Doctor of Philosophy in Education
Additional Information
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The Harvard Ph.D. in Education trains cutting-edge researchers who work across disciplines to generate knowledge and translate discoveries into transformative policy and practice.
Offered jointly by the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, the Ph.D. in Education provides you with full access to the extraordinary resources of Harvard University and prepares you to assume meaningful roles as university faculty, researchers, senior-level education leaders, and policymakers.
As a Ph.D. candidate, you will collaborate with scholars across all Harvard graduate schools on original interdisciplinary research. In the process, you will help forge new fields of inquiry that will impact the way we teach and learn. The program’s required coursework will develop your knowledge of education and your expertise in a range of quantitative and qualitative methods needed to conduct high-quality research. Guided by the goal of making a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice, you will focus on independent research in various domains, including human development, learning and teaching, policy analysis and evaluation, institutions and society, and instructional practice.
Curriculum Information
The Ph.D. in Education requires five years of full-time study to complete. You will choose your individual coursework and design your original research in close consultation with your HGSE faculty adviser and dissertation committee. The requirements listed below include the three Ph.D. concentrations: Culture, Institutions, and Society; Education Policy and Program Evaluation; and Human Development, Learning and Teaching .
We invite you to review an example course list, which is provided in two formats — one as the full list by course number and one by broad course category . These lists are subject to modification.
Ph.D. Concentrations and Examples
Summary of Ph.D. Program
Doctoral Colloquia In year one and two you are required to attend. The colloquia convenes weekly and features presentations of work-in-progress and completed work by Harvard faculty, faculty and researchers from outside Harvard, and Harvard doctoral students. Ph.D. students present once in the colloquia over the course of their career.
Research Apprenticeship The Research Apprenticeship is designed to provide ongoing training and mentoring to develop your research skills throughout the entire program.
Teaching Fellowships The Teaching Fellowship is an opportunity to enhance students' teaching skills, promote learning consolidation, and provide opportunities to collaborate with faculty on pedagogical development.
Comprehensive Exams The Written Exam (year 2, spring) tests you on both general and concentration-specific knowledge. The Oral Exam (year 3, fall/winter) tests your command of your chosen field of study and your ability to design, develop, and implement an original research project.
Dissertation Based on your original research, the dissertation process consists of three parts: the Dissertation Proposal, the writing, and an oral defense before the members of your dissertation committee.
Culture, Institutions, and Society (CIS) Concentration
In CIS, you will examine the broader cultural, institutional, organizational, and social contexts relevant to education across the lifespan. What is the value and purpose of education? How do cultural, institutional, and social factors shape educational processes and outcomes? How effective are social movements and community action in education reform? How do we measure stratification and institutional inequality? In CIS, your work will be informed by theories and methods from sociology, history, political science, organizational behavior and management, philosophy, and anthropology. You can examine contexts as diverse as classrooms, families, neighborhoods, schools, colleges and universities, religious institutions, nonprofits, government agencies, and more.
Education Policy and Program Evaluation (EPPE) Concentration
In EPPE, you will research the design, implementation, and evaluation of education policy affecting early childhood, K–12, and postsecondary education in the U.S. and internationally. You will evaluate and assess individual programs and policies related to critical issues like access to education, teacher effectiveness, school finance, testing and accountability systems, school choice, financial aid, college enrollment and persistence, and more. Your work will be informed by theories and methods from economics, political science, public policy, and sociology, history, philosophy, and statistics. This concentration shares some themes with CIS, but your work with EPPE will focus on public policy and large-scale reforms.
Human Development, Learning and Teaching (HDLT) Concentration
In HDLT, you will work to advance the role of scientific research in education policy, reform, and practice. New discoveries in the science of learning and development — the integration of biological, cognitive, and social processes; the relationships between technology and learning; or the factors that influence individual variations in learning — are transforming the practice of teaching and learning in both formal and informal settings. Whether studying behavioral, cognitive, or social-emotional development in children or the design of learning technologies to maximize understanding, you will gain a strong background in human development, the science of learning, and sociocultural factors that explain variation in learning and developmental pathways. Your research will be informed by theories and methods from psychology, cognitive science, sociology and linguistics, philosophy, the biological sciences and mathematics, and organizational behavior.
Program Faculty
The most remarkable thing about the Ph.D. in Education is open access to faculty from all Harvard graduate and professional schools, including the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, the Harvard Kennedy School, the Harvard Law School, Harvard Medical School, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Learn about the full Ph.D. Faculty.
