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• Master’s vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Master's vs PhD | A Complete Guide to the Differences

Published on November 27, 2020 by Lauren Thomas . Revised on May 10, 2024.

The two most common types of graduate degrees are master’s and doctoral degrees:

• A master’s is a 1–2 year degree that can prepare you for a multitude of careers.
• A PhD, or doctoral degree, takes 3–7 years to complete (depending on the country) and prepares you for a career in academic research.

A master’s is also the necessary first step to a PhD. In the US, the master’s is built into PhD programs, while in most other countries, a separate master’s degree is required before applying for PhDs.

Master’s are far more common than PhDs. In the US, 24 million people have master’s or professional degrees, whereas only 4.5 million have doctorates.

Table of contents

Master’s vs phd at a glance, which is right for you, length of time required, career prospects, costs and salaries, application process, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about master's and phd degrees.

The table below shows the key differences between the two.

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A PhD is right for you if:

• Your goal is to become a professor at a university or some other type of professional researcher.
• You love research and are passionate about discovering the answer to a particular question.
• You are willing to spend years pursuing your research even if you have to put up with a lot of dead ends and roadblocks.

A master’s degree is the better choice if any of the following apply:

• You want to continue studies in your field, but you’re not committed to a career as a professional researcher.
• You want to develop professional skills for a specific career.
• You are willing to pay a higher upfront cost if it means finishing with your degree (and thus being able to work) much faster.
• You want the option to study part-time while working.

The length of time required to complete a PhD or master’s degree varies. Unsurprisingly, PhDs take much longer, usually between 3–7 years. Master’s degrees are usually only 1–2 years.

Length of a master’s

Master’s degrees are usually 2 years, although 1-year master’s degrees also exist, mainly in the UK.

Most of the degree consists of classes and coursework, although many master’s programs include an intensive, semester-long master’s thesis or capstone project in which students bring together all they’ve learned to produce an original piece of work.

Length of a PhD

In the US, a PhD usually takes between 5 and 7 years to complete. The first 2 years are spent on coursework. Students, even those who choose to leave without finishing the program, usually receive a master’s degree at this point.

The next 3–5 years are spent preparing a dissertation —a lengthy piece of writing based on independent research, which aims to make a significant original contribution to one’s field.

Master’s degrees tend to prepare you for a career outside of academia, while PhDs are designed to lead to a career in research.

Careers for master’s graduates

There are two types of master’s degrees: terminal and research-intensive. The career prospects are different for each.

Terminal master’s degrees are intended to prepare students for careers outside of academia. Some degrees, known as professional degrees, specifically prepare students for particular professions; these include the Master of Public Policy (MPP), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), and Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees.

Other master’s degrees, usually Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Sciences (MS or MSc) degrees, do not necessarily lead to a specific career, but are intended to be a final degree. Examples include an MS in Communications or MS in Data Analytics.

In research-intensive master’s programs, students take coursework intended to prepare them for writing an original piece of research known as the master’s thesis . Such programs are usually intended to prepare for further study in a doctoral program.

Careers for PhD graduates

As research degrees, PhDs are usually intended to lead to an academic career. A PhD can be thought of like an apprenticeship, where students learn from professional researchers (academics) how to produce their own research.

Most students aspire to become a university professor upon the completion of their degree. However, careers in academia are highly competitive, and the skills learned in a doctoral program often lend themselves well to other types of careers.

Some graduates who find they prefer teaching to producing research go on to be teachers at liberal arts colleges or even secondary schools. Others work in research-intensive careers in the government, private sector, or at think tanks.

Below are a few examples of specific fields and non-academic careers that are common destinations of graduates of those fields.

• Computer Science
• Lab Sciences

Many government jobs, including economists at a country’s central bank, are research-intensive and require a PhD. Think tanks also hire economists to carry out independent research.

In the private sector, economic consulting and technology firms frequently hire PhDs to solve real-world problems that require complex mathematical modeling.

Graduate students from the humanities are sometimes hired by museums, who can make use of their research and writing skills to curate exhibits and run public outreach.

Humanities PhDs are often well-suited to research and grant-writing roles at nonprofits. Since so much of research is funded by grants, PhD students often gain a lot of experience applying for them, which is a useful skill in the nonprofit sector.

There are a wide range of non-academic research jobs for lab scientists with doctorates in subjects like chemistry, biology, ecology and physics.

Many PhD graduates are hired by pharmaceutical companies that need to perform research to create and test their products. Government agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also hire lab scientists to work on research projects.

Job prospects after graduation vary widely based on the field. In fields like management, computer science, statistics, and economics, there’s little underemployment—even graduates from less well-known programs can easily find jobs that pay well and use the skills they’ve gained from the PhD.

However, in other fields, particularly in the humanities, many PhD graduates have difficulty in the job market. Unfortunately, there are far more PhD graduates than assistant professor roles, so many instead take on part-time and low-paid roles as adjunct instructors. Even non-academic careers can sometimes be difficult for PhDs to move into, as they may be seen as “overqualified”  or as lacking in relevant professional experience.

Because career options post-PhD vary so much, you should take the time to figure out what the career prospects are in your field. Doctoral programs often have detailed “placement” records online in which they list the career outcomes of their graduates immediately upon leaving the program. If you can’t find these records, contact the program and ask for them—placement information should play an important role in your choice of PhD program.

Although PhDs take far longer to complete, students often receive a living stipend in exchange for being a teaching or research assistant. Master’s degrees are shorter but less likely to be funded.

Both master’s degrees and PhDs lead to increased salaries upon graduation. While PhDs usually earn a bit more than those with a master’s degree, in some fields, the wages are identical, meaning that no financial benefit is gained from going on to a PhD.

Cost of a master’s

The upfront cost of a master’s degree is usually higher than a doctoral degree due to the lower amount of financial aid available. However, increased salaries also arrive faster than with a doctoral degree, because people graduate much earlier from a master’s program.

Some master’s students do receive stipends for their degrees, usually as compensation for being a teaching or research assistant. In addition, many people complete master’s degrees part time while working full-time, which allows them to fund their living costs as well as tuition.

The cost varies significantly by school and program. Public schools are usually cheaper than private ones. Some master’s degrees, such as MBAs, are notoriously expensive, but also result in much higher wages afterwards that make up for the high cost.

The master’s wage premium , or the extra amount that someone with a master’s degree makes than someone with just a high school diploma, is 23% on average. Many universities provide detailed statistics on the career and salary outcomes of their students. If they do not have this online, you should feel free to contact an administrator of the program and ask.

Cost of a PhD

PhDs, particularly outside the humanities, are usually (though not always) funded, meaning that tuition fees are fully waived and students receive a small living stipend. During the last 3–5 years of a PhD, after finishing their coursework (and sometimes before), students are usually expected to work as graduate instructors or research assistants in exchange for the stipend.

Sometimes students can apply for a fellowship (such as the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Program in the United States) that relieves them of any obligations to be a teaching or research assistant. Doctoral programs in the US tend to be better funded than in the rest of the world.

Sometimes, PhD degrees can be completed part-time, but this is rare. Students are usually expected to devote at least 40 hours a week to their research and work as teaching or research assistants.

The main cost of doctoral programs comes in the form of opportunity cost—all the years that students could be working a regular, full-time job, which usually pays much better than a graduate school stipend.

The average wage premium for PhDs is 26%, which is not much higher than the master’s degree premium.

In the US, the application process is similar for master’s and PhD programs. Both will generally ask for:

• At least one application essay, often called a personal statement or statement of purpose .
• Letters of recommendation .
• A resume or CV .
• Transcripts.
• Writing samples.

Applications for both types of programs also often require a standardized test. PhDs usually require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), which tries to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative, critical thinking , and analytical writing skills. Many master’s programs require this test as well.

Applying for a master’s

Master’s degrees programs will often ask you to respond to specific essay prompts that may ask you to reflect upon not just your academic background, but also your personal character and future career ambitions.

Northwestern University’s Kellogg Business School requires Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) applicants write two essays, one about a recent time they demonstrated leadership and the second about their personal values.

Who you should ask for your letters of recommendation varies by program. If you are applying to a research-intensive master’s program, then you should choose former professors or research supervisors. For other programs, particularly business school, current work supervisors may be a better choice.

Some professional master’s programs require a specific test. For example, to apply to law school, you must take the Law School Admissions Test, or LSAT. For business school, you must take either the GRE or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

Applying for a PhD

When applying for a PhD, your resume should focus more on your research background—you should especially emphasize any publications you’ve authored or presentations that you’ve given.

Similarly, your statement of purpose should discuss research that you’ve participated in, whether as an assistant or the lead author. You should detail what exactly you did in projects you’ve contributed to, whether that’s conducting a literature review, coding regressions, or writing an entire article.

Your letters of recommendations should be from former professors or supervisors who can speak to your abilities and potential as a researcher. A good rule of thumb is to avoid asking for recommendations from anyone who does not themselves have a PhD.

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A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

This depends on the country. In the United States, you can generally go directly to a PhD  with only a bachelor’s degree, as a master’s program is included as part of the doctoral program.

Elsewhere, you generally need to graduate from a research-intensive master’s degree before continuing to the PhD.

This varies by country. In the United States, PhDs usually take between 5–7 years: 2 years of coursework followed by 3–5 years of independent research work to produce a dissertation.

In the rest of the world, students normally have a master’s degree before beginning the PhD, so they proceed directly to the research stage and complete a PhD in 3–5 years.

A master’s degree usually has a higher upfront cost, but it also allows you to start earning a higher salary more quickly. The exact cost depends on the country and the school: private universities usually cost more than public ones, and European degrees usually cost less than North American ones. There are limited possibilities for financial aid.

PhDs often waive tuition fees and offer a living stipend in exchange for a teaching or research assistantship. However, they take many years to complete, during which time you earn very little.

In the US, the graduate school application process is similar whether you’re applying for a master’s or a PhD . Both require letters of recommendation , a statement of purpose or personal statement , a resume or CV , and transcripts. Programs in the US and Canada usually also require a certain type of standardized test—often the GRE.

Outside the US, PhD programs usually also require applicants to write a research proposal , because students are expected to begin dissertation research in the first year of their PhD.

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Whether you’ve just finished your undergraduate degree or you want to pivot your career, grad school may be the next logical step in your educational and professional development.

But how do you apply to graduate school so you have the best chance at receiving that coveted acceptance letter? Read on to learn how to submit the perfect graduate school application to impress admissions officers. For information on due dates and a printable timeline, check out our  grad school application checklist .

How Grad Schools Evaluate Your Application

The exact criteria for  graduate school admissions  vary depending on the school and program. Still, there are certain qualifications, including GPA and grades from specific undergraduate courses, that all admissions officers consider. Most graduate programs look for a minimum 3.0 GPA.

A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 318 is considered strong and can help your application. A professional resume with work experience related to your program is often helpful or required. Programs typically ask for letters of recommendation and a  graduate school admissions essay  as well.

Are You a Good Fit for the Program?

Whichever program you apply for, you must first make sure it’s a good match. Consider the following questions before submitting your application:

• Do you love the field of study the program you’re applying to focuses on?
• Do you have an undergraduate degree or work experience in an area related to your graduate school program of choice?
• Will earning this degree help you advance your career or earning potential?
• Do you have the resources to pay for graduate school, either through your own funds or through loans, grants and scholarships? For more information about this, see our guide on  how to pay for graduate school .

Taking time to reflect on these questions can help you decide whether graduate school is right for you. You can also reach out to professors, students and alumni to get a better feel for your prospective program. You might even schedule a tour of the campus before applying.

