The goal of the doctoral program in Political Science is to support the advancement of the field, improve the quality of research and create new knowledge, with the aim of promoting the field. The program prepares highly qualified specialists in Political Science with a focus on research and teaching for higher educational institutions, analytical research centers, and other interested organizations, which is crucial for the further development of the field.
The Goals of the PhD program in Political Sciences are:
- the extension and dissemination of existing knowledge and generating a new knowledge in the field of Political Science, based on advanced achievements.
- Preparing of highly qualified researchers capable of creating new knowledge by conducting innovative research through adherence to academic integrity principles and professional ethics, developing modern methods and applying it in practice.
- Training qualified academic personnel with the knowledge of the latest methods and strategies for higher education institutions, who will transfer their knowledge and skills to students.
- Equipping competitive professionals with the skills to manage and commercialize scientific products, utilize innovative methods to address field-specific challenges, and attract, manage, and evaluate development-oriented scientific projects.
An eligible candidate for the Political Science Doctoral Program must hold a Master’s or equivalent academic degree in the fields of Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Defense and Security, Public Administration, Sociology, Anthropology, History, Public geography. Exceptions may be granted by the decision of Dissertation Board, based on an assessment of the candidate's experience and relevant qualifications.
Research topics defined according to the advising competencies of the program's academic personnel can be found at the following link.
The list does not limit the research questions in the field of Political Science.
To achieve the learning outcomes of the Political Science doctoral program, students are provided with necessary infrastructure and material-technical resources without restrictions.
The functioning of the Political Science Doctoral Program is supported by appropriate human resources. The learning component is led by the university's academic personnel, as well as invited specialists with relevant experience and competencies. Additional information on human resources can be found in Appendix Program description.
Beyond the academic process of the program, the university offers various types of support to PhD students through the Research Department. Students can participate in a small internal grant competition and collaborate on research projects with academic staff. The University Research Department also provides funding for various research-related activities; for instance, after successfully defending their prospectus, doctoral students have the opportunity to receive a competitive university doctoral scholarship to cover the financial costs necessary for conducting empirical research for their dissertation.
GIPA - Georgian Institute of Public Affairs offers sabbatical leave to employees who are in the final stages of their doctoral research to complete their thesis. Additionally, the university provides 75% tuition fee funding for employees. Profiles of doctoral students will be added to the scientific portal created within the framework of the ERASMUS+ KA2 program funded by the European Union - "Supporting the Development of Scientific Research in Higher Educational Institutions of Georgia" (Raising Research Capacity of Georgian HEIs through Developing R&D Units – HERD - https://herd.tsu.ge/). Internationalization mechanisms at the university and tools supporting participation in scientific conferences are also available to doctoral program students. Besides, the University Research Department further supports doctoral students by providing information on scientific grant projects and offering consultations on obtaining and realizing scientific projects.
A graduate of the Doctoral Program in Political Science is qualified to take on researcher/ analyst positions in research institutions, non-governmental organizations, public and private sectors, and other organizations. Additionally, they are eligible for academic positions in higher educational institutions, in accordance with the legislation of Georgia.
Curriculum of PhD program in Political Science
Dissertation Council of the School of Social Sciences and Doctorate Regulations
GIPA – Georgian Institute of Public Affairs is announcing admission to the doctoral program in Political Sciences:
Interested candidates must submit the following documents:
A PhD candidate is required to have a B2 level of English, which must be confirmed by an internal university exam or an international English language proficiency certificate (TOEFL (P/B 513 score; I/BT 87score); IELTS (5.5 Band); FCE; BEC Vantage; PTE (General level 3); PTE Academic (59p); Michigan ECCE). Candidates who have completed a Master's or Bachelor's program in English, either in Georgia or abroad, are exempt from submitting an English language test score or certificate.
Internal admission procedures:
Selection criteria
Applications are submitted via email to n.tchigvaria@gipa.ge.
For additional information, contact a coordinator of Doctoral Programs - Mrs. Mariam Dotiashvili, Tel: 595659556.
Note: If you have completed your Master's degree outside of Georgia, you must submit both the diploma certifying the degree and a recognition document issued by the National Center for Educational Quality Enhancement confirming the recognition of the education received abroad.
The cost of the program for one year is 3,300 GEL. Payment can be made in two installments, corresponding to the semesters.
If the doctoral student fails to complete the doctoral thesis within three years, they may take up to an additional four semesters, provided they have obtained the 60 credits required for the learning component and need extra time to complete their doctoral research.
In the case of taking one additional semester, the doctoral student is required to pay half of the annual cost.
Bank requisites
SS „ TBC Bank“
Bank code: TBCB GE 22
Recipient: NNLE GIPA - Georgian Institute of Public Affairs;
Account Number: GE84TB1100000110700419 / GEL
Tuition fee could be paid in any branch of TBC bank, from all places in Georgia.
While payment, please indicate program title and your ID number.
Employment:
Upon successful completion of Doctor’s degree program, graduates could be employed at higher education institutions, research and study institutes, private organizations, etc.
Nikoloz Abuashvili – “Micro and Macro Factors of Growing Business Value”
Tornike Sharashenidze – “The Possible Influence of Ideologies and Geopolitical Concepts over Russian Behavior in International Politics. A Critical Appraisal of Russian/Soviet Foreign Policy from Napoleonic Wars to the End of the Cold War”
Nino Dolidze – “Models of training and Development in Georgian Public Sector”
Nino Ghonghadze – “Corruption Perceptions in the Georgian Public Service and the General Public”
Tamar Koberidze – “Civic Advocacy Impact on Public Policy: Georgia Example”
Bakur Kvashilava – “The Influence of Electoral Systems and Constitutional Design on the Development of Political Parties in Post-Socialist Europe”
Aleksandre Svanishvili – “The Importance and Role of Community within the Local Self-Government System”
Tiko Tsomaia – “Selective Abortion and Media”
Ivane Tsertsvadze – “The impact of risk and benefit discounting factors on patterns of economic behavior in addiction groups”
Ketevan Mumladze - “Refraction of the Concepts of Perestroika and Glasnost in the Georgian Print Media “
Paata Medzvelia - “The leading European countries’ main economic growth indicators effect in the medium-term perspective”
Tamar Kakhadze - “The Role and Influence of the Russian Federation on the Integration Process of Georgia in the North Atlantic Treaty Ogranization in 1999-2008”
As part of the partnership between Troy University and GIPA - Georgian Institute of Public Affairs, an online academic journal titled "Journal of Politics and Democratization" was created. This new, interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed online journal allows PhD students to publish their work upon successful double-blind review.
Web address of the online academic journal: https://gipa.ge/JPD
Mrs. Mariam Dotiashvili
Coordinator of PhD Programs
E-mail: m.dotiashvili@gipa.ge
Phone: +995 598 735 474
Address: Tbilisi, Rustavi Highway N 22 a
