades for more than one semester. Assistants are expected to be full-time students, not otherwise employed. Foreign students who receive assistantships will need a Social Security number in order to receive their stipends.

Also, visit the Graduate Studies website for other scholarships and waivers at http://gradschool.fiu.edu/students/funding/ .

FIU News Homepage

FIU graduate programs among the best in the nation in U.S. News rankings

By Elizabeth Ferrer-Alfonso

April 9, 2024 at 10:09am

FIU’s International MBA program at FIU Business remains among the country's top-ranked programs, coming in at No. 2 among public universities, according to U.S. News and World Report rankings released Tuesday. Graduate programs in the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences , Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work , Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs and the College of Law also were in the top 50 among public universities in U.S. News & World Report's 2024-2025 edition of Best Graduate Schools. Among public universities, the nursing master’s program ranked No. 21, the Doctor of Nursing Practice program ranked No. 30, the nursing anesthesia program ranked No. 33, and the occupational therapy program ranked No. 48. Public health ranked No. 35 among public schools. Green School programs that did well among public universities include global policy at No. 2, homeland security at No. 8, public finance at No. 18, public affairs at No. 38 and local government management at No. 15. The previously unranked urban policy program ranked No.16. Nationally, FIU Law ranked No. 68 (No. 37 among public universities). Its part-time law program was ranked No. 28 (No. 11 among public universities), the international law program was ranked No. 45 (No. 18 among public universities), and the trial advocacy program was ranked No. 52 (No. 18 among public universities). The college also ranked No. 71 in legal writing (No. 36 among public universities), and No. 94 (No. 49 among public universities) in environmental law. “FIU’s ongoing rise reaffirms our dedication to excellence and impact,” said FIU Provost, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Elizbeth M. Béjar. “These rankings prove our commitment to equipping our graduates as leaders in education, research and innovation.” The new rankings join FIU’s recent accolades:

  • FIU ranks first among Florida public universities  according to the  Florida Board of Governors  performance-based funding (PBF) metrics .
  • The Wall Street Journal  ranked  FIU fourth among public universities .
  • Washington Monthly  ranked FIU the No. 1 university in Florida for its commitment to social mobility, public service, and research.
  • Degree Choices  ranked FIU  No. 8 nationally  for students’ return on investment, based on the cost of attending and the earnings a student can expect.
  • U.S. News and World Report  ranked FIU No. 64 among the nation’s public schools  in its undergraduate rankings landing the university in the top 100 nationally.

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  5. Program Hubungan Internasional di Florida International University

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COMMENTS

  1. Department of Politics & International Relations

    Department of Politics and International Relations 11200 SW 8th Street, SIPA 410 Miami, Florida 33199 Modesto A. Maidique Campus Telephone: 305-348-2226 305-348-2555

  2. International Relations Degrees

    Florida International University. Search. Menu. Steven J. Green School of International & Public Affairs. Department of Politics & International Relations. About. ... INR 5616 Qualitative and Interpretive Methods in International Relations; POS 5706 Graduate Seminar in Political Science Research Methods; ECO 7424 Econometric Methods 1;

  3. PhD in Global and Sociocultural Studies

    The Ph.D. Degree Requirements. The Ph.D. program consists of 75 semester hours of course work (including the 36 hours a student may have earned in the Department's M.A. program). Students acquire competencies in theory, methods and proposal writing during the first two years of the Ph.D. program by successfully completing a common ...

  4. International Relations

    Department of Politics and International Relations. 11200 SW 8th Street, SIPA 410 Miami, Florida 33199 Modesto A. Maidique Campus Telephone: 305-348-2226. 305-348-2555. Administrative Office: 305-348-2227 Fax: 305-348-3765 Email: [email protected]

  5. Graduate

    Department of Politics and International Relations. 11200 SW 8th Street, SIPA 410 Miami, Florida 33199 Modesto A. Maidique Campus Telephone: 305-348-2226. 305-348-2555. Administrative Office: 305-348-2227 Fax: 305-348-3765 Email: [email protected]

  6. Combined M.A. in AADS/PhD International Relations Pathway

    African & African Diaspora Studies Program. 11200 SW 8th Street, Labor Center, Room 304 Miami, Florida 33199 Modesto A. Maidique Campus Telephone: 305-348-6860 Fax: 305-348-3270 Email: [email protected]

  7. International Relations

    International Relations. The Ph.D. in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations is designed primarily to train those interested in scholarly careers, though individuals with such a degree may also pursue work in more applied fields. The primary focus of the study of International Relations is the relations among states ...

  8. Politics and International Relations

    Department Information and Typical Discipline-Specific Academic Degree & Qualifications 1 of faculty within Politics and International Relations. The School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) in the College of Arts and Sciences brings together many of Florida International University's internationally oriented disciplines to provide cutting-edge research, first-rate teaching, and ...

