GLOBAL AFFAIRS
The Division of Global Affairs (DGA) offers degrees in global affairs--a multidisciplinary field concerned with theoretically informed, problem-oriented approaches to transnational issues and their interaction with local issues.
Degrees
The DGA offers two graduate degrees:
Master of Science in Global Affairs (M.S.)
Doctor of Philosophy in Global Affairs (Ph.D.)
Admission Requirements
Only applicants holding the bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited U.S. college or university, or a recognized institution of higher learning abroad, are admitted into the DGA.
Prospective students must apply via the Rutgers graduate admissions website (http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/apply.shtml) and submit their official college or university transcripts, GRE scores, three letters of recommendation, and a personal statement of 1,000 words explaining why they wish to study global affairs at the DGA as part of their application.
Applicants to the Ph.D. program may apply for admission for the fall semester only. Applicants to the M.S. program may apply for admission for the fall or spring semester. There are no summer admissions.
The DGA Admissions Committee reviews a prospective student's entire application and decides to admit, reject, or place a student on a waiting list on the basis of the committee's judgment of the likelihood that a student, if accepted, will complete the program requirements within the maximum allowable time for each program.
Accuracy is expected in all documents provided by applicants. If a candidate for admission makes inaccurate statements or submits false material, appropriate action will be taken. In most cases, these misrepresentations are discovered during the admission process and the application is rejected. If a misrepresentation is discovered after a candidate is admitted, the offer of admission normally will be withdrawn. If a misrepresentation is discovered after a student has registered, the case will be reviewed by the dean of the Graduate School–Newark. The dean will determine the action to be taken. If the discovery occurs after a degree has been awarded, the degree normally will be rescinded.
The DGA will not accept more than three applications from any nonenrolled individual during the course of his or her academic career.
International Students
Satisfactory English-language proficiency is a prerequisite for graduate study at Rutgers-Newark. Admitted international students may be required to take a test of English-language proficiency soon after they arrive at the university; they may also be required to take coursework in English as a Second Language (ESL).
International students appointed as teaching assistants are required to take an oral proficiency test regardless of their TOEFL scores.
Nonimmigrant international students must present evidence that they have adequate financial resources to meet their educational and living expenses.
Application Deadlines
Prospective M.S. students must apply by November 1 for study in the spring semester and by May 1 for study in the fall semester. Incomplete applications--those without three letters of recommendation, transcripts, and/or GRE scores or the equivalent--may be withdrawn.
Prospective Ph.D. students may only apply for study in the fall semester of the following academic year. Candidates for the Ph.D. must submit complete applications by February 15. Applicants are encouraged to apply well before the deadline, as it can take up to two months for an application to be fully reviewed. Incomplete application--those without three letters of recommendation, transcripts, and/or GRE scores or the equivalent--may be withdrawn.
Candidates who are admitted to the Graduate School–Newark are notified by the Office of Graduate and Professional Admissions. Candidates are expected to register for the semester for which they were admitted. Those who fail to do so may be required to submit a second application and fee to be reconsidered for admission at a later date.
Reactivation of Application
Those students who were accepted into the program, but wish to defer attendance, or those who were rejected, but want to try again, may reactivate their applications by submitting a Graduate Reactivation Form. They can do so for only up to one year. Students who wish to study at the DGA after the one-year deadline has passed must submit new applications. Students may reactivate their applications only once.
For a description of the exact procedures, please consult the university graduate admissions website:
http://gradstudy.rutgers.edu/apply/shtml.
Change of Program
Students wishing to change their field or degree program must obtain the requisite form from the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School–Newark, Conklin Hall, Room 241, submit it to the graduate program director for approval, and return it to the Office of the Dean for final authorization. For enrollment in DGA in the fall semester the deadline is July 1. For enrollment in DGA in the spring semester, the deadline is December 1.
Part-Time Study
Although the DGA recommends that students pursue their studies full time, both M.S. and Ph.D. students may be enrolled on a part-time basis. A full-time academic load is defined as 9 or more credits per semester; a part-time academic load is defined as 8 or fewer credits per semester. Graduate fellows, research interns, and graduate and teaching assistants must be registered for full-time study.
Transfer Credits
Graduate courses completed at other universities or in other departments or schools at Rutgers University may be accepted for credit at the DGA. Students must first complete 12 credits with a grade of B or higher at the DGA and then submit a Transfer Credit Application (available at the DGA and the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School–Newark, Conklin Hall, Room 241), which must be approved by the DGA deputy director.
- Students who complete the M.S. degree at the DGA may use all relevant accrued credits (with grades of B or higher) to fulfill the requirements of the Ph.D. in global affairs.
- Graduate-level coursework (with grades of B or higher) may be completed at the New Brunswick or Camden campuses of Rutgers University upon the approval of the deputy director. A list of some accepted New Brunswick courses is provided in this catalog. These credits may be applied to either the M.S. or Ph.D. program.