Jarvis R. Givens
Jarvis Givens studies the history of American education, African American history, and the relationship between race and power in schools.
Paul L. Harris
Paul Harris is interested in the early development of cognition, emotion, and imagination in children.
Meira Levinson
Meira Levinson is a normative political philosopher who works at the intersection of civic education, youth empowerment, racial justice, and educational ethics.
Luke W. Miratrix
Luke Miratrix is a statistician who explores how to best use modern statistical methods in applied social science contexts.
Eric Taylor
Eric Taylor studies the economics of education, with a particular interest in employer-employee interactions between schools and teachers hiring and firing decisions, job design, training, and performance evaluation.
Paola Uccelli
Paola Ucelli studies socio-cultural and individual differences in the language development of multilingual and monolingual students.
View Ph.D. Faculty
Dissertations.
The following is a complete listing of successful Ph.D. in Education dissertations to-date. Dissertations from November 2014 onward are publicly available in the Digital Access to Scholarship at Harvard (DASH) , the online repository for Harvard scholarship.
- 2022 Graduate Dissertations (265 KB pdf)
- 2021 Graduate Dissertations (177 KB pdf)
- 2020 Graduate Dissertations (121 KB pdf)
- 2019 Graduate Dissertations (68.3 KB pdf)
Student Directory
An opt-in listing of current Ph.D. students with information about their interests, research, personal web pages, and contact information:
Doctor of Philosophy in Education Student Directory
Introduce Yourself
Tell us about yourself so that we can tailor our communication to best fit your interests and provide you with relevant information about our programs, events, and other opportunities to connect with us.
Program Highlights
Explore examples of the Doctor of Philosophy in Education experience and the impact its community is making on the field:
Elevating Teacher Voices in Professional Development Planning and Design
A new study co-authored by Megan Satterthwaite-Freiman highlights the need for more effective and personalized training on how to lead conversations about sensitive topics in the classroom
Honoring the Cultural Backgrounds of All Students
A new research paper provides a model for social and emotional learning in schools that is culturally sustaining
20 Great Doctoral Scholarships in Education
- Published February 28, 2016
- Last Updated October 4, 2023
Earning a PhD in education or an EdD can be expensive. Doctoral scholarships in education can help make these programs affordable.
A doctorate in education requires four to six years of full-time graduate study. It is most common to earn a master’s in education before earning your doctorate in education. The first step for doctoral students is to choose a specialization. Next is:
- completing advanced coursework
- internships
- comprehensive exams,
- dissertation research.
EdD programs tend to be lighter on research than PhD programs.
Those with a PhD in education tend to teach at the college level or go into administration. A PhD in education qualifies you for jobs in
- education supervision
- administration\ policy making.
The following are 20 great doctoral scholarships in education. These scholarships are offered by a variety of sources. All have the goal of helping nurture leaders in education.
Reviewing the Best Scholarships for Doctorate Students in Education
1. a. harry passow classroom teacher scholarship.
Deadline: April 18th
The A. Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Scholarship is awarded every year. The award is administered by The National Association for Gifted Children. The scholarship is awarded to two licensed K-12 educators training in gifted education at the master’s or doctoral level. Eligible members must display excellence in teaching gifted youth in diverse classrooms. Applications must include:
- two letters of recommendation
- evidence of enrollment
A. Harry Passow Classroom Teacher Scholarship 1331 H Street NW Suite 1001 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 785-4268 [email protected] Scholarship Link
2. AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship
Deadline: November 2nd
The American Educational Research Association (AERA) offers the $20,000 Minority Dissertation Fellowship. This scholarship is for students who aree:
- Pacific Islander
Eligible U.S. doctoral students must be starting their dissertation on an education research topic. Topic examples include:
- STEM development
- high stakes testing
- curriculum design
Fellows may present their research at the AERA Annual Meeting.
AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship 1430 K Street NW Suite 1200 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 238-3200 [email protected] Scholarship Link
3. Antonio Cirino Memorial Art Education Award
Deadline: April 29th
The Antonio Cirino Memorial Art Education Award ranges from $2,000 to $12,000. The scholarship is awarded by the Rhode Island Foundation to artists pursuing a master’s or PhD degree in art education. Recipients must intend to teach at the K-12, undergraduate, or graduate level. Qualified applicants must live in Rhode Island and exhibit financial need. They must also be active in the artistic community and provide five artwork samples. Students attending the Rhode Island School of Design aren’t eligible.
