Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is unique about the Jackson School Ph.D. program?
We propose a new way of thinking about international studies through our innovative articulation of four foundational fields and their integration with our existing area-based graduate programs. We do not replicate a single-lens or conventional disciplinary approach, such as in political science, sociology, history, anthropology, geography, law, and so on. We present a unique vision about the state of the international studies discipline.

What are the four foundational fields of the Jackson School Ph.D. program?
These are Religions, Cultures, and Civilizations (RCC); States, Markets, and Societies (SMS); Peace, Violence, and Security (PVS); and Law, Rights, and Governance (LRG). They represent the full gamut of our scholarly activities within the Jackson School, and may also be used as a foundation for rethinking international studies at large.

What do you mean by a problem-focused approach to the Ph.D.?
We encourage students to pursue the most relevant real-world problems they can identify and value scholarship that advances solutions to those problems. We encourage students to take research out of the academy and into the public realm where it may help provide innovative perspectives on real problems such as terrorism, microfinance, immigration, poverty, environmental change, space and cyberspace security, religious conflict, economic governance, etc.

What are some of the qualities you look for in an application?
We are looking for exceptional focus and intellectual promise. One of the most important things is a coherent statement of purpose that shows us you know exactly what you want to do and also demonstrates that you can conceive of a reasonable and effective way to do it. Another important element is your writing sample or publication. 

Do I have to take the GREs and TOEFL even if I have a Masters degree from the USA?
Yes, we do not waive the GRE for any candidate. In addition, all students whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. Although we prefer the TOEFL test, this can be done in a variety of ways depending on the applicant's citizenship, prior education, etc. For details on the policies of the University of Washington, see http://www.grad.washington.edu/policies/memoranda/memo08.shtml.

Is there funding for US students? Is there funding for international students?
Yes, we can consider all students regardless of nationality for funding. All considerations for funding are made at the time of application and during a student’s candidacy.

What can I do with a Jackson School Ph.D.?
We aim to train both academics and practitioners, who want to engage with foreign affairs and area-studies. Depending on your profile and interest you might pursue a career as a scholar or administrator in a university setting, or a professional in public or private service.

What is the Research Tutorial?
It is a critical and innovative element in our graduate training. It is reserved for incoming first-year doctoral students, with the goal of exposing them to general social scientific research design and methods considerations in the specific context of their own research. Using a targeted approach for each individual student that ensures significant weekly feedback on written work, doctoral students engage in private tutorials, group tutorials, as well as class discussions and formal presentations in order to advance their research agendas from year one onwards. The objective is to move them toward a draft research prospectus that can shift into their formal dissertation prospectus as well as serve as a template to pursue external sources of funding.

Is the Jackson School Ph.D. program right for me?
We value and build on our world-renowned area and regional studies capabilities. If you are interested in area studies and want to approach a specific problem analytically under themes and topics in our foundational fields, we are the place for you. For students who are interested primarily in a theoretical approach to international studies but who may seek area-based training, we recommend you consider our program. Occasionally, a student might choose to do both, ie consider our more targeted problem-focused Ph.D. in an area or region of the world, and then follow it up with another Ph.D. in a more conventional single-lens discipline.

What is the main advantage of getting a Jackson School Ph.D.?
The University of Washington is one of the elite public Universities in the United States. In combination with our fourfold foundational approach, our area studies programs in the Jackson School form one of the most powerful international studies programs in the country. Unlike many similar Ph.D. programs, we are substantively comprehensive, covering almost every critical global issue under the rubric of the four foundational fields and grounding it in specific regions and areas of the world. Also unlike many similar programs, we do not outsource our training of doctoral students outside the Jackson School. For the most part, we have the research and teaching capabilities to train our Ph.D. students in line with our visions.

Can I really finish in three to four years?
We look for students with exceptional focus and previous graduate training who will thrive in the targeted Research Tutorial. Our program is carefully calibrated from the start in order to bring students rapidly to a point where they can conduct original research. For students who are highly motivated, with demonstrable aptitude in writing and thinking creatively, and who have a clear sense of their career goals, we can provide the framework and opportunity for you to complete your PhD within four years. There is no reason why area and foreign affairs specialists cannot also be trained adequately in the same length of time as doctors, engineers, and lawyers. With our Research Tutorial system you will be concentrating from day one on developing and refining your own research interests.