International Relations Ph.D.
Now accepting students for fall 2025
Salve Regina University’s online Ph.D. in international relations provides a rigorous doctoral education examining the complex questions of international affairs in the 21st century.
The program encourages students to think outside the box when studying the details of geopolitics, while also inspiring them to embrace a singular global lens. Our unique approach provides a rigorous doctoral education examining the complex questions of international affairs in the 21st century. Students are empowered to consider cultures around the world and value the wisdom gained through adventurous research in the field of international relations.
Designed for mid- to high-ranking government officials, international business professionals and educators working in academia without a doctoral degree, our Ph.D. program in international relations helps established practitioners advance in their careers.
Program Features
12 fully online courses and a dissertation, with an average time to complete of 4 years.
The first program of its kind in the U.S., the online Ph.D. in International Relations is designed for military faculty, U.S. and international officers, and government service professionals.
Mercy-Driven. Globally Focused.
Consistent with the University’s mercy and justice mission, our program’s mission is to promote humanity and eliminate prejudice. Coursework contextualizes different regions as part of an integral global whole.
Elevate Your Career With an Innovative Understanding of Global Affairs
"The world is changing faster and more profoundly than ever before. Stay on top of it by enrolling in the first online international relations Ph.D. in the United States, designed to give working professionals a competitive edge through a formal, rigorous and systematic study of all global affairs.” - Dr. Symeon Giannakos, professor and program director
Career Paths in International Relations
Salve's Ph.D. in international relations is designed for members of the military seeking advancement in rank or new assignments, as well as individuals pursuing careers in government, foreign affairs and global policy.
Graduates of the program are well-positioned for a range of impactful roles, including:
- Economic analyst
- Foreign intelligence analyst
- Government affairs manager
- International security specialist
- Political consultant
- Political scientist
Alumni Making Waves
Col. Jerry Krieger ’24 (Ph.D.)
Retired Army colonel, writer and historian
"As I prepared for retirement from the Army after 30 years of service, I looked at making my passions - teaching and writing - my career. To do that I needed a terminal degree. As I was assigned overseas for my last three years, the logistics of undertaking a Ph.D. program were complicated. Salve's international relations doctorate was the right fit for me. Everything but the final oral defense can be completed online. The faculty go out of their way to assist with your learning experience.”
Terence Nicholas '23 (Ph.D)
Assistant professor, U.S. Naval War College
"Earning my Ph.D. in international relations from Salve was a transformative experience. The flexibility of the online program made it possible to balance rigorous academic study with my professional responsibilities, turning the goal of earning a doctorate into a reality. The program was both intellectually challenging and highly structured, providing the support needed to develop advanced analytical skills and deepen my expertise in international relations. Faculty were not only knowledgeable but also highly attentive to my research interests, fostering an environment that encouraged critical thinking and meaningful scholarly engagement. This program equipped me with the skills and insights necessary to advance my career and pursue the opportunities I aspired to achieve.”
Degree Options
Ph.D. in international relations
The Ph.D. program challenges you to think outside the box when studying the details of geopolitics through a singular global lens. You'll build a strong foundation in geopolitical analysis by studying all world regions, then hone your expertise by focusing your dissertation on a specific area of your choosing.
In addition to the required coursework, Ph.D. students fulfill a language proficiency requirement and pass a comprehensive examination before beginning the dissertation phase. With collaborative support from dissertation readers, students contribute original research to the field of international relations. Coursework is asynchronous and fully online, allowing working professionals the flexibility to acquire a terminal degree while maintaining employment anywhere in the world.
Meet Our Experts
Our faculty deliver an essential curriculum that prepares you to be constructively critical of your immediate and broader political environment. All of our instructors are renowned scholars in their areas of expertise. Collectively, their research includes political philosophy, history and technology, nationalism, ethics in international affairs, Latin American politics, American foreign policy, Russian foreign affairs, the political economy of development and East Asian security issues.
Dr. Symeon Giannakos
- Professor
- Graduate program director
Hayat Alvi
- Adjunct professor
Dr. Luigi Bradizza
- Professor
- Chair, Political Science and International Relations
Dr. Kirk Buckman
- Adjunct professor
Dr. Yvan Ilunga
- Assistant professor
- Associate graduate program director
Stephen MacFarlane
- Adjunct professor
Dr. Chad Raymond
- Professor
- Associate graduate program director
Dr. Tatiana Rizova
- Adjunct professor
Dr. Hans Schattle
- Adjunct professor