Antonio Cirino Memorial Art Education Award 1 Union Station Providence, RI 02903 (401) 427-4011 [email protected] Scholarship Link
4. Carmelita K. Williams Graduate Scholarship
Deadline: December 15th
The Carmelita K. Williams Graduate Scholarship exists to honor the past IRA president. The $2,500 scholarship is awarded by the Virginia State Reading Association. Students must be enrolled in master’s or doctoral level programs for reading education. Eligible applicants must have been VSRA members for at least one year. They must be state licensed teachers. They must work in a K-12 position where reading is an instructional focus. And they must seek extra reading endorsements and exemplify professionalism.
Carmelita K. Williams Graduate Scholarship 48 Crooked Spur Road Millboro, VA 24460 (804) 287-6678 [email protected] Scholarship Link
5. Donald H. and Verna S. Duncan Fellowship
Deadline: June 1st
Phi Delta Kappa International offers the Donald H. and Verna S. Duncan Fellowship to support PDK members. Members must be enrolled full-time in an accredited educational leadership program. The program must be either master’s or PhD level. Candidates must intend to become elementary, secondary, or university public school administrators. Applications must include:
- graduate transcripts
- a position paper.
Donald H. and Verna S. Duncan Fellowship 1525 Wilson Blvd. Suite 705 Arlington, VA 22209 (800) 766-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link
6. Education Pioneers Fellowship Program
Deadline: February 12th
The Education Pioneers Fellowship Program has helped over 3,000 teachers afford graduate school. To be eligible, students must be working toward an MEd, PhD, or EdD. The focus must be on transforming student development. Eligible candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in education. They must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. university. They are required to have at least two years of full-time teaching experience. Finalists must complete an in-person or phone interview with an EP staff member.
Education Pioneers Fellowship Program 360 22nd Street Suite 220 Oakland, CA 94612 (510) 893-4374 [email protected] Scholarship Link
7. Esther Katz Rosen Fund Grant
Deadline: March 1st
The Esther Katz Rozen Fund Grant is the product of a generous bequest. It is administered by the American Psychological Association. The grant provides up to $50,000 per year. Eligible PhD students must be researching education for gifted and talented children. Qualifying majors include:
- child psychology
- school psychology
Research proposals must include:
- the abstract
- methodology
- IRB approval.
Esther Katz Rosen Fund Grant 750 First Street NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 336-5843 [email protected] Scholarship Link
8. Finis E. Engleman Scholarship Award
Deadline: October 15th
The Finis E. Engleman Scholarship Award gives $2,500 per year to an outstanding scholar. The student must be pursuing a graduate degree in educational administration. The end goal of the recipient must be to become a school superintendent. Applicants will submit:
- three essay responses
- two letters of endorsement
- official transcripts.
Other AASA doctoral scholarships in education include the Forrest E. Connor Award and Paul B. Salmon Award.
Finis E. Engleman Scholarship Award 1615 Duke Street Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 875-0723 [email protected] Scholarship Link
9. Hollis L. Caswell Laureate Scholarship
Deadline: May 1st
Kappa Delta Pi has established several PhD scholarships in education for active members. These include the Hollis L. Caswell Laureate Scholarship. Candidates for this $2,000 award must be pursuing a PhD in curriculum and instruction. The student must be attending a participating U.S. university full-time. The application requires:
- an official transcript
- reference letter
The essay topic must describe how they plan to positively influence school curriculum.
Hollis L. Caswell Laureate Scholarship 3707 Woodview Trace Indianapolis, IN 46268 (800) 284-3167 [email protected] Scholarship Link
10. Larry E. Frase Scholarship Fund
The Larry E. Frase Scholarship Fund is another PhD scholarship in education from the PDK International. The $2,500 per year scholarship is available to teachers in a qualifying U.S doctoral program. Candidates must have a teaching license. Professional classroom experience is also required. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.5. Three recommendation letters must be submitted as part of the application process. Students must show a commitment to improving academic performance among students.
Larry E. Frase Scholarship Fund 1525 Wilson Blvd. Suite 705 Arlington, VA 22209 (800) 766-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link
11. L. Gordon Bittle Memorial Scholarships
Deadline: February 5th
The L. Gordon Bittle Memorial Scholarships are awarded by the California Teachers Association. Three $5,000 scholarships are awarded to full-time graduate students. Their program must lead to teacher credentials in public education. Eligible master’s or PhD students must be CTA members. They must be enrolled full-time at an accredited California college. Students must also maintain a GPA of 3.0. The highest scoring applicants receive the Philip Vera Cruz Pacific Asian American Scholarship.