Do You Have Relevant Internship or Research Experience?

Internships and relevant work experience may not make or break your graduate school application, but they can help set your application apart from the rest. Once you’re in a graduate program, you may be required to complete an internship or research work to graduate.

What Does Your Statement of Purpose Demonstrate?

A statement of purpose or personal statement tells admissions committees more about you. This essay should touch on your interests, especially as they relate to the graduate school program. The statement of purpose should also describe what you can bring to the program and why you want to be a part of it.

What Do Your Letters of Recommendation Demonstrate?

Letters of recommendation are important for graduate school because they show that credible academics and professionals think highly of you and believe you would be a good asset to the program you’re applying to.

An effective letter of recommendation is written by someone who knows you well academically or professionally, such as a professor, mentor or work supervisor. It should include titles of relevant research articles you’ve written, academic awards and honors and relevant academic activities like projects, presentations or research studies.

What Do Your Undergraduate Transcripts Show?

Simply put, official undergraduate transcripts verify that you attended the school you said you did and maintained a GPA that’s consistent with the program’s requirements. Undergraduate transcripts also allow admissions officers to see whether you took courses relevant to your prospective course of study.

How Are Your GRE Scores?

Most graduate school programs require students to take the GRE as part of the application process. An overall score of 318 or higher is considered a good score, so you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to study and retake the test if needed before your grad school application is due.

Is Your Prior Academic Experience Relevant?

While you don’t always need an undergraduate degree in the same field as the graduate program you’re applying to, admissions officers typically consider relevant undergraduate coursework, research projects and work experience when reviewing applications.

Statement of Purpose Tips

Your statement of purpose gives you the chance to show some individuality and let your personality shine through. You should aim to leave a memorable impression and craft a well-written, concise statement of purpose to boost your application. See our tips below for writing a statement of purpose.

Follow the Prompt Carefully

Be sure to answer all of the questions in the prompt to give admissions officers all the information they need. Additionally, make sure to follow any guidelines for things like style, font and file format. While these factors may seem small, incorrect formatting can lead to your application being disqualified.

Get Personal

This is your chance to tell your story. Write a statement of purpose that only you could write. Does your passion for medicine date back to an injury or illness you had as a child? Did you grow up watching Law & Order and feel inspired? These details remind graduate admission committees that you are a well rounded person with much to offer.

Discuss Your Goals

Aside from how your own personal and career goals relate to the program, you should also touch on how you can contribute to your school or program of choice. Do you plan on collaborating with colleagues or contributing to your institution’s research goals? Make this known in your statement of purpose.

Know Your Audience

What is the culture of the school or program you’re applying to? What does the institution value? Spend some time on its website and social media accounts to find out. You can even reach out to current students and alumni to get a better idea so you can tailor your statement of purpose accordingly.

Proofread and Revise as Needed

Don’t just write your first draft and send it off. After writing it, take some time to sleep on it, then come back and read and revise with fresh eyes. You should also have someone like a professor or tutor read your statement of purpose and provide feedback.

Interview Tips

The interview is a big part of the graduate school application process if your program requires one. Make sure to come ready and prepared.

Do Your Research

Read up on the university and program you’re applying to so you can sound knowledgeable and interested during the interview. Answer questions such as, how big is the program or school? What have its graduates gone on to do? What are the program requirements?

You can also read up on any academic articles or research professors in your program have created.

Prepare Questions for Your Interviewer

Remember, this isn’t just about the school interviewing you. You’re also interviewing the program to determine if it’s a good fit for you. What career and network opportunities are available to students and alumni? What about grants and scholarships? Will you be paired with a mentor or an advisor?

Practice With Mock Interviews

Practice makes perfect. Look into common graduate school interview questions, and practice with a professor, classmate or friend. You can even practice solo using these  20 Graduate School Interview Questions .

Bring a Professional Portfolio

Depending on the nature of your work, it may be helpful to bring in a professional portfolio, such as if your speciality is print graphic design. Other subject areas like writing or research lend themselves to online portfolios, which you can send to your interviewers ahead of the scheduled interview.

What Does a Grad School Application Look Like?

In addition to your transcripts, test scores, statement of purpose and portfolio, your graduate school application will require some basic background information about you.

Biographical Information

• Full legal name
• Any previous legal names used
• Age and date of birth
• Social Security number

Ethnicity Information

Ethnicity information about applicants and current students is used by the university to see if it is meeting diversity quotas and to share with stakeholders. You may select one particular ethnicity, or choose options like “other,” “multiracial” or “decline to state.”

Military Status

Scholarships, grants and special services can be available to active-duty and reserve military service members and veterans.

Contact Information

• Current mailing address
• Current phone number
• Current email

Program Selection

• The program you’re applying to
• Any speciality or concentrations available as part of your program

Academic Interests

• Specialities in your program that you want to focus on
• Research topics or projects you want to pursue

History of Education

• Undergraduate degree and major
• Academic achievements and awards

Standardized Test Information

• *GRE scores (Check with your program as some may no longer require or accept GRE scores )
• Scores from any other required tests

Financial Aid

Deadlines for financial aid often coincide with deadlines for admissions. Make sure to submit the FAFSA to ensure you qualify for as many financial aid resources as possible. Visit the  Federal Student Aid  website for more information, and check out our guide on  how the FAFSA differs for graduate school .

Previous Employment

• Relevant work history related to your program
• Internship or research experience related to your program

Do you speak the primary language spoken in the area where your campus is located? Do you speak more than one language? These are things admissions officers will want to know.

Supplemental Information

• Certifications or special licenses or training
• Special Awards

Reference Information

• Contact information, like phone numbers and emails, for professors, mentors and work supervisors who are willing to provide a reference

Upload Documents

When submitting your online application, make sure to upload all required documents so your application will not be disqualified.

Application Fee

• Graduate school application fees can range from around $60 to more than $100. You must pay this fee before you can submit your application.

Confirm and Submit Form

• Finally, make sure to confirm that all your information is correct and all necessary documents are uploaded before you submit your application.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com on Feb. 3. 2023. Author is Ryah Cooley Cole, and Editor is Brenna Swanston.

Guide on Getting Into Grad School

Helpful information and exercises for prospective graduate students

Graduate Degrees Awarded at Stanford 2020-21

• 1,822 MA/MS
• 817 PhD, DMA, JSD

If you’re considering grad school for your future, you are probably asking yourself many questions:

• Is grad school the best option for me now? 
• What are the benefits and challenges? 
• What’s the difference between undergrad and grad school? 
• Should I seek a master’s or doctoral program? 
• Which grad programs should I apply for? 
• What’s involved in an application to grad school? 
• What are admissions committees looking for? 
• Who can help me? What resources are available? 
• What are some alternatives to grad school?

These are all important questions to consider, and they should be considered carefully. This guide is organized around the main aspects of the decision-making process and application, which can help address many of your questions. 

Because these decisions and your application for graduate school are complex and time-consuming, this guide was prepared to provide critical information and advice. This guide  also contains questions to ask yourself and exercises to help you prepare your application for graduate programs. Be as honest as possible with yourself, and talk about your answers with close friends and family. You may need to adjust the wording of your answers for your application, but it’s important to begin with an honest self-assessment as you prepare your application.

Using this guide and working on these exercises can help you get started in the right direction. Additional resources and tools are incorporated within this guide. However, remember to also seek help from other people: faculty, advisors, grad students, postdocs, peers, and career counselors. This guide is meant to provide an overview and does not cover everything. Your specific situation can only be addressed by close friends and mentors who know you personally. 

As you address multiple decisions, this can be a stressful time period. But it may help to realize that you are not alone, and that many others have approached these decisions and have  successfully embarked on new adventures. So, remember to find friends to encourage you in this process. We wish you the best in these new adventures.

Undergraduate vs Graduate (PhD) Programs

The experiences of an undergraduate and graduate student can appear deceptively similar. They are both at a university doing coursework and research. However, there are significant differences. Not understanding the depth of these differences can hinder your chances of being admitted and succeeding in grad school.

Undergraduate Programs You are a student “at school X” • Focus on courses and grades  • More objective evaluations of performance from exams and homework • Feedback is relatively frequent • Most activities and performance evaluations are individualistic

You apply to a university or college • Your interests can be very broad • You apply to a discipline or major • Extracurricular activities are valued

Graduate (PhD) Programs You are a student of “Dr. Z” (research advisor) •  Focus on research •  More subjective evaluations and longer periods without concrete feedback •  Collaboration and independence are valued together, which will likely appear to be counter-intuitive— most activities and performance evaluations are individualistic •  Relationship-driven

You apply into a specific graduate program •  Your interests need to be much more specific •  You apply into a specific field within a discipline •  Some programs require you to apply to work directly with a specific professor •  Extracurricular activities are valued less, unless they demonstrate critical skills related to your field

Master’s vs Doctoral Programs

While a typical 4-year undergraduate program refers to pursuing a bachelor’s degree (often a BS or BA degree), a graduate program can refer to pursuing a master’s or doctoral degree.

Master’s Programs (MS or MA) •  Master’s programs usually provide much less financial support.  •  Master’s programs usually last about 2 years, but there are shorter and longer programs, with the range usually between 1 to 3 years. •  All master’s programs require coursework, and only some require research that leads to a thesis (a write-up of your research). •  Requirements for master’s programs are usually less than those for doctoral programs.

Doctoral Programs (PhD) •  Doctoral programs usually provide financial support. •  Doctoral programs have a wide range of typical lengths, from 4 to 8 years. The length of the program is very specific to the field. •  In some doctoral programs (e.g. some engineering programs), you earn a master’s degree before earning a PhD. But in many other programs, the master’s degree is not required before pursuing a PhD. •  All doctoral programs require research that leads to a dissertation (longer than a master’s thesis, a write-up of multiple years of research). •  For some doctoral programs, if you are not able to complete all of the requirements, you might be allowed to exit with a master’s degree.

© Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305

Should I Pursue A Master’s or A Ph.D.?

The first step in deciding on the right graduate program for you is to figure out which degree will best serve you—a master’s or a doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.). Here are a few factors to consider.

What are your career goals?

• Professional master’s: A good choice if you want to develop a particular skill set in order to practice a particular profession. This type of degree provides coursework focused on learning and practicing skills.
• Research master’s: A good fit if you want to gain expertise in a discipline and know how to teach it. A research master’s typically includes a research project or thesis and comprehensive exams in addition to coursework and provides experience in research and scholarship.
• Ph.D. (doctor of philosophy): Consider this option if your goal is to ground yourself in a body of research and develop the ability to add to that body of knowledge. Ph.D. study includes a major research project in addition to coursework, and a Ph.D. is the highest scholastic degree awarded by American universities. Contrary to common perception, career paths for Ph.D. graduates are quite varied, not just limited to academia. Ph.D. training helps you hones skills such as writing, research, teaching, data analysis, communicating complex topics—all of which can translate into many sectors, including industry, government, nonprofit, and entrepreneurship.

See career data for Duke graduate programs' alumni

How much time do you have to pursue a graduate degree?

Master’s degrees typically take two years to complete, while Ph.D. programs generally take five to seven years ( see Duke programs' time-to-degree ). That is a significant difference in commitment and opportunity costs. It might also play a key role in deciding which factors take higher priority as you evaluate a program. How does the length of the program fit with your career and family plans? How important is the surrounding community if you are going to be there for seven years instead of two? How long are you able or willing to go on a limited income while in graduate school?

How much can you afford to pay for a graduate degree?

