Salve Regina launches international relations Ph.D. designed for military

NEWPORT – Salve Regina University launched an online doctorate program in international relations that it says is the first of its kind in the United States, the university announced Thursday.

The program is specifically designed for faculty at military institutions, military officers from both the U.S. and abroad, and those employed in government services professions.

Candidates for the program should already hold a master’s degree and have five years of related experience, the university said.

“Salve Regina is thrilled to be the first university in the United States to offer an online Ph.D. in international relations,” said Symeon Giannakos, program director, in a statement. “The mission of the degree – which emphasizes justice with a primary focus on seeking wisdom – is to provide an innovative understanding of area studies through comparative analysis.”

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The 48-credit program will include 36 credit hours focusing on area studies such as Europe, East Asia, Africa, Latin America, North America, the Middle East, Russia and China, followed by a 12-credit dissertation writing phase.

The university is currently enrolling classes that will begin in the fall.

“Military officers who cannot logistically attend a traditional Ph.D. program find themselves in a disadvantage despite their tremendous practical and academic credentials,” Giannakos said. “Our program will give these professionals the opportunity to do so without taking time off from their work. They are dedicated, disciplined, intelligent and hardworking professionals who can handle the rigor of graduate work while maintaining their important jobs.”

Faculty for the upcoming fall courses in the program will draw on faculty from Salve Regina, University of Rhode Island, the U.S. Naval War College and Roger Williams University.

Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.