Doctor of Philosophy in Conflict Analysis and Resolution

Doctoral Application Requirements:

The S-CAR faculty admission committee reviews doctoral applications for the fall admission cycle only. Ideally, doctoral applicants should exhibit the academic capabilities, professional background, and personal investment in a focused area of interest. 

1. An earned baccalaureate degree AND graduate level degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education or international equivalent must be verified from official transcripts. (MA, MS, JD, etc.)
    
2. A 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) or better. If a student does not meet this requirement they may be accepted provisionally.
    
3. A completed On-Line Application for Graduate Study. Students are to complete the application on-line at George Mason Admissions. Supporting documents are to be uploaded online (resume, goals statement, recommendation letters and the PhD writing sample). 
    
4. Two official copies of transcripts from each undergraduate and graduate institution attended (Transcript Request Form). Transcripts must be in sealed unopened envelopes to be considered official. If you have any academic credentials from outside of the United States, please see the International Transcript Submission Guidelines. 
    
5. Goals Statement/Personal Essay. Please submit your goals statement based on the following prompt: Tell us how your past experience has prepared you to engage with conflict and how this program will equip you for your future.
    
6. Three letters of recommendation. Recommendations should be submitted electronically online in the application. The applicant includes the name and contact information of those who will write a letter of recommendation. A link is emailed to the writer and they can submit their recommendation online. After the applicant submits the online application, you cannot change who is listed as the recommendation letter writers.
    
7. Include a written sample of work that shows the applicant's potential for completing dissertation research in a doctoral program. The writing sample is to be submitted electronically in the online application. Examples: a chapter of a Master's level thesis, a graduate level research paper. S-CAR does not have a specific page requirement on the writing sample.
    
8. A current resume or curriculum vitae.
    
9. The GRE is not required, but may be submitted.

Additional Requirements for International Student

English proficiency scores (IELTS, TOEFL, Pearson) are required from all students who have not obtained a degree from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada (minus Quebec), New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and the Commonwealth Caribbean (Antigua, Barbados, Barbuda, Belize, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, and Trinidad & Tobago)

S-CAR Doctoral Program Requirements and Curriculum
 

Transcripts can be mailed to the address below:

Office of Graduate Admissions

4400 University Drive - MSN 4C8

Farfax, VA 22030