Consider your personal financial situation (e.g., how much savings and student loans do you have), as well as how much financial aid you can get. Master’s and Ph.D. programs differ greatly in the amount of financial aid available. Ph.D. programs tend to offer significantly more financial support than master’s programs (but often will have research or teaching requirements). 

A typical Ph.D. financial aid package usually includes coverage of tuition and fees, a living stipend, and some level of support for health insurance for a set number of years. For instance, Duke’s standard Ph.D. package covers tuition, mandatory fees, and a stipend for five years, as well as health insurance premiums for six years. 

Within an institution, the level of financial support often differs across programs, so be sure to ask your specific program about the financial aid it offers. There are also many national organizations that provide competitive fellowships and scholarships for graduate students.

Know which degree you want to pursue? Here are some key things to look for in a program .

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If you’re nearing the end of college or you’ve completed college, you’ve probably heard the term “graduate school” thrown around by your peers and teachers. In fact, you’ve probably heard all kinds of graduate-school related terms, like “graduate degree,” “Masters,” “PhD,” and more.

But what is a graduate degree? What is a PhD? What is a doctoral degree? What’s a doctorate? We’ll demystify it all here. (Hint: those last three are all the same thing.)

In this article, we’ll discuss what graduate school is, what graduate degrees you can get, and the difference between graduate and professional school. Then we’ll move on to discussing the benefits and drawbacks of graduate school, funding graduate programs, and how to apply to grad school.

What Is Graduate School?

What is grad school? Well, it’s not so much a specific “school” as a catchall term for some types of academic programs.  Graduate degree programs offer advanced training (beyond a bachelor’s degree) in a specific academic discipline. They very much focus on advancing your subject-specific academic knowledge as opposed to preparing you for a specific career or job. Graduate degree programs often include opportunities to complete original research in the field.

There are a few different types of graduate degrees. We’ll review them in the next section.

What Is a Graduate Degree? The 3 Main Types

There are, generally speaking, three kinds of graduate degrees offered by graduate schools: the Master of Arts, the Master of Science, and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The MA and MS offer additional schooling in a discipline beyond a bachelor’s degree. A PhD is the most advanced degree in a given academic field. (Note that this is not true of professional fields—we will discuss the difference in the next section.)

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Master of Arts (MA)

What is a Master’s Degree? The Master of Arts is the typical Master’s graduate program for humanities and social science disciplines. They can be fairly general—for example, an MA in Communication or Anthropology, or even Humanities. They can also be highly specialized, like an MA in Folklore or an MA in History of the Book (a real degree!).

Some MA degrees lead specifically to a PhD, while others stand on their own. There are graduate programs designed for those with no prior academic exposure to a field, while others provide further training to those who studied the discipline (or a closely related one) as undergraduates. Some offer original research opportunities, while others focus more on instruction.

Depending on the specific discipline and program, an MA degree generally lasts 1-2 years for a full-time student. Select fields or disciplines may offer a 3-year Master of Arts.

Master of Science (MS)

The Master of Science is the typical Master’s graduate program for scientific and quantitative disciplines. Like the MA, the MS can be fairly general in its focus, like an MS in Biology or Computer Science. They can also be incredibly specialized, like an MS in Predictive Analytics or Agricultural Economics.

Also like the MA, some are designed for those with bachelor’s degrees in the discipline. Others are designed for those trying to get exposure to a new field. Some more closely focus on the student completing original research, while others focus more on delivering in-depth instruction.

An MS degree also generally lasts 1-2 years for a full-time student. In some select fields/programs, it may take 3 years.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

What is a PhD? PhD stands for Doctor of Philosophy. The PhD is the most advanced degree in a given academic discipline. It’s also known as a doctorate or a doctoral degree.

As the most advanced degree in an academic field, it’s considered a terminal degree. The Doctor of Philosophy prepares students to do academic work in their discipline —research and teaching—and for positions at universities and research institutions.

PhD programs generally expect students to have some preexisting academic training in the discipline or a related field, usually from the student’s undergraduate degree. Most PhDs will not expect incoming students to have Master’s degrees, although some might. However, students with an MA or MS in the discipline might be able to complete the PhD more quickly because they may not need to complete as much coursework.

Furthermore, most PhD programs do expect applicants to have some form of previous research experience and preferably some academic publishing credits. They may not require the student to have the experience and publishing credits in the same discipline as the PhD, but almost all PhD programs will expect some amount of previous research and academic publication experience.

The structure of a PhD typically involves some amount of preliminary coursework, followed by a written and oral exam in the discipline. Then students will begin research and work on their PhD dissertation, an original research project. Throughout this time, students generally teach and/or work as research assistants to make money.

How many years is a doctorate degree? A PhD can take anywhere from three years (if you have a master’s degree and write extremely fast!) to eight years (if you have a lot of coursework to complete and a particularly obscure dissertation topic). But the time it usually takes to complete a PhD is in the 4-6 year range.

Graduate vs. Professional School

You may notice a huge number of degrees you could pursue after your undergraduate degree missing from the list of degrees above—like the MD, the MBA, the MPH, the MFA, the JD, the MEd, and many others.

This is because those degrees are professional degrees.

So what’s the difference between a graduate degree and a professional degree? A graduate degree provides advanced training in an academic discipline. A professional degree provides advanced training for a specific profession. For example, a JD trains you to become a lawyer. An MD trains you to become a doctor. So while a graduate degree focuses on an academic discipline or area of inquiry, a professional degree focuses on professional training.

We should be clear that these are not hard-and-fast distinctions. The line between what is a graduate program and what is a professional program is not always crystal-clear. Many institutions will refer to some (or all) of their advanced degrees as graduate degrees, without distinguishing between graduate and professional schools.

Additionally, professional degrees can lead to academia, and graduate degrees can lead to professional careers. For example, an MFA can prepare students both for academic teaching and inquiry and for professional careers as artists. While an MPH trains you to work as a public health professional, many MPHs go on to work for research institutions or receive PhDs and go into academia. Many professional schools offer MS or MA degrees (for example, a business school may offer an MS in Business Informatics). Additionally, some graduate schools offer MA or MS degrees that primarily focus on building professional skills and contacts.

Gray areas aside, the general distinction is that professional degrees focus on building career and professional skills, while graduate degrees focus on building your knowledge in a particular discipline and your skill in academic inquiry.

5 Top Benefits of Graduate School

Now that we’ve answered the question, “what is graduate school,” you may find yourself wondering: Is grad school worth it? Should I go to graduate school?

Here are five potential benefits to graduate school:

Preparation to Work in Academia

A major reason to go to graduate school—particularly to earn a PhD—is to position yourself to work in academia. If you want to be a professor at a university, you will need a PhD. For lecturer or researcher positions at small or community colleges, an MA or MS may be sufficient.

But in general, if you want to teach at a college level and work on research in a given discipline, a graduate degree of some kind is pretty much necessary.

Higher Earning Potential and Expanded Job Prospects (Sometimes)

A graduate degree will often increase your earning potential. More relevant training typically means more pay in that field. You’ll also be eligible for more jobs, like more senior research positions.

However, you shouldn’t assume that a graduate degree will always expand your job prospects and increase your pay. An MA in Middle English may not really lead to much of anything except increased debt, simply because there’s just not a high demand for people with MAs in Middle English. So, that training isn’t likely to be considered valuable enough for you to earn more or be a more attractive job applicant.

Be sure to do some research into the discipline you are interested in so that you have a realistic idea of how it will expand your job prospects and pay, if at all.

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Pivoting Your Skills

Say your undergraduate degree was in English Literature, but now you want to be a sociologist. Getting a master’s degree is a great way to get training in a new discipline you haven’t had much exposure to. Armed with your shiny new master’s degree and associated skills, you’ll be able to work in a field that was previously closed to you.

Get Published

If you need to develop research skills and publish some academic papers, getting an MA or MS can be a good move. This is particularly true if you want to pursue a PhD and need to beef up   your research experience and publication credits. Getting a master’s in a discipline related to your prospective PhD can be a huge help here. It will also help you build contacts to serve as recommendations.

Strengthen an Application to Professional School

In a similar vein, you may want to get an MA or MS to strengthen an application to professional school. Any research and publication credits you amass there, as well as a strong GPA or good recommendations, will help you stand out.

For example, maybe your heart is set on being a doctor but your undergraduate grades aren’t quite at the level you’d like, or you simply want to stand out more. Really excelling in an MS program can boost your application.

2 Potential Drawbacks to Graduate School

We’ve listed the benefits—but don’t put in your application yet. There are also some potential drawbacks to graduate school to consider. We’ll list two of the most major drawbacks here.

Considerable Expenses

Graduate degrees are expensive! Tuition and fees can easily run past $20,000 a semester at a private university, not to mention living expenses. You may have to take out pretty massive loans to cover all of this, so it’s important that you carefully consider how graduate school will increase your earning potential or job prospects. In more esoteric fields, the expense may not ever pay off in realized earnings. This shouldn’t necessarily dissuade you from pursuing a graduate degree but it is something to be aware of.

However, some programs will cover all or most of your tuition. You’ll also most likely be able to work part-time while completing graduate work, which will help offset expenses. For most PhD candidates, and some masters students, part-time work as teaching staff or research assistants is built into the program.

If you’re completing a part-time master’s degree, you can also maintain a full-time job while you complete the coursework.

Finally, keep in mind that the expense of tuition isn’t the only cost—while you’re in graduate school, you could be making a full salary employed in the workforce. In some cases, your PhD might lead to a higher salary, but it’ll take multiple years for you to recover the full salaries that you lost out on while you were in school.

Poor Job Prospects

There are some graduate disciplines that simply don’t lead to many job opportunities. For example, there are far more philosophy PhD graduates than tenure-track positions in university philosophy departments. In fact, academia in general is hyper-competitive, so unless you are attending a top program, getting an academic job at the end may be almost ludicrously difficult.

Especially if you are paying for the graduate degree yourself, if there isn’t much in the way of job offers at the end, the degree may be a poor investment. This is something to research before committing to the course.

Funding: How to Pay for Graduate School

Finding graduate school funding can be difficult. There are, in general, a lot more people who want to go to school than there is money available to fund them. Funding in the forms of grants, fellowships, and scholarships for master’s programs in particular tends to be incredibly competitive. There are few fellowships and scholarships available at this level, though there is more funding available for students in high-demand STEM fields like engineering and computer science.

On the flip side, it’s more likely that you’ll receive partial or full funding for PhD work. But PhD programs are far, far more competitive for admission than master’s programs.

Sometimes you can be admitted to a PhD program without any funding. (This is called a self-funded PhD.) This is not likely to pay off in the long run unless you have some fairly sizable independent income or savings, as you will almost certainly rack up debt in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The return-on-investment in this case may not be very high, especially given how competitive it is to get a tenure-track position.

Funding for a given program is likely to be some combination of loans, grants and fellowships, and research or teaching positions. Even if you are a fully funded PhD student, you won’t receive a whole lot of money—generally just enough to cover expenses.

In general, people don’t go to graduate school to make the big bucks, but because they have a very intense passion for the discipline.

Applying to Graduate School: How to Get Into Grad School

If you’ve decided to apply to graduate school, what do you need to be a successful candidate? This will of course vary from program to program, but you’ll need a few general qualifications.

Good GRE Score

You’ll need a GRE score that’s reasonably competitive for the programs you’re interested in. (See more on what’s a good GRE score here ). This will usually involve a high score in the more relevant section of the GRE. So for a math or science graduate degree, you’ll need a high Quant score. For a humanities or social sciences degree, you’ll need a high Verbal score.

