Program Objectives

Undergraduate Program in Political Science and International Relations

General Objectives:

• Build capacity in teaching and research in the field of political science and international relations;
• Provide training in the field of political science and international relations at the undergraduate and the graduate levels at Addis Ababa University;
• Produce skilled professionals in political science and international relations for civil service institutions, non-governmental and intergovernmental agencies;
• Produce intellectually and professionally competent graduates in the field of study; and
• Encourage the conduct of inter-disciplinary research in the field of political science and international relations with a focus on contemporary political developments in Ethiopia, Africa and the rest of the world.

Specific Objectives

• Provide teaching and training in political theory, international relations, principles of government, politics of development, state-society relationships, comparative politics, research methods, and emerging and cross-cutting issues of domestic, regional and global significance;
• Strengthen the undergraduate and graduate programs in political science and international relations by focusing on the students’ academic excellence, practical skills and  professional career development;
• Strengthen the Department in terms of physical capacity, teaching and research outputs and staff development; and
• Forge collaboration between the Department and newly established counterpart departments and peer institutions in Ethiopia, Africa and beyond in the areas of research, staff-exchange and publication. In this regard, the Department has identified the following thematic research themes:

1. State and civil society in Ethiopia,
2.  Conflict and cooperation in the Horn of Africa,
3.  The politics of ethnic relations in Ethiopia,
4.  Federalism and constitutionalism in Ethiopia,
5.  Conflict and security studies,
6.  Governance and human rights,
7.  Studies on democratization in Africa,
8.  Studies on women and gender issues,
9.  The politics of identity, gender, the politics of environment, natural resources with emphasis on hydro-politics of Ethiopia’s trans-boundary water sources, including other topical issues that are pertinent to the study of politics and international relations.

Master’s Program in International Relations

The main objectives of the Masters Program in International Relations are to:

• Provide postgraduate teaching and training in the field of international relations;
• Promote and carry out research in the field of international relations with focus on Ethiopia, the Horn of Africa and on selected emerging continental and global issues;
• Meet the growing demand of internal and external stakeholders for skilled, professional manpower;
• Serve as resource pool of teaching, research and training for governmental, non-governmental and international stakeholders; and
•  Lay a firm foundation for teaching beyond Master’s level training, research, and education including a doctoral program.

PhD Program in Political Science

The general objective of the PhD program in Political Science is to produce qualified and high-level professionals who could play a leading role in pursing higher-level research that is interdisciplinary in nature and thereby enhancing knowledge.

The specific objectives include producing qualified manpower that would:

• Serve as resource pool of teaching, research and training for governmental, non-governmental and international stakeholders;
• Meet the growing demand of internal and external stakeholders for skilled, professional manpower;
• Broaden the research horizon of instructors, students and visiting scholars;
• Meet the growing demand for analysts, researchers, policy advisors, liaison officers;
• Open an avenue of choice for prospective students who have already articulated their demands for starting doctoral program;
• Lay a firm foundation for promoting research in political science and international relations with focus on the Horn of Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular.

Admission Requirements

Undergraduate Program

In order to be eligible for admission, candidates are required to meet all admission requirements of Addis Ababa University.

Graduate Program

MA

Candidates seeking admission to the graduate program in International Relations should successfully complete their undergraduate studies in Political Science and International Relations and related fields. Applicants are also required to pass the written entrance examination administered by the Department. The applicant must:

1)      Have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and /or International Relations and / or other related fields from a recognized university;

2)      Pass the graduate entrance examination; and

3)      Satisfy all the requirements of the School of Graduate Studies of Addis Ababa University

Ph.D

Scholars opting to pursue the Doctoral Program in Political Science at the Department should possess adequate background knowledge of the subject in order to ensure quality and accomplishment of the requirements of the Doctoral program. This would be assessed at the department level by the Doctoral Committee using various criteria that include credit points at undergraduate/post-graduate degree in political science and international relations and Cumulative Grade Point Average as basic requirements. Besides, a pass in the written entrance examination and oral interview administered by the Department is necessary in which the applicant’s language proficiency and analytical skills are evidenced. The following are the admission requirements:

• An application together with the candidate’s curriculum vitae;
• M.A. in Political Science and International Relations (as proof of satisfactory knowledge of English and subject area);
• A Cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.50 or above;
• MA thesis evaluation of “Very Good/Excellent”;
• Submission of a preliminary research proposal on a relevant theme for the Doctoral Dissertation, which will have to be approved by the Department Doctoral Committee (DDC);
• A two-years work experience (preferably in teaching);
• A pass in an entrance examination

Click the link below for Program Details