PhD in International Relations Theory
A Doctoral Program Dedicated to Advancing International Relations Theory
- PROGRAM DETAILS
- What You Will Achieve
- Program Structure
- Program Features
- Master-In-Passing
- Admissions
- Tuition
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- POST-DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
- Post-Doc: DLitt. By Manuscript
- Post-Doc: By Published Articles
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- ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
- PhD in Business Research
- PhD in Economics
- PhD in International Relations
- Doctor of Social Science
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- APPLIED PROGRAMS
- Doctor of Business Administration
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- MASTER PROGRAMS
- MPhil in Business Research
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- APPLICATION & ADMISSIONS
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The PhD in International Relations Theory at Monarch Switzerland is a scholarly research doctorate devoted to the systematic investigation and advancement of the theoretical foundations of global political, economic, and social interaction. The program focuses on the development of theory, conceptual frameworks, and interpretive models that deepen academic understanding of how the international system functions and why global actors behave as they do.
Candidates examine international relations as a human and social science, engaging with the intellectual traditions that give meaning to global affairs. Rather than limiting inquiry to empirical description, the program encourages exploration of the underlying ideas, norms, identities, and power structures that shape interstate behaviour, multilateral cooperation, conflict, and global governance. Through this lens, students engage with the major schools of international relations theory while building the capacity to contribute original conceptual insight to these ongoing debates.
Anchored in political philosophy, sociology, international political economy, and historical analysis, the program fosters a distinctive scholarly identity grounded in interpretation, explanation, and conceptual refinement. This positioning reflects Monarch’s commitment to the European academic tradition, where doctoral work is centred on the generation of new knowledge through rigorous theoretical inquiry.
The PhD is especially suited to experienced professionals and scholars—including diplomats, senior analysts, strategists, NGO and IGO practitioners, military officers, political economists, and academics—who wish to move beyond operational accounts of world affairs and interrogate the deeper intellectual architecture of the international system. Through structured milestones, intensive supervision, and sustained theoretical engagement, candidates develop the ability to produce original, reflective, and critically grounded contributions to international relations theory.
What You Will Achieve
The PhD in International Relations Theory is designed to cultivate the intellectual depth, methodological discipline, and critical interpretive capacity expected of senior researchers and scholarly practitioners in the field of global politics. The outcomes below represent the core developmental achievements candidates typically gain through the program’s structured, mentor-supported progression.
| Mastery of International Relations Theory | Develop an advanced, historically informed command of major and emerging schools of international relations theory, enabling you to situate your research within sophisticated debates on power, order, norms, security, and global governance. |
| Advanced Qualitative & Interpretive Methods | Acquire high-level competencies in qualitative, interpretive, and historical methods appropriate to international relations, including discourse analysis, case study research, process tracing, and lived-experience inquiry aligned with European doctoral traditions. |
| Global Systems & Geopolitical Insight | Strengthen your ability to analyse complex global systems, regional dynamics, and geopolitical transformations, connecting local empirical developments to wider patterns of international order and change. |
| Normative & Ethical Reasoning | Deepen your capacity to interrogate the ethical, normative, and justice-oriented dimensions of international relations, clarifying how values, rights, and responsibilities shape foreign policy, multilateralism, and global governance. |
| Critical Interpretation of International Order | Develop the ability to examine competing interpretations of international order, hegemony, and resistance through multiple theoretical lenses, generating nuanced readings of contemporary crises and long-run structural trends. |
| Scholarly Identity & Research Community Engagement | Build a distinctive scholarly identity through sustained engagement with Monarch’s international research community, conferences, and opportunities for publication within the Monarch Research Paper Series (MRPS) and external outlets. |
| Independent Theoretical Leadership | Cultivate the independence, theoretical creativity, and intellectual confidence necessary to lead original research agendas, contribute to scholarly debates in international relations theory, and inform policy and practice at the global level. |
Together, these developmental achievements provide the intellectual foundation, methodological discipline, and reflective maturity required to complete the dissertation and contribute meaningfully to contemporary scholarship in international relations theory.