L. Gordon Bittle Memorial Scholarships P.O. Box 921 Burlingame, CA 94011 (650) 552-5446 [email protected] Scholarship Link
12. McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program
Deadline: January 15th
The McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program awards $17,000 to Black and Hispanic PhD students. The annual scholarship is administered by the Florida Education Fund. Students must be attending one of nine participating Florida universities. Eligible candidates must be Florida residents and hold U.S. citizenship. Applicants must already have a regionally accredited bachelor’s degree. The award is only available to students who plan to become college professors. Preference is given to students working on a PhD in:
- agriculture education.
McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program 201 East Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 272-2772 [email protected] Scholarship Link
13. Nadeen Burkeholder Williams Music Scholarship
Deadline: April 1st
Pi Lambda Theta awards the Nadeen Burkeholder Williams Music Scholarship each year. The $1,000 goes to to outstanding K-12 music teachers in a graduate education program. The master’s or PhD program must be for music education. To be eligible, teachers must hold valid education certification. At least one year of full-time classroom experience is also required. Students must maintain a GPA of 3.5 and write a 1,000-word essay titled “The Qualities of an Excellent Music Teacher.”
Nadeen Burkeholder Williams Music Scholarship P.O. Box 7888 Bloomington, IN 47407 (812) 339-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link
14. NAEd Spencer Dissertation Fellowships
Deadline: October 1st
Each year, the National Academy of Education (NAEd) awards 35 Spencer Dissertation Fellowships. These fellowships award $27,500 each to extraordinary scholars. The awards go to researchers studying the history, theory, analysis, or practice of formal education. Eligible recipients must have completed all pre-dissertation requirements. They must attend a graduate school in the United States. They must submit a research proposal and be supported by two reference letters. Finally, their goal must be to have a career in education research.
NAEd Spencer Dissertation Fellowships 500 Fifth Street NW Washington, DC 20001 (202) 334-2341 [email protected] Scholarship Link
15. PDK Past Presidents’ Graduate Fellowship
The PDK Past Presidents’ Graduate Fellowship is open to active Phi Delta Kappa members. They must be enrolled in an accredited graduate program leading to a master’s, PhD, or EdD degree in education. Applicants must submit an online application with graduate transcripts. A one-paragraph summary of their PDK involvement is also required. Applicants will need two recommendations. Applicants must write a 1,000-word paper highlighting their professional goals in education.
PDK Past Presidents’ Graduate Fellowship 1525 Wilson Blvd. Suite 705 Arlington, VA 22209 (800) 766-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link
16. Pi Lambda Theta Graduate Student Scholar Award
Since 1993, the Pi Lambda Theta Graduate Student Scholar Award is offered every year. The $1,000 award is offered to members and non-members alike. They must be pursuing a master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree in education. Eligible nominees must have completed at least 12 graduate credits of their program. They must also maintain GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students must display potential for leadership and attend a U.S. college. They are looking for those who have made significant contributions to local or national education efforts.
Pi Lambda Theta Graduate Student Scholar Award P.O. Box 7888 Bloomington, IN 47407 (812) 339-1156 [email protected] Scholarship Link
17. Richard M. Weaver Fellowship Program
Deadline: January 23rd
The Intercollegiate Studies Institute (ISI) hosts the Richard M. Weaver Fellowship Program. This annual program provides 15 awards for $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000 to U.S. citizens who are enrolled in a doctoral program. Students must be enrolled full-time and plan to teach at the university level. Applicants must be a current ISI member. Applicants must submit a five-page autobiography and 10-page writing sample. The program also requires:
- three letters of recommendation.
Richard M. Weaver Fellowship Program 3901 Centerville Road Wilmington, DE 19807 (800) 526-7022 [email protected] Scholarship Link
18. Ruth Crymes TESOL Fellowship for Graduate Study
Deadline: November 1st
The Ruth Crymes TESOL fellowship gives students $1,500 to help pay for their degree. The fellowship is for members of the TESOL International Association. Members must be enrolled in an accredited master’s or doctoral ELL interventions program. The award is specifically to help with ELL related research. Applications must include a 1,250-word project proposal. Students must also submit a letter of recommendation and brief personal statement.