Relevant Experience and/or Publication Credits

You’ll need to have the requisite relevant experience for admission. For master’s programs, this can take the shape of some kind of work experience, undergraduate experience, research experience, and/or publication credits. However, for PhD programs, you’ll almost certainly need research experience and academic publication credits to be a competitive applicant. The experience and publications won’t necessarily have to be directly within the discipline you are applying in, but you will need them to show that you have academic chops.

Strong Undergraduate Record

A strong undergraduate record makes for a stronger application. Barring that, solid work or research experience and/or strong grades in another master’s or professional degree can also help you get admitted to the program(s) of your choice.

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Good Recommendations

Highly positive recommendations, especially from notable people within the field, can provide a real boost to your application. You want recommenders who can speak to your interest in the field as well as your suitability for academic work. If you’re an undergraduate at the time of application, professors you’ve worked with are the best option. If you’re a recent graduate, a combination of professional and academic recommendations will probably best capture your skills. And if you have been out of school for some time, your recommendations may be primarily professional, which is fine.

Clear Articulation of Your Interests and Goals

It’s also important that your application clearly communicates why you’re interested in further training in the discipline and what you plan to do with that training. If you can articulate a real passion for the field and clear goals, and you can connect those things to elements of the specific program you are applying to, your application will be much stronger.

Summary: What Is Graduate School?

“Graduate school” is a catchall term for academic programs that provide training in a specific academic discipline or field beyond the undergraduate level.

There are three primary kinds of graduate degrees:

• Master of arts degrees typically provide further training in the humanities and social sciences.
• Master of science degrees usually provide further training in the sciences and quantitative fields.
• PhDs, or doctorates in philosophy, provide the most advanced training available in a given academic discipline. PhDs prepare you to work in academia.

Graduate school is different from professional school. Professional school describes academic programs beyond an undergraduate degree that train you to work in a specific professional field. For example, lawyers get JDs, and doctors get MDs. There are some gray areas between graduate and professional school, but the general distinction is that graduate school furthers your knowledge of an academic field and professional school trains you for a specific career or class of careers.

Here are some of the main benefits of graduate school:

• Graduate degrees are necessary for work in academia.
• Some fields may give you higher earning potential and expanded job prospects.
• You can gain skills in a new area or discipline than your undergraduate degree.
• Graduate school can help you get research experience and publication credits.
• A graduate degree can help you strengthen your application to professional school.

Here are some of the main drawbacks to graduate school:

• Graduate school is expensive!
• Some graduate degrees won’t give you expanded job prospects or a better salary, making them a poor investment.

It can be difficult to get funding for graduate school. You are more likely to get funding for a PhD than a master’s degree, but PhDs are also more competitive. Overall, most people don’t go to graduate school specifically because they are looking for a very lucrative career.

 If you want to go to graduate school, here’s how to make yourself a strong applicant:

• Get a good GRE score
• Have relevant experience and/or publication credits
• Have a strong undergraduate record
• Secure glowing recommendations
• Clearly articulate your interests and goals in the discipline

That’s our overview of graduate school, folks!

What’s Next?

What GRE score do you need for graduate school? Check out our expert analysis of average GRE scores by school and average GRE scores by major . Or maybe you don’t need to take the GRE to get into grad school at all!

If you are taking the GRE, you want to maximize your chances of success. So consider when to take the GRE  and how to make a GRE study plan .

Think you may need to retake the GRE ? Here’s a surefire way improve your GRE scores .

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Author: Ellen McCammon

Ellen is a public health graduate student and education expert. She has extensive experience mentoring students of all ages to reach their goals and in-depth knowledge on a variety of health topics. View all posts by Ellen McCammon

• Guide to Applying for Graduate School

The process of preparing for and applying to a PhD program can be overwhelming. The University of Pennsylvania has created this webpage to help prospective PhD students think through the process so you can put together a strong application.

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is the highest degree one may obtain within a particular field of study. This ranges from studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields; Social Science fields such as Education, Economics, Political Science, and Sociology; as well as Humanities fields such as English, History, Music, Philosophy, and more. The PhD degree aims to prepare people to think critically, develop research, and produce scholarship that may be used for further research or implementation . The PhD historically prepared students to take on faculty roles in colleges and universities, and that is still the goal for many students pursuing the PhD. However, today the PhD is a sought-after degree in many other industries including pharmaceutical research, arts organizations and other nonprofits, publishing, government policy, big tech, finance, and more.

• Who can apply to a PhD program?   PhD education is available to people from various educational, occupational, socioeconomic, and demographic backgrounds.
• Who should get a PhD?  People interested in uncovering new ideas, solutions, or processes within a specific area of study through conducting independent research.
• Why is it important for diverse candidates to become PhD holders?   Our world thrives on heterogeneous ideas and experiences, which is why it is indispensable to include students with diverse perspectives in our PhD programs. These students will generate important and original research.

Most PhD programs are fully funded, meaning that for a specific number of years, the program will pay for your tuition and fees and health insurance, as well as provide you with a stipend for living expenses . The structure of this funding varies by field. Below is an outline of general funding information as well as trends according to field of study.

• Teaching Assistantships or Research Assistantships: Part-time service that provides teaching and research training opportunities within your area of study.
• Funding packages provided through faculty research grants: Many STEM fields fund students through research grants awarded to faculty. In these cases, students perform research alongside the faculty. 
• Fellowships: Internal or external merit-based funding. Some fellowships require an application while others are given via nomination. Educational institutions typically have a resource listing fellowship opportunities. Winning a competitive fellowship looks good on your resume.
• Grants: Requires an application with supporting materials of either your grades, scholarly work, and/or anticipated research. These are available through internal and external means. Grants greatly vary so be sure to always understand the requirements. Educational institutions typically have a resource listing grant opportunities. Winning a competitive grant looks good on your resume.
• Employment: For example, serving as a residential advisor, on-campus jobs, etc. Some PhD programs restrict additional employment, so be sure to check before applying for jobs.
• The funding opportunities described here often can be combined.

Choosing a school or program that provides the most potential funding may be a challenging decision. The value of the same amount of funding will differ depending on the cost of living in different geographic locations. Admitted applicants should investigate cost-of-living tools (available on the web) and be sure to understand how their funding will be structured. Ask questions when you are admitted, such as: 

• Could you share more about your program’s funding mechanism?
• For how long is funding guaranteed? How does that compare to the average time-to-completion? Historically, what percentage of students have received funding beyond the guaranteed funding package?
• Does funding cover tuition, fees, books, health insurance?
• Does the funding rely on teaching, research, or other service? How much and for how long? 

Choosing a program for your studies is a personal decision that should reflect not only your research interests, but your work style, and interests outside of the classroom. Here we have identified five key tips to consider when selecting schools. 

• Ask about which programs are strong in your area of interest, which have high completion rates, and which have career outcomes that align with your goals. 
• Explore the websites of the professional academic associations in the field(s) that interest you. Many will have a directory of doctoral programs and other resources for graduate students. For example, see the American Economic Association’s list of graduate programs and their preparing for graduate school page .
• Conduct a general internet search with terms related to your research interest.
• Determine your geographic and personal preferences. Does the area meet your community needs? Is it important that the university aligns with your sociopolitical values? Do you prefer a large city or a smaller/college town? Is there a particular region(s) that has better access to resources needed to conduct your research?
• Access your current or former university career center. These services are often still available for former students!
• As you narrow your choices, try to identify at least 3 faculty in the programs of interest with whom you’d like to study. Also note how many of them have tenure. If relevant, research which of those faculty are taking on advisees in your year of matriculation.
• Read articles from faculty with similar research interests.
• Note the number of awards, publications, and service activities of faculty.
• Identify research opportunities funded by both your program and university at large.
• Connect with current and former students in the program for informational interviews.
• Connect with campus Diversity Offices.
• Whenever possible, before submitting your applications, make an appointment to visit the campuses and department(s) that interest you.
• Use  LinkedIn  to see what graduates of your program are doing and how they are involved in their communities.
• Estimate your feasible cost of living by geographic location and compare to the funding package offered.
• Consider availability of health insurance, childcare, housing, transportation, and other fringe benefits.
• Connect with a local bank or your prospective university’s financial services office for budgeting, savings, and other financial wellness advice.
• Research the career outcomes for PhD graduates from the institutions that interest you in your specific field.
• Your First Year in a Ph.D. Program
• What Does Academic Success Mean and How to Achieve it?  (STEM)
• Pathways to Science  (STEM)
• 7 Advantages PhDs Have Over Other Job Candidates  (Industry)
• During your undergraduate/master’s education, you should pursue coursework and/or research that will prepare you for the higher expectations of a PhD program; for example, taking a research methods course, pursuing a summer research experience, or conducting research with a professor at your home institution.
• Identify instructors who could write a letter of recommendation. Share with those instructors your interest in doctoral studies; faculty can be excellent resources for advice as well as recommendations!
• Experiences outside of higher education can also strengthen your PhD application. These may range from project management to volunteer work.
• Develop soft or hard skills. A soft skill that is most useful from the first day of your PhD program is networking. This is necessary not only for meeting other students but also to find collaborators with similar research interests and selecting faculty for your dissertation committee. Learning how to negotiate will also serve you well when approaching collaborative projects. Hard skills related to your field might include learning statistical analysis software, economic theory, a foreign language, or search engine optimization. In short, identify a few soft and hard skills that you can familiarize yourself with prior to your program’s start date.
• Finally, prepare by identifying leading researchers and practitioners in your field , exploring peer-reviewed literature and/or publications, and gain familiarity with research methods.
• Typically, PhD applications are due 10-12 months in advance of the program’s start date (i.e. apply in November to start the following September). A good rule of thumb is to begin your application process 6 months before the deadline. 
• The availability of reduced application fees or fee waivers varies and sometimes depends on financial status and/or experiences (AmeriCorps, National Society of Black Engineers, attending certain conferences, etc.). If you are interested in a reduced fee or waiver, reach out to the program coordinator for details.
• Be sure to address all the specific questions/topics in the statement prompt. 
• Clearly state why you want to pursue a PhD.
• Propose your research interest.
• Identify the faculty you’d like to study under. 
• Discuss the unique qualities/experiences you offer to the program/school.
• Outline what you hope to do with your degree.
• Ask for recommendation letters early in the process, at least 2-4 weeks before the deadline. A good letter takes time to write!
• Provide recommenders with your resume, information about the program, your statement of purpose and/or information about your research interests and research goals.
• Consider your current/former instructors, supervisors, colleagues. These should be people who can speak to your work ethic, academic abilities, and research interests.
• Test scores (i.e. TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc.) may or may not be required.
• All transcripts including those for coursework completed abroad and transfer credits. Some programs require official transcripts, which take longer to procure.
• Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Writing sample (field dependent): Include a graduate-level sample and update any statements, statistics, etc. as needed. It is highly encouraged that you edit your previous work.
• Diversity statement: Many institutions offer an optional short statement where students can expand on their diverse backgrounds and experiences that may contribute to the diversity interests/efforts of the school.
• Dress professionally, even if the interview is virtual. You don’t necessarily need to wear a suit but dress pants/skirt and a blouse/button down shirt would be appropriate.  
• Develop an engaging elevator pitch, a 30-60 second summary of your research interests and what you hope to gain by becoming a student at that particular university. Practice your pitch with a career counselor, faculty advisor, or friends, and ask for honest feedback.
• Prepare 2-3 questions to ask during the interview. These could include questions about program expectations, the experience and success of their PhD students, and (academic/financial/mental health) support for PhD students.
• Some interview programs will include multiple activities including a social event. Be sure to maintain a professional attitude: do not drink too much and keep conversation on academic/professional topics.
• This is also your opportunity to decide whether this campus is a good fit for you.
• Academia Insider  is a good resource. 

