Information on the Fletcher Ph.D. program can be found on pages 45-54 in the Student Handbook. The items below cover some of the most frequently asked questions.
Blackboard Webpage
The Ph.D. student group maintains a Blackboard webpage under student groups at Tufts. Messages, job announcements, study guides to comprehensive exams, new publications and the like can all be posted there. It serves as a virtual bulletin board open only to Fletcher PhD candidates and the Director of the Ph.D. program. Please contact Elizabeth.Chalecki@tufts.edu to be given access.
Campus Parking Permits
In order to park at Tufts, you must have a parking permit. There are different ones available for those living on and off campus. They may be purchased for one semester or one academic year.
You will need a student to show your student ID, car registration and proof of insurance to the Public Safety Office in the basement of Dowling Hall. Fees are payable by check only. Once you have secured a parking permit, a parking pass for garage access can be obtained for free upon request. Maps of parking areas are available as well.
Comprehensive Exams
When students are ready to schedule their exams they should complete and submit the "Request to Schedule Comps Form" located on the Petitions Forms page and return it to Ann Marie Decembrele [Ann.Decembrele@Tufts.edu].
Ph.D. candidates must successfully pass their written and oral comprehensive exams in three fields of study within one year of completing coursework. They are scheduled in September, November, February and April. Students schedule the date, timing and order of their three exams within 14 business. Students are responsible for securing an exam room, printing their documents, and returning them on time. Upon successful completion of all exams, they may proceed to the oral. Students who do not pass either the written or oral exams within two attempts will not be allowed to remain in the Ph.D. program.
Students should contact the field coordinator (see "Student Handbook") of each of the three fields in which they plan to take comprehensive exams some six months prior to their exam date to determine a reading list and the content and format of the exam. Some field coordinators have already prepared brief guidelines for their fields (see links below). As others become available, they will be posted here and in the "Student Handbook"
PhD Comprehensive Exams Field Guidelines
Development Economics
Human Security
International Environment and Resource Policy
International Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
International Organizations
International Security Studies
Pacific Asia
Political Systems and Theories
Public International Law
Southwest Asia and Islamic Civilization
Trade and Commercial Policy
United States
Course Information
In addition to the yearly on-line posting of courses, schedules and descriptions, students can access the most recent syllabus by referring to the professor’s webpage. Furthermore, Course Evaluations submitted by students at the end of every semester are available in Ginn library. Finally, at the beginning of every semester, seminars and new courses are showcased right before the beginning of classes during “Shopping Day.”
Dissertation Proposals
Upon successful completion of both written and oral comprehensive exams, students have six months in which to present and defend their dissertation proposals to the three members who comprise their committee. Students are free to select the members of their committee and may include an outside reader as a member. The chair of this committee must be on the Fletcher faculty.
All successfully defended proposals are submitted to the Ph.D. committee, along with IRB exemption, Dissertation Proposal form and all CVs of outside readers for approval. In addition, a statement from the student indicating that a search has been conducted to ensure that no similar research/dissertation exists must accompany the proposal.
For a current listing of committee members, please see the PhD Committee page on the Ph.D. student website. The Ph.D. committee may approve, reject, or conditionally approve any proposal. Students must petition the Ph.D. committee to change any member of their committee or to change the title of their dissertation. Most petition forms are available on-line on the Forms page on the Ph.D. webpage.
Some Dissertation Proposals are available in Ginn. Students have an option of whether or not to make their proposals public. An outline of the dissertation proposal from the methodology course is available on the Forms page of the Ph.D. webpage.
Doctoral Student Webpages
All registered, Fletcher Ph.D. students have the option of creating a free personal webpage on which to showcase their research. This page will remain active for up to one year past graduation. You may provide as much or as little information as you like, such as name, fields of study, advisors/chair, research interests, proposed dissertation title, CV, and/or a photo. New and updated information should be sent to webmaster Liz.Hincks@tufts.edu at the beginning of the semester.
Please visit the Ph.D. webpage (under student life in the Fletcher website) and select Ph.D. Student Webpages to sample some the pages. Link to Current PhD student page Please be aware that any information will be accessible to anyone with internet address, therefore use caution when posting items with personal information such as your social security number, student ID number, telephone and/or address.
