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I've been looking at both master's and PhD programs broadly in peace and conflict/international relations/political science over the past few months. For reference I'm from the US and looking at programs both domestic and in Europe. Many of these PhD programs, including a few US-based ones, require a master's degree to be eligible for admission. Specifically, it seems that most of the departments which match my interests the best (armed conflict, SALW, civil and ethnic conflict) require a master's beforehand and do not necessarily offer combined programs. What I've noticed is that some of the programs distinguish the specific type of master's degree that "counts" for admission. While some simply list "master's degree" or "MA" in the requirements, certain European programs state that candidates must have either a minimum of 5 years at the bachelors + master's level (3 + 2) or they'll outright require the master's degree to be 120 ECTS. Given the popularity of 1 year (September to September including thesis) 90 ECTS master's programs in this field from institutions like LSE and KCL, should I be avoiding these programs to ensure higher compatibility with PhD programs? Even though programs like LSE's MSc Conflict Studies are more theoretically grounded with statistical methods courses not found in other 1 year/90 ECTS master's, I'm worried that the nature of the program's length and credits will hinder my PhD eligibility. Of course, some of these PhD programs state "If the scope of the applicant’s education at the master's level is less than two years, the Faculty may make an individual assessment" but I'm just not sure if it's worth the risk. TL;DR: Certain European PhD programs specify 2 year/120 ECTS master's degrees for admissions eligibility, is this an absolute hardline thing to note when picking a master's program or am I just being obtuse about the minor details? I don't want to waste money and time on applying to master's programs that may be ineligible for PhD admissions.

That is one issue I've been trying to deal with over this process. Right now my goal has been to move overseas and stay for a while (mostly to finally experience urban living, I come from extremely small town USA with practically zero opportunities, development, or density) and luckily most of the schools and IGOs/NGOs relevant to my interests are based out of Europe. Similarly, most professors and professionals I've had the chance to speak with have recommended these same European schools and IGOs/NGOs. Really the only exceptions seem to be USAID and certain NYC-based UN programs like UNODA, but they have a large international presence. Regardless, the chance of one day coming back is still something I've been thinking about. That's why I haven't given any thought to programs in Asia, just worried the (lack of) reputation and understanding from hiring officers would become a problem. I've never really thought about becoming a professor, so I'm not sure if prioritizing a US PhD program with teaching experience/credentials is something I should necessarily consider.

I haven't found too many downsides to the programs listed in my post, those are the ones I've narrowed it down to from a much larger list of like 40 that I collected when trying to get a broad understanding of what sort of universities and programs may be relevant to my interests and goals. Sort of my problem now is trying to determine if any particular one of these stands out from the rest, or if there's a school or two that I've completely overlooked. I looked into LSE a bit and they do have a few programs of interest, mainly MSc Conflict Studies, but my logic in prioritizing KCL over LSE was the reputation of their War Studies department and my understanding that I'd get access to more niche course options and relevant faculty at KCL. Looking now at the potential course options for LSE Conflict Studies (https://www.lse.ac.uk/resources/calendar/programmeRegulations/taughtMasters/2020/MScConflictStudies.htm) and I see that they do offer a wide range of options, including a methods course as part of the require curriculum which KCL seems to lack. It seems to be overall more well rounded compared to the KCL program. The focus on intra-state conflict within the core module is particularly appealing. Their prices for international students are similar as well, so I'll definitely give them further consideration. If you have any specific input on KCL vs LSE, I would more than appreciate it. You've hit the nail on the head here ? I've been sending out cold call emails and LinkedIn messages to those currently working with the various IGOs/NGOs/think tanks relevant to my interests, and a handful of current graduate students to hear their inputs. Uppsala has been recommended by most that I've spoken to so far, alongside University of Essex, ETH Zurich, and Mannheim all specifically for their PhD programs due to having a similar funding structure to the US. Yale was mentioned as well. I'll definitely take your advice on straight forward asking about PhD recommendations, that's a much more direct approach than I've been doing. I'm from the United States which is one of the biggest reasons I've been looking towards Europe for the masters. The cost difference, even factoring in the chance of some slight financial aid, is huge comparing a school like Georgetown SSP to something like IHEID. There's a few MA programs I've found in the US similarly priced to UK programs (eg UNC TAM), but none have as direct of a focus on conflict as I'd like. Of course for a PhD that starts to complicate things due to differences in funding practices between countries or schools, so that's why I've been looking at a balance of US and European programs for if I decide to go all the way through.