Program Structure
The doctoral journey follows a clearly defined structure that reflects the intellectual progression expected in advanced theoretical inquiry in international relations. Each phase is designed to guide the candidate from broad theoretical orientation to the development, articulation, and defense of an original contribution to international relations theory. The sequence of phases aligns with the research competencies articulated in the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) for advanced study, ensuring the cultivation of high-level analytical reasoning, independent inquiry, and the ability to generate new conceptual insight within the discipline.
This structured progression integrates rigorous academic engagement, reflective analysis, and sustained supervisory guidance. Through this combination, candidates steadily develop the scholarly autonomy, theoretical depth, and methodological sophistication required to participate meaningfully in contemporary debates within international relations. The framework provides both intellectual direction and flexibility, supporting each candidate as they refine their theoretical grounding and establish a distinctive scholarly identity capable of contributing to the advancement of IR theory.
Preparatory Phase
The Preparatory Phase establishes the intellectual foundation required for advanced doctoral work in international relations theory. During this stage, candidates immerse themselves in the major traditions of international relations—including realism, liberalism, constructivism, the English School, critical theory, post-colonial perspectives, feminist IR, and emerging contributions—while strengthening their understanding of IR as a human and social science. Through directed reading, reflective study, and supervisory discussion, candidates learn to identify theoretical gaps, conceptual tensions, and unresolved problems within the discipline. This phase equips candidates with the interpretive and analytical competence necessary to refine their initial interests and transition confidently toward proposal development.
Proposal Phase
Building on the conceptual grounding achieved in the Preparatory Phase, candidates enter the Proposal Phase, where they begin shaping the architectural structure of their contemplated research. With guidance from a supervising professor, they define the theoretical problem they intend to address, clarify the concepts and traditions that will frame their analysis, and articulate the assumptions, scope, and limitations of their approach. The Proposal Phase culminates in the submission and approval of the formal Research Proposal by the Academic Committee. Approval signifies that the candidate has demonstrated sufficient theoretical maturity and that the project is viable, coherent, and aligned with the standards of doctoral-level scholarship.
Research Phase
The Research Phase marks the transition from planning to sustained theoretical inquiry. Unlike empirical or policy-oriented programs, this phase is characterized by deep engagement with conceptual debates, philosophical positions, and interpretive analysis central to international relations theory. Candidates refine their understanding of the traditions relevant to their work, confront competing arguments, and explore the philosophical, sociological, or historical foundations that underpin their field of inquiry. Throughout this stage, supervisory dialogue helps ensure that the unfolding theoretical argument remains coherent, rigorous, and grounded within the broader landscape of IR scholarship. The Research Phase concludes once the core structure of the candidate’s theoretical contribution has taken shape.
Dissertation Phase
The Dissertation Phase represents the synthesis of the doctoral process. Drawing together the insights developed during the research phase, candidates work to produce a complete, coherent, and original doctoral manuscript. This involves integrating the theoretical framework, conceptual analysis, and interpretive arguments into a structured narrative that reflects scholarly depth and intellectual independence. The dissertation must demonstrate a clear and persuasive argument, situate the candidate’s contribution within established debates in international relations theory, and articulate its relevance to global political and economic understanding. The supervisory process during this phase supports the refinement of the manuscript and ensures that the final text reflects the highest academic standards.
Presentation Stage
The final stage of the program culminates in the Viva Voce, the formal oral defense of the doctoral dissertation before the Academic Committee. At this stage, candidates must demonstrate their ability to present and defend their theoretical arguments, methodological reasoning, and scholarly significance within the context of established international relations literature. To support this process, candidates participate in the Presentation Preparation Module, which helps them refine their scholarly communication skills, anticipate academic critique, and articulate the broader implications of their theoretical contribution. Successful completion of the Viva Voce marks the conferral of the doctoral degree.
This structured progression ensures that each candidate develops the full range of theoretical, analytical, and interpretive competencies expected of a scholar in international relations theory. By the conclusion of the program, candidates will have produced an original, conceptually rigorous contribution to the field and demonstrated the reflective depth and critical sophistication that define advanced scholarly inquiry at Monarch Switzerland.
