The Fletcher School

A Graduate School of International Affairs

Admissions
PhD Application Instructions

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program

Each year The Fletcher School enrolls a small number of students into the PhD program. These students have a master’s degree in a field that is relevant to international relations, and directly related to the applicant’s proposed PhD studies. The applicant’s master’s degree must come from a program that required at least one and a half years of full-time study, and at least 12 semester-long courses in which the applicant earned a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher. The program is most appropriate for students proposing an interdisciplinary dissertation topic, and prospective applicants should contact Fletcher School professors in the desired fields of study to ensure that the topic is a good match with expertise at the School.

Please note: Students who are currently enrolled in the MALD program, or who have previously been awarded the MALD degree at The Fletcher School, must contact the Registrar’s Office at Fletcher for application instructions.

Please refer to the Application Instructions (PDF format) for complete instructions.

Application Checklist:
  • Application for Admission
  • Application Fee of $70
  • Official Academic Transcripts
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • Personal Statement
  • Supplemental Essay
  • PhD Proposal (see sample)
  • MA Thesis or Writing Sample
  • Resume
  • Official Test Score Reports
  • List of PhD programs to which you are applying
  • List of Fletcher professors you have been in contact with
  • Evaluative Interview (optional, but recommended)
  • Scholarship Application (if applicable)
For reapplication information, see Policies.

Please Note...
Application materials and supporting documents become the confidential property of The Fletcher School and are not returnable.  We suggest that for your own records, you retain a copy of the application and make a copy of those documents that are not confidential.