Ruth Crymes TESOL Fellowship for Graduate Study 1925 Ballenger Avenue Suite 550 Alexandria, VA 22314 (703) 836-0774 [email protected] Scholarship Link
19. STEM Teachers for America’s Future Scholarship
Deadline: April 22nd
The AFCEA Educational Foundation awards the STEM Teachers for America’s Future Scholarship. $2,500 to $5,000 are awarded each year. Eligible students must be pursuing a master’s, specialist, or doctoral degree for teaching STEM subjects in K-12 schools. Candidates must be U.S. citizens and attend an accredited college on-campus. Students must take at least two classes per semester and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5.
STEM Teachers for America’s Future Scholarship 4400 Fair Lakes Court Fairfax, VA 22033 (800) 336-4583 [email protected] Scholarship Link
20. Women in Geographic Education Scholarship
Deadline: February 1st
The Women in Geographic Education Scholarship is offered by the NCGE. The $1,000 award goes to women who are pursuing a master’s or PhD degree in geography education. Recipients must intend to teach at the secondary or higher education level. Qualified recipients must attend an accredited U.S. college. They must have completed at least nine graduate credits in geography and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.5. The applicants will also submit two letters of recommendation.
Women in Geographic Education Scholarship 1101 14th Street Suite 350 Washington, DC 20005 (202) 216-0942 [email protected] Scholarship Link
What are some other sources of funding for my doctoral degree?
The federal government is your best bet. This article focuses on third party scholarships for people earning their doctoral degree. This is because federal student aid for doctoral degrees is pretty scarce. Federal student aid for those earning doctoral degrees is often awarded for specific research. Your doctoral program may have a list of the kinds of funding available, so that would be a great place to check.
Financial assistance at this level often comes through research grants. This is a primary source of government funding at this level. Research assistantships are also sometimes available through your school of education. These can help provide for your living expenses if your doctorate degree is not research focused. We would advise you to check with your school of education for research grants and other forms of financial support.
Financial aid is harder to come by the higher you go in academia. One of the best ways to pay for your doctorate degree is to apply to teach at the school you plan to attend. If you have your master’s degree in education, this is a great option. Often you get discounted or free tuition for pursuing your doctorate if you teach in the same school of education. It is, after all, possible to teach undergraduate students if you have a master’s degree. With financial aid being tough to come by, this is likely your best option.
Any advice on choosing a school?
There are many things to consider when choosing a school to earn your education degree. Financial aid, living expenses, and more should be considered when choosing a doctorate degree. Location is also a factor. It’s no secret teachers don’t make a lot of money. It might be better to aim for a college in an area with lower cost of living. Paying for graduate degrees out of pocket or through loans can be brutal.
Since financial aid is hard to come by, you may end up having to take a job teaching in higher education for the discount. It can also be difficult for international students with all the visa struggles involved. So working as a professor can pull double duty in that regard. If you want to do research, make sure the school’s research areas align with yours. Ask directly about what research grants might be available to you. Make sure you are confident in your school’s intention to help when it comes to financial support.
Is it best to get my doctorate in the same subject as my master’s or should I pick a different subject?
Generally speaking this doesn’t matter so much. It mostly depends on what your aims are. If you want to work in curriculum research or educational research, then curriculum design is a good choice. If you want to become a principle or college administrator, educational leadership is a good choice. In education your graduate degrees don’t really affect which doctoral programs are open to you.
You should be able to gain sufficient financial assistance as long as you use the strategies talked about earlier. So, you won’t hurt yourself by choosing a different area of study from your master’s degree. However, you may be able to cut out some coursework if you do select a doctorate in the same subject.
So really the question is, do you want to pivot to a different area of education, or dive deeper into your area of expertise?
Is student health insurance available to doctoral students?
Student health insurance coverage is available to graduate students. What insurance coverage you have access to may differ depending on your status. Graduate students who work as teaching assistants or professors are employees. So they would likely qualify for employee insurance. Those who are students only are usually provided student health insurance coverage. However, this may only be the case if the school requires students to have it. You should check with your school to be sure.
There’s one thing that most doctoral candidates have in common whether they’re studying:
- business education
- school administration
Dedicating four or more years to PhD or EdD study without a full-time teaching salary is financially draining. Taking on graduate assistantships can help afford tuition while fine-tuning your teaching skills in the college classroom. Scholarships and fellowships will also provide free gift aid to minimize your student loan debt. Let your teacher leadership career grow by funding your degree with these great doctoral scholarships in education.
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This concludes our listing of the best scholarships for doctorate in education.
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