phd at princeton university

Princeton Neuroscience Institute

Ph.d. in neuroscience.

First-hand experience is an essential part of gaining real understanding

Ph.D. Neuroscience students take lecture and laboratory courses; learn to read, understand, and present current scientific literature; develop and carry out substantial original research, and present their research at meetings and conferences, including the annual Neuroscience retreat each Spring.

During the first year, all students participate in a unique year-long  Core Course  that surveys current neuroscience. The subjects covered in lectures are accompanied by direct experience in the lab. Students learn through first-hand experience how to run their own fMRI experiments; to design and run their own computer simulations of neural networks; to image neural activity at cellular resolution in behaving animals; and to patch-clamp single cells, to name a few examples. This core course offers students a unique opportunity to learn the practical knowledge essential for successfully developing new experiments and techniques. Incoming students are encouraged to rotate through up to three different labs to choose the lab that best matches their interests. During this process, students may discover an area of research completely new and fascinating to them. Following their rotations and by mutual agreement with their prospective faculty adviser, students choose a lab in which they will carry out their Ph.D. research.

Ph.D. Timeline Overview

The first year of the graduate program begins with the Neuro Boot Camp in August. All newly admitted Neuroscience graduate students are required to attend a 2-week course intended to ensure that new recruits have a basic understanding of molecular biology, as well as the core skills required to use mathematical and computational approaches to analyze neural systems and neural data. The Neuro Boot Camp takes the form of morning lectures and afternoon workshops in which students will apply the principles introduced in the lectures.

Once the academic year begins, all students take the Neuroscience Core Course. The goal of this course is to provide a common foundation so that all students have a strong knowledge base and a common language across the breadth of Neuroscience, which is a highly diverse and multidisciplinary field. To the extent possible, the course aims to teach an overview of all topics through a mix of hands-on laboratory experience, lecture, and computational modeling. Students will also rotate in up to three labs, participate in grant-writing workshops, and attend the Society for Neuroscience Annual Conference .

By the second year of their Ph.D., students will have joined a research group. Projects that involve collaborations across groups, and thus have students joining more than one research group, are decidedly welcomed. Students also typically teach half-time during their second year, as part of learning to teach and communicate science, and as a part of helping the Neuroscience Institute's educational mission. The other half of their time, students begin to carry out in-depth research and dedicate themselves wholly to this in the summer between their second and third years. Students also will participate in an NSF Fellowship grant-writing workshop in September.

At the beginning of their third year, Ph.D. students present their thesis proposal at a generals exam, in which they demonstrate the command of their chosen research topic and the existing literature surrounding it, and present a logical plan to address key questions that they have identified.

The third, fourth and fifth years are largely devoted to research. They culminate with the submission of their research papers for publication, and the writing and defense of their Ph.D. thesis. Throughout their time at Princeton, students participate in grant-writing workshops, career workshops, and present their work both locally and in national and international conferences.

Across the board, from molecular biology to physics to psychology, Princeton's world-class faculty is particularly strong in quantitative and theoretical investigations. The same is true in Neuroscience. In recognition of this, a Quantitative and Computational Neuroscience track exists within the Neuroscience Ph.D.

Students in this track must fulfill all the requirements of the Neuroscience Ph.D. In addition, their electives should be in quantitative courses, and their Ph.D. research should be in quantitative and/or computational neuroscience. The QCN track is supported by the T32 training grant in Quantitative Neuroscience from the NIMH.

Department of Psychology

Graduate program.

Graduate work in the Department of Psychology is designed to prepare students for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and a career of productive scholarship in psychological science.

The program offers specialization in diverse areas, including behavioral economics, cognitive neuroscience, culture, developmental science, diversity science, emotion, language and communication, learning and memory, perception and cognition, the psychology of inequality, social neuroscience, social psychology, and systems neuroscience.

Ph.D. Program Requirements

Graduate students complete at least 5 courses during their first year, and then focus on research and teaching. In particular, students carry out independent research, write a research paper and theory paper as part of their general examination, write a dissertation proposal, take advanced seminars, and present their dissertation to our departmental community.

Applying to the Graduate Program

Applications to the Ph.D. program should include a statement of purpose, resume/CV, transcript, and 3 letters of recommendation. Applicants may also submit an essay about how their academic interests or life experiences help fulfill Princeton’s commitment to diversity.

Graduate students take 5 core courses: a seminar focused on cognitive psychology, a seminar focused on social psychology, two semesters of statistics, and a course on responsible conduct of research. Students enroll every semester in a lunchtime seminar where they hear about the research of both local and visiting scientists. Optional courses are offered regularly, including a course that informs students about current trends in statistics.

In the first year, graduate students take courses and carry out independent and collaborative research. At the beginning of the third year, students submit a research paper and a theory paper, and discuss their work with a committee as part of the general examination. During the fourth year, students propose their dissertation research. At the end of the fifth year, students present their dissertation research to our departmental community.

Prospective graduate students should reach out to one or more relevant advisors prior to applying. Students are admitted with the intent of working with a particular faculty member as their primary advisor, and must select a secondary/co-advisor by the end of the first year.

See our directory of current graduate students and their year of study.

On the Job Market

Each year we have a number of emerging scientists on the job market for tenure-track positions, other academic positions, and industry positions. See our current graduate students and postdocs who are in the job market.

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Graduate Program

Ph.d. studies at princeton economics.

The Ph.D. program at Princeton Economics is one of the premier economics programs in the world. The small number of students admitted each year receive training in an exceptional research environment, supported by faculty members who are working at the forefront of research in their fields.

Admission to the program is extremely selective. Each year, the department receives approximately 800 applications for a class of 20 to 25 students. Students come from diverse backgrounds and from dozens of countries around the globe.

Princeton provides all admitted Ph.D. students tuition and fellowship support for the academic year. Admitted students also receive fellowship support through the summer months so they can continue their study and research when classes are not in session.

