PHd programs in International Relations focusing on Security Issues

[ngogirl]

Hi,

 

I am beginning my application process for Fall 2017, i.e. studying for the GRE's. I am looking at narrowing down schools for where I want to apply. I am interested in focusing on International Relations with a concentration on security issues. I am really interested in potentially researching non state actors and their effects on local and global levels.

I have tried googling security PHds but I haven't found much. I think Stanford is supposed to be strong, and I know MIT is great (it's actually my dream school) and I know GWU is also a great contender. However, what are other options. Do people know? If you do, could you reply?

I would really appreciate any assistance people can provide me with.

[kafcat]

1 hour ago, ngogirl said:

Hi,

 

I am beginning my application process for Fall 2017, i.e. studying for the GRE's. I am looking at narrowing down schools for where I want to apply. I am interested in focusing on International Relations with a concentration on security issues. I am really interested in potentially researching non state actors and their effects on local and global levels.

I have tried googling security PHds but I haven't found much. I think Stanford is supposed to be strong, and I know MIT is great (it's actually my dream school) and I know GWU is also a great contender. However, what are other options. Do people know? If you do, could you reply?

I would really appreciate any assistance people can provide me with.

 

Check out Princeton's security studies at the Woodrow Wilson School http://wws.princeton.edu/graduate-academics/curriculum/phd-curriculum

[Birdie]

all the DC schools have international security programs.

[reasonablepie]

You need to be a bit more clear with yourself and us about what it is you are looking for. If what you want to do is a PhD in Political Science with a focus on International Relations doing research on security issues, then the best route is probably to go through all the Political Science PhD programs around the ranking that you think you're competitive for and look through their faculty to see who you share interests with, as well as asking people in the discipline (including here) which PoliSci departments have a strong reputation on these topics. However, if you want to do a MA in Security Studies or in International Relations with a focus on security, that's a whole other sort of degree. In that case you'd be looking more at public policy schools, DC schools like Birdie mentioned, etc., and there's separate rankings that could help you along in identifying these. It's important to think carefully about what kind of degree you're looking for and why.

[ngogirl]

2 hours ago, reasonablepie said:

You need to be a bit more clear with yourself and us about what it is you are looking for. If what you want to do is a PhD in Political Science with a focus on International Relations doing research on security issues, then the best route is probably to go through all the Political Science PhD programs around the ranking that you think you're competitive for and look through their faculty to see who you share interests with, as well as asking people in the discipline (including here) which PoliSci departments have a strong reputation on these topics. However, if you want to do a MA in Security Studies or in International Relations with a focus on security, that's a whole other sort of degree. In that case you'd be looking more at public policy schools, DC schools like Birdie mentioned, etc., and there's separate rankings that could help you along in identifying these. It's important to think carefully about what kind of degree you're looking for and why.

Thank you for your post. I am interested in doing a PHd in Political Science with a focus on International Relations doing research on security issues. I have been doing a little bit of research on specific universities, and I recently went to a conference where I presented a paper I spoke to a faculty member whose focus is on security issues and she told me about a few schools: John Hopkins, MIT, and Princeton. However, I still feel lost as I have only identified a few schools and would prefer to apply to at least 7-10 schools: some reach, some where I am competitive, and some safeties.

My ultimate goal is to go into academia and research, and a lot of people at conferences (APSA and regional) told me there is discrimination (in terms of academic jobs) against schools that are policy based i.e. Georgetown and SAIS.

If any one can help out, I would be most appreciative!!

[reasonablepie]

23 minutes ago, ngogirl said:

Thank you for your post. I am interested in doing a PHd in Political Science with a focus on International Relations doing research on security issues. I have been doing a little bit of research on specific universities, and I recently went to a conference where I presented a paper I spoke to a faculty member whose focus is on security issues and she told me about a few schools: John Hopkins, MIT, and Princeton. However, I still feel lost as I have only identified a few schools and would prefer to apply to at least 7-10 schools: some reach, some where I am competitive, and some safeties.

My ultimate goal is to go into academia and research, and a lot of people at conferences (APSA and regional) told me there is discrimination (in terms of academic jobs) against schools that are policy based i.e. Georgetown and SAIS.

If any one can help out, I would be most appreciative!!

Okay great, that's much clearer. 

Identifying schools is hard - don't feel like it's weird that you're feeling lost. In my opinion, just going through all the schools in roughly the ranking range you're interested in (using a few different rankings) and combing through their website to look at their faculty's interests (as well as the degree structure and funding information) is the only way to really get a good complete list. It's tedious and overwhelming, but you're doing well in that you're starting this process early so you should have plenty of time. Take on board any advice that faculty members (particularly your LoR writers) might have, but also look at things yourself and form your own opinions. I'd say the idea that policy-based schools aren't quite as optimal for academic jobs is probably true, although all things in the academic job market come with a lot of uncertainty. 

[kronos16]

So the thing I recommend is trying to narrow down your research focus. I know its hard but that is the best way to narrow down your school choices. Pretty much any school can teach you IR/security, but even "non state actors and their effects on local and global levels" is still kind of vague. Id suggest looking up articles on non state actors, and find a few that you like. From there you can check out the authors, and their CVs to see who else they work with. This way you can find a decent amount of people working on the topic you like from many different schools.

[noumenope]

Between USC and CU-Boulder, which is considered better for international security (particularly terrorism and political violence)? Just want to make sure my interpretation of the situation is accurate.