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Key Program Features
| • | Milestone-based scholarly framework supporting structured theoretical development. |
| • | Strong emphasis on conceptual, philosophical, and theoretical inquiry in international relations. |
| • | Integrated dual-degree pathway culminating in the M.Phil. in Research. |
| • | Close faculty supervision from senior scholars in international relations and political theory. |
| • | Designed to accommodate working professionals, diplomats, military officers, analysts, and scholar-practitioners. |
| • | Interdisciplinary orientation drawing on philosophy, political economy, sociology, and historical inquiry. |
| • | Access to Monarch’s international scholarly community and global research platforms. |
Study Mode For Working Professionals
| • | Designed specifically for working professionals balancing full-time responsibilities. |
| • | Primary modality: fully remote study from your home country with no mandatory residency. |
| • | Asynchronous learning structure allowing you to study on your schedule. |
| • | Periodic on-campus doctoral workshops offered in Switzerland for research support and community engagement. |
| • | No requirement to relocate or take leave from professional duties. |
| • | Ideal for executives, senior managers, consultants, and practitioners pursuing doctoral-level scholarship. |
Research Domains in IR Theory
| • | The PhD in International Relations Theory supports research across the full spectrum of IR theoretical traditions, including realism, liberalism, constructivism, critical theory, postcolonial perspectives, social theory, and emerging interpretive frameworks. |
| • | Candidates may pursue questions that deepen theoretical insight, conceptual analysis, and interpretive understanding of global order, power, norms, identity, security, and change in the international system. |
| • | Your specific theoretical focus will be refined during the Research Proposal phase in consultation with faculty, ensuring intellectual coherence, methodological appropriateness, and a clear contribution to ongoing debates in IR theory. |
Program Features
The PhD in International Relations Theory at Monarch Switzerland is designed to cultivate deep conceptual insight, rigorous analytical reasoning, and a mature scholarly identity. The program’s features reflect Monarch’s commitment to individualized mentorship, theoretical excellence, and reflective inquiry within a flexible structure that supports working professionals. Each element reinforces the development of original theoretical contribution, intellectual autonomy, and the global awareness expected of scholars working within the field of international relations theory.
| Scholarly Focus | The PhD emphasizes original theoretical contribution through advanced conceptual development and critical reflection on the ideas, structures, and interpretive frameworks that shape international relations. Candidates engage deeply with the foundational assumptions and evolving debates within IR theory. |
| Faculty Supervision | Candidates work under the close supervision of experienced scholars in international relations theory and related disciplines. Faculty guidance ensures conceptual rigor, coherence of argumentation, and the development of an independent scholarly voice throughout the research journey. |
| Flexible Structure | The milestone-based format accommodates working professionals, enabling candidates to progress steadily while balancing personal and professional responsibilities. The structure ensures clarity, predictability, and academic integrity across all stages of doctoral development. |
| Research Phase | During the research phase, candidates engage in sustained theoretical inquiry that refines and advances their conceptual contribution to international relations theory. The emphasis lies on interpretive analysis, comparative theoretical evaluation, and engagement with philosophical, sociological, and historical foundations that inform IR scholarship. The approach ensures that doctoral work remains intellectually rigorous, reflective, and grounded in the discipline’s core theoretical traditions. |
| Dual-Degree Framework | The program follows Monarch’s integrated degree structure, recognizing progression and completion through the Master-in-Passing (M.Phil.) in Research and Master-in-Exit (M.Phil.) pathways. These qualifications acknowledge mastery of theoretical reasoning, conceptual analysis, and scholarly synthesis achieved during doctoral study. |
| Global Research Access | Candidates gain access to Monarch’s international scholarly community, digital research platforms, global IR theory resources, and doctoral mentorship networks that support international academic engagement and interdisciplinary dialogue. |
Together, these features embody Monarch Switzerland’s philosophy of doctoral education—one that unites independent theoretical inquiry with intellectual discipline and ethical purpose. Candidates emerge not only as scholars capable of producing original conceptual contributions, but as reflective thinkers prepared to influence academic debate and the broader understanding of global political and economic interaction.
Master-in-Passing
The PhD in International Relations Theory at Monarch Switzerland incorporates a flexible and academically rigorous framework that recognizes both progression and completion through the Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in Research. The M.Phil. serves as an integral element of the doctoral journey, reflecting Monarch’s commitment to accessibility, progression, and academic integrity within advanced management research.