The Economics Department at Princeton does not offer a Master’s Degree. Students looking for information about the Master in Finance can learn more on the Princeton Bendheim Center for Finance website .

Job Market Placements

Graduate Program

Our graduate program is unique from the other top mathematics institutions in the U.S. in that it emphasizes, from the start, independent research. Each year, we have extremely motivated and talented students among our new Ph.D. candidates who, we are proud to say, will become the next generation of leading researchers in their fields. While we urge independent work and research, there exists a real sense of camaraderie among our graduate students. As a result, the atmosphere created is one of excitement and stimulation as well as of mentoring and support. Furthermore, there exists a strong scholarly relationship between the Math Department and the Institute for Advanced Study, located just a short distance from campus, where students can make contact with members there as well as attend the IAS seminar series.  Our program has minimal requirements and maximal research and educational opportunities. We offer a broad variety of advanced research topics courses as well as more introductory level courses in algebra, analysis, and geometry, which help first-year students strengthen their mathematical background and get involved with faculty through basic course work. In addition to the courses, there are several informal seminars specifically geared toward graduate students: (1) Colloquium Lunch Talk, where experts who have been invited to present at the Department Colloquium give introductory talks, which allows graduate students to understand the afternoon colloquium more easily; (2) Graduate Student Seminar (GSS), which is organized and presented by graduate students for graduate students, creating a vibrant mathematical interaction among them; and, (3) What’s Happening in Fine Hall (WHIFH) seminar where faculty give talks in their own research areas specifically geared towards graduate students. Working or reading seminars in various research fields are also organized by graduate students each semester. First-year students are set on the fast track of research by choosing two advanced topics of research, beyond having a strong knowledge of three more general subjects: algebra, and real and complex analysis, as part of the required General Examination. It is the hope that one, or both, of the advanced topics will lead to the further discovery of a thesis problem. Students are expected to write a thesis in four years but will be provided an additional year to complete their work if deemed necessary. Most of our Ph.D.'s are successfully launched into academic positions at premier mathematical institutions as well as in industry .

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Doctoral Degree

Doctor of philosophy (ph.d.).

The departmental Ph.D. program complies with the regulations of the Graduate School. This is a full-time program only . In addition to the information contained on this website, the Graduate School Catalog should be reviewed by all prospective applicants. This program is aimed at Ph.D. research and training students for careers in research and teaching.

All non-native English speakers who have not received a university-level degree from a U.S. college or university must pass the University's mandatory English Language Program by the end of their first year of study. Incoming students will be tested upon arrival, and may be required to participate in further English study. Students who do not pass by the end of their first year will not be readmitted.

Incoming students are assigned a first year academic adviser, who may or may not become their research adviser. During their first year students are expected to talk with faculty and secure a research adviser by the end of the academic year.  The department requests students identify an adviser by March 15th of the first academic year, and if more time is needed, to contact the graduate administrator to discuss the situation.

Teaching experience is considered to be a significant part of graduate education. All Ph.D. candidates are required to assist with course instruction for the equivalent of two terms.

All students must fulfill the competency requirements .

The general examination , taken during year 2, consists of a research seminar prepared under the supervision of a faculty member, followed by an in-depth oral examination on the contents of the seminar and the associated general area of research. Original research results do not have to be presented, but problems whose solution may lead to a thesis should be discussed. In many cases, the student's thesis is in the same area as the research seminar, but this is not required.

A final public oral examination (FPO) is required of all Ph.D. candidates. The FPO is taken after the candidate's dissertation has been accepted, and is primarily a defense of the dissertation. In preparation for the FPO, a preliminary FPO (pre-FPO) is held six months before the expected completion date. It covers results to date and planned research, and serves as a preliminary critique of the proposed dissertation.

Department of English

Graduate Program Overview

Ph.D. Program in English at Princeton

The aim of the Princeton graduate program in English is to produce well-trained and field-transforming scholars, insightful and imaginative critics, and effective and creative teachers. The Ph.D. program is both rigorous and supportive. With two years of coursework and three years of research and teaching, all fully funded, it is possible to complete the degree in five years. We offer multiple funding opportunities for research fellowships in year six, should students need additional time for dissertation completion and for the academic job market, or for pursuing other career opportunities.

Princeton is a research institution with strengths across the disciplines, but it maintains a feeling of intimacy. In keeping with the goals of the University at large, the Department of English seeks to cultivate and sustain a  diverse , cosmopolitan, and lively intellectual community. Because this is a residential university, whose traditions emphasize teaching as well as research, the faculty is easily accessible to students and committed to their progress.

The  faculty  of the Department of English is notable for its world-renowned scholarly reputation, and commitment to teaching and close collaboration with colleagues and students. The faculty showcases wide-ranging interdisciplinary interests as well as a diverse range of critical approaches within the discipline. In addition to offering seminars in every major historical field of concentration, from medieval to contemporary literatures, we offer a wide range of theoretical specializations in fields such as feminist theory, gender and sexuality studies, psychoanalysis, Marxism, postcolonialism, environmental studies, political and social theory, and cultural studies. Students may also take courses in cognate departments such as comparative literature, classics, philosophy, linguistics, history, and art history.

Course of Study

The graduate program in English is a five-year program (with multiple opportunities for funding in year six) leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Students may not enroll for a Master of Arts degree. During the first two years, students prepare for the General Examination through work in seminars, and directed or independent reading. The third, fourth, and fifth years are devoted the writing of a dissertation, and to teaching in undergraduate courses. Through numerous funding opportunities, we are able to offer sixth-year students generous research support.

Although programs are flexible, during the first two years graduate students normally take an average of three courses per semester, to complete the required 12 courses by the end of the second year. The comprehensive General Examination is then taken at the beginning of the third year of study.

Students must also demonstrate a reading knowledge of two foreign languages before the completion of the General Examination.

Course Requirements

Graduate students are required to take a minimum of twelve courses over their first two years in the program, usually enrolling in three courses per semester.

