PhD In Program
Credit Requirements
Please refer to the requirements listed in the Graduate Calendar for the year you entered the program, they can befound here https://calendar.carleton.ca/archives/.
For students entering the Ph.D. in International Affairs program in the 2025-2026 academic year, the program requirements are a minimum of 3.5 credits comprised of the following:
- Compulsory research methods and policy analysis courses (1.5 credits)
- Compulsory research seminar (0.0 credit)
- Economics course in declared field (0.5 credit)
- Elective courses in declared field (1.0 credits)
- Prospectus Seminar and public defence of a research prospectus (0.5 credit)
- Dissertation (0 credit)
- Successful completion of the second language proficiency requirement.
Note: Students without strong economics or international relations training will be required to complete additional ECON or IR courses, which will be considered extra to the degree.
NPSIA PhD Information Package
Program Sequence
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Ph.D. Program Structure Document: Full-Time Studies
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Ph.D. Program Structure Document: Part-Time Studies
In-Program Second Language Proficiency
All students must provide proof of second language proficiency prior to the completion of their program. Students with no prior knowledge in a second language are encouraged to contact the Language Advisor (Cristina Trevisan) during their first term to discuss their options for completing the language requirement. All students must begin their language training no later than the first semester of their second year in the program.
Language proficiency can be demonstrated by one of the following options:
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Provide documentation that demonstrates the student has achieved at minimum a B1 level or better according to the Council of Europe (Common European Framework of Reference) designations of proficiency in a second language.
Examples of sufficient documentation: undergraduate transcripts, high-school diplomas, accredited language school certificates, documents pertaining to research in a foreign language, letters of reference from employers, official testing results obtained at other institutions or language schools, letters of language proficiency provided by faculty members.
Successful students will be encouraged to continue to improve their proficiency in their designated language, or acquire proficiency in another language.
Note: Students must achieve a grade of B- or better in their language courses.
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Successful completion of an intermediate level course in a language other than the student’s mother tongue and accepted by NPSIA.
At Carleton University, the following courses will satisfy the NPSIA language requirement (please note: students may be required to complete any necessary beginner language courses, as determined by the School of Linguistics and Language Studies, prior to completing any of the final courses noted below):
ARAB 2110
FREN 1100
JAPA 2110
PORT 2110
RUSS 2020
KORE 2020
GERM 2020 or GERM 2110
ITAL 2020 or ITAL 2110
CHIN 2020 or CHIN 2110
SPAN 2020 or SPAN 2110
*Students must achieve a grade of B- or better in their language courses. - here.
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Complete the online language training program, Rosetta Stone. The program is a once per year licence (registration in the fall of each academic year) and is available in the following languages: French, Spanish and German. Approx. cost is $230.- per license (+ HST). To fulfill the NPSIA language requirement, students must complete level B1 in the language training program, in accordance to the Council of Europe (Common European Framework of Reference) designations.
The Rosetta Stone program offers two learning paths: Foundations, for beginners (A1-A2) and Fluency Builder, for intermediate/advanced learners (B1-B2-C1). There is an initial compulsory placement test, which will determine the path, and four achievement tests.
Important: Once a student starting in Foundations meets the requirements for B1, they MUST send an email to the Language Advisor, who will then allow the student to access the next level (i.e. Fluency Builder, and complete the required B1 level). If a student starts at B1 level, they must access Fluency Builder in order to successfully complete the program requirements for NPSIA.At the beginning of each academic year, an email will be sent out with sign-up information, deadlines and details on how to use the program. If you have already signed up for the program, please complete the online payment form here.
For more information regarding the Modern Languages Unit at the School of Linguistics & Language Studies, please see: http://www.carleton.ca/slals/modern-languages/.