Unlike undergraduate and master’s level education, coursework is just one component of the degree. A PhD comes with additional expectations: you must independently conduct scholarly research in your field of study, train in specific activities such as teaching or lab/field research, pass “milestone” requirements along the way, such as comprehensive exams, and complete the process by writing a dissertation. Furthermore, some fields require you to write multiple articles (number varies by field/program) for conference presentation and/or peer-reviewed publication.

There are other important elements as well:

• Student/Advisor relationship. This is one of the most valuable relationships you can have as a PhD student. Your faculty advisor not only assists you with learning how to approach your research topic, but also typically serves as the lead supervisor of your dissertation research and writing, and ideally mentors you throughout the PhD experience. The selection process of choosing your advisor varies so be sure to know what is expected of you as a student and what is expected of the faculty member. Whenever possible, it is important to align your personality and work style with that of your faculty advisor. Many universities publish expectations for the PhD student/faculty advisor relationship;  AMP’ed  is Penn’s guide.
• Other relationships: Your faculty advisor is far from the only important person during your PhD career. Other faculty members will also serve on your dissertation committee and be potential mentors. Students in your program can also provide good advice and guidance along the way.
• Coursework: Most programs have a number of required courses all students must take regardless of research interests. Once you have finished this requirement, the classes you choose should closely align with your research topic. Choose courses that will help you learn more about your dissertation topic and research methods. It is a good idea to discuss elective course selection with your advisor. 
• The dissertation is a large-scale, written document that explores a narrow research topic of your choice. It is the final step before receiving your degree and must be presented and “defended” to your dissertation committee (made up of faculty members) for approval. Defending means that you have to answer in-depth questions about your topic. While this might sound daunting, the dissertation is simply a demonstration of all the knowledge and expertise you have acquired through your PhD education. 
• Networking comes in many forms and includes connections with your fellow classmates, faculty members, and scholarly community. Formal networking events typically take place at academic conferences, where scholars and students present research. Increasing your academic circle will not only allow you to have study buddies, but offer you the opportunity to collaborate on articles or even gain employment. Your school’s career center can provide best practices for effective networking. 

Explore  graduate programs at the University of Pennsylvania  and click on the programs that interest you to learn more about admissions and academic requirements.

Upcoming Penn information sessions and recruitment events include:

• Fontaine Fellows Recruitment Dinner (by invitation only): every March
• Summer Virtual Series for undergraduates thinking about graduate school: June-July, 2024
• DEEPenn STEM  (Diversity Equity Engagement at Penn in STEM): October 11-13, 2024. Application deadline is May 24, 2024.
• DivE In Weekend  (Diversity & Equity Initiative for Mind Research): October 18-20, 2024. Application due May 30, 2024.
• IDDEAS@Wharton  (Introduction to Diversity in Doctoral Education and Scholarship): April 2025. Application opens in November 2024.

National conferences to explore:

• The Leadership Alliance  supports students into research careers
• McNair Scholar Conferences
• SACNAS , the largest multidisciplinary and multicultural STEM diversity event in the U.S.
• ABRCMS , the annual biomedical research conference for minoritized scientists
• The PhD Project  for students interested in business PhD programs

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This subreddit is for anyone who is going through the process of getting into graduate school, and for those who've been there and have advice to give.

A somewhat not-gentle guide to getting into grad school when you have subpar grades (x/post from r/GradSchool).

I see a lot of prospective grads posting here that they received < 3.0 GPA and wanting to know if they have a shot of getting into grad school. A lot of the responses people post are the same, but I thought I'd post my thoughts on this as a summary. Source: I'm a STEM professor at an R1.

First, I want to give a bit of a background into my process. I get > 30 applications to work with me every year, so I don't have time to look really carefully at each one. The first thing I do is run through the applications and immediately ignore any with < 3.2 GPA in their last school. You can see the immediate problem here -- I'm unlikely to even spend much (if any) time reading your application and looking at the subtleties -- I flag your application "no" and move on. There are a few exceptions to this:

If you have an incredible GRE (> 95% on quantitative and verbal) this will pique my attention.

If you have contacted me prior to the application, I will spend more time looking at your application.

Ok, so this gives you three action items to get me to read your application: 1) nail the GREs (I mean you need to SLAUGHTER them), 2) contact me in the month before the applications are due asking me informative questions about grad school and my research, or 3) Go back to school and take new classes and prove you can get a higher GPA.

All this does is opens the door to me looking at your application, but now you are in competition with folks with much better GPAs. What do I now look at?

I will QUICKLY look at your grades and see what you did poorly in -- for me, there are some classes I know are red flags for excellence in my field (B or worse in math, statistics and/or computer science). If you didn't get As in those, good-bye. The only way to fix this is to go back and re-take ADVANCED versions of these classes and get As in them.

I will read (or, to be honest, skim) your cover letter/research statement to see how you write. Typos are guaranteed to place you in the "no" pile -- for two reasons -- 1) writing is incredibly important in grad school, and 2) typos/bad grammar indicates a lack of focus, work ethic, and/or being able to ask for help when you need it. I will also see how specific or generic your statement of interest is -- if you are REALLY vague, I will assume you wrote a single letter and sent it to every grad school in the country -- this isn't good.

IMPORTANT: I will look at your research experience and see if you have relevant experience (and skills). I have ignored straight-A students for not having research experience. I have accepted students with lower grades than other applicants simply because they had relevant experience (and skills).

I will cross-check these experiences against your letters of recommendation, but to be honest I don't put a lot of stock in letters. What I'm looking for are code-words that the letter writer is telling me you aren't a particularly good applicant but they are too passive-aggressive to have told you no. I will ignore most letters that just came from people who you took a class with. They don't know you, so they are typically going to just parrot back your grade and say "They asked good questions".

So, action items: RESEARCH/INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE. This is the biggest weakness in most undergrad's applications -- if you are waiting tables or filing papers, KNOCK IT OFF. If you want to get into grad school, you need to INVEST in it and get some research experience. Take out a loan if you have to. This also gets your GOOD LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (assuming you did a good job). This can also help you write a BETTER COVER LETTER (you can even ask your supervisor for help with this).

HOWEVER, this still won't make up for bad (Bs and lower) grades in core courses -- you will need to go back and take ADVANCED classes and get As in these. This is why I get frustrated at undergrads who screw around only to realize they just added 2+ more years of not getting paid and going into debt to get the career they wanted.

Next, assuming you make it past all this, I will schedule a call with you before accepting -- possibly fly you out. You need to have read enough of my work to know what I'm interested in, and your interests better be in-line with mine (I get annoyed when people don't know exactly what I do and end up proposing to do something completely out of my field). You should be prepared to ask good questions, be knowledgeable about the university and department AND THE APPLICATION PROCESS (don't ask me about due dates and deadlines). There are good resources about phone/in-person interviews for grad school. READ THEM.

Finally, funding: if you had a poor GPA, you are MUCH LESS LIKELY to get funding. Be prepared for this. Scholarships will largely be inaccessible to you -- you are likely to get TAships, RAships (if the professor has their own $$$), or may have to self pay (loans loans loans).

Ok, wall o' text with probably a ton of typos. Hope this is helpful! I'm happy to take questions...

Edit: TLDR: You are going to have an uphill battle -- be prepared to invest more time (years) into getting your application to a point it is acceptable -- more research experience and getting As in advanced courses that you previously did poorly on are the best tactics.

Edit 2: a bit of formatting/editing ...

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

Additional Information

• Download the Doctoral Viewbook
• Admissions & Aid

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:

The Human Element of Data and AI

Gahyun Callie Sung's journey to HGSE and the LIT Lab is reflected in her research into data and using AI to improve student outcomes

Improving the Teacher Workforce

With her research work, doctoral marshal Mary Laski, Ph.D.'24, is trying to make teaching in K–12 schools more sustainable and attractive

• Majors & Careers
• Online Grad School
• Preparing For Grad School
• Student Life

How To Apply to Grad School: Ultimate 2024 Guide

Ready to learn how to apply to grad school? I can help. After all, if you’ve always dreamt of going to graduate school, the thought of applying may fill you with both excitement and trepidation.

Colleges receive hundreds, sometimes thousands, of grad school applications every year. Each school has its own list of requirements and criteria that selection committees use to filter applications to find the best candidates.

If this all sounds super overwhelming, don’t worry. Read on to learn more about how to apply to grad school!

Table of Contents

How Important is Your Grad School Application?

In most cases, applying to grad school isn’t a simple process. There are many steps to applying for grad school, and the competition can be tough, especially if you’re applying to a coveted Ivy League grad school, such as Harvard or Princeton .

You should closely follow the school’s requirements and make every effort to persuade the selection committee that you are a strong candidate. In most cases, you must meet or exceed all your chosen programs’ graduate school application requirements. Additionally, you may be able to improve your chances by listing extracurricular activities, volunteer work, relevant work experience, and the like.

In my ultimate “How To Apply to Grad School” guide, I will walk you through the application process, taking you through each step and showing you how to make your grad school application as strong as possible.

Related Reading : How Many Grad Schools Should I Apply to in 2024-2024?

How To Apply to Grad School: Your Step-by-Step Guide

We understand that applying to grad schools can be overwhelming, especially if you aren’t sure where to begin. There are a few things to know before applying to grad school, one of them being that every graduate school will have different requirements.

I’ve put together this step-by-step guide to help you navigate the world of grad school admissions. To understand the application process better, follow the guide below:

1. Research Your Grad Schools

Before I even talk about how to apply for grad school, you must first decide which schools and programs you want to apply for. If you think you’ll need financial aid, then it’s a good choice to look for schools that offer financial aid or stipends.

Researching and finding the best schools for you is essential, striking a balance between those that meet your requirements and those you’re most likely to be accepted.

To balance these factors, create a list of at least six schools and separate them into three categories:

• Dream schools – These are your top choice schools that tick all of your boxes. Of course, these schools are often very competitive and have challenging admission criteria.
• Target schools – These are good institutions for which you have a fair chance of acceptance. They might not be as attractive as your dream schools, but they are still good options.
• Safety schools – These are your backup safety schools that you feel confident you’ll get into.

When applying to graduate schools, you typically want to apply to at least one school in each category. However, it’s best not to apply to more than six programs to ensure your applications are as high quality as possible.

Do your research by looking at schools’ websites and marketing materials. You can also talk to current students and alumni. Our forum is a great place to get feedback and advice from others.

2. Check the Eligibility Criteria

Once you have a solid list of graduate schools you want to apply to, the next crucial step is to check each one’s admission requirements. However, there is often a lot of overlap between programs, allowing you to prepare in advance. So what do you need for grad school applications?

Most grad schools will require the following in your application:

• Academic transcripts for your undergraduate studies (request official transcripts from your previous schools)
• The specific program’s application form
• Standardized test scores like the GRE or GMAT
• Personal statement or statement of purpose
• Letters of recommendation

Most grad schools share several requirements, though the exact selection criteria and application process may vary depending on the institution. For example, some graduate schools ask students to submit an academic resume, while others ask for work samples. Some schools may have non-negotiable criteria, such as a minimum undergraduate GPA, while others may not require you to take a standardized test.

It’s important to fulfill school requirements if you want your application to be successful. You also don’t want to waste your time applying for grad schools where you don’t meet the eligibility criteria.