- Graduate-level coursework (with grades of B or higher) may be completed at Rutgers-Newark in departments or schools other than the Division of Global Affairs upon the approval of the deputy director. Some of the DGA required and elective courses are offered through such programs and do not require prior approval. A list of these courses is listed in this catalog. These credits may be applied to either the M.S. or Ph.D. program.
- Coursework (with grades of B or higher) completed at institutions other than Rutgers may be applied to meet the requirements of the M.S. or Ph.D. program. Approval must be obtained by the deputy director of global programs prior to taking the course.
Instructions
-
Obtain from the Office of the Dean, Graduate School–Newark, the Application for Transfer of Academic Credit/Professional Experience.
- Complete form and submit it to the DGA's associate director for approval from the deputy director.
- Include either an official transcript or statement of professional experience.
- No guarantee is given in advance of approval of this form that such credits will be granted.
Requirements of Transfer
- Unconditional admission to the DGA
- Official transcript(s) of courses requested for transfer
- Transfer courses must be graduate level (with grades of B or better) and may not include work for a thesis, independent study, research, or nongraded coursework
- Transfer courses should have been taken within the past 6 years
Restrictions
- All graduate-level courses count for no more than 3 credits.
- Transfer credits may not be applied to required core courses in either the M.S. or Ph.D. programs.
Credits For Professional Experience
- Three to 6 credits may be acquired for significant professional experience in the field of global affairs. Approval must be obtained by the DGA deputy director.
- Credits for professional experience may be granted in addition to transfer credits that can be applied towards a student's respective degree.
Graduation Requirements
In addition to completing all the requirements for either the M.S. or Ph.D., students must attain a minimal grade-point average in all nonlanguage courses taken at Rutgers University: 3.0 for M.S. students and 3.50 for Ph.D. students. If a student's academic performance falls below the expected standard, the Graduate School–Newark may refuse the student the right of future registration and terminate studies. Students with an insufficiently high grade-point average may submit an appeal to the DGA director.
Graduating students must complete an Application for Admission to Candidacy for the Master's Degree or an Application for Admission to Candidacy for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy as well as a Graduate Diploma Application for Newark Students (all available from the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School–Newark, Conklin Hall, Room 241).
Diploma application deadlines are October 1, January 4, and March 1 for conferral of degrees in, respectively, October, January, and May/June. It is important for students to verify the application deadline date with the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School–Newark as these exact day of the month may change given the calendar. The diploma application is available only online.
Time Limits
The maximum allowable time for M.S. students in global affairs is three years. The maximum allowable time for Ph.D. students in global affairs is eight years. These limits apply regardless of whether students are part time or full time and regardless of whether they enter the DGA with or without transfer credits. Students who are unable to attain these goals may submit a request to the deputy director to approve additional time. If prior approval is not received, students may be required to terminate their graduate studies and withdraw from the Graduate School–Newark.
Tuition and Fees
Please consult this website for a complete fee schedule: http://studentabc.rutgers.edu.
Financial Support
The DGA offers full-time Ph.D. students a number of highly competitive Teaching Assistantships providing full tuition and health benefits. Students normally receive Teaching Assistantships, which are offered on an annual basis, for a maximum of three years. In order to qualify for Teaching Assistantships, incoming Ph.D. students must submit complete applications for graduate study at the DGA by February 15. (Incomplete application--those without three letters of recommendation, transcripts, and GRE scores or the equivalent--will not be considered.) Ongoing DGA Ph.D. students and holders of Teaching Assistantships must apply in writing to the DGA within the same time period. Interested students should include a brief cover letter outlining their qualifications and a copy of their transcript from the preceding academic year. Current students should include a brief summary of when they feel they will defend and where they currently are in their studies. Teaching Assistants must maintain an excellent academic record in order to qualify for renewal, which, given the competition, cannot be guaranteed even with first-rate performance. Recipients of Teaching Assistantships may not, except in extraordinary circumstances requiring the written approval of the DGA director and the permission of the graduate school, have outside employment (other than a DGA-approved internship for which they may be receiving academic credit). International students appointed as Teaching Assistants are required to take an oral proficiency test regardless of their TOEFL scores.
Dissertation Fellowships, which include no tuition remission, may be available from the Graduate School–Newark for Ph.D. students who are in their final year of matriculation and who have completed their coursework and begun their dissertations. Applications must include a brief cover letter outlining their qualifications and an expected date of dissertation defense, a summary of their dissertation-related research and writing plans, and a copy of their transcript from the preceding academic year. Fellows receive health benefits through payment of student fees. Dissertation Fellows may also register for Matriculation Continued. Recipients of Dissertation Fellowships may not, except in extraordinary circumstances requiring the written approval of the DGA deputy director and permission of the graduate school, have outside employment (other than a DGA-approved internship for which they receive academic credit).
Federal Work-Study may be offered to students with financial need as a self-help portion of the financial aid award. For more information about Federal Work-Study jobs on and off campus, students should contact the Office of Financial Aid, 249 University Avenue, Blumenthal Hall, Room 302, Newark, NJ 07102 (973 353-5151).
Please consult the Financial Aid chapter of this catalog for a complete listing of other sources of financial aid available through the university.
