Institute of International Relations
University of São Paulo
Supervisor Reassignment
Students are allowed to change supervisors, provided that both the current and the new supervisor agree to the transfer.
To request a reassignment of supervisor, the student must submit a Supervisor Reassignment Request Form to the Graduate Program Office (SPG), signed by the student, the current supervisor, and the new supervisor. The request will be reviewed by the Graduate Studies Committee (CPG).
Supervisors also have the right to withdraw from advising a student, provided they submit a detailed justification, which must be approved by the CPG. In this case, during the transition period, the current supervisor remains responsible for the student’s guidance.
In exceptional cases, the Graduate Program Coordinator may assume supervision of the student. This temporary supervision will not count toward the coordinator’s maximum number of advisees.
Access the Supervisor Transfer Request Form HERE.
Course Transfer
Upon passing the qualifying exam, and based on the recommendation of the examination board, a student may request a transfer from the Master’s program to the Direct PhD program, with the approval of their supervisor. The request must be made within 30 days, provided that the student has completed 36 course credits and obtained at least two “A” grades and one “B” grade in the program’s mandatory courses.
The Graduate Studies Committee (CPG) will review the request based on a detailed report issued by a reviewer, assessing the new research project and the student’s academic performance.
Before approving the transfer, the committee will verify the deadlines for the qualifying exam and the minimum credits required for qualification in the new program. If the deadline has already passed or the minimum credit requirements have not been met, the transfer will not be possible. The student must also demonstrate the required level of foreign language proficiency for admission to the new program.
For the purpose of calculating the program duration, the original enrollment date in the first program will be considered.
The Teaching Improvement Program (PAE) at USP aims to enhance the training of graduate students in undergraduate teaching activities.
PAE follows the guidelines established by USP as well as specific regulations for students in the IRI-USP graduate program:
PAE consists of two stages:
Students may complete the first stage at IRI or in any other USP graduate program. They must check in advance for course availability and enrollment requirements in the departments of their interest.
At IRI, the first stage of PAE is offered as a course (PRI5021 – Pedagogical Preparation), typically taught in the first semester of each year.
Completion of the first stage is a prerequisite for enrollment in the second stage.
Access the schedule for the first semester of 2025, PAE Lecture Series HERE.
The Supervised Teaching Internship (PAE 2) involves the participation of graduate students in undergraduate teaching activities.
Graduate students (master’s and PhD) who have completed the first stage of PAE are eligible to enroll in the second stage.
Enrollment for the second stage must be completed by the student through the Janus system, during periods specified and announced by the program office each semester.
For the first semester of each year, enrollment typically takes place between September and October of the previous year.
For the second semester of each year, enrollment typically takes place between April and May.
| Attention: Participation (and approval) in the Teaching Improvement Program (PAE) is mandatory for all students enrolled in PhD and Direct PhD programs but it is optional for master’s students, except for those receiving CAPES scholarships, for whom PAE completion is mandatory |
Exemption from PAE 2
PhD students who hold a teaching position in higher education during their program may be exempt from completing PAE 2. To request an exemption, the student must submit the following documents to the Graduate Program Office at IRI:
Attention: The Graduate Studies Committee (CPG) decided, in a meeting on June 28, 2013, that the program's mandatory courses must be taken by the student, with no possibility of substituting the credits with previously completed courses.
The addition of credits to a student’s academic record may be granted in three specific situations:
Graduate students in the International Relations Graduate Program (PPGRI) must enroll regularly in each academic term, following the deadlines and regulations established by USP's central administration, throughout all phases of their studies until they obtain the master's or doctoral degree (USP Graduate Program Bylaws).
The enrollment schedule is published by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and also by the Graduate Program Office (SPG) before the beginning of each semester. Pre-enrollment must be completed by the student through the Janus System, approved by their supervisor, and confirmed by the course instructor.
Click on the items below for specific information:
- Continuous research enrollment (info below)
- Course enrollment cancellation
- Maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
- Student termination from the program
- Re-enrollment (after termination)
Continuous research enrollment is mandatory for all students who are not taking any courses during the semester.
Just like course enrollment, continuous research enrollment must be submitted by the student and approved by their supervisor during the regular enrollment period.
Continuous research enrollment indicates that, although the student is not taking courses, they remain active in the program and engaged in other academic activities, such as research and the development of their final work. Even if the student has already deposited their final work but has not yet defended it, they must register for continuous research enrollment in the system. The same applies to the qualifying examination.
Attention: If a student fails to complete enrollment (either in courses or continuous research enrollment) for two consecutive semesters, they will be dismissed from the program (USP Graduate Program Bylaws).
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Institute of International Relations - 2025
