At Salve Regina University, our Ph.D. in international relations is offered online, connecting students around the world to our exceptional faculty and research opportunities. Decades of success with our master’s program led us to develop the nation’s first online doctoral program in international relations, providing flexible learning options for seasoned professionals.

Our program’s unique approach provides a rigorous doctoral education examining the complex questions of international affairs in the 21st century. Our students are empowered to consider cultures around the world and value the wisdom gained through adventurous research in the field of international relations.

Ph.D. in International Relations Program and Curriculum

Our Ph.D. in international relations encourages students to think outside the box when studying the details of geopolitics, while also inspiring them to embrace a singular global lens. With decades of scholarship and expertise in foreign policy, the military and academia, our renowned faculty are committed to mentoring international relations scholars. Collectively, their research specialties include 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.

Through their doctoral studies, our students foster their understanding of geopolitical analysis through courses that explore all of the world’s regions, then choose a single area of focus for their dissertation. 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.

Learn more about the Ph.D. in international relations program requirements.