harvard phd philosophy admissions

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John Abughattas PhD candidate

Krupa Appleton JD/PhD candidate

Mustafa Aziz PhD candidate Research Interests: Greek Philosophy, German Idealism, Phenomenology

Bethany Cates PhD candidate Research Interests:  Legal and Political Philosophy, Ethics, Meta-Ethics  

Justin Cavitt PhD candidate Research Interests: Set Theory, Mathematical Logic, Philosophy of Mathematics, Philosophy of Science

Luke Ciancarelli PhD candidate Research Interests:   Moral psychology, history of philosophy, ethics as first philosophy  

Britta Clark PhD candidate Research Interests: Moral And Political Philosophy (especially intergenerational justice and the ethics of climate change)

Megan Entwistle PhD candidate

Caitlin Fitchett PhD candidate Research Interests: Moral Philosophy, Practical Deliberation, and Collective Action

Zachary Gabor PhD candidate Research Interests: philosophy of mind; philosophy of language; philosophy of biology  

Rachael Goodyer PhD candidate Research Interests: Ethics, Political Philosophy, 19th and 20th Century European Philosophy

Veronika Hammond PhD candidate Research Interests:  Philosophy of Mind, Cognitive Science, Epistemology

Shelby Hanna PhD candidate Research Interests:  Metaethics, Philosophy of Language

Denish Jaswal PhD candidate Research Interests: Epistemology, Philosophy of Mind, Feminist Philosophy, Emotions

Lucy Johnson PhD candidate  

Yunhyae Kim PhD candidate Research Interests: Social and Political Philosophy, Moral Philosophy

Ellie Lasater-Guttmann PhD candidate

Matt Macdonald PhD candidate

Ian Martel PhD candidate Research Interests:   Metaphilosophy, History of Philosophy

Michael Mitchell JD/PhD candidate Research Interests: Moral, Political, and Legal Philosophy

Malcolm Morano PhD candidate Research Interests: Metaethics and Moral Psychology; analytic flavors of Marxism and Existentialism.

LaKeyma Pennyamon PhD candidate (AAAS) / MA candidate (Philosophy)  

Eden Sayed PhD candidate Research Interests: Philosophy of Science, Metaphysics

Ezra Schwartz PhD candidate  

Isaijah Shadrach PhD candidate  

Ryan Sirk PhD candidate

Asa Zabarsky PhD candidate Research Interests: Philosophy of mind, Philosophy of action, Moral psychology, Ethics

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Students may study for a PhD degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning. An additional track in Architectural Technology is also available. This degree is administered jointly by the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Therefore, students benefit from a dual affiliation with both schools.

The program is mainly geared towards individuals who wish to enter academic teaching and research careers. Students are afforded a high degree of flexibility in their studies, however areas of work are broadly organized into the following areas: the Theory and History of Architecture, Architectural Technology, the Theory and History of Landscape Architecture, and the Evolution of Cities and Regions. 

• Theory and History of Architecture:  

Students interested in this area typically study buildings, architectural texts, technologies, and their political, social, and cultural contexts through the early modern, modern, and contemporary eras. 

• Architectural Technology:  

Doctoral research in architectural technology at the GSD aims to advance current  knowledge in green building, for example, and will typically involve issues related to engineering, computation, and digital simulations. 

• Theory and History of Landscape Architecture : 

Students whose research focuses on the theory and history of landscape architecture typically investigate the  ways in which the  natural environment has been thought of, represented, and transformed, from the early modern to the contemporary period. 

• Evolution of Cities and Regions:

Students may be interested in the subject of cities  from a formal standpoint and/or develop an additional emphasis on various social, economic, technological, infrastructural, and ecological dimensions of urban life.

For biographies of current students and more information about their research interests, click here .

After graduation, PhD program alumni typically teach in design schools, or in history or history of art and architecture departments, landscape architecture and environmental studies departments, and urban studies and/or urban planning departments. Some alumni also work in the science, technology, and society domain on governmental and policy issues of particular relevance to their research.

Program Director and Administrator

Antoine Picon , G. Ware Travelstead Professor of the History of Architecture and Technology at the GSD is the current director of the program.

Margaret Moore de Chicojay is the PhD program administrator and key point of contact for incoming and current students. Contact: [email protected]

Doctoral Degree Programs

Additional information.