Be sure to check this on GradCafe’s Admissions Tool to compare grad school requirements.

3. Fill Out the Application Form

One thing you’ll learn while learning how to apply for grad schools is that there is no universal application. You won’t find an equivalent to the Common App or Coalition App during the grad school application process. Unfortunately, you’ll need to complete a separate application for each grad program that you want to apply for.

While the application forms will vary, they typically require basic information about your academic and extracurricular experience. Although the application form may seem like the easiest part of the process, don’t rush through it. Make sure your application is comprehensive and error-free. And before you know it, you could be on your way to earning your graduate degree!

4. Prepare for the Entrance Tests

You may have an excellent GPA for grad school , but you’ll need to take entrance tests before you’re admitted to a program. Standardized tests are often part of how to apply to graduate school in the USA.

Standardized tests like the GRE and GMAT are designed to determine your academic potential for grad school. Some programs also have specific test requirements — for example, if you want to become a lawyer, you must take the law school admissions test before applying.

Prepare well for these exams. You might want to consider taking a preparation course to give you the best chances of success. You will need a passing score to be considered for most grad schools. Additionally, strong test results can also make up for a lower GPA.

5. Impress with a Personal Statement

Most grad schools require you to submit a personal statement. This is a personal essay that you can use to showcase your skills, journey to date, motivation, and goals.

A good personal statement can persuade your dream school’s selection committee that you are the ideal candidate. You want to ensure your personal statement is compelling and demonstrates your passion and motivation. There are many resources available if you need more guidance on how to write a compelling letter of intent for grad school, so make sure you study up before writing and submitting your personal statement.

6. Update Your Resume

Many grad schools require an academic resume in your application, which is different from an employment resume.

For more information, review our in-depth guide to writing a graduate school resume . The basics include:

• A strong, concise introduction
• Your contact details
• Education history
• Skills and hobbies
• Achievement and awards
• Any relevant work experience

Your resume should be comprehensive but concise and include everything the selection committee needs to know. It should also not exceed one or two pages long.

7. Gather your Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation

Two other crucial aspects of your grad school application are your academic transcripts and letters of recommendation . Both can take some time to pull together, so don’t leave it to the last minute. You’ll want to request these documents at least a month or two before the grad school application deadline.

Also, be sure to check the application criteria for each school you’re applying to. Most schools will accept a copy or scan of your official transcript, but some may require your college to send the transcript directly to them.

It’s worth noting that some schools may have a minimum requirement of two or three recommendation letters, and they may need those letters to come from professors. Or, some schools might specify that letters from professional referees are also acceptable. Make sure you understand the requirements before requesting and submitting any letters.

8. Prep for the Interview

Not every graduate program requires an interview, but interviews are becoming increasingly common for grad school admissions. If you’re called for an interview, take the opportunity to show your personality, passion, and motivation.

Just like a job interview, you must prepare well and appropriately answer the questions you’re likely to be asked. It’s also a good idea to prepare some questions of your own for the admissions team to show your enthusiasm and dedication. Ask a friend or family member to help you practice for the interview with some role-playing.

9. Submit Your Application Early

The grad school application process can be pretty complex, so there’s no point procrastinating until the deadline to submit your grad application. Grad schools often accept applications on a rolling basis, so the sooner you submit your application and required documents, the better your chances are of getting selected.

10. Wait for the Response

After you’ve submitted your application, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and resume, and after you’ve taken the entrance exam, you can relax. Congrats — your job is done! Now, you must wait for the selection committee to review your application. Depending on the program, the review period may take a while, but most schools will give you an estimated date for their decision.

Graduate School Application Checklist

It’s easy to feel lost during the graduate school application process. Make it easier on yourself by having the checklist below handy!

• Determine your safety schools, target schools, and dream schools
• Academic transcripts for your undergraduate studies
• Application fee
• Fill out the application form
• Prepare for the entrance exams
• Impress with a personal statement
• Update your resume
• Gather your transcripts and letters of recommendation
• Prep for the interview
• Submit your application early
• Wait for a response

Download Your Grad School Resume Template

Planning Your Application Timeline

One of the best things you can do is to start the grad school application process early. Doing so ensures that you allow yourself enough time to assemble your application, gather all the requirements, and refine anything that needs another look.

Before you begin, check each program’s deadline. Many schools have fixed application deadlines, typically six to nine months before the target start date. However, many other schools take applications in on a rolling basis, meaning the earlier you apply, the earlier you can hear back.

Some applicants allow themselves as much as 18 months to complete their applications. But how much time do you really need?

Plan your timeline according to the estimated time it takes to complete each aspect of the application. The examples below will show you how much time you’ll need for certain steps:

• Standardized Test Preparation – If you must take certain standardized tests to apply, allow yourself 2-5 months to prepare (depending on how many attempts you want to make).
• Requesting Recommendation Letters – Allow your recommenders as much time as possible to write your letter by making your request 3-6 months before the deadline.
• Preparing Your Personal Statement – Ensure you have enough time to draft, redraft, and perfect your statement of purpose by starting at least one month before the deadline.
• Filling Out Your Application – You may need to look up some information, so ensure you allot a month to complete your application.
• Requesting Your Transcripts – Give yourself at least one month to request your transcripts from your previous schools, just in case something goes wrong along the way.

Related Reading : When to Apply for Grad School

What You Need to Know About Standardized Tests

In the past, all grad schools required standardized tests as part of their application processes. However, in recent years, some institutions have made standardized exams optional. Here is some more information on the most common tests you may need to take:

What to Do if You Didn’t Get Accepted

It’s easy to feel dejected if you don’t receive any acceptance letters. However, not getting accepted doesn’t mean the end of your grad school dreams. There are a few things you can do to feel better and prepare for your next round of applications:

• Put things into perspective – Do your best to see rejection positively. You can always apply again, and now you know the process better, you can also prepare better.
• Determine what you can improve – Take an honest look at your application and see whether there are areas you can improve on before your next application.
• Gain some relevant experience – Graduate programs love applicants with work experience relevant to their field. Gaining experience may boost your chances next round.
• Improve your resume and portfolio – A positive to rejection is you now have more time to improve your portfolio and resume. I recommend you seek advice from successful applicants to better understand how to improve your portfolio.
• Follow up with the admissions officer – Seeking advice or feedback from an admissions officer is a great way to determine how to improve your next application.
• Do some self-study – If you are passionate about a certain field, you scratch the learning itch by doing some self-study or courses until you get accepted into your desired program.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should i apply to grad school.

The most important thing is to check the deadlines for your chosen schools, as deadlines vary. Most programs close their applications between late October and early December, though others admit students on a rolling basis.

How Many Schools Should I Apply to?

This depends on your preferences, budget, and the amount of time you have to complete the applications. It’s a good idea to apply for at least three programs covering safety, target, and dream schools. On the other hand, experts advise that you don’t apply to more than six schools, as your applications might seem a bit stretched and less genuine.

What’s the Most Important Part of a Grad School Application?

Every element of your grad school application is important. Your GPA is arguably the most critical factor, but other aspects, such as your personal statement, interview, and letters of recommendation, can also have significant sway.

Do I Need a Certain GPA?

Some graduate programs have minimum GPA requirements. Some schools, on the other hand, may not declare minimums at all. That said, despite not declaring specific cut-offs, many graduate admissions committees may not consider an applicant if their GPA is below a certain point.

However, the GPA isn’t the only deciding factor. If other parts of your application are strong, they might make up for a lower GPA. Ready to apply but worried about your GPA? Learn how to get into grad school with a 2.5 .

Which Types of Graduate Programs Require Interviews?

Graduate programs and admissions committees may choose to require interviews at their discretion. That said, interviews are commonly required for med school, law school, and business school. Indeed has an excellent grad school interview prep guide to help you prepare for yours!

How Much are Grad School Applications?

Applications typically cost anywhere from $50 to $100, though rarely, some schools may charge more. Each school will have its own price, with some grad school applications costing more than others. That said, many schools offer application fee waivers for qualified individuals, so check with your chosen programs to see if you are eligible.

If you know how to apply to grad school, the process becomes significantly less daunting. The best thing you can do to make it easier for yourself is to start planning well ahead of time. Doing so gives you enough time to compile robust graduate school applications for each program you plan to apply to. Just make sure you stay on top of the application deadlines!

Worried about your chances of success? Check out 4 ways to boost your grad school admissions odds .

Lisa Marlin

Lisa is a full-time writer specializing in career advice, further education, and personal development. She works from all over the world, and when not writing you'll find her hiking, practicing yoga, or enjoying a glass of Malbec.

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Graduate School

Ph.d. requirements.

• Academics & Research
• Programs & Requirements

Brown University awards more than 200 doctor of philosophy degrees annually.

The Brown Ph.D. is primarily a research degree. Teaching is an important part of many doctoral programs, and many departments require candidates for the Ph.D. to have teaching experience.

Brown University offers substantial financial support to doctoral students. All incoming doctoral students are guaranteed five years of support, which includes a stipend, full tuition remission, health-services fee, and a health-insurance subsidy. Doctoral students in the Humanities and Social Sciences are guaranteed six years of support. All promises of student support are subject to students making satisfactory academic progress, as determined by their programs of study. Please see related links for additional details regarding the University's commitment to doctoral education.

Ph.D. Funding

Funding guarantee, four general requirements for the doctor of philosophy.

The candidate must be formally admitted to his or her degree program.

The normal residency requirement is the equivalent of three Academic Years of full-time study beyond the bachelor's degree. Students who enter a PhD program at Brown already holding a master’s degree in a related field have a residency requirement equivalent to two Academic Years of full-time study upon entering the PhD program at Brown. Use of a previously earned master’s degree to reduce PhD residency requirements is contingent upon approval of the program Director of Graduate Study. Graduate work done at other institutions and not used in fulfillment of the requirements for any doctoral degree elsewhere may, on the approval of the program Director of Graduate Study, be counted in fulfillment of up to, but not exceeding, one year of the residency requirement. A student who desires credit for work done elsewhere should file a timely application with the program Director of Graduate Study; transfer credit forms are available through the  Office of the Registrar .

A student is advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. when he or she has completed satisfactorily all the requirements, departmental and general, requisite to beginning work on the dissertation. Candidacy is determined by the department or program of study and certified by the Registrar. Most departments require a preliminary examination before advancing any student to candidacy. Most departments also require a final examination or defense. The examination is conducted by professors in the department and by such other members of the faculty as may be appointed.

The candidate must present a dissertation on a topic related to his or her area of specialization that presents the results of original research and gives evidence of excellent scholarship. The dissertation must be approved by the professor or committee under whose direction it is written and by the Graduate Council. All requirements for the Ph.D. must be completed within five years after advancement to candidacy.

Faculty Member Leaves Brown

If a faculty member working with a doctoral student leaves Brown for any reason before that student has completed his or her degree requirements, it may not always be possible for that faculty member to continue working with the student as an advisor. In such cases, departments will work with students to help them locate a new advisor.

Additional Requirements

Individual departments and programs may have additional requirements regarding the number of courses to be taken, proficiency in foreign languages, special examinations, and theses. The department should be consulted for specific information.

• Graduate School

Graduate Program Requirements: Your Roadmap to Grad School

Featured Expert: Dr. Charlene Hoi, PhD

Graduate program requirements are the first key for how to get into grad school . Most graduate programs have extensive and specific admissions requirements since these programs are a higher level of study and often more academic than bachelor’s degrees or diploma programs. Whether you’re applying for your master’s degree, a PhD or even to an online graduate program , the requirements will be consistent across programs. In this blog, we’ll explore the graduate program requirements for both master’s degrees and doctorate programs in the US and Canada, graduate requirements for these programs, plus tips on how to bridge any gaps in your applicant profile.