Sort of the problem I'm running into is that the majority of PhD programs I've been looking at require a masters degree to be eligible. This is both the case for the European programs and many of the US programs I have on my shortlist (not all though). Only a few US PhD programs I've looked into (mostly all Poli Sci) are open to applicants straight out of undergrad. I think going for a masters first is probably in my best interest regardless as my undergrad was very light on quant coursework and I'd be worried about going into a PhD program without a somewhat developed background in methods. That's why I've been trying to figure out which masters programs would give me that needed extra quant background while also maybe having a sprinkling of armed conflict/SALW/peacekeeping in coursework or faculty. None of my close professors have the most relevant background to recommend schools or faculty on this narrow interest and literature is seemingly more sparse than I imagined. Additionally, I'm looking into masters programs to gain more exposure into the industry side of things, with some of these programs having internship semesters, a much more direct access to organizations than I had during undergrad, and a helping of practical courses and workshops in the curriculum. To be clear, I'm not 100% sold on the PhD path yet, but I'm realizing more and more that it's likely the best path if I want to narrow down from conflict/development to my niche interest. Georgetown SSP was something I had looked at in detail at the recommendation of professors, but the cost is very hard to swallow and my understanding is that the school is very stringent on funding, especially for masters programs. It seems like the best program by far within the US, but I'm not sure if I could justify it. $70-80k + housing is expensive. Additionally, I had sort of been trying to avoid the GRE for now as I realized the overwhelming majority of programs (even domestic) did not require it and felt that I would need more time to prepare than I have before the application cycle. I had not planned on graduating this year, but my situation has changed and the need to decide on grad programs has sprung up over the past few weeks.

Hey Gradcafe, I had previously made a post regarding Security Studies PhD programs (great information, thanks all!) but thought it best to get some additional advice on Masters as well. My interest in broadly in peace and conflict, security studies, and development, but I'm specifically trying to find programs with some sort of armed conflict, small arms and light weapons, or non-state actor coursework or research centers. I know it's niche and likely requires PhD-level research just to get any sort of "in," but regardless I'm curious to hear what you all think. This is my curated list so far from self research and recommendations from professors and professionals: Graduate Institute of Geneva (IHEID) - Master in Development Studies - Power, Conflict, and Development track Great international affairs and development school, hosts the Small Arms Survey, coursework that is a great hybrid between my narrow interests in conflict and more broad interests in development, located in the heart of diplomacy, but I've heard mixed things from current students regarding their poor handling of COVID when it comes to things like vaccine distribution and in person/online coursework (plan on fall 2022 intake so fingers crossed) King's College London - Master in Conflict, Security, and Development The place to go for war studies but I'm worried about relevance to my specific interests, it's a September-to-September program meaning limited course options and no scheduled internship, though I may consider the SciencesPo PSIA dual degree option in either Intl. Dev. or Human Rights and Humanitarian Action to broaden the coursework. My undergrad program sends many students here for either exchange semesters or to go on for MA programs Uppsala University - Master in Peace and Conflict Studies Rotary Peace Center, hosts the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, seems to be focused more on armed conflict than other similar Peace/Conflict/Security programs, has a unique monthly course structure that I think I'd appreciate, affiliated with PRIO/UiO University of Oslo (UiO) - Master in Peace and Conflict Studies Closely affiliated with PRIO with the option baked into the program of working/researching alongside them for your thesis, regional connection to Uppsala Is there anywhere else that I should be looking? I know there are a few programs in Ireland and England, such as Trinity College Dublin, University of Essex, or University of Bradford, that appear to be relevant, but I am unsure of their reputation in the peace/conflict/security environment and how closely their coursework and research aligns with my interest. I haven't been able to find any US schools that meet my niche interests as well as or better than the list above, so that combined with the drastic price difference has me looking solely at European programs. That being said, if any US-based programs have any sort of small arms research teams, I'm definitely interested. Ultimate goal would be working in an IGO/NGO (peacebuilding, arms control/proliferation, post-conflict development) or some sort of research position more narrowly focused on small arms and light weapons, with the second path requiring going down the PhD path. I don't think an MPA or MPP is in line with my goals/interests, nor do I think a more general international relations or political science program is what I'm looking for.