  9. Combined M.A. / Ph.D.

    Other members must be approved by the International Relations Graduate Program Director. To complete program requirements, Ph.D. degree candidates must enroll for a minimum of 15 dissertation credits and maintain enrollment for 3 credits every semester until the degree is awarded. ... Florida International University Modesto A. Maidique Campus ...

  10. M.A./Ph.D in Asian Studies & International Relations

    The International Relations PhD program will accept up to 33 credits earned toward fulfilling the requirements of the Asian Studies MA program. In addition to completing the required courses for the Asian Studies MA, students will also need to complete 75 credits for the Doctor of Philosophy in International Relations.

  11. Degrees & Programs

    International Crime and Justice (PhD) Degree type: Graduate College: Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs. Public Policy; International Real Estate (MS) Degree type: Graduate Online Available Online College: Business. Business and Economics Humanities and Culture; International Relations (BA)

  12. Politics and International Relations

    The Department of Politics and International Relations is home to 40 faculty, an administrative staff of 6 including five full time undergraduate advisors, over 100 graduate students, and more than 1500 undergraduate majors. Many of the Departments faculty members have been recognized with university-wide awards for teaching, research, service ...

  13. International Relations, Ph.D.

    The Ph.D. in International Relations offered at Florida International University provides students with a solid theoretical foundation while allowing individual latitude for rigorous research on a wide range of subjects. Students work closely with dedicated, internationally recognized scholars. I want to find another Phd Course

  14. International Relations Degrees

    A student majoring in another academic discipline earns a Minor in International Relations by successfully completing approved course work of 18 semester hours in the Department of Politics and International Relations with a grade of 'C' or better. This program must include: 1. INR 2001 Introduction to International Relations (3) 2.

  15. PDF Graduate Politics and International Relations

    It is advised to send copies of the above items to the Political Science Graduate Admissions Committee at the following address: Department of Politics and International Relations, Modesto A. Maidique Campus, 11200 S.W. 8th Street, SIPA 436, Miami, Florida 33199. Telephone: (305) 348-1077; Fax: (305) 348-3765.

  16. Tuition Funding Assistance

    Department of Politics and International Relations. 11200 SW 8th Street, SIPA 410 Miami, Florida 33199 Modesto A. Maidique Campus Telephone: 305-348-2226. 305-348-2555. Administrative Office: 305-348-2227 Fax: 305-348-3765 Email: [email protected]

  17. Ph.D. in International Crime and Justice

    The Ph.D. in International Crime and Justice requires a minimum of 75 credit hours total—57 credit hours of coursework beyond the bachelor's degree, 3 credit hours of comprehensive exam, and 15 credit hours of dissertation.A minimum of 30 credit hours must be earned in academic courses that are part of the doctoral program (excludes, comprehensive exam, and dissertation credits).

  18. Department of Politics & International Relations

    The Department of Politics and International Relations at Florida International University combines traditional disciplinary strengths in political science with a multi-disciplinary approach to the study of international relations. The Department offers Bachelor of Arts degrees in political science and international relations, the Masters of Arts degree in international studies, and the Doctor ...

  19. Political Science

    The M.A. is a 36-hour degree, requiring successful completion of a 6-credit political science core sequence, 15 credits of departmental or extra-department electives, and a 15- credit international relations major. Students may pursue either a thesis option or take a comprehensive examination at the end of the program.

  20. M.A. in International Relations

    I.R. students may pursue a combined JD/MA program with the Levin College of Law, which would allow students to earn both the Master of Arts and the Juris Doctor degree in approximately four years. The M.A. in International Relations is a 36-hour program of study with both thesis and non-thesis options available. The guidelines for the M.A.-.

  21. Master of Arts in Global Affairs

    The Master of Arts in Global Affairs is ranked among the top 40 International Relations programs in the world by Foreign Policy. Programs from the Green School have been ranked among the top 10 in International Global Policy and Administration in the country by U.S. News & World Report. 9 out of 10 of our students have secured employment at or ...

  22. M.A. in Asian Studies

    NOTE: International Students should visit the International Student and Scholar Services at ISSS as well as the University Graduate School for important guidelines: UGS. Send official transcripts electronically or via mail to: Florida International University Graduate Admissions P.O. Box 659004 Miami, FL 33265-9004. U.S. Students Deadlines

  23. FIU graduate programs among the best in the nation in U.S. News

    FIU's International MBA program at FIU Business remains among the country's top-ranked programs, coming in at No. 2 among public universities, according to U.S. News and World Report rankings released Tuesday. Graduate programs in the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Robert Stempel College of Public Health and Social Work, Steven J. Green School of International ...

  24. Professors, students say 'no' to Florida as new law targets Chinese

    In December, Miami-based Florida International University paused the hiring of Chinese and citizens of six other "countries of concern" also targeted by the law - Iran, Cuba, North Korea ...