Director of Student Services Jenifer Burckett-Picker [Jenifer.Burckett-Picker@Tufts.edu] is responsible for adding students to the Fletcher Ph.D. email list serve. All Ph.D. students may post official email messages to the list serve. The Fletcher PhD email list includes: members of the Ph.D. committee, the head of the Office of Career Services and all Ph.D. students.
All Fletcher students are on the official email list serve, which is maintained by Sarah.Strong@tufts.edu. Students may post to it, however it is moderated.
However, Ph.D. students are also on the Ph.D. Student Group email list, which is not moderated. All Ph.D. students may post to it. The purpose of this list is to communicate with student leaders, coordinate student-run events, and socialize. This list is maintained by student leaders. For more information, please contact one of the elected Ph.D. committee representatives.
Students have the option of subscribing to the social list serve, which is maintained by Fletcher receptionist Marinela Fula [Marinela.Fula@tufts.edu]. Information on social activities, debates on current events, and items for sale are common issues that go through this list serve.
To post a message to the faculty and/or staff lists, contact Marinela Fula [Marinela.Fula@tufts.edu].
Fares Research Center Desks
The Fares Research Center is located next to the Blakely Parking Lot. In order to obtain a desk there, you must contact the Director of Student Services Jenifer Burckett-Picker [Jenifer.Burckett-Picker@Tufts.edu]. First preference for Fares desks is given to students who have successfully completed their comprehensive exams. If space remains, those in the comprehensive exam phase may apply for space there. The center is a secure building that can be accessed 24 hours a day. You must contact Tufts Computing and Communications Services for internet access in Fares for your laptop.
Fellowship, Scholarship and Grant Information
The Office of Career Services (OCS) can provide you information on how to register for eRecruiting and will send out weekly/monthly notices on the official email listserve. Additional information is sent to either the official and/or Ph.D. list serve from the Director of Admissions and Financial Services Laurie Hurley, Director of Ph.D. Student Services Jenifer Burckett-Picker and others. Students will frequently circulate information they find on the Ph.D. list serve as well.
You will need to register to the Community of Science (COS) funding alert in order to view many of the alerts forwarded to the list serve. In addition, COS registration allows Ph.D. students to create their own funding alert catered to their particular research interest. Alerts are sent via email on a weekly basis based on the criteria selected and there is an option to also post background education and/or a CV. Registration is free. Go to http://www.cos.com, Select “Join” at the top of the home page. On the second page, select the “Join” button located on the center of the new page. Add your registration information. You can also use this site to search researchers at other institutions.
Finally, many professional organizations (APSA, APS, etc.) generate their own funding alerts and conference information.
Foreign Language Exams
You must successfully pass one foreign language exam if your native language is English. They are offered each semester. If you were educated through high school in another language, you may file for an exemption. Contact Ann Marie Decembrele [Ann.Decembrele@Tufts.edu] who administers these exams for additional information. More information on the foreign language requirement.
Institutional Review Board (IRB)
All dissertation proposals must obtain IRB exemption prior to being submitted to the Ph.D. committee. Obtaining approval prior to conducting field work and/or interviews is advised. Information on the process may be obtained from the following website: www.fletcher.tufts.edu/irb
Library - Classes on Databases & Citation Software at Ginn
Ginn library frequently offers classes on using databases as well as Endnote and Refworks citation software throughout the academic year. They will be announced on the official email list serve.
Library - Extended Borrowing Privileges at Ginn
Fletcher’s Ginn library allows Ph.D. students to check out books for a semester at a time. In order to obtain this privilege, you must show your student ID to Paula Cammarata [Paula.Cammarata@Tufts.edu] at the circulations desk and fill out a form. She will give you a blue library card to use for this purpose. Books checked out using the regular student ID card are subject to the regular borrowing period of four weeks. The blue card cannot be used at Tisch.