Housing
Students interested in on-campus housing should contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life, 91 Bleeker Street, Newark, NJ 07102 (973 353-1037), or visit http://newark.rutgers.edu/~reslife.
Advising
The DGA graduate program director advises students on requirements for the M.S. and Ph.D. programs. All other questions should be addressed to faculty advisers and dissertation advisers.
Faculty advisers are DGA core faculty members who are assigned to all incoming DGA graduate students in both the M.S. and Ph.D. programs. Advisers provide intellectual and academic guidance, approve and provide grades for internships, provide grades for master's theses, and approve independent study courses. Students may acquire a different faculty adviser--e.g., one more compatible with their research interests--with the approval of the DGA deputy director. By the time they pass the comprehensive examination, Ph.D. students must replace their regular faculty adviser with a dissertation adviser of their own choosing.
Dissertation advisers are DGA core faculty members who help Ph.D. students choose a dissertation topic, approve the dissertation proposal, and, together with the student, form the dissertation committee. Dissertation advisers also chair dissertation committees, provide grades for dissertation research, and monitor Ph.D. students' progress by approving their annual study plans.
All Ph.D. students must, by the time they pass their comprehensive examination, have a formal dissertation adviser. As a rule, students request that members of the DGA core faculty who share their research interests serve as their dissertation advisers. Faculty members from Rutgers-New Brunswick or Rutgers-Camden may, with the approval of the DGA deputy director, also serve as dissertation advisers. In rare circumstances, dissertation advisers may, with the approval of the DGA graduate program director, be faculty members unaffiliated with Rutgers University. Once a faculty member has agreed to serve as dissertation adviser, students must inform the DGA deputy director of that fact in writing. Faculty advisers are not automatically dissertation advisers, but they may be asked to serve in that capacity.
Complaints and Appeals
All complaints about any aspect of the DGA program or appeals regarding a student's standing in the program must be directed, in writing, to the DGA deputy director.
Auditing Courses without Registration
Upon obtaining the permission of the instructor of the course and subject to the availability of space, full-time students may audit courses without registration. No academic credit is earned in this manner; no official record of audited courses is kept. This privilege does not apply to small seminars.
Nondegree Graduate Student Program
DGA students may receive as many as 12 graduate degree credits for courses previously taken under the nondegree program. To exercise this option, nonmatriculated students must apply and win admission to the DGA within five years of taking the courses. Students must maintain a grade-point average of B or higher in their nonmatriculated coursework.
Grade-Point Average Requirements
In addition to completing all the requirements for the M.S. or Ph.D. programs, students must maintain the following minimal grade-point average for their coursework at Rutgers.
The minimum requirements for each program is: M.S. 3.0; Ph.D. 3.5. If a student's academic performance falls below the expected standards, the Graduate School–Newark may refuse the student a right of future registration, and terminate the student's enrollment in the DGA.
Students whose academic performance falls below the expected standards, may submit an appeal in writing to the DGA deputy director.
Termination of Studies
Students may be required to terminate their graduate studies and withdraw from the Graduate School–Newark if they fail to meet the minimum requirements of the program or the school. Failure to make continuous progress toward the attainment of the degree may constitute a basis for termination. For more details, see Time Limits and Timetable for Completion of the Ph.D. in the Doctor of Philosophy in Global Affairs section of this catalog and the Termination of Studies section elsewhere in this Graduate School–Newark catalog.
Leave of Absence
Students who wish to take a leave of absence from their studies must make a formal request in writing and include in their request: why a leave of absence is necessary; if relevant, supporting medical documentation.
The leave must then be approved by the DGA deputy director and the Office of the Dean of the Graduate School–Newark.
Students who take a leave of absence must still complete the degree program in which they are enrolled within the maximum time limits permitted for their respective degree program.
Students who take a leave of absence must register for Matriculation Continued.
Matriculation Continued
Students who are obliged to interrupt their studies and students who wish to maintain their student status while away from the campus may, with the approval of the DGA deputy director, register for Matriculation Continued. There is no tuition fee for this registration, although a student fee is charged.
Readmission
The Office of the Dean of the Graduate School–Newark, Conklin Hall, Room 241, handles all applications by former students seeking readmission to the school. The readmission procedure is required of all students who 1) have withdrawn officially from school; 2) did not receive a degree in the program for which they were enrolled; or 3) failed to maintain continuous registration through coursework or Matriculation Continued status.
Visiting Fellows
The DGA welcomes applications from senior, junior, and postdoctoral scholars for the status of Visiting Fellow. Although the DGA does not offer fellows financial assistance, it can provide them with access to all DGA facilities and programs, the university library system, and, as available, office space and a computer.
Applications for Visiting Fellow status should be addressed to the DGA deputy director and must include a brief cover letter describing the research project to be pursued at the DGA and a curriculum vitae.
Study Abroad
Rutgers University offers a variety of study abroad opportunities. Students should contact the Director, Rutgers Study Abroad, Rutgers University, 102 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8543 (732-932-7787). Credits for participating in this program are not transferrable to a DGA M.S. or Ph.D. program.