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

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Article Contents 15 min read

Graduate program requirements: master’s degree.

Graduate program requirements, naturally, are higher than the admission standards for undergraduate programs, diploma programs and certificate programs. However, it’s important to note that all graduate programs may have different requirements, depending on the school, the program and the type of applicant (i.e. international or mature students). The admissions standards for graduate programs also tend to be higher, so it’s wise to be prepared when figuring out your grad school application timeline .

Graduate programs, as advanced studies in your chosen field, tend to be more academic in focus. They are designed to deepen your understanding and expertise in your field. Therefore, on top of the expected admissions essays, graduate school GPA requirements and applicant interviews, you’ll often be asked to prove you have undergraduate research experience and submit test scores for a graduate-level entrance exam.

Below is a list of the common requirements for master’s graduate programs:

Graduate Program Admission Requirements: Master’s Degree

• Relevant Bachelor’s degree and transcripts
• Minimum GPA
• Standardized test scores (program dependent)
• Graduate school statement of purpose
• Research interest statement or grad school career goals statement
• Grad school resume
• Grad school letters of recommendation
• Admissions interview

Note that the admission requirements for graduate programs in the US and Canada are similar, so whether your goal is to pursue a PhD at one of the top universities in the US or get a master’s degree in Canada , the application requirements will be almost identical.

We’ll cover each of these requirements in more detail next!

Would you like us to help you with your grad school applications? ","buttonText":"Free Strategy Call","buttonColor":"#ffffff","bannerUnderText":null,"belowButtonText1":null,"belowButtonText2":null,"trustpilot":false}" :url=""https:\/\/bemoacademicconsulting.com\/contact-schedule-free-strategy-call"" code="banner1" background-color="#000066" button-color="#ffffff" banner-image> 1. Previous Education

Most graduate programs require a 4-year undergraduate degree, or bachelor’s degree, to gain admission. Master’s degree programs may even list specific areas of study or a short list of acceptable bachelor’s degrees. This is where graduate program requirements can differ, since the requirements for a master’s degree in psychology will vary from those for a master’s in social work , for example.

The reason why you need to hold a bachelor’s degree, and one related to your chosen master’s program, is so that you meet any required prerequisite courses and to ensure you have the foundational knowledge in that field to succeed in a graduate program. Graduate programs are more in-depth educations on their subject matter, so if you don’t have any previous experience or instruction, you won’t have the necessary background or skills required. In some cases, the bachelor’s degree requirement can be waived in the place of years of work experience or other professional qualifications.

For example, advanced types of nursing degrees , such as a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) require you to hold either a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, to prove you have previous, formal education in nursing, or the RN qualification, which indicates you have a higher level of work experience as a practicing nurse. Either way, you need some prior qualification or education to succeed in an advanced nursing program.

2. GPA Requirements

Graduate programs also may list a minimum GPA you must meet to be considered for admission. For more competitive programs, this is usually a minimum of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Some programs may accept a lower GPA as long as you submit a standardized test score or meet some other criteria.

However, achieving this minimum GPA is often not enough to get into competitive programs. Many graduate programs are hard to get into, especially at top schools. To see how you measure up against the competition at these programs, check the average accepted GPA of students in these programs. This is the GPA you want to shoot for, or ideally, surpass for the best chances of admission.

Still, to get into grad school with a low GPA is possible with a strong application, very good standardized test scores and a good interview performance. You can offset a lower GPA and still have a shot of getting into your desired program, but you should also carefully consider which programs to apply to, based on your undergraduate GPA and the requirements of specific programs.

3. Standardized Test Scores

Many graduate programs require you to submit standardized test scores. For some professional programs, the standardized test will be unique to these types of programs. Applicants to law school will take the LSAT, medical school applicants will write the dreaded MCAT, and MBA applicants sit the GMAT.

However, a majority of graduate programs require you to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). While there are graduate programs that do not require the GRE , it is the most common standardized test used for graduate admissions in the US and Canada. It’s vital to invest in some GRE test prep and learn what is a good GRE score , so you can start preparing.

Your GRE scores, like your GPA, will be used as an indication of your academic ability and whether you’re ready for graduate school. Similar to minimum GPA requirements, you can check the average accepted GRE scores (or other test scores) at your chosen graduate programs and see what score you should aim for to be accepted.

4. Grad School Statement of Purpose

Think of your grad school statement of purpose as a more advanced version of your college essays. In this statement or essay, you’re answering the question of “ why do you want to join our graduate program” and why you want to study in your field at the graduate level.

You may also address your future career goals and how a graduate program will allow you to achieve these goals, such as in a grad school career goals statement. Every program may have different essay prompts or essay questions for you to answer, as well as guidelines on your statement length and intent. Read these carefully before you start writing!

If there are no guidelines for you to follow, take a look at some Ivy League grad school statement of purpose examples , for a clearer understanding of this essay’s structure, content and purpose. You can also look at essays tied to a particular kind of program, such as an MBA statement of purpose if you’re applying to graduate business school.

Check Out Our Podcast for More Free & Useful Content ","buttonText":"Go to Podcast","buttonColor":"#ff6600","bannerUnderText":null,"belowButtonText1":null,"belowButtonText2":null,"trustpilot":false}" :url=""https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/ca\/podcast\/bemo-admissions-experts-podcast\/id1642349082"" code="bannerpodcast" background-color="#000000" button-color="#ff6600" banner-image> 5. Experiences and Extracurriculars

Your work experience, academic experiences, extracurriculars and even your hobbies can help make or break your application to grad school. They can also give you a distinct advantage over the competition while also meeting grad program requirements.

Depending on the field you hope to gain a master’s degree in, research experience may be either strongly recommended or a hard graduate program requirement. If the graduate program you’re applying for is more academically focused, research experience can give you an advantage on your application materials and may be a strong requirement. If you’re lacking some concrete research experience and need it for a graduate program, take a look at some summer undergraduate research fellowships and internships!

Programs that are more skills or experience-focused, such as an MBA, might prefer years of direct work experience over research roles. This is why some graduate programs ask for an updated resume, a list of your extracurriculars or a full recording of your research experience. Check out what your chosen graduate programs require for admissions but also what they value or what they consider a “bonus” for applicants to have.

Let’s say you’re interest in how to get into nursing school . Aside from an undergraduate degree in nursing, direct experience working with patients is a must, and you can stand out in a nursing school application with volunteer experience and strong letters of recommendation from your nursing supervisors.

Here’s another example. One of the biggest MBA requirements is work experience. Many programs ask for at least 3-4 years of professional experience before you can apply to these programs.

6. Letters of Recommendation

While it’s possible to get into grad school without recommendation letters , they are a valuable asset to have on your application. Graduate programs usually require 2 to 3 recommendation letters for admission. And they may have certain guidelines for who can write your recommendations.

Most of the time, your recommendation letters will be written by your undergraduate professors, employer, volunteer supervisor, mentor or some other professional you have worked with in some capacity. When choosing your referees, focus on asking the individuals with whom you have a strong and positive relationship, and who can speak to your skills and suitability for grad school.

What we mean is, if you’re applying for a master’s in engineering, ask your employer or one of your undergraduate professors who is familiar with your skill as an engineer, your work ethic and technical ability. Applying to a graduate program in music? At least one of your recommendation letters should be from your music professor or mentor.

7. Grad School Interview

Not every program uses or requires a grad school interview, but it’s not uncommon for more competitive graduate schools to use interviews as a tool to narrow down the applicant pool. If you are invited to a grad school interview, accept the invitation! Use this as your opportunity to make a strong first impression and secure an acceptance letter by showing the admissions committee that you are a good fit for their program. Practice for your interview with some Ivy League grad school interview questions.

Remember that the grad school interview is a two-way street. Meaning this is also your opportunity to ask questions about a program and see if the program is a good fit for YOU and will meet your expectations. Ask your interviewer questions about the school, the campus culture, the program faculty and curriculum, opportunities for students and what the program has to offer students.

Graduate Program Graduation Requirements: Master’s

Let’s take a brief look at the graduate program requirements for graduation. To complete a bachelor’s degree, you need to calculate how many credits to graduate and complete specific courses to gain your degree.

A master’s degree is no different and will have both core coursework and electives you need to complete, as well as the minimum number of credits for completion. Aside from the coursework aspect of a master’s degree, there is one cumulative project you’ll need to finish: your master’s thesis or capstone project .

Different master’s programs have different final projects, but in general a master’s thesis is the final research paper or project required for academically focused programs, and a capstone is more a demonstration of knowledge and skill. However, these terms may be used interchangeably by graduate programs.

To prepare for you final project, you’ll need to know how to write a master’s thesis proposal and have it approved by your program’s supervisor. Then you’ll need to prepare for thesis defense , present your project to a panel of program faculty and answer thesis defense questions about your research. Once you’ve undergone this evaluation and your project has been approved and graded, you’re done!

Prepare for graduate school interview questions with these examples!

Graduate Program Requirements: PhD

PhD programs, or doctorate programs, are similar to master’s programs in that they are very academically focused. Research experience and a degree relevant to your desired field is essential. If you want to know how to get a PhD , the admission requirements are a little more specific and tougher to meet, and the graduation requirements are more extensive. This is reflected in how long it takes to get a PhD .

PhD programs also require extensive previous education and experience in your chosen field. Below is a list of the common requirements for a PhD program.

Graduate Program Admission Requirements: PhD

• Relevant Master’s degree and official transcripts
• Research proposal
• PhD motivation letter
• Statement of intent
• CV for graduate school  or  research resume
• Letters of recommendation
• PhD interview

As we can see, the requirements for a master’s degree and a PhD are remarkably similar, with a few exceptions for PhD applicants. Let’s go over these additional PhD requirements in detail:

1. Relevant Education

Like a master’s degree, a PhD requires extensive previous education in a field that’s either directly related to or highly relevant to the PhD program. Most PhD programs also require a master’s degree on top of a bachelor’s degree, because a master’s degree will provide you with the academic knowledge and research experience required to successfully complete a PhD.

A PhD is an intensive and research-focused program to enter into, and it usually takes many years to complete. Because it is a bigger commitment and is the highest qualification you can receive in most fields, it requires you first complete the foundational education steps before applying.

2. Research Proposal

A unique part of applying to a PhD program is the submission of a research proposal. Some programs will ask you to submit this during the application process, and others will give you time to develop one in the first year or two of your program.

Your research proposal details what you plan to research during your PhD program and what contribution you hope to make to the field in terms of academic research. Either during the application process or before you begin your final dissertation, be prepared to answer research proposal questions and defend your ideas to a panel of academics or your PhD advisor.

3. PhD Motivation Letter

PhD programs are curious to know why do you want to do a PhD ? Your motivation letter will answer this question. Your letter should discuss why you want to pursue an advanced degree in your field, what new information or insights you hope to contribute to your field, why you’ve chosen a specific PhD program and how a PhD is the necessary next step in your educational journey. A PhD is a huge undertaking, so you should be able to present a clear idea of why you want to take on this commitment and how it will benefit you, aside from just wanting to become an expert in your field or spend a little more time in school.

Graduate Program Graduation Requirements: PhD

PhD programs, being much longer and more intensive than master’s degree programs, nonetheless start with some of the same curriculum requirements.