Master-in-Passing (Default Award)
Candidates who successfully complete all doctoral requirements are automatically granted the M.Phil. in Research in passing upon conferral of the PhD. This recognizes mastery of research design, theoretical framing, and analytical competence achieved throughout the doctoral program, and affirms the integrated nature of Monarch’s dual-degree structure.
Master-in-Exit (Terminal Award)
Candidates who wish conclude their studies prior to the completion of the PhD program for personal, professional, or research-related reasons may qualify for the M.Phil. as a terminal award by submitting a completed five-chapter master’s thesis. The M.Phil. in this form does not require an original contribution to knowledge, distinguishing it clearly from the doctoral award. Rather, it represents a complete and academically defensible qualification that affirms the candidate’s ability to conduct structured research and engage critically with management scholarship at a high level.
Through both the Master-in-Passing and Master-in-Exit pathways, Monarch Switzerland ensures that every candidate’s academic effort culminates in a meaningful qualification. This dual structure reflects Monarch’s commitment to combining scholarly excellence with human understanding, recognizing the diverse ways in which individuals contribute to the advancement of management knowledge.
Doctoral Research Philosophy
The PhD in International Relations Theory at Monarch Switzerland is grounded in the European tradition of critical reflection and conceptual scholarship. Research is understood as a sustained engagement with the ideas, assumptions, and interpretive frameworks that shape global political and economic life.
Candidates are encouraged to explore international relations as a human and social science,
seeking meaning in structures of power, identity, and discourse. Doctoral work in this program values intellectual autonomy, theoretical rigor, and interpretive depth.
Each candidate is supported in developing a distinctive scholarly voice capable of engaging realism, liberalism, constructivism, critical and post-colonial approaches,
and emerging perspectives in a reflective and responsible manner. The aim is to form scholars who can contribute original theoretical insight to international relations,
enriching both academic debate and the wider understanding of global order and change.
Admission & Entry Requirements
The PhD in International Relations Theory at Monarch Switzerland welcomes applicants who demonstrate strong intellectual capacity, rigorous academic preparation, and a commitment to theoretical inquiry within the social sciences. Admission to the program is selective and reflects Monarch’s expectation that doctoral candidates bring both scholarly readiness and a genuine interest in advancing the theoretical foundations of international relations.
Applicants must hold a recognized bachelor’s or master’s degree in International Relations, Political Science, International Political Economy, Political Philosophy, Sociology, History, Security Studies, or a closely related field. Candidates whose prior degrees are not explicitly in International Relations may still be considered if they can demonstrate significant academic or professional engagement with theoretical, analytical, or conceptual work relevant to the discipline.
Successful applicants typically exhibit strong academic writing skills, the ability to engage with abstract and conceptual material, and the maturity required for independent theoretical research. Applicants should be prepared to articulate their broad area of interest within international relations theory while recognizing that formal proposal development occurs within the program under faculty supervision.
Professional experience in diplomacy, academia, policy analysis, NGOs and IGOs, military, political economy, or related strategic fields is considered an asset, although not strictly required.
Tuition
All doctoral programs at Monarch Switzerland follow a milestone-based structure designed to accommodate the research and writing demands of advanced professional and academic inquiry. Tuition is assessed on a quarterly basis for the duration of the candidate’s active registration in the program.
The quarterly tuition fee is €3,250, payable at the beginning of each academic quarter. Candidates may alternatively request a monthly payment schedule to facilitate financial planning and continuity of study. This approach ensures ongoing access to supervisory guidance, academic resources, and institutional services throughout the research process.
Candidates who require additional time beyond the standard 36-month duration may continue their registration on an annual extension basis at 50% of the regular tuition rate. This continuation rate applies for all subsequent 12-month periods, allowing candidates to complete their research and dissertation at their own pace while maintaining full academic standing.
Detailed information regarding tuition fees, administrative charges, and payment procedures is provided within the Application and Information Package, available upon request.
