The Gari School of Government and International Relations

Ph.D. of Russian Studies

OVERVIEW

The Gari School of Government and International Politics’ doctoral (Ph.D.) program in Russian Studies is designed to prepare students to be pioneering scholars and expert academics, or foreign affairs practitioners, diplomats and analysts with highly specialized knowledge of the Russian Federation and the geo-political regions of Eastern Europe and North-East Asia. Fluency in Russian languege is required. Our curriculum in Russian Studies is designed to help the exceptional candidates develop into pioneering academics, erudite scholars and advanced researchers in international relations, politics and diplomacy in this highly idiosyncratic and historically problematic region which bears an important geo-political significance to the U.S. and European national interests, securities, long-term success of freedom and democracy around the world, and America’s standing as the global political leader and ultimate political, economic and military super-power in the world.
The Gari School of Government and International Politics is the only graduate school in the United States that offers a doctoral program with the major in Russian Studies. Our mission is to provide the doctoral candidates with the most accurate, truthful, objective and scholastic information on the Russian Federation, its political, economic and military policies, and imperative strategies. For this purpose, we have recruited international experts in different academic fields of political science from Eastern Europe and the former Soviet states as faculty, adjunct professors and lecturers.
We recognize that some of our graduates may pursue careers as outstanding foreign affairs practitioners and analysts. For that purpose our doctoral program entails important practical elements, along with theoretical studies, such as the mandatory study and teach abroad program in Russian Federation or the country of Ukraine. Our goal is to develop the doctoral candidate into an expert of both, theory and practice, in the field of Russian Studies. The program places emphases on the following sub-fields of the discipline of political science: Russian culture, history of Russian and non-Russian people of the Russian Federation, Russian literature, Russian imperialism, defense and strategic studies, the U.S. national and international security, foreign policy, economics, political economy and international organizations.

FACULTY

The Gari School of Government and International Politics boasts of a distinguished faculty. Many of our faculty members have served as directors, advisors, counselors and notable executives to governments and/or government units, foundations, investment companies, private companies and public corporations in the United States, Europe and Asia, the Russian Federation included. In addition, we regularly recruit high profile executives from international organizations and most illustrious professors from premier universities of Europe, Asia, including the Russian Federation, Middle-East and Africa, to serve as adjunct professors or lecturers, in order to share truly international political and economic perspectives with our graduate students.

IDEAL CANDIDATES

Fluency in Russian languege is required. Ideal candidates for our doctoral program would have achieved the highest standing in taking the M.S. degree study in Russian language and literature, or political science or any of its subfields at a recognized university, and are able to demonstrate exceptionally strong propensity for contributing to political theory on international relations and performing advanced scholastic research. Applicants with the previous M.S. degree in economics, business, philosophy, education and journalism will also be strongly considered for this program. The Ph.D. program in Russian Studies is designed to prepare the students for university teaching and research, and for positions as high profile analysts and diplomats in government, public service, international organizations and private sector industry. Our doctoral graduates have obtained leadership positions in government offices, large international organizations and multinational corporations, as well as fellowships and faculty positions at the top universities and research institutions in the United States and Europe.

TIMELINE

Typically the first year of the candidacy is spent in advancing knowledge in general theories of the discipline and its different subfields. Upon finishing the coursework, at the end of the second year, the candidate usually enters the research stage, which involves studying additional literature, preparing the dissertation proposal, and writing the dissertation. The candidate is guided by the Curator, who is a full member of the faculty and the Graduate Committee, and serves as the academic and dissertation advisor to the candidate. Typically at the end of the second year the candidate submits the proposal. The Ph.D. student should successfully propose, submit, and defend the doctoral dissertation under the supervision of the Graduate Committee.

GLOBAL EXPERIENCE AND STUDY ABROAD

The Gari School of Government and International Politics also offers more than just the traditional online experience. It combines in-class seminars and examinations with online guidance. It provides our doctoral students with valuable extracurricular opportunities to exchange ideas with high-level public servants, participate in political debates, and attend ESAP, European Study Abroad Program of Georgian International University which gives our students unique opportunities to study, as well as teach in Europe, and receive full certifications and dual degrees from premier European or Asian academic institutions. Attending the ESAP program is mandatory for the doctoral students. This will allow them to become closely acquainted with the academic and political cultures of Russia, and its people.

CURRICULUM & TUITION*

Tuition is approximately $800 per course, subject to change.

ADMISSIONS

We admit graduate students on a quarterly basis. We welcome international students, as well as transfer students of good academic standing into our graduate programs.

ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS

1. A transcript(s) with undergraduate GPA of 3.0, or instead a Graduate Record Exam (GRE) test score of 550 on the verbal and 600 on the quantitative portion. In some cases Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) may be also acceptable.
2. Two Letters of Recommendation from the school(s) previously attended.
3. TOEFL score for international students.

PREREQUISITES

6 Political Science (graduate course) Credits
3 Russian Language (graduate course) Credits
3 Economics (graduate course) Credits

Prior undergraduate or graduate courses in which a grade of B- or higher was attained can be used to meet the prerequisites of the program. Areas in which the student does not have prior coursework can have the necessary requirements met by taking the following foundation courses at Georgian International University:

POL 595 – Classical Economics V: Sowell
POL 596 – Classical Economics VI: von Mises
RUS 560 – Russian as a Foreign Language
ECON 500 – Essential Economics

Truly exceptional applicants, who do not meet the enrollment requirements, still may be considered for the program. They must be interviewed in person and evaluated by the Graduate Committee. Taking additional prerequisite courses will be a part of the provisional admission. Prospective applicants must take under consideration that the university rarely makes such exceptions.

Download the PDF ADMISSION APPLICATION FORM