Our distribution requirements are designed to acquaint each student with a diverse range of historical periods and thematic and methodological concerns. The Department values both historical expertise and theoretical inquiry, and assumes that our discipline includes the study of film, visual culture, and media studies.

Graduate Students in English must take courses in each of the following six areas:

• Medieval and Renaissance
• 18th Century and 19th Century
• Modern and Contemporary
• Race, Ethnicity, and Postcoloniality
• Gender and Sexuality

All distribution requirements must be taken for a letter grade. The six-course distribution requirement comprises 50% of the courses required for the degree, leaving sufficient room for intensive coursework in areas of specialization. 

While some graduate seminars may cover more than one field, students may not use one course to fulfill two or more distribution requirements at the same time. For example, a medieval course with a substantial commitment to theory may fulfill either the medieval and Renaissance or the theory requirements.

Each entering student is assigned a faculty advisor who works with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in planning course selection in the first and second years. After successfully submitting and presenting the dissertation proposal during the spring of the third year, students choose three faculty members to serve as their dissertation advisers.

Graduate Action Committee (GAC)

The Graduate Action Committee (GAC) is a representative group of graduate students in the Department that advocates for graduate student with faculty and administration. Among its primary goals are representing the concerns of the entire graduate student body, promoting intellectual and social interaction between faculty and graduate students, organizing an annual speaker series of distinguished academics, and improving the quality of graduate student life at Princeton. Every graduate student in the Department is welcome and encouraged to participate in GAC.

Working Group on Graduate Issues (WGGI)

The Working Group on Graduate Issues (WGGI) is a four- or five-person elected group of students who meet at several points during the academic year with the chair, director of graduate studies, and one additional faculty member to represent graduate student concerns.

In addition to participating in a variety of seminars and colloquia organized by the Department and other units at the University, graduate students are welcome to organize colloquia of their own. These may involve the discussion of an article or problem, the presentation of a paper, or a forum for debate.

Graduate students who have passed the General Examination are required to teach in undergraduate courses. While the minimum Department requirement is four hours, most students teach more than this. Students may conduct sections of large lecture courses, or direct precepts in upper-division courses. This teaching is supervised by experienced members of the faculty. The Department and University also offer, on an annual basis, a teacher training seminar and workshop. Advanced graduate students may co-design and co-teach courses with faculty through the  Collaborative Teaching Initiative . 

Library Collections

In addition to the general collections of Princeton’s libraries, Firestone Library has a number of special collections that are particularly rich in materials for study: one of the most important collections of medieval and renaissance manuscripts in the United States; works of the Restoration Period, with emphasis on drama; the theater collection, which contains materials for the study of theatrical history; extensive collections concerning the history and literature of the middle Atlantic and southern states; little poetry magazines; concrete and visual poetry; the Sinclair Hamilton Collection of American Illustrated books, 1670–1870; the Morris L. Parrish Collection of Victorian Novelists; the J. Harlin O’Connell Collection of the 1890's and the Gallatin Collection of Aubrey Beardsley; and the archives of major American publishing houses. The extensive Miriam Y. Holden Collection of Books on the History of Women is located adjacent to the Department’s literature collection in the Scribner Room.

Job Placement

We offer strong support and deep resources for students pursuing careers inside and outside academia. Our Job Placement and Career Resources page provides details, as well as information and statistics about recent academic appointments.

Admission  and Financial Aid

Competition for admission to the program is keen. About ten new students from a wide range of backgrounds are enrolled each year. The Department looks for candidates of outstanding ability and intellectual promise who have the potential to be lively, effective, and sympathetic scholars and teachers. Its judgments are based on letters of recommendation, transcripts, a personal statement, and a sample of the candidate’s academic writing. GRE scores are not required. Facility in foreign languages is also taken into account. To access the online application, please visit the  Graduate Admission Office .

All admitted students are fully funded. Fellowships are awarded by the Graduate School on the Department’s recommendation. Students are also eligible to apply for competitive external and internal fellowships, such as those offered by the Graduate School, the Center for Human Values, and the Center for the Study of Religion.

English Department

The Department offices, lecture halls, and seminar rooms are located in McCosh Hall. There are two libraries in McCosh Hall: the Thorp Library, home to the Bain-Swiggett Library of Contemporary Poetry, and the Hinds Library, the Department’s reading room and lounge. There is also a separate English Graduate Reading Room in Firestone Library, where reserve books for graduate seminars are kept on the shelves. It is adjacent to the Scribner Room, the Department's large non-circulating collection of books and journals.

The Graduate School provides University housing for about 65 percent of the graduate student body. New students have first priority. Although housing in the Princeton area is expensive, many graduate students find convenient and attractive private housing, sharing accommodations or investigating neighboring towns. There are also opportunities for graduate students to apply for resident positions in the undergraduate colleges.

Visiting Princeton

Applicants for admission are welcome to visit the campus at any time, and  tours  of the campus are available. Once the formal admissions period is over by the end of February, admitted students will be invited to campus and will have the opportunity to visit seminars, and meet with faculty and current graduate students.

Electrical and Computer Engineering

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Great location, tight community

The campus is situated in the heart of Princeton, NJ — one hour from New York City and one hour from Philadelphia — with its picturesque setting and vibrant social life.

Ph.D. Program

Here are the key dates and links regarding submitting an application for the PhD Program

• The application process is open for approximately three months each fall, from mid-September (9/15) until the application deadline.
• The next application deadline is December 15, 2024
• All applications are submitted online  through the Graduate School.
• GRE: General Test optional/not required

The department often interviews short-listed applicants prior to making a final decision.

Admission decisions will be emailed to applicants by mid-February following the application deadline. The Program starts in August.

Fee waivers are available to eligible applicants upon request . For further details about eligibility, please refer to the Graduate School's policies .

Master of Engineering Program

Applications to the M.Eng. program in electrical and computer engineering is restricted to current Princeton seniors . The MENG application deadline is January 2. All applications are submitted online through the Graduate School .

We discourage applications from others, who will not be admitted.  