Who Should Apply
| • | Experienced professionals seeking to deepen their scholarly orientation in international relations through conceptual and theoretical development. |
| • | Diplomats, policy advisors, and strategic analysts who wish to engage with the deeper intellectual frameworks that shape global politics and world order. |
| • | Military officers, security specialists, and geopolitical strategists seeking to reinterpret international relations through reflective, theory-driven inquiry. |
| • | Professionals in NGOs, IGOs, humanitarian organizations, and global governance institutions aiming to contribute intellectual insight to international policy discourse. |
| • | Academics and researchers who want to refine their theoretical foundations and develop original conceptual frameworks that advance IR scholarship. |
| • | Individuals motivated to move beyond descriptive or operational accounts of world affairs and engage with the philosophical, historical, and sociological foundations of international relations. |
Doctoral Graduate Profiles
Dr. Lori C. Stroud – United States / UAE
PhD in Business Research / International Relations (Cyber Intelligence, Security Governance & Global Systems)
Dr. Lori Stroud completed the PhD in Business Research / International Relations with a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in U.S. national security, global cyber operations, and multinational intelligence leadership. Her trajectory positions her among Monarch’s most accomplished practitioner–scholars working at the intersection of intelligence, cyber governance, and global security — domains increasingly central to international relations.
She began her career as a Signals Intelligence Analyst with the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA), supporting real-time military operations, counterterrorism missions, and strategic intelligence activities informing U.S. foreign policy. Her work included geospatial metadata exploitation, multi-INT fusion, and targeting analysis across East Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Her subsequent roles with Booz Allen Hamilton, CyberPoint International, and DarkMatter expanded her expertise into digital network intelligence, cyber-threat attribution, and analytic modernization across the MENA region — directly interfacing with the geopolitical landscape of cyber conflict and state-sponsored threat activity.
Her doctoral research examined the interaction between cyber-intelligence capability, human-analytic performance, and organizational resilience within high-stakes security ecosystems. This study reflects the evolving reality that international relations increasingly unfold within digital, transnational arenas where cyber operations influence diplomacy, statecraft, and global stability.
After completing her doctorate, Dr. Stroud advanced into senior leadership roles including Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at HanesBrands Inc., Senior Vice President and Global Cyber Investigations Program Manager at Citi, and Chief Information Security Officer at BlueMatrix. Her responsibilities have included governance of global investigations units, cross-border cyber-risk frameworks, and intelligence-led organizational decision-making.
Dr. Stroud exemplifies how the PhD at Monarch equips experienced professionals to conduct rigorous doctoral inquiry into complex global systems, contributing insight directly relevant to the evolving security and geopolitical dimensions of contemporary international relations.
Dr. Caroline Ntara – Kenya
PhD in International Business Research
Dr. Caroline Ntara completed her doctoral research at Monarch with a concentration on international trade integration and global political economy. Building on her academic background in international business and economics, and supported by a strong record of scholarly publications in regional trade, foreign policy, and economic integration, her dissertation advanced a nuanced, evidence-based perspective on the structural factors shaping East African economic cooperation within the global system.
Her dissertation—“Economic Integration and Multilateral Trade Gains: An Examination of the East African Community (EAC) Common Market Protocol”—critically evaluated the implementation of the EAC Common Market through documentary analysis, policy review, and applied international business theory. The work examined the interplay between political commitments, institutional capacity, and region-level economic outcomes, offering valuable insights into barriers to integration and the strategic opportunities available to EAC partner states in a shifting global trade environment.
The study contributed to broader debates on globalization and regionalism by applying elements of global logic and multilateral trade theory to the East African context—an approach reflected in Dr. Ntara’s prior scholarship on African trading blocs, international payment systems, and the dynamics of South–South cooperation. Her work demonstrated how economic blocs like the EAC can leverage coordinated policy and market integration to enhance competitiveness within the global trade system.
Dr. Ntara is a Lecturer in Economics and International Business at Kenya Methodist University, where she teaches international political economy, microeconomics, macroeconomics, global supply chain, managerial accounting, and research methods. She also serves as an online coach for global business programs through the Knod Learning Network. Her ongoing research addresses issues such as BREXIT’s impact on EAC–EU trade relations, regional integration, and the evolving structure of African economic diplomacy. Her doctoral trajectory exemplifies Monarch’s commitment to producing scholar-practitioners capable of linking global theory, regional policy, and applied international economic analysis.
