Ph.D. degrees are awarded in one of three disciplinary specializations which are International Politics, International Trade & Commerce and Comparative Socio-Cultural Studies. The degree can be pursued in the course of study in an area concentration. The program is designed to produce graduates who are both outstanding researchers and experts prepared to apply their knowledge and skills to practical problem-solving. Candidates write a faculty-supervised Ph.D. dissertation in English, Korean or their regional specialty language.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

- A minimum of 36 credit hours as advised by program supervisor with the minimum grade point average of
   3.00 out of the maximum of 4.50 points
   (A minimum of 64 credit hours in case of Integrated Master&Ph.D program)
- 2 years (4 semesters) of residence for course work
    (3 years (6 semesters) of residence for course work in case of Integrated Master&Ph.D program)
- One year of Thesis Guidance after course work
- A qualifying examination(Comprehensive Exam) in 3 selected fields
- Proficiency test in foreign languages
- Dissertation proposal defense conducted under a committee of 3 professors
- A dissertation written under the supervision of an advisory professor in the department
- Oral defense of the dissertation conducted under a committee of 5 professors

Duration of Course Work : 2 years (3 years in case of Intergrated MA&Ph.D)

Maximum Stay of School Years

   - Doctoral (Ph.D.): 5 years
   - Intergrated: 8 years (Any absence is not counted in)

Credits required for Completion

   - Doctoral (Ph.D.): 36 credit minimum
   - Intergrated: 64 credits

Credits per Semester

   - Doctoral (Ph.D.): 3 credits ~ 9 credits
   - Intergrated: 3 credits ~ 12 credits

Comprehensive Examination

Students on the doctoral program have to pass the Comprehensive Examination for the successful completion of their studies. The exam comprises three subjects (two major and one other non-major doctoral course), chosen by the department director under the permission of the GSIAS Dean.

Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement

Students have to pass the foreign language proficiency test for the successful completion of their studies. The test is held twice a year for students who have registered more than one semester. There is no limit to the number of times the test may be taken.

Alternate scores for General English: Master & Ph.D

Department	Exam
	TOEIC	TOEFL	IELTS	FLEX
English Major (North American Studies, EU Studies, U-PEACE, Int’l Development, Int’l Relations)	950	PBT	CBT	IBT	7.5	901
	620	260	105
Non-English Major	850	580	237	92	7.0	750

D. Exemptions for other subjects

① Master students who have obtained A°can get exemption for the major language subject
② Doctoral students who achieved FLEX 340 or above out of 600 (reading part only)can get exemption for the major language
   (regional language) or second foreign language subject
③ Doctoral students in the Korean Studies Department who achieved TOPIK Level 5 or above can get exemption
    for the Major Korean language subject. (Non-Korean Students Only)
④Native Speaker of English or their major languageregional language) can get exemption for the subject