Ph.D. Deadline

December 15 - 11:59 PM EST

• Get to know our research . You won't become an expert before you get here, but familiarizing yourself with our work better prepares you to make informed decisions. In your communications with us, demonstrating that you know who we are and what we do tells us you are serious.
• Reach out. It's a good idea to contact the professors you've identified in step one. Be prepared to discuss your interests and inquire about ongoing and future research opportunities.
• Write a compelling statement. Your Statement of Academic Purpose should state what you hope to work on in our graduate program and explain how your background prepares you.
• Get strong letters of recommendation. What you say about yourself, and what your transcripts say about you, are very important in the admissions process. But what others say about you, especially those who know your work and can speak to your abilities, is essential to standing out in a highly competitive pool of applicants.
• Demonstrate your ambition. The committee considers a broad range of credentials when reviewing an application, including strong fundamentals and a commitment to highly impactful research. It is not uncommon for students who have a weakness in one area to make a strong case for themselves by demonstrating excellence in other areas.

Department of Molecular Biology

Graduate Program

The graduate program in the Department of Molecular Biology fosters the intellectual development of modern biologists. We welcome students from a variety of educational backgrounds, and offer an educational program that goes well beyond traditional biology.

The molecular biology department at Princeton is a tightly knit, cohesive group of scientists that includes undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty with diverse but overlapping interests. Graduate students have a wide choice of advisers, with a broad spectrum of interdisciplinary interests and research objectives.

The graduate program offers each entering student the opportunity, with the help of faculty advisers, to design the intellectual program that best meets his or her unique scientific interests. Each student chooses a series of research rotations with faculty members in molecular biology and associated departments (chemistry, computer science, ecology and evolutionary biology, engineering, physics and psychology). Entering students, with the aid of the graduate committee, select core and elective courses from a large number of offerings in a variety of departments and disciplines. This combination of a cohesive department, one-on-one advising, and individualized programs of course work and research provides an ideal environment for graduate students to flourish as independent scientists.

Learn more about the department of Molecular Biology admission requirements, application process and financial support.

Explore the requirements for completing the Molecular Biology graduate program.

Molecular Biology graduate courses and cross-listed courses offered for the most recent academic year.

Our Molecular Biology graduate program offers a diverse range of concentrated areas to advance knowledge and address complex biological challenges.

The graduate M.D./Ph.D is done in partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and the Rutgers University (New Brunswick) Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

The training grant has fostered an interdisciplinary life sciences research community at Princeton by supporting second and third-year students in the Department of Molecular Biology and genetics research labs.

Information for Graduate Students

Our Molecular Biology graduate program offers a dynamic and supportive environment for all students.

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Diverse in research interests

Department of Religion

Graduate Program

Princeton University pioneered in developing the study of religion outside the context of theological seminaries and without formal ties to particular religious traditions. In 1946 Princeton founded a Department of Religion in the division of the humanities and nine years later began a graduate program in religion.

Graduate students in the Department are expected to work full-time toward their degrees, normally in residence, and to complete the program within five years. All students work toward the Ph.D., and there is no separate Masters Program. An M.A. degree is typically awarded after students pass the General Examination, normally completed by the middle of the third year of graduate work.

In any academic year approximately thirty-five candidates will be at different stages in the program. Five to eight students enter each year, admitted from a very large number of qualified applicants.

Download our Graduate Program Information Sheet.

Director of Graduate Studies: Professor Eric Gregory

Room 236 - 1879 Hall (609) 258 5298

Graduate Administrator: Florian Fues

Room 149 1879 Hall (609-258-4481)

Degree Requirements

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Related documents

• Graduate Program Information Sheet

Exploring The Graduate College

September 14, 2024.

It’s a secret spot, way beyond Forbes College, which is already on the edge of campus. Beyond the Forbes backyard, traversing past the lush golf course, with grand gothic towers, and a slight resemblance to Rockefeller College: Welcome to the Graduate College!

I first discovered the beautiful recluse of the Graduate College on an afternoon weekend stroll last spring. There were stone walls of magnificent arches, patios with tables, and barely any people around—a welcomed sense of peace given the normally hectic and crowded campus. Along the stone archways dangled lilac wisteria, which was in full bloom. Picturesque would be an understatement. 

Inside the Graduate College is a dining hall combining Rocky and Mathey’s long wooden tables and floating chandeliers with The University Chapel’s stained glass windows, a grand kaleidoscope of colors. It was not open that day, but another excuse to return again.

Beyond a small wooden door lies the Porter’s Lodge. Open for a few hours each weekday, the office holds the key to the top of the Graduate College Tower. After signing in, the key unlocks a small wooden door, leading to a narrow flight of spiral staircases. On the way up, there are some empty rooms, which are also opportunities to get a quick rest and get more space. The top of the staircase has steps that get smaller with each step. Right before it gets claustrophobic, you get to the top! 

This is the highest point that you can get to on Princeton’s campus, with a view that makes every staircase step worth it. An open balcony gives the ultimate birds-eye view of Princeton’s campus, from Firestone Library, and Fine Hall (you won’t miss it), to the greenery around town. It is an amazing, underrated place to be, and makes you feel on top of the world, even just for a little bit. 

Access, Diversity and Inclusion

The Horizon Fellowship

The Horizon Fellowship (formally known as the Pre-Doctoral Fellowship) is designed to increase access to promising graduate students. Horizon Fellowships are awarded to regularly admitted graduate students who would benefit from an extra year of academic training. In the first year, Horizon Fellows work directly with a faculty adviser to design an individualized academic plan that is meant to enhance research experience, language work, or theoretical training for graduate study.

Eligibility

All interested applicants for regular admission are invited to apply for consideration. Interested students are strongly encouraged to visit the FAQ page.

Horizon Fellows Benefits

Full funding for academic year (tuition and stipend)

Priority for University housing

Graduate Scholars Program Invitation*

Horizon Fellows are invited to participate in the Graduate Scholars Program (GSP), a cohort-based community for entering first-year graduate and pre-doctoral students from diverse backgrounds designed to enhance and support academic, social, and community development during their initial graduate school experience.