• Download the Doctoral Viewbook

Join a world-class community of scholars and education leaders exploring new frontiers in learning and teaching.

Doctoral study at Harvard means full immersion in one of the world's most dynamic and influential intellectual communities. At the Harvard Graduate School of Education, two distinct doctoral programs leverage the extraordinary interdisciplinary strengths of the entire University. The Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) prepares experienced educators for system-level leadership roles in school districts, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and beyond; and the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.)  empowers cutting-edge interdisciplinary research informed by the cognitive sciences, economics, medicine, the humanities, and more.

Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.)

The Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D) is a three-year, practice-based program designed to produce system-level leaders in American pre-K-12 education. The Ed.L.D. curriculum mines the vast intellectual and professional resources of HGSE, the Harvard Business School , and the Harvard Kennedy School , and includes a 10-month residency in the third year.

Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.)

The Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.) , offered jointly with the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences , provides unrestricted access to faculty and resources at all Harvard graduate and professional schools. This five-year Ph.D. is ideal for conducting groundbreaking interdisciplinary research that directly informs and impacts education practice and policy.

Degree Programs

The Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health prides itself on the diverse backgrounds of its students and on the commitment they share to making the world a healthier place.

Our degree programs are designed to meet the specific needs of students with varying levels of experience and prior education, and with career goals focused on either professional practice or research and academia. There is also considerable flexibility within degree programs for students to shape the learning experience to match their own interests and aspirations.

The table below summarizes our degree programs. For more detailed information, please see the chart of eligibility requirements for Harvard Chan School programs .

Applicants to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health must have a minimum of a U.S. bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college/university or non-U.S. equivalent. Some Harvard Chan School degree programs require additional pre-requisite degrees and/or work experience. For more detail, please see below.

Before applying, please be sure to check the eligibility and testing requirements specific to the program or field of study you wish to enter, as these may differ from the general information provided on this page.

Demonstrated excellence in written and spoken English, plus strong verbal and quantitative aptitudes are prerequisites for all degree programs.

Professional Degrees

Master of public health (45-credit).

In general, applicants for the MPH-45 degree must have one of the following:

• a prior doctoral degree—for example, MD, DO, DMD, DDS, PhD, SD, JD (or equivalent)
• a master’s degree in a health-related field—for example, MSN, MSW, MBA—plus at least two years of relevant health experience
• completed the primary clinical year of medical or dental school or be a 1L student at Harvard Law School . For more information, visit Dual/Joint Degrees .
• a bachelor’s degree, plus five or more years of relevant health experience (for the epidemiology, generalist, global health, health and social behavior, health management, and health policy fields of study only)

Specific admissions requirements vary for certain fields of study within the MPH 45-credit program. Please review the eligibility requirements within your desired field of study carefully.

Master of Public Health (65-Credit)

Applicants for the MPH-65 degree must have the following:

• a bachelor’s degree, plus two or more years of contiguous full-time work experience in an area relevant to public health.

Specific admissions requirements vary for certain fields of study within the MPH 65-credit program. Please review the eligibility requirements within your desired field of study carefully.

MPH in Epidemiology (online / on-campus)

Requires a prior doctoral degree—for example, MD, DO, DMD, DDS, PhD, SD, JD (or equivalent). Also eligible to apply are those with a master’s degree in a health-related field (for example, MSN, MSW, MBA) plus two years of relevant experience, or those with a bachelor’s degree plus five or more years of relevant experience in a health-related field. Current MD and DO students are not eligible to enroll in the MPH in epidemiology.

MPH Generalist (online)

Requires a prior doctoral degree—for example, MD, DO, DMD, DDS, PhD, SD, JD (or equivalent). Also eligible to apply are those with a master’s degree in a health-related field (for example, MSN, MSW, MBA) plus two years of relevant experience, or those with a bachelor’s degree plus five or more years of relevant experience in a health-related field. Current MD and DO students are not eligible to enroll in the MPH generalist program.

Master in Health Care Management

An executive degree program open only to mid-career physicians seeking to improve their managerial and leadership skills.

Doctor of Public Health

Requires a master’s degree or non-U.S. equivalent and a minimum of six years of relevant experience.

Medical Residency program

The Harvard Occupational and Environmental Medicine Residency (OEMR) is available to MPH-45 students in the occupational and environmental health field of study or  Special Students .

Research Degrees

Master of science (80-credit).