Library - Free and Discounted Copy/Print Cards at Ginn
As a Ph.D. student, you can obtain a free copy card for 500 copies at Ginn Library. In addition, it is possible to buy a reduced price copy/print card in the Ginn Library office. Cards bought at the machine near the Circulation desk charge the $.10/page rate. The cards provided in the office are subsidized by the Library for Fletcher students, and are discounted to a rate of $.07/page. If you buy a card in the office (next to the upper Reference area), please plan to pay by check, as they do not have change.
Library - Harvard Widener Borrowing Privileges, etc.
Fletcher students may get a Harvard College Library Special Borrower’s Card. In order to obtain one, you must go to the Library Privileges Office at Widener Library, Room 195 and show your Fletcher Student ID card.
Please visit the library pages on the Fletcher website for additional information on interlibrary loans and access to many other libraries.
Media Outreach
Fletcher’s Marketing Communications office facilitates interviews with the media and assists in the publishing of op-eds and articles. These services are available to the Fletcher community, including faculty, current students and administration. For additional information, please contact the Communications Office.
Miscellaneous &- Ph.D. Program Information
Additional information on the Ph.D. program can be found in the Student Handbook pages 45-54.
Ph.D. Forms
The Ph.D. petition form, dissertation proposal and defense forms and the Ph.D. application/plan of study form can be found on Ph.D. Website under PhD Forms. Most other forms are available in the Registrar’s Office.
Registering a Laptop
In order to use your laptop for internet access you should register your computer with TCCS (Tufts Computing and Communications Services). Please note that they must be contacted separately for internet access in the Fares Research Center.
Petitions
Various Fletcher committees review issues relating to Ph.D. student life. Below is a brief summary of common issues.
The CSAP reviews petitions for the following issues:
- exceptions, exemptions or equivalency for fields of study or divisional requirements (excluding methodology and statistics requirements)
- retroactive credit for coursework offered toward the 5th semester
- further extension of coursework: first request
- late course enrollment
- creating a special field
The Ph.D. Committee reviews petitions for the following issues:
- exemption, exception and equivalency for the methodology & statistics requirements
- extension of Ph.D. candidacy
- approval of Ph.D. dissertation proposals
- change of reader and/or title of thesis from original proposal
- change of timing/examiner of comprehensive exams
- deferring beginning the Ph.D. Program
- reader exceptions (i.e., two non-Fletcher readers)
- formal admission for internal admits
- reinstatement to Ph.D. degree candidacy
Both the CSAP and Ph.D. Committee review the transfer credit toward the 5th semester.
See the Petition Forms page on the PhD website for these forms.
Previous Fletcher Dissertations and Dissertation Proposals
Bound copies of previous Fletcher dissertations are available in Ginn Library. Some Dissertation Proposals are also available in Ginn. Students have an option of whether or not to make their proposals public. There are two acceptable proposal formats: the standard social-science proposal and the three essay proposal for business students. An outline of the social science proposal is on the PhD webpage on the Petition Forms section.
Post Course-Work - Mailboxes
Mailboxes are not assigned to students in the post course-work phase of studies. You may obtain one by speaking to Vlad in the mailroom in Cabot.
Post Course-Work - Registration
Students in the post course-work phase of studies must register at the beginning of the academic year. Instead of registering on line, students must fill out a paper enrollment form sent in the mail by the Registrar’s office. The completed form must be returned to that office during the registration period. Once that form is received and any outstanding balance paid, registration will be complete.
Professional Organizations
There are a series of professional organizations that provide information on international relations and other areas of interests to doctoral students. Many offer discounted subscription fees for students and provide information on conferences, job fairs, grants, etc. Some common ones are:
- Academy of Political Science (APS), which publish the Political Science Quarterly www.psqonline.org
- American Political Science Association (APSA) www.apsanet.org
- International Political Science Association (IPSA) www.ipsa.ca/en/home
Student Information System (SIS) Website
The SIS website (https://hsfonline.tufts.edu/) is a primary reference point for students. This is where they register (during the course-work phase), view and/or print an unofficial transcript, view balances and update personal information such as phone number, address and email contact. For official Fletcher transcripts, please contact the Fletcher registrar’s office.
Student Representatives
There are several Ph.D. student representatives. A list of current representatives and their functions can be found on the PhD Website under Ph.D. Student Leaders