The first year or two of a PhD begins with completing advanced coursework, both core and electives, in your chosen field of study. The completion of your coursework typically ends with the comprehensive exam, or comps, which evaluate your knowledge of all the coursework you’ve taken so far.

From here, you’ll work with your PhD supervisor or academic advisor, a member of the faculty who will advise and guide your research as a PhD candidate. Unless you’re completing a PhD without a dissertation , you’ll now embark on several years of research. The culmination of this research with be an original contribution to academic research in your field: your dissertation or PhD thesis.

While you’re completing your independent research and writing your dissertation, you may also have responsibilities as a PhD student. This can include teaching roles or participating in research with other academics in your department. This is essential if you want to know how to publish as a graduate student and get your name out into academic circles.

Once your dissertation is complete and approved by your advisor, you’ll once again need to prepare for thesis defense and present your original research to a panel of academics, who will either approve your project or send it back for revisions. This evaluation is sometimes conducted through an oral presentation of your work, called “orals”.

Once your dissertation is presented and approved, you’ll be eligible for graduation and awarded your degree!

Graduate program requirements can be intensive, and you might find that you’re missing a requirement or two when you start planning your applications. If this is the case, there are fortunately ways to fill any gaps that need to be filled without losing too much time or scrapping your goal of going to grad school.

We’ll start with master’s degree applicants and go over our tips for how to bridge common gaps in graduate program requirements, followed by PhD applicants:

Master’s Degree Applicants

• Your GPA is too low: If your GPA is too low, all hope is not lost. Your application may be strong enough to offset your low academic record, or your GPA may not matter as much to some graduate programs. However, you should still do whatever possible to raise your GPA if you still have time. Some programs will consider you despite a low GPA so long as you meet other criteria. You can contact the admissions office to ask if this is an option for you. Otherwise, take a look at the easiest graduate programs to get into, or the easiest PhD programs to get into , as these tend to have lower admissions standards.
• Your standardized test scores are too low: If your test scores are too low to get into the program of your choice, there are two options. You can either retake the test and try to earn a higher score, or apply exclusively to programs that don’t require standardized test scores. Many programs are test-optional, or accept different tests in lieu of the GRE. For instance, you can decide between the GMAT vs GRE for many graduate school programs.
• You don’t have the right degree: If you don’t have the right undergraduate degree or you lack an undergraduate degree, this can be a hurdle to getting a graduate degree. Some master’s programs allow applicants without a bachelor’s degree, or who have a different type of qualification, such as an associate degree or a diploma. It’s likely your qualifications will need to be relevant to the master’s program, and you may need to complete additional prerequisites, but check to see what exceptions a program might offer when it comes to previous education.
• You’re missing experience: Whether it’s work experience, research experience or an extracurricular activity that will strengthen your application, it’s worth doing whatever you can to stand out in your grad school applications. Before applying to your desired program, consider putting off applying until you can gain the missing experience you need.
• You’ve previously been rejected: Were you rejected from a grad school program previously? Of course you want to ensure you’re successful the next time around, but you may not know how to improve your application materials or what is preventing you from getting in. A grad school admissions consultant can make the difference here, as having an expert’s eyes on your application materials can help you identify what your weaknesses are.

PhD Applicants

• You don’t have a master’s degree: Do you need a master’s to get a PhD ? Normally, yes, but there are exceptions! Believe it or not there are direct-entry PhD programs you can apply for straight after finishing your bachelor’s degree. Keep in mind the requirements for these programs are usually very high, academically speaking, so you’ll need a strong GPA at the very least.
• You want to accelerate or combine your PhD: Getting your PhD takes a long time. After completing a 4-year bachelor’s degree, you’d normally finish a 2- or 3-year master’s degree followed by a PhD, which can take 6 years or more. If you’re interested in shortening this timeline, there are accelerated graduate programs or online graduate programs that are shorter. You can also pursue a dual degree program, which sometimes combines the curriculum of a master’s and PhD or two different graduate programs. Some examples would be an MBA Law dual degree or an MD-PhD . Looking for super fast online graduate programs? Look for 1-year PhD programs online or 1-year master’s programs .
• You’re not sure a PhD is right for you: Not sure a PhD is the best choice for your goals? Intimidated by the application process? Consider asking PhD consultants for help. These are professional admission experts who can walk you through the application process, the graduate school requirements and advise you on the right type of program for you.
• You can’t afford the cost of a graduate degree: The high cost of graduate school will deter many applicants from getting an advanced degree. Fortunately, there are many excellent graduate school scholarships , bursaries and awards you can apply for. Financial aid options are also widely available at many schools. Speaking to an admissions consultant or financial advisor about your options for grad school is also a good idea, since you’ll need a solid plan for funding your schooling. PhD candidates may be fortunate enough to find a fully funded program, meaning the cost of their program is covered, and they may even receive a stipend to cover their living costs. For PhD candidates who apply for PhD scholarships to help fund their degree, be sure to write a strong personal statement for PhD scholarship , since competition can be high.

The common requirements for a graduate program include a complete undergraduate degree, standardized test scores, a statement of purpose or personal statement, recommendation letters, a grad school CV and an admissions interview. Some programs will have additional requirements specific to their programs. It’s best to always check with the program directly what their admission requirements are.

To get into a PhD program, you typically need a strong GPA, a master’s degree in a relevant field, prior research experience, a motivation letter or personal statement, a resume, recommendation letters and a PhD interview. 

Getting into graduate school is definitely not easy, and some programs may be more competitive than others. Depending on the field, the school and the specific graduate program requirements, the acceptance rate for some grad schools is below 10%. However, with the right prep and a carefully crafted application, you can significantly increase your chances of getting in, provided you meet all the requirements.

Many graduate school programs have a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0. More competitive programs have a minimum GPA of 3.3 and above.

This can vary by program, but most graduate programs require or accept the GRE, or Graduate Record Examination. If you’re not sure what a good GRE score is for you, check what the average accepted scores are for your chosen programs. Your goal should be to achieve at least this average score to get into your desired program.

Most graduate programs accept applications directly through their online application portals. However, some professional graduate programs may have central application services you can use to apply to multiple programs at once.

If you’re missing some of the graduate program requirements, it is possible to bridge these gaps. Check what requirements you are missing and start making a plan to meet them before you start applying to programs. You can seek the help of a professional, such as an admissions consultant, or simply take a gap year to gain the necessary experience you’re missing.

Going to grad school can absolutely be worth it if it helps you achieve your personal and professional goals. Grad school is a big commitment, in both time and money, but for many students it is an opportunity to enhance their professional qualifications, deepen their knowledge of their field or even shift their career trajectory.

Aside from financial aid, grad school scholarships and bursaries, some students continue to work while going to school or receive financial help from their employer so they can pursue a degree that will enhance their professional qualifications.

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How important are my grades to the rest of my PhD career?

Speaking to the faculty in my program, I've noticed that they seem to evaluate themselves and others using two criterion: (1) publication quality and quantity, and (2) ability to obtain grant money. No one discusses grades or performance in graduate school classes. Even when potential faculty candidates come around, this doesn't seem to be emphasized at all. What role do grades play in my PhD career?

• 16 Grades don't matter, sources say . –  gerrit Commented Feb 24, 2013 at 11:28

10 Answers 10

As far as your research stature is concerned, grades would matter least of all, below other non-academic stuff as your soft-skills, your personality etc. There are a number of reasons for this:

No one cares about your GPA once you are a researcher! While it certainly looks nice to have a stellar GPA, it's the work that you do and where you publish that would matter. Look up some resumes of notable faculty in your field - how many even list their MS/BS grades?

I might even say that your adviser would not be too happy if you have a 4.0 GPA - as it means you are spending time on perfecting your grades which is more profitably spent on research! I actually have read this on a faculty/university webpage - would post the link once I dig it up. EDIT : Haven't found the faculty website link yet, but here 's a couple from an established source, phdcomics - enjoy!

PS: I'm actually waiting for JeffE to comment on this: His credentials are such that I'm not even qualified to state them, and he himself claims that he had the lowest undergraduate GPA amongst any professor he's ever met!

EDIT: I'm talking about grades in subjects that you have to take as part of requirements of grad school - you would be expected to master the subjects that are directly required in your Ph.D research thesis, so your adviser would expect great grades in them naturally!

tl;dr - They don't matter (as long as you clear all your subjects!)

• 16 I agree with almost everything you wrote. My undergrad grades changed from embarrassing burden to amusing trivia the moment I became a PhD student. I don't even think it's important to get "great grades" in classes directly related to your work. Master the material, yes, but that's not the same thing. –  JeffE Commented Feb 17, 2012 at 12:42
• 1 Could anyone clarify how "master the material" and "getting good grades" are not the same thing? In my experience, it is extremely easy to mistakenly think that you've mastered something without actually being tested. –  Heisenberg Commented Apr 24, 2015 at 20:09
• 2 @Heisenberg - It is quite easy to get top grades but NOT master the material, by simply 'studying for the test'. –  TCSGrad Commented Apr 24, 2015 at 21:51
• Ah, but tests in graduate schools aren't the template type. –  Heisenberg Commented Apr 24, 2015 at 22:17
• 3 @Heisenberg, yes, inevitably, exams are templates, but just at a slightly more sophisticated level. Also, the notion of "master the material" is itself dubious at a sophisticated level. It's simply that all those supposedly well-defined school-work notions cease having quite the same sense... –  paul garrett Commented Dec 21, 2015 at 20:32

To be a bit blithe about it, grades matter until they don't. When you are a PhD student, the grades will matter until after you've completed your "qualification" process, in whatever form that takes. If you do well on the exams, then your grades don't matter much; if you're "on the bubble," you might be helped by solid performance in your graduate coursework.

Where grades continue to matter are:

• if you decide to apply for a graduate fellowship, in which case review committees will usually want to see evidence of strong academic performance at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• when you apply for jobs, as employers will similarly want to see evidence that you took coursework somewhat seriously. (Some employers may—wrongly, in my view—have GPA cutoffs for graduate students!)

Just to note one place where they do matter: they may help you find a willing advisor. I am not inclined to take on students who don't do outstanding work in the first-year graduate course that I teach. On the other hand, students who are at the top of the class may find faculty trying to attract them .

• This is true—when the decision on advising is made following admission to the program. –  aeismail Commented Mar 17, 2012 at 19:02

In some graduate schools I've been to (I've worked at a few and tried working on a masters at one), a C lands you on probation, and a second C gets you dismissed. Other than this, you're correct, they're irrelevant as the important measures involve funding and publishing.

• 1 Generally, the requirement is that you have to maintain a grade of B+ on average - a C would definitely get you in trouble! I was talking about the futility of aiming for straight A's in breadth subjects... –  TCSGrad Commented Feb 16, 2012 at 19:22

I currently direct a graduate program and as others have said, grades are most important while you're in a graduate program when decisions about funding are being made. C's may get you dismissed, and B's could lead to no funding in programs where funding is limited to a handful of students. If you are in a terminal MA program and applying to PhD programs, grades matter. After graduation and when you're on the job market, grades won't matter as much as your dissertation, publications and recommendations. The way that grades would matter then would be what they say about your professors' estimation of your work and whether they are likely to write you strong rec. letters. In short - if you get anything below an A, talk to the professor about what you could have done to do better and strive to get there.

I will actually take a strong opinion that my subpar grades from undergrad and graduate school are a large factor in why my PhD is going to take a long time. As David Ketcheson mentioned, quality grades and GRE scores are important denominators for Graduate fellowships. So far the NSF, NIH, and DOE have all denied me fellowships