Applications Open in September

How to apply.

• Horizon Fellowship applicants are required to complete and submit the online regular admission PhD application.
• Horizon Fellowship applicants must meet the eligibility requirements for PhD admission.
• For more information about  applying to Princeton and all eligibility requirements please go to the following link: https://gradschool.princeton.edu/admission/applying-princeton

Within the regular admission PhD application, applicants must select "yes" to the "Are you interested in being considered for the Horizon Fellowship" question. If you answer 'yes,' you will then be prompted to briefly explain why you are interested in being considered for the Pre-Doctoral Fellowship initiative. [500 words max].

Your response can address any of the following questions:

How would you benefit from the fellowship? What would you want to accomplish during your fellowship year? What skills would you want to enhance during your fellowship year?

Note: Your answer to these questions will have no impact on the admission process for the department to which you are applying and does not finalize enrollment in the Horizon Fellowship program.

Participating Departments

Specific departments are participating in this program, therefore only those departmental applications will include the pre-doctoral fellowship initiative question.

At this time the participating departments include:

Application Requirements

Application requirements are department specific, please check our Fields of Study page to determine the application requirements for the department you are interested in applying. The requirements may include but are not limited to the following:

Application Deadline

Click  HERE for a list of all department deadlines. (E.g. November 15 — 11:59PM Eastern Standard Time). Pre-Doctoral Fellowship application deadlines correspond with the sponsoring department's PhD application deadline.

APPLY HERE  

Fee Waiver Requests 

Please see details regarding fee waivers here .

Please address program-related questions to Associate Dean Joseph Lewis at [email protected] . 

For application-related questions please reach out to [email protected] for assistance and allow at least 24 hours for a response. When contacting us, please include your application number, full name and associated email address.

Applicants who require additional accessibility assistance may also contact  [email protected] or call (609) 258-3034.

Learn more about the Grad Scholars Program (GSP)!

Check out the Prospective Ph.D. Program (P3)!

Pre-Doctoral Fellowship in the News!

Princeton’s Graduate School has launched a new pre-doctoral fellowship, which will fund students to study at Princeton for a year before they enroll as first-year Ph.D. students. Students from groups historically underrepresented in higher education are especially encouraged to apply for…

Administrative Portal

Dissertation and Final Public Oral

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The final public oral examination (FPO) is a final examination of the student’s field of study as well as a defense of the dissertation. The department schedules the FPO after it accepts readers’ reports and is satisfied that all requirements for the degree have been met. The GPA then advances the FPO application to the Graduate School for approval. Upon approval, the department is required to advertise the examination a minimum of three days before the examination date.

Degree Deadlines for the 2024-25 Academic Year

Readers and Examiners

• There must be at least two principal readers
• At least one must be a current faculty member from the student’s home department
• All readers must be approved to serve in graduate advisory roles (see table below)
• External readers must receive prior approval by the Graduate School
• External readers must hold a position equivalent to those approved to serve in advisory roles at Princeton
• There must be at least three principal examiners
• At least two of the examiners cannot have also served as readers of the dissertation
• External examiners require prior approval by the Graduate School
• Remote participation requires approval by the Graduate School, and at least two examiners must be present in person

Table of Approved Advisory Roles

• Emeritus/a faculty may serve in Ph.D. advising, thesis reading, and examining roles only if they were the student’s adviser or committee member prior to becoming an emeritus/a faculty member.
• Decision is made case by case based on the visitors’ credentials from their home institutions as well as their PU appointments.
• Also includes the rank of Principal Research Physicist, PPL only.
• Senior Scholars are not eligible to serve in advising or committee roles unless they are also emeritus/a faculty and qualify under that exception, as noted above. Senior Scholars may be approved to serve as dissertation readers or examiners on a case-by-case basis.
• Professor Senior Lecturers and Lecturers in the Department of Computer Science may be approved on a case-by-case basis to supervise the work of master’s degree students.Professional specialists may not serve on generals or Ph.D. committees, except for Art Museum curators,who are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Senior Lecturers and Lecturers in the Department of Computer Science may be approved on a case-by-case basis to supervise the work of master’s degree students.

Advanced Degree Application for the Ph.D. (FPO Process)

Students complete the Advanced Degree Application in TigerHub. Once they have completed required fields, the application is submitted to the department. GPAs are notified of the submission and are instructed go into PeopleSoft to complete the application process. To complete the advanced degree application process, navigate to the graduate workcenter page and locate the folder “Graduation (Current)”. Enter appropriate search criteria to locate the application. The GPA updates the record and attaches all required materials before submitting the application to the Graduate School for review and approval.

All advanced degree applications are reviewed by the department and the Graduate School before a student is approved to hold the final public oral. The PeopleSoft field “Application Status” shows the progress of the application through each stage of the approval process. Here are the relevant codes, in the order in which they usually appear: STU – Student --> DEP – Department -->  ADV - Adviser --> DGS - Director of Graduate Studies --> AAO – Academic Affairs Coordinators (Jenny (and Joana when Jenny is unavailable) --> DN1 – Academic Affairs Deans (Geoffrey – Humanities and Social Sciences; Alice – Natural Sciences and Engineering) --> DN2 – Dean of the Graduate School (only required in special circumstances) --> APP – Approved --> END – End of process (final processing in the Graduate School is complete).

In cases where an application must be sent back to the department for review, the application will be sent back to DEP2 - Department.  This status allows the GPA to make changes and resubmit directly to AAO without additional adviser and department approval.

