Each year, The Fletcher School admits a select group of students who seek a PhD in International Relations. The PhD program is most appropriate for students proposing an interdisciplinary dissertation topic, and prospective applicants should contact Fletcher School professors in the desired fields of study to ensure that the topic is a good match with expertise at the School. Students in Fletcher’s MALD program may apply to the PhD program during their second year of study.
To apply to the PhD program at The Fletcher School, prospective students must have a master’s degree in a field that is relevant to international relations, and directly related to the applicant’s proposed PhD studies. The applicant’s master’s degree must come from a program that required at least one and a half years of full-time study, and at least 12 courses in which the applicant earned a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher.
Although not required, full-time work experience is highly recommended for applicants to the PhD program. The PhD Committee on Admissions seeks to admit students whose professional and academic accomplishments will contribute strongly to the Fletcher community.