International Doctoral Program in Asia-Pacific Studies

Students must complete the program within 7 years (excluding 2 years with an approved leave of absence).  There is no specific minimum time frame, but students need to carry out their research for at least 2 years under the supervision of an advisor.

The general requirements are: complete 30 credits, complete the research ethics online course, pass the Qualifying Exam (QE) on one of the 4 available tracks, and pass the proposal defense and the final dissertation defense. Other requirements (depending on the year of enrollment) are: to publish an article in an English journal, attend an English international conference, and have working experience as either a teaching assistant or research assistant.

Students must pass the course during their first year.

Yes. The track only affects the QE. The dissertation does not need to be about any of the QE topics.

The QE is an open essay-style exam with citations and references.

Students can retake the QE once.

Yes, students can have an external advisor.

Students have to wait at least 2 months in between.

Students must have 1/3(one-third) external members on their committee.

Students can arrange another final defense only once.