Required Courses—17 Credit Hours
Core Courses—15 Credit Hours
- INR 7687 Theoretical Approaches to Security Studies (3 credit hours)
- INR 7139 Issues in Domestic Security (3 credit hours)
- INR 7337 Issues in International Security (3 credit hours)
- POS 7745 Advanced Quantitative Methods in Political Research (3 credit hours)
- POS 7707 Advanced Qualitative Methods in Political Research (3 credit hours)
Professional Development Courses—2 Credit Hours
- POS 7930 Professional Development in Security Studies I (1 credit hour)
- POS 7267 Professional Development in Security Studies II (1 credit hour)
Elective Courses—27 Credit Hours
Restricted Electives—15 Credit Hours
All students must complete a minimum of 15 hours of course work in graduate seminars. The choice of specific courses taken will be based on the research interests of students and made in conjunction with their faculty advisor.
- CPO 6058 Revolution and Political Violence (3 credit hours)
- INR 6007 Seminar in International Politics (3 credit hours)
- INR 6071 Seminar in Weapons of Mass Destruction (3 credit hours)
- INR 6136 Seminar in American Security Policy (3 credit hours)
- INR 6108 Seminar in American Foreign Policy (3 credit hours)
- INR 6228 International Politics of the Caspian Sea Region (3 credit hours)
- INR 6275 International Politics of the Middle East (3 credit hours)
- INR 6607 International Relations Theory (3 credit hours)
- INR 6346 Politics of International Terrorism (3 credit hours)
- INR 6065 Seminar on War (3 credit hours)
- INR 6365 Seminar on Intelligence (3 credit hours)
- INR 6062 Peace Studies (3 credit hours)
- INR 6356 Environmental Security (3 credit hours)
- INR 6096 International Drug Policy (3 credit hours)
- INR 6726 Political Behavior in International Conflict (3 credit hours)
Unrestricted Electives—12 Credit Hours
Unrestricted electives may include regularly scheduled graduate courses in political science, graduate-level courses in programs outside the department (selected from the list below and with approval of the Graduate Program Director), independent study courses, doctoral research courses, and internships (with approval of the Graduate Program Director).
No more than twelve hours can consist of courses outside of the department, dissertation research, independent study, or internship; in addition, no more than six hours can consist of independent study or internship.
Approved courses outside the Political Science Department:
- AMH 5515 Colloquium in U.S. Diplomatic History
- ASH 5485 U.S.-China Relations
- ASH 5227 The Arab-Israeli Conflict
- CCJ 6675 Human Rights and Criminal Justice
- CCJ 6027 Criminal Justice Responses to Terrorism
- CCJ 6067 Perspectives on Genocide
- CCJ 6485 Issues in Justice Policy
- LAH 5713 Colloquium in U.S.-Latin American Relations
- PAD 6399 Foundations of Emergency Management and Homeland Security
Modern Language Requirement
Prior to enrollment in dissertation hours, students are required to demonstrate proficiency in one modern language (other than English). The requirement is two years (four semesters) of a single college-level modern language, which should normally be in an area relevant to the student‘s research. Students may meet the requirement by providing evidence of four semesters of enrollment or by passing a university-administered equivalent proficiency examination.
Dissertation—Minimum of 18 Credit Hours
The dissertation is the culmination of the course work that comprises this research-based degree. It must make a significant theoretical, historical, intellectual, practical, creative, or research contribution to the student‘s area within the discipline. The dissertation will be completed through a minimum of 18 hours of dissertation credit, which students will use to accomplish original research. Students must maintain enrollment in dissertation hours until the degree is awarded.
- POS 7980 Dissertation Research (18 credit hours)
Oral Qualifying Examination
The oral qualifying examination is given at the end of the semester in which core course work is completed. It will examine students on theoretical, epistemological, and methodological literature and issues from the five required core courses, although the scope of the examination is not limited to topics covered in the seminars. The exam is administered by an Exam Committee appointed by the Graduate Program Director (who is also a member of the committee). The oral qualifying examination evaluates students’ preparation in subjects that are considered to be an essential foundation for their continued doctoral study and research in the program. Any student failing the examination must repeat the examination prior to the start of the next fall semester. A second failed attempt will result in dismissal from the program. The oral qualifying exam will also serve as part of the student‘s annual academic review for the first year of study.
Written Candidacy Exams
On completion of all coursework, but prior to enrollment in dissertation, students must take the written candidacy examinations. The candidacy examinations will usually be administered at a time arranged by the student‘s Examination Committee (three faculty members with whom the student has taken graduate seminars, of which two must be graduate faculty with expertise in security studies). A student must notify the Graduate Program Director in writing of their intent to take candidacy exams at least one month before the date fixed for examination.
Each student will take two exams on separate days. The first exam will be in research methods. The content of this exam will be uniform for each matriculating class of students. The second exam will be a special field in Security Studies, devised by the student in consultation with his or her exam committee. The special field may be geographic or thematic in focus, reflecting the research interests of the student. Both examinations will be used to determine the student‘s knowledge of theory, methods and past and present research in their chosen areas. Students failing the comprehensive examination may retake the exam one time. If the exam is failed a second time, the student will be dismissed from the program.
Admission to Candidacy
The following are required to be admitted to candidacy and enroll in dissertation hours:
- Completion of all course work, except for dissertation hours
- Successful completion of the oral candidacy exam
- Successful completion of the written candidacy exams
- Successful defense of the dissertation proposal
- Formation of a dissertation advisory committee
- Submittal of an approved program of study