The Doha Institute for Graduate Studies is an independent academic institution for postgraduate studies in the social sciences, humanities, public administration, development economics, business administration, clinical and social psychology, social work, conflict management and humanitarian action, critical security studies, and human rights. The Institute realizes its academic objectives by integrating teaching and learning with scientific research in a manner that prepares its graduates to become academic researchers in the social sciences, humanities, public administration and development economics, and accomplished professionals in their fields of specialisation.

The Institute aims through its teaching and learning programs and the research activities of its faculty to fulfill its mission of universal participation by preparing a new generation of academics and researchers who are independent thinkers and proficient in using international scientific standards and modern interdisciplinary research methodologies and tools, and leading professionals who can advance human knowledge and respond to the needs of the Arab region, resulting in social, cultural and intellectual development.

The Institute adopt the Arabic Language as the main language for instruction and research, supported by other international languages.​