An Intergovernmental institution under
United Nations Treaty Series 49006 / 49007
An Intergovernmental institution under
United Nations Treaty Series 49006 / 49007
Fully online and asynchronous, designed for working professionals, and awarded by a university established by treaty between sovereign States.
Online (Asynchronous)
Study fully online, on your own schedule, at a university created by treaty between sovereign States and registered with the United Nations.
A university established by treaty between sovereign States
Faculty who include diplomats, scholars and senior practitioners
Rigorous academic oversight and quality assurance
A global alumni community across four continents
Why choose EUCLID’s Online PhD in Geopolitics and Global Security (DGGS)? Several distinctive features set this program apart from other doctoral degrees in the field.
First, EUCLID is the world’s only intergovernmental, treaty‑based university. With a UN‑registered charter and deep institutional expertise in diplomacy, geopolitics, and global security, the university enjoys unique recognition among international organizations, foreign ministries, and strategic policy circles. This gives graduates of the Online PhD in Geopolitics and Global Security a distinctive credential that carries weight in multilateral and government settings.
Second, the program is strongly practice‑oriented. Courses are designed and taught by faculty who combine academic rigor with senior‑level professional experience in intelligence, defense planning, diplomatic service, geopolitical risk analysis, and crisis management. The curriculum is regularly updated to address today’s most pressing real‑world challenges — from great‑power competition and regional conflicts to economic statecraft, energy security, and the strategic implications of emerging technologies.
Third, students join a truly global alumni network of ambassadors, defense ministers, senior military officers, intelligence analysts, and high‑level policy advisors serving on four continents. This network provides exceptional opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and career advancement in international peace and security.
Fourth, the fully asynchronous online delivery offers maximum flexibility. With no fixed class times or residency requirements, working professionals can complete the program from anywhere in the world while continuing their careers.
If you are a mid‑career professional seeking a prestigious, flexible, and highly relevant doctorate that bridges theory and practice in today’s complex geopolitical and security environment, EUCLID’s Online PhD in Geopolitics and Global Security is designed for you.
The program is completed fully online and follows three stages.
Core coursework that builds advanced knowledge of the field, with readings, written assignments and faculty feedback.
Research preparation through academic writing, critical thinking and research methods, preparing you for independent work.
A final thesis or dissertation, an original research project completed under faculty supervision and assessed by academic examiners.
The program is designed to prepare graduates to:
Lead strategic geopolitical analysis by applying advanced theoretical frameworks to complex security challenges;
Evaluate great‑power dynamics, regional security architectures, and the effectiveness of national and international security institutions;
Design evidence‑based geopolitical and security strategies for government agencies, international organizations, and private‑sector clients;
Conduct original research that contributes to the scholarly literature on geopolitics, global security, strategic studies, and international relations;
Navigate emerging threats such as hybrid warfare, economic coercion, cyber operations, information warfare, and asymmetric conflict;
Communicate complex geopolitical and security analyses effectively to diverse audiences, including policymakers, military leaders, and academic peers.
Candidates may concentrate their studies and research in one or more of the following areas:
Great‑power competition and strategic stability
Regional geopolitics (Indo‑Pacific, Eurasia, Middle East, Africa, Latin America)
Energy security, resource competition, and climate geopolitics
Economic statecraft, sanctions, and trade warfare
Emerging technologies and the future of warfare (AI, space, cyber)
Intelligence, warning, and strategic surprise
Defense transformation and military innovation
Hybrid warfare, information operations, and cognitive security
Maritime security and the law of the sea
Regionally or country‑specific dissertations are particularly welcomed.
Applicants must hold a relevant master’s degree issued by an institution listed in the UNESCO‑IAU World Higher Education Database (WHED) or otherwise duly recognized/accredited. Professional experience in geopolitics, defense, intelligence, security policy, international relations, or a related field is strongly preferred. Fluency in English (spoken and written) is required and will be tested. Students are expected to dedicate ten to fifteen effective hours of study per week.
