International Conflict Management, Ph.D.

Contact: Dr. Brandon Lundy, Associate Director
Office: Social Sciences Building 22, Suite 2019, MD# 2211
Phone: (770) 423-6127
Email: blundy@kennesaw.edu
Web address: http://phd.hss.kennesaw.edu

International Conflict Management Ph.D. Program Description

This fulltime, interdisciplinary, in-residence program is designed to meet the global demand for scholar-practitioners to address the complex array of international conflict and security challenges through the development and implementation of empirically-based research, recommendations, and solutions. Following rigorous substantive and methodological preparation, applied experience in the field, competency in a foreign language, and the successful completion of their dissertation research, program graduates will be ready to compete for tenure-track university faculty appointments and a wide range of operational positions in government, non-governmental agencies and the global business community.

General Requirements for Admission to the Ph.D. Program 

Applicants are required to submit portfolios of documents as evidence of their qualifications. Qualified applicants are recommended for admission based on the International Conflict Management (INCM) Program Admissions Committee evaluation of the submitted materials. The MA/MS degree in a related discipline is highly recommended as the basic requirement. In exceptional cases, a BA/BS degree in the field may be considered if the applicant demonstrates significant previous experience. Evidence of relevant full-time work experience or international experience is strongly recommended, but not required.

To be considered for admission to the INCM Ph.D. program, the following application materials must be submitted by applicants electronically through the KSU Graduate Admissions Office via the Online Application at http://www.kennesaw.edu/graduate/admissions/application.html (documents can be uploaded):

1. Application Fee. Non-refundable $60.
2. Applicants can apply for Financial Aid and Assistantships which are awarded upon review by the Program Admissions Committee. KSU Assistantships provide a stipend and cover both in-state and out-of-state tuition, however student fees will still remain the responsibility of the student. KSU Financial Aid options are available at http://www.kennesaw.edu/financial_aid/.
3. Resume or CV, showing the chronological progression of educational and work experiences including any additional information relevant to support the application.
4. Statement of Intent describing the applicant’s interest in the study of international conflict management and any relevant experiences and an outline of how the Ph.D. program could further those interests.
5. Writing Sample demonstrating writing and analytical abilities related to higher education or professional experience. This writing sample is preferred in English, however will be accepted in another language accompanied by an English translation. There are no length requirements, however longer samples (e.g., a senior or master’s thesis) should be accompanied by an abstract or executive summary.
6. Letters of Recommendation from three references, at least two of which describe the applicant’s qualifications, motivation and prospects for success in the program. The references will be sent an email with a link to a reference form to be completed electronically.
7. Transcripts from all post-secondary educational institutions. Although unofficial transcripts may be uploaded online, applicants still need to submit official transcripts. Transcripts from foreign institutions must be accompanied by an official evaluation. Transcripts may be evaluated at any of the credentialed evaluation services listed at www.naces.org/members.htm. Evaluations must include a course-by-course listing and a calculation of the applicant’s GPA.
8. Official GRE scores from within the last five years.
9. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) scores for all applicants who are not native speakers of English (www.ets.org/toefl/ (minimum score of 88) or the IELTS www.ielts.org/ (minimum score of 6.5)), unless: they come from exempt countries; have graduated from a college or university in the United States accredited in a manner accepted by KSU; or who have studied successfully for at least one year at a university in which English was the medium of instruction. 

Transfer Credit

Students are eligible to transfer a maximum of 24 graduate credit hours completed previously in an accredited graduate program at another institution into the program towards their required total credit hours.  A course can only be transferred if the student earned a grade of “B” or better.

Program Structure and Degree Requirements

Completion of the INCM Ph.D. requires a minimum of 75 credit hours of study, which includes all transfer credits  - including an international field experience - proficiency in a foreign language (no degree credit) and dissertation research, writing, and defense. The program provides students maximum flexibility to tailor their education to topical and regional interests and the demands of the global job market.

Degree Completion

Students will be allowed to graduate when all degree requirements have been fulfilled.

Time Limit

All requirements for a Ph.D. degree must be completed within seven years, beginning with the first registration in graduate-level classes following admission to the degree program. Extension of time may be granted only on conditions beyond the student’s control. Only courses in which credit has been earned within seven years of the date of admission will be counted for degree credit.

Program of Study