Second Year Research Specialization

In addition to the standard one-year program, CIR also offers a second year at UChicago, the Second Year Research Specialization, for individuals seeking the opportunity to conduct more specialized research that cannot be easily completed within the standard timeframe of the one-year program. Typically, students choose to pursue the Second Year Research Specialization for one of three reasons:

1. They wish to conduct advanced research in one of CIR’s non-regional fields of study.
2. They want to conduct advanced research in a particular region, for example Africa, Latin America, East Asia, Middle and Central Europe and Eurasia, the Middle East, South Asia, or Western Europe.
3. Their thesis plans require developing advanced computational and quantitative skills. These students typically pursue the Computational Social Sciences Certificate as part of their CIR curriculum, which includes completing three Computational Social Sciences Perspectives courses and one programming course.

Joint BA/MA students are not eligible for the Second Year Specialization.

Applying at Admission

Students interested in the Second Year Research Specialization indicate their interest in the Specialization in their online application for admission to CIR and provide an additional 500 words or less essay explaining why an additional year of intensive research training would advance their academic and professional goals.

The Admissions Committee will consider the overall strength of the applicant’s academic record and writing, evidence of research aptitude and intellectual promise, and the clarity and sophistication of their research interests. 

Particular weight will be given to whether the applicant articulates a compelling reason why an additional year of intensive research training would advance their academic and professional goals and a plausible account of how they would use that second year.

Applying as a Current CIR Student

In exceptional circumstances, currently enrolled standard track students can petition during the Spring Quarter of the CIR year to join the Second Year Research Specialization. However, international students should consult the Office of International Affairs to determine whether their student visa allows such a change.

Coursework Requirements

In addition to the standard curriculum completed during the first year, second year students take an additional nine for-credit graduate courses during year 2

• INRE 49800 – Students register for three quarters of Second Year Readings and Research. This course allows second year students to engage in work devoted to thesis preparation in the form of independent study under the coordination of the student's faculty reader, while meeting the benchmarks of satisfactory progress as determined by the CIR Faculty Chair. Students receive a pass (“P”) for the autumn and winter quarter sections of INRE 49800; a quality grade for the MA thesis is awarded for spring quarter.
• Six courses – Students complete two additional courses each quarter. Students must secure permission to register for specific courses from their faculty sponsor and their preceptor. No courses may be taken for a pass (“P”).

MA Thesis Paper

Second Year students submit a working draft of their MA thesis paper by the first week of Autumn Quarter of their second year. By the third week of Winter Quarter and in preparation for a public talk to CIR faculty and students, second year students must submit a second draft of the thesis paper. The final draft is due in Spring or Summer Quarter, according to the quarter’s thesis deadlines.

Second Year Research Specialization students are considered for all available merit scholarships, as well as any additional scholarships available through the admissions and recruitment process. 

For the second year, Research Specialization students are initially offered a 33% tuition scholarship or maintain the scholarship level from their first year, whichever is higher. In Spring Quarter of Year 1, CIR will review the performance of all students enrolled in the Specialization program and may recommend a subset of students for a limited number of highly competitive and prestigious full-tuition scholarships for Year 2.