The 80-credit master of science requires prior bachelor’s degree or non-U.S. equivalent. Some departments prefer relevant work experience as well. The 80-credit SM is offered in:

• Biostatistics
• Computational Biology and Quantitative Genetics
• Environmental Health
• Epidemiology
• Global Health and Population

Master of Science (60-Credit)

Requires prior bachelor’s degree or non-U.S. equivalent in one of the mathematical sciences or an allied field (for example, biology, psychology, or economics). The 60-credit master of science is offered in biostatistics and health data science .

Master of Science (42.5 Credit)

The 42.5-credit master of science requires a master’s or doctoral degree. Some departments prefer relevant work experience as well. The 42.5-credit SM is offered in:

• Health Policy and Management
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

PhD in Biological Sciences in Public Health

Requirements include a bachelor’s degree and undergraduate preparation in advanced-level biology and chemistry (including organic chemistry) as well as physics and calculus appropriate for the mastery of diverse fields of biology. Preference will be given to applicants who have relevant work experience or prior graduate work in their primary area of study. All PhD programs at the Harvard Chan School are offered under the aegis of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences .

PhD in Biostatistics

All candidates must have a strong background in mathematics with college-level coursework successfully completed through multivariable calculus and at least one semester of linear algebra, as well as knowledge of at least one computer programming language. Preference will be given to applicants who have relevant work experience or prior graduate work in their primary area of study. All PhD programs at the Harvard Chan School are offered under the aegis of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences .

Harvard PhD Program in Health Policy

Candidates with a record of success in undergraduate study and a strong interest or experience in health policy are eligible to apply. Although student backgrounds vary and a previous graduate degree is not required, most successful applicants have a prior master’s degree and/or relevant work experience in the field of health policy. All PhD programs at the Harvard Chan School are offered under the aegis of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences .

PhD in Population Health Sciences

Any candidate with a distinguished undergraduate record and a demonstrated enthusiasm for the rigorous pursuit of scientific public health knowledge is encouraged to apply. Although a previous graduate degree is not required, you should have successfully completed coursework in introductory statistics or quantitative methods. Preference will be given to applicants who have relevant work experience or prior graduate work in their primary area of study. All PhD programs at the Harvard Chan School are offered under the aegis of the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences .

Summer-Only Degree Options

Master of public health (mph) in clinical effectiveness – summer-focused option (45-credit).

Available only to physicians who have completed their residency, have the support of their home hospital or university, and have completed the Program in Clinical Effectiveness , a joint program of Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard Chan School. Students may apply concurrently to the program in clinical effectiveness and the master of public health 45-credit program in the clinical effectiveness field of study.

Master of Science (SM) in Epidemiology – Summer-Only Option (42.5-Credit)

Requires a medical degree or master’s-level background in a relevant discipline (e.g., biology, chemistry, genetics, physiology, bioengineering, or related social and computational sciences)

Please note: Current degree candidates at the Harvard Chan School and individuals who have applied to a degree program at the Harvard Chan School for the fall will be contacted directly in the spring with information on how to apply for summer courses.

Dual/Joint Master’s Degrees

MD and DO students at LCME -accredited schools in the U.S. or Canada may apply to enroll in our 45-credit MD/MPH program post primary clinical year.

DMD/DDS/MPH

DMD and DDS students at LCME -accredited schools in the U.S. or Canada may apply to enroll in our 45-credit DMD/MPH program post primary clinical year.

Students who are in their first semester at Harvard Law School may apply to the JD/MPH joint degree program.

Students may apply concurrently to the master in urban planning program at the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the master of public health 45-credit program at the Harvard Chan School.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program is jointly offered by HDS and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Find detailed information about PhD fields of study and program requirements on the Committee on the Study of Religion website.

With a focus on global religions, religion and culture, and forces that shape religious traditions and thought, the PhD prepares students for advanced research and scholarship in religion and theological studies. 

Resources for the study of religion at Harvard are vast. We offer courses in the whole range of religious traditions from the ancient Zoroastrian tradition to modern Christian liberation movements, Islamic and Jewish philosophies, Buddhist social movements, and Hindu arts and culture. Some of us work primarily as historians, others as scholars of texts, others as anthropologists, although the boundaries of these methodologies are never firm. Some of us are adherents of a religious tradition; others are not at all religious. The Study of Religion is exciting and challenging precisely because of the conversations that take place across the complexities of disciplines, traditions, and intellectual commitments.