Thanks for the replies. For context, my academic plan changed in a sudden and I'll be looking at graduation this coming academic year (either December or May) for graduate school intake fall 2022. Because of this, I have not had the time to fully wrap my head around what specific narrow path I want to follow and how to reach it. A master's program seems to be the best stopgap as it will provide research experience, further academic insight into the subjects I'm interested in, and prepare myself better for the job market if that's the path I end up taking. I have already narrowed down master's programs to a fairly small list, namely KCL, Sciences Po (optional dual degree with KCL), IHEID, and the TAM program at my undergrad institution. These programs would allow me to combine conflict studies with some samplings of development and humanitarian aid. The well known US programs (Georgetown, SAIS, SIPA), while interesting and with major in-country name prestige, are just too expensive for me to consider. That being said, I'm definitely interested in what sort of PhD programs exist and if a program or two seem to match my interests and academic background, I may just consider applying right out of undergrad. I'm not opposed to academia as a path, in fact it's something I've always wanted more exposure to. IHEID in particular with their Small Arms Survey seems perfect for the specific research areas I'd like to focus on (small arms/light weapons and their use by non-state actors, particularly during/post ethnic and civil conflicts) but the lack of guaranteed funding is a very hard pill to swallow. That's what led me to make this thread and see what others had to say. Will definitely give Chicago, Ohio State, and Notre Dame a look as I haven't considered them yet. As well, thank you for the reply. Georgetown is a fantastic program which I've been recommended numerous times by professors and graduates of my program, but the tuition is hard to swallow. My understanding is that even their PhD program (in Government iirc) has no guarantee of funding. Regardless, will give Chicago a look.

Curious to hear what PhD programs you all would recommend for security/conflict studies, whether a dedicated security program or a specialized track within a political science or international relations PhD. More specifically, I'm wondering if any out there actually give funding for their programs. It's not hard to find options like King's College London, IHEID, and Georgetown, great schools that meet my academic interests perfectly, but funding from these universities is extremely rare to my understanding and financially I don't think an unfunded PhD makes much sense. The joint PhD from King's and either HKU or NUS has it's own scholarship available, but there's no information online as to whether it's given to most/all accepted students or something more competitive. IHEID would be fantastic due to housing the Small Arms Survey team, but funding information is a bit vague. Princeton's SPIA is fully funded, but seems as if it's a early/mid-career type program based on the work experience admissions stats (50% 5+ years, 43% 2-5 years, 7% none). Others like Johns Hopkins' SAIS and Harvard's HKS are funded, but unfortunately due to how my undergraduate track has progressed (UNC's Peace, War, and Defense program) I'll end up with no calculus and limited statistics/economics which I believe would make me ineligible for admission. I've heard decent things about MIT's program online but little mention from professors. That's likely to blame on my focus so far being master's programs, of which the aforementioned schools are widely known for in the security/conflict field where as MIT is a non-option. Unlike SAIS and HKS, it seems MIT has no undergraduate course requirements, so that's a positive. Yale similarly appears great from what I've read online, again no mention from professors but also no undergraduate course requirements to my understanding (except language I guess). General interests are in ethnic and civil conflict, post-conflict development, small arms and light weapons, and the role of violent non-state actors. Broad umbrella, I know. Any clue as to where I should be looking? Crossposting in the government affairs forum as well.

Curious to hear what PhD programs you all would recommend for security/conflict studies, whether a dedicated security program or a specialized track within a political science or international relations PhD. More specifically, I'm wondering if any out there actually give funding for their programs. It's not hard to find options like King's College London, IHEID, and Georgetown, great schools that meet my academic interests perfectly, but funding from these universities is extremely rare to my understanding and financially I don't think an unfunded PhD makes much sense. The joint PhD from King's and either HKU or NUS has it's own scholarship available, but there's no information online as to whether it's given to most/all accepted students or something more competitive. IHEID would be fantastic due to housing the Small Arms Survey team, but funding information is a bit vague. Princeton's SPIA is fully funded, but seems as if it's a early/mid-career type program based on the work experience admissions stats (50% 5+ years, 43% 2-5 years, 7% none). Others like Johns Hopkins' SAIS and Harvard's HKS are funded, but unfortunately due to how my undergraduate track has progressed (UNC's Peace, War, and Defense program) I'll end up with no calculus and limited statistics/economics which I believe would make me ineligible for admission. I've heard decent things about MIT's program online but little mention from professors. That's likely to blame on my focus so far being master's programs, of which the aforementioned schools are widely known for in the security/conflict field where as MIT is a non-option. Unlike SAIS and HKS, it seems MIT has no undergraduate course requirements, so that's a positive. Yale similarly appears great from what I've read online, again no mention from professors but also no undergraduate course requirements to my understanding (except language I guess). General interests are in ethnic and civil conflict, post-conflict development, small arms and light weapons, and the role of violent non-state actors. Broad umbrella, I know. Any clue as to where I should be looking? Crossposting in the poli sci forum as well.