Application documents include a completed application form, official transcripts, a research statement of two to three pages, three letters of recommendation, and a current curriculum vitae. All applications are reviewed holistically; the Admissions Committee may also request an interview. Government officials from EUCLID participating states may be eligible for special consideration and scholarships.
Course titles open the course page in the EUCLID learning platform. The roadmap is updated automatically from the university's academic records.
PRIMARY COURSES | ||
Code | Course Name | EUCLID Credits |
International Academic Writing (Doctorate)
| 3 | |
Argumentation and Critical Thinking
| 2 | |
Diplomacy: Theory and Practice
| 4 | |
International Law and Treaty Law (1)
| 5 | |
Foundations of International Security & Strategic Studies
| 3 | |
Foundations of Geopolitics and Geostrategy
| 3 | |
Regional Geopolitics and Conflict Analysis
| 3 | |
Geopolitics of Energy, Resources, and Climate Security
| 3 | |
Geopolitics, Strategic Geography, and Great Power Rivalry
| 3 | |
Defense Policy, Military Strategy, and Force Planning
| 3 | |
Emerging Threats: Hybrid Warfare, Cyber Defense, and Asymmetric Confli
| 3 | |
Doctoral Thesis 1/5
| 5 | |
Doctoral Thesis 2/5
| 5 | |
Doctoral Thesis 3/5
| 5 | |
Doctoral Thesis 4/5
| 5 | |
Doctoral Thesis 5/5
| 5 | |
Total Credit Hours (USCH): | 60 | |
ELECTIVE COURSES
Note: All courses available in the EUCLID database can be considered elective, after review and approval by your EUCLID counselor. Graduate level degrees may include a certain number of undergraduate electives. Likewise, undergraduate roadmaps may be built using graduate level courses. Again, prospective students are reminded that the final degree roadmap must be reviewed and approved by the Admissions Officer to ensure logical progression of subjects covered and conformity with international standards.
STANDARD DEGREE ROADMAP - SUGGESTED ELECTIVES | ||
Code | Course Name | EUCLID Credits |
Introduction to Peacekeeping Operations
| 3
| |
Protection of Civilians, Conflict Prevention, and Peacebuilding
| 3
| |
Peacekeeping Case Studies: Africa, the Middle East, and Europe
| 3 | |
Note: to consult the current and official curriculum/list of courses from the EUCLID CMS database, please visit: EUCLID Available Degree Programs and follow the program link.
Graduates of the EUCLID PhD in Geopolitics and Global Security are exceptionally well‑prepared for senior leadership, research, and policy roles across multiple sectors.
In national defense and government, they become geopolitical analysts, strategic planners, intelligence officers, ministry advisors, or legislative aides.
In international organizations, they serve as security specialists at the United Nations, NATO, the African Union, the European Union, or as strategic policy advisors.
In defense industry and consulting, they work as senior analysts in geopolitical risk consulting, defense contracting, or strategic intelligence firms.
In academia and research, they become university professors, post‑doctoral researchers, or think‑tank fellows at institutions such as RAND, IISS, Chatham House, the Carnegie Endowment, or the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
In the private sector, they take roles as geopolitical risk directors, corporate security advisors, or strategy consultants for multinational corporations.
Our alumni have successfully secured employment and promotions in government service and international organizations, including at the level of ambassador and minister.
EUCLID is the only intergovernmental, treaty-based university with a UN registered charter and recognized expertise in diplomacy. Join the alma mater of ambassadors and senior officials globally.
Note: if the PDF brochure is unavailable (or outdated by 2 years), please contact admissions@euclid.int
EUCLID brings together a distinguished international faculty of scholars, practitioners and senior officials. Our professors combine strong academic credentials with real-world experience in international organizations, government, the professions and civil society, and many of them serve the Global South and emerging economies.
The profiles below represent a selection of our outstanding faculty. For the full faculty roster and the professors specifically assigned to this program, please visit our Faculty Profiles Directory.
Applications are reviewed in 4 to 6 business days. Questions get an answer within 2 business days.