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PhD Program Requirements

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Harvard Griffin GSAS strives to provide students with timely, accurate, and clear information. If you need help understanding a specific policy, please contact the office that administers that policy.

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In addition to the common degree requirements expected of Harvard Griffin GSAS students, students must meet additional requirements specified by their department or program. This section provides additional degree requirements by academic program.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Education Faculty

The Faculty of the Ph.D. in education come from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the  Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) , Harvard Divinity School (HDS) , the  Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) , the  Harvard Law School (HLS) ,  Harvard Medical School (HMS) , and  Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) .

Ph.D. in Education Advisors

Danielle s. allen.

Bianca J. Baldridge

Peter Q. Blair

Karen Brennan

Ebony N. Bridwell-Mitchell

• Gretchen Brion-Meisels

Elizabeth Bonawitz

David J. Deming

Sarah Dryden-Peterson

Susan Dynarski

Catherine Elgin

Nadine Gaab

Jarvis R. Givens

Tina Grotzer

Paul L. Harris

Monica C. Higgins

Heather C. Hill

Nancy E. Hill

Stephanie M. Jones

Thomas Kane

James S. Kim

Nonie K. Lesaux

Meira Levinson

Bridget Terry Long

Dana Charles McCoy

Luke W. Miratrix

Sebastian Munoz-Najar Galvez

Charles Nelson, III

Gabrielle Oliveira

Fernando Reimers

Julie A. Reuben

Meredith L. Rowe

Mandy Savitz-Romer

Catherine Snow

Carola Suarez-Orozco

Bertrand Schneider

Jon R. Star

Eric Taylor

Paola Uccelli

Adriana Janette Umana-Taylor

Christina "V" Villarreal

Martin West

Ph.D. in Education Committee Members

• Christopher Avery (HKS)
• Kathy Bickmore (Visiting)
• Joseph Blatt
• Rhonda Bondie
• Kathy Boudett
• Catherine Brekus (HDS)
• Karen Brennan
• Jennifer Cheatham
• Carrie Conaway
• Alex Csiszar (FAS)
• Elizabeth Dawes Duraisingh
• Christopher Dede
• David Dockterman
• Hadas Eidelman
• Aaliyah El-Amin
• Elena Glassman (SEAS)
• Mary Grassa-O’Neill
• Houman Harouni
• Noah Heller
• Lawrence Katz (HKS)
• Rakesh Khurana (FAS)
• Irene Liefshitz
• Pamela Mason
• Joe McIntyre
• Matthew Miller
• Ola Ozernov-Palchik
• Francesca Purcell
• Alexis Redding
• Todd Rogers (HKS)
• Gina Schouten (FAS)
• Tommie Shelby (FAS)
• Jack Shonkoff
• Michael Smith (SEAS)
• Emiliana Vegas
• Christina Villarreal
• Richard Weissbourd
• Aisha Yousafzai (HSPH)

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Grapple with the insights of great thinkers from across the world and throughout history while developing skills in critical thinking, argument analysis and cultural literacy.

We prepare graduates to meet a rapidly changing world. Students will study ancient and contemporary philosophers as they engage in rigorous debate, ask the big questions and sharpen their critical thinking skills.  Students will study problems arising in contemporary movements such as analytic philosophy, existentialism and American philosophy; students will be introduced to the major subdivisions of philosophy, including logic, ethics, aesthetics, philosophy and law, philosophy of science and philosophy of religion.

Learn More:

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The major is part of the Department of Philosophy and Religion , an academic unit within the College of Arts and Letters .

The major in philosophy empowers students to analyze diverse worldviews and value systems. In a world that is increasingly pluralistic, ideologically driven and globally connected, skills in critical thinking and cross-cultural understanding are more important than ever. Our students apply this degree to a wide variety of career fields.

Students choose from two concentrations: general philosophy and interdisciplinary philosophy. The interdisciplinary concentration allows students to count relevant courses in another field toward the major and is a particularly good fit for students choosing philosophy as a second major.

Philosophy and Religion

• B.A. in Philosophy and Religion, Major in Philosophy
• Interdisciplinary Philosophy
• Logic and Reasoning

For detailed program information and curriculum, please visit:

• Department of Philosophy & Religion website
• Undergraduate catalog

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