FPO Timeline

FPO Checklist for Graduate Administrators

When a student submits an advanced degree application, the GPA receives a workflow email from [email protected] that prompts the department to take action. The email includes a link that will take the GPA directly to the department approval page in PeopleSoft. Here are the steps for completing departmental approval of the application and moving it to the next stage of the process:

Part I: Application

• Check that the student’s personal and program information is correct in the top section of the application. If the current plan and/or the Generals date are incorrect, please contact [email protected] .
• Confirm that the proper degree date is selected
• Verify that the degree requested and field of degree match the student’s current plan. For example, if a student is applying for a Sociology and Social Policy degree (SOCSPL), but the current plan is SOC, the department needs to confirm that the student has fulfilled the requirements for SOCSPL and then contact the Graduate School to correct the current plan.

Part II: Dissertation

• Input the dissertation title exactly as it appears on the student’s title page. If any changes need to be made to the student’s title along the way, the title within the application should reflect that change.
• Add adviser(s)’ PUID number. If the student has more than one adviser, make sure to add all advisers. 
• Select an approving adviser(s).  Any advisers selected as approving advisers will be required to electronically review and submit the application in PeopleSoft. 
• Provide the date that the dissertation was made available to the department for review. 

Part III: PPP

• If the student requires an embargo, complete the questions.  Embargo questions must be completed before submitting the form to the adviser in order for the embargo approval questions to appear.
• For the few students who may need to submit a redacted dissertation, a rationale will need to be provided in the text box.
• Complete prior presentation and publication questions.  These questions replace the prior presentation and publication form, which was a separate form that had to be uploaded.  The section has responsive logic.  Answering “Yes” opens a textbox for additional information.  These fields are optional on the GPA page but the form can not be submitted on the adviser side until all fields are completed.

Part IV: Oral Exam

• Add examiners’ PUID numbers. There must be at least three principal examiners, all of them normally members of the Princeton faculty at the rank of assistant professor or higher. At least one of the examiners must be a current regular faculty member of the student’s home department. At least two examiners must not have been principal readers of the dissertation. If someone from outside Princeton University has been approved by the Graduate School to be an examiner, list them in the space provided.
• Add and/or confirm that the FPO time, date, and location are correct.

 Part V: Attachments

• All attachments should be in PDF form 
• Make sure that the student’s title page and abstract have been attached to the application. The title page should follow the general format found in the “Downloadable Documents” section found here . 
• Attach all Reader Reports. Confirm that all fields have been completed and that the form has been signed and dated by the reader. If the content of the report is a separate document, attach this as well. Verify that the content of the report has not been truncated.
• Attach the CVs of any approved outside readers or examiners, along with approval emails. The CV must indicate the examiner’s current professional position and education. Outsider readers or examiners must be of comparable standing in a relevant branch in the scholarly or research community. For additional detail, see the DGS Handbook.
• Mark all attachments with attachment type.

Part VI: Submit PhD

• Review the information summarized under the ‘Request to Hold FPO’ section.
• If applicable, complete all remaining questions on the request to hold form.  
• Save and submit the page.
• Once submitted, the application will be sent first to the adviser then to the DGS for review and approval.

Additional Information

• Advanced degree applications should be submitted to the Graduate School at least two weeks prior to the date of the student’s defense. If an application will not be able to be submitted before the two-week deadline, please notify the Graduate School.
• There must be a minimum of three days between the date of final FPO authorization by the dean and the date of the FPO. The posting sheet must be visible in the department for at least these three days. It may also be circulated electronically. The posting sheet will be available once the advanced degree application has successfully passed the deans’ approval.
• A faculty member, adviser, or DGS, can delegate authority to complete and approve the advanced degree application to the departmental GPA. This approval must be specific to the individual student and include the student’s name. The approval must be attached to the application as a PDF. The Graduate School cannot accept blanket approvals.

Note : Doctoral students end their enrollment on the first of the month following the FPO.

Submission of Final FPO Paperwork

All final paperwork should be submitted to the Graduate School electronically.  

The following actions must be taken prior to submitting final paperwork:

• Submit dissertation PDF to Princeton’s  ProQuest ETD site , paying any applicable publishing and copyright fees (the Graduate School requires traditional or open access publication and does not allow publication restrictions);
• Complete the  Survey of Earned Doctorates  (a pdf copy of the "Certificate of Completion" page of the SED);
• Complete the  Exit Survey (a pdf copy of the "Confirmation of Completion" page must be submitted);
• Complete the checkout process for students departing the University in  TigerHub .

Once all actions are complete, graduate students can submit final paperwork by logging into TigerHub to complete the submission of the final paperwork process.  Departments can also take this action on the student's behalf through PeopleSoft, by navigating to the GT tile and selecting the option to submit final paperwork.  Please refer to the  GPA How-To: Checkout Form guide  for steps on how to submit a GT Graduate Checkout Form on behalf of a student.

The form replaces the Final Public Oral Examination form and allows the DGS or committee chair to approve the examination electronically.  

All final paperwork is normally submitted immediately following the successful completion of the FPO examination, but in no case later than two weeks after the defense or by the degree deadline, whichever comes first.

Enrollment and Benefit for Graduating Students

Once a student has successfully completed the FPO and submitted all final forms to the Graduate School, that student has completed all requirements for the degree and will be awarded the degree on the corresponding degree conferral date. The benefits that a student may receive between FPO and degree conferral depend on the enrollment status that the student held at the time of FPO.

For students who are enrolled ( Regular or DCE ) at time of FPO: 

Enrollment ends the first of the month following the FPO. For example, enrollment would end on April 1 for a student who completed the FPO on March 15. Any student stipend support ceases at the time enrollment ends.

For any student who is enrolled at the time of degree completion, coverage under the Student Health Plan for off-campus medical treatment is automatically extended for 90 days from the first of the month after a student completes the FPO. For example, coverage would automatically continue from April 1 for 90 days for a student who completed the FPO on March 15, even though enrollment would end on April 1. Network privileges continue for 65 days following the date of degree conferral. Email forwarding, if set up, continues for one additional year.

For students who are no longer enrolled at the time of FPO:

Students who are not enrolled at the time of the FPO do not return to an enrolled status. Since degree candidacy continues, the degree is awarded at the next degree date and the student status reflects program completion.

