International Conflict Management, Ph.D.

Program Description

This full time, 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, 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, and non-governmental agencies.

Completion of the INCM Ph.D. requires a minimum of 75 credit hours of study, which includes all coursework, transfer credits, and dissertation research. Additional program requirements include a first-year progress and funding evaluation, a comprehensive examination on core courses, dissertation proposal defense, and dissertation defense.

This program is a part of the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences  .

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Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation Policies

Admissions Requirements

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. 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. The following are in addition to the regular Admissions  requirements: 

1. Resume or CV, showing the chronological progression of educational and work experiences including any additional information relevant to support the application.
2. 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. Applicants are also encouraged to identify a research topic area and are encouraged to list potential faculty mentors.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. A GRE score is not required, but may be submitted; if submitted, the GRE score will be considered alongside the other application materials. Applicants who submit GRE scores are not favored over those who do not.
6. A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score is required for all non-native speakers of English applicants. (www.ets.org/toefl/ [minimum score of 88] or the IELTS www.ielts.org/ [minimum score of 6.5]).  Applicants from countries where English is an official language are not required to submit scores. Other exceptions for non-native speakers to request a waiver of this requirement can be found at: https://www.kennesaw.edu/admissions/graduate/application-process/international.php/#foreign Submit the completed waiver request form to ksugrad@kennesaw.edu.

Admissions Criteria for Unique Cases

Currently, there are no exceptions to the admission requirements.

Transfer Policy

INCM Ph.D. students can transfer up to 17 credits into the program subject to program director approval. Students may be asked to provide syllabi and other documentation to demonstrate course content. There is no time restriction placed on transfer credits into the INCM program in terms of when the courses were taken.

Enrollment Requirements

Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA within the program of study. Students can be dismissed from the program under any of the following conditions: while on probation, the term GPA is less than 3.0; not clearing probation after 2 semesters; achieving a sememster GPA of less than 2.0 on any semester, and receiving a final grade of ‘F’ in any course.  Students can also be removed from the program for cause, such as plagiarism, unprofessional behavior inside or outside the classroom, unprofessional behavior toward university faculty, staff, administrators and students, etc. 

Graduation Requirements

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 in special circumstances approved by the Program and School Directors with input from the Dissertation Committee Chair. Only courses in which credit has been earned within seven years of the date of admission (excluding Transfer Credits) will be counted for degree credit. All candidates must apply for graduation online. For more information, please view the corresponding section of Academic Policies: 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION .

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Program Course Requirements