The Curriculum
Sixteen courses are required prior to advancement to candidacy. The common core sequence consists of comparative public policy coursework, two courses in comparative politics, one course in international relations, and one course in research design. Each student must declare a primary field of either International Policy Analysis (IPA) or Comparative Policy Analysis (CPA), consisting of three specialized courses and a regional focus of five courses. Three additional courses must be taken from a set of electives.
Regional Requirement
The regional focus consists of a course in international relations of Asia-Pacific or international relations of the Americas, three additional courses in the student's primary region, and one course in another region offered by either IR/PS or the political science department. By petition, students may count a region other than one of the IR/PS offerings (currently China, East Asia, Japan, Latin America, or Southeast Asia) as their primary region.
Language Requirement
Before advancing to candidacy, students in the program must meet a high standard of proficiency in a foreign language linked to the student's regional focus. Proficiency is verified by examination.
Comprehensive Examinations
Each student must pass a comprehensive examination covering the two fields (international policy and comparative policy analysis) and a focus field, which may be either a substantive field of policy analysis (e.g. trade, environment, international finance) or the student's chosen primary region. Regardless of the focus field, that portion of the exam tests the student's knowledge of theoretical literature and ability to apply it to a policy issue of relevance to the region.
Dissertation
Candidates must present a dissertation prospectus to be examined by their dissertation committee, and, to receive the PhD degree, must complete a dissertation that makes a substantial and original contribution to knowledge commensurate with the standards of the University of California. The dissertation committee consists of four faculty members chosen from the political science department and IR/PS, with at least one member from each unit. A fifth member must be from outside the political science department and IR/PS.
Oral Defense
Students defend their dissertation at a final oral examination that is open to the public.
PhD Time Limit Policies
Students advance to candidacy by the end of four years. Total university support cannot exceed six years. Total registered time at UC San Diego cannot exceed seven years.