Enrolled students who complete the degree in the month of May in time to qualify for the May degree list may be allowed to stay in University housing through the end of June, depending on their individual contract.

Students who still have access to the Princeton network will retain their email and network privileges for 65 days following the degree conferral, unless they reach the one-year limit for ET/DCC status (see pg. 39) before the degree is conferred. (CHANGE PAGE NUMBER TO LINK TO SECTION) DCU extensions (extensions of network privileges) may be awarded to students while they are in ET/DCC status will continue until the approved time frame has elapsed. Extensions must be requested by the student to the department administrator prior to the student losing network access. Extension of network privileges is only awarded to students who have unfinished work and the department still believes will complete the dissertation. All DCU extensions for graduate students require Graduate School approval. Graduating master’s students end their enrollment on the first of the month following the completion of their degree requirements.

For enrolled master’s students: Enrollment and student benefits end the first of the month after all degree requirements are met. For students who graduate in June, enrollment ends the date of commencement.

Continuation of Pay

In general, active Ph.D. students who receive support are ordinarily enrolled and supported through the end of the month in which they FPO (complete their final public oral examination).

Hooding Ceremony and Commencement Ceremony

Graduate students eligible to participate in hooding, commencement, and the Dean’s Doctoral Lunch can register for the event via the Graduate School website in early March. Students hoping to take part in Commencement, Hooding, and Dean’s Doctoral Lunch are asked to complete the online registration no later than the announced deadlines in late April and early May.

Table of Contents

Graduate School

The application for fall 2025 admission is now open.

Applications are open from September through January for admission commencing in the fall term of the following academic year. We do not accept late applications, and our application process is fully electronic. There is no spring admission, and graduate study at Princeton is offered on a full-time basis. 

You may apply only to one academic degree program for one degree per year. The Graduate School will not offer admission to an applicant seeking a second Ph.D. in the same or similar field of study. After the application is submitted, you will be able to view the application checklist and manage recommenders.

The Online Application

Understand the basics of Princeton University’s online application, and then manage it with our Application Checklist . The application and all materials submitted to the Graduate School become the property of Princeton University and will not be returned under any circumstances.

As part of the application process, Princeton University collects from its applicants certain demographic information covered by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. You are not required to provide this information. If you choose to provide this information, it will not be shared with or considered by University faculty members, administrators, or others who are involved in evaluating your application during the admission review process. In addition, declining to provide any of this information will not subject you to any adverse treatment.

The University uses application data to help prepare certain disclosures regarding students required by state and federal laws, and to enable the University to conduct analyses that support the University’s planning. This information will be combined with other University data and used for administrative and policy purposes only after the admissions process has concluded. Any information that you share is subject to the University’s Data Privacy policies. 

Enter your name in the last name field and a period (.) in the first name field.

Major not listed : Please choose the closest major in the drop down menu. You can provide more specific information about your major in your résumé/CV or your personal statement.

Double majors : There is an option to choose two majors in the electronic application. If you have more than two majors, clearly indicate your multiple majors in the education section of your résumé.

Applicants who have applied before must complete a new application, upload all supporting documents, and submit the required application fee. There is no limit on how many times an applicant may apply.

If you have already submitted your application and paid the application fee, you can log into your application portal to view your application checklist .  Please note: Duplicate materials and items that are not required as part of the application will not appear on the checklist. Checklists are only updated after the application is submitted and the fee is paid.

Confirmation email : When you submit your application you will receive a confirmation email.

Notification of completed application : No notification will be sent. Please monitor your application status.

Application status : Please research the requirements of the department or program to which you are applying and confirm they have been received by tracking your submitted application checklist . You can verify the receipt of letters of recommendation and test scores. Any item that has been received will have a date next to it. Tests that have been received will show the test date.

Can’t find your application? This may happen if you have created two application accounts with two different email addresses and have logged into the wrong one. Please make sure you have used the correct email address and password for this account.

Experiencing technical difficulties? Email [email protected] .

File Upload Requirements

During the application process, you will be required to upload a statement of academic purpose, resume/curriculum vitae, transcripts, fall semester grades, and additional required files as specified by the individual degree program requirements. We suggest gathering these materials in advance and reviewing the file upload requirements below to make the application process as easy as possible.

Files must not exceed 25 MB. 

Uploaded documents may contain no more than 75 pages. 

We support the following file formats: .doc, .docx, .odg, .odp, .odt, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .rtf, .wpd

We support media files as large as 5GB, but please be advised that larger files will take longer to upload from your Internet connection and may stall if you are on a wireless connection or one that cannot sustain a connection for the necessary period of time. 

We support the following file formats:

Video: .3g2, .3gp, .avi, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .mxf, .webm, .wmv

Audio: .aac, .m4a, .mka, .mp3, .oga, .ogg, .wav

Slide: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, .tiff

Files cannot be password protected.

PDF files cannot have a digital signature.

Files should not be poster size.

Each file should be saved separately.

When scanning hard copy materials to upload into an application:

The resolution should be no more than 300 dpi.

Black and white is recommended.

Removing images will help reduce the file size if necessary

Application Tips

Prior to beginning an application, review the helpful tips below:

Requirements : Application materials should only be uploaded online in the appropriate spaces provided and under the additional information section of the application. Princeton does not accept paper application materials, with the exception of architecture portfolios. Please refer to the file upload requirements for specific instructions. Also, please be sure to review any additional department or program requirements.

Test Scores : All test scores must be sent directly from the test center to Princeton University. Department codes are not used at Princeton and are not required by Educational Testing Services (ETS). Please refer to the Required Tests page for specific information on the tests. Please allow extra time for test scores to be received and reflected on the application checklist.

Recommendations : Do not delay submitting your application because you are waiting for recommenders to submit their recommendations. See the Recommendation Letters page for more information.

Revisions : Before submitting an application, double-check it. No revised documents will be accepted after the deadline.

International Students : There is only one application, which can be used by U.S. citizens, permanent residents or international applicants for any academic department or program.

Application fee : The application fee of $75 is nonrefundable. View information regarding application fee waivers .

Admission Decisions

Admission decisions are emailed separately by department or program starting at the end of January through March 15. All decisions are sent to all applicants no later than March 15. Decisions will not be released by telephone or fax. If placed on the waitlist, it might be closer to April 15 before receiving a final admission decision. If the email used in the application changes, please let us know by emailing [email protected] .

The Graduate School must receive a submitted acceptance by April 15, 11:59 p.m. ET or the offer of admission may be rescinded. An offer of admission may also be rescinded based on the Policy on Rescinding an Offer of Admission . 

Unexpected and Emergent Events

Unexpected and emergent events such as natural disasters, political unrest or armed conflict, and widespread internet or power outages may make it impossible for applicants from an entire region or country to meet an application deadline. Due to the highly decentralized, degree program-based nature of graduate admissions, the Graduate School cannot make blanket changes to application deadlines, nor can we guarantee that any accommodations are possible. Such blanket changes would prevent the University from meeting its own deadlines for making admission decisions and informing all applicants of outcomes. However, prospective applicants from affected regions or countries are encouraged to send an email to [email protected] . When possible, the Graduate School and departments or programs will work with prospective applicants on a case-by-case basis.

The University GDPR Privacy Notice   is available on the University Registrar’s site.

McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning

Graduate learning workshop: navigating professor and classroom expectations and norms as an international graduate student.

• Graduate Student

Security Studies

Topics of study include:

• Grand strategies of the major powers.
• Arms competitions.
• Coercive diplomacy.
• Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
• Rapid shifts in regional and global distributions of capabilities.
• Insurgency, civil war, and regional political instability.
• Military force composition and capability.
• Civil-military relations.
• Innovations in military technologies.

The cluster combines social science training in international security and national defense policy, focused study of specific regions of the world, and exploration of the technical and scientific aspects of proliferation, weapons innovations, terrorist and counterterrorist operations, and insurgency and counterinsurgency warfare. This is an in-residence program, though absences may be taken for approved field research.

Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute

Initiative aims to make Princeton a leader in AI accelerated engineering

Mengdi Wang, who co-leads the AI for Accelerating Invention initiative, described its goals. Photo by David Dooley/Fotobuddy

As a part of a broad set of investments around artificial intelligence, Princeton University has launched AI for Accelerating Invention , an initiative to achieve faster breakthroughs across engineering disciplines, including biomedicine, robotics and nuclear fusion.

“What we have the opportunity to do here is to transform engineering by taking this tool and using it in ways that haven’t yet been imagined,” said Andrea Goldsmith , dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science and the Arthur LeGrand Doty Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the launch event Aug. 29. “We have an opportunity to lead.”

Mengdi Wang , associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and the Center for Statistics and Machine Learning , and Ryan Adams , professor of computer science lead the initiative. Wang is also an associated faculty member of the Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute.

AI for Accelerating Invention is one of three research initiatives, including Natural and Artificial Minds and Princeton Language and Intelligence, which round out the Princeton Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence (AI Lab).

Using AI to push the frontier

The Aug. 29 event celebrated the launch of AI for Accelerated Invention with flash talks by ten Princeton engineering faculty members who showed how they use artificial intelligence as a tool in their research. Among the presenters were Omenn-Darling faculty members:

Cliff Brangwynne , June K. Wu '92 Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering and director of the Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute, is researching the assembly of organelles – the specialized structures within living cells. Using neural network-based analyses of images and classification, his lab is developing approaches to understand the structures of organelles and how they function. Brangwynne’s lab is pioneering efforts to use this research to engineer synthetic organelles for biomedical and biotechnology applications. (Watch his presentation below.)

Kaushik Sengupta , associate professor of electrical and computer engineering, works on electronic and photonic circuits for wireless sensing and communication, including in smart biomedical devices. (Watch his presentation below.)

Jared Toettcher , associate professor of molecular biology and bioengineering and deputy director of the Omenn-Darling Bioengineering Institute, is working on artificial intelligence for probing and controlling biological systems. (Watch his presentation below.)

Ellen Zhong , assistant professor of computer science, and her colleagues developed software that uses machine learning to create 3D reconstructions of structures imaged by cryo-electron microscopy. These powerful microscopes produce millions of two-dimensional images that need to be carefully assembled to represent a three-dimensional image. Zhong’s software, CryoDRGN, uses a neural network to directly reconstruct the structures of molecules such as proteins, which carry out the functions necessary for biological life. With cryoDRGN mapping the 3D structures of these essential molecules, researchers could piece together a better understanding of proteins and the ways in which they function. (Watch her presentation below.)

“I was impressed by the breadth and depth of our engineering faculty, and the possibilities for using AI to push the frontier,” said Wang of the talks given at the AI^2 launch. “AI is not a stand-alone technology and we really need to work together to scale up things.”

“Researchers here at Princeton are tackling the most challenging and important scientific problems our society faces, with enthusiasm and creativity,” said Adams. “Our hope is that a collaborative community around artificial intelligence can amplify the capabilities of everyone at Princeton to achieve new scientific heights.”

Event details

Princeton sound kitchen presents juri seo: ‘birds, bees, electric fish,’ caballito negro and guests.

• Music, Music Theater, Musical Performance

Event Details

Sponsorship of an event does not constitute institutional endorsement of external speakers or views presented.

• Open to the Public

SHARE Sexual Harassment / Assault Advising, Resources and Education

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SHARE Fellow

Hi, I'm Courtney Barter-Colcord. I am a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of History at Princeton as well as a University Administrative Fellow with SHARE. My role as a SHARE fellow is primarily to help expand outreach and SHARE-related support tailored specifically to graduate students, but I am committed to supporting all survivors in our community and contributing to a safe and supportive environment for everyone at Princeton.

In addition to my work with SHARE, I am currently writing my dissertation on ideas about women, death, and salvation in medieval Italy, and I am also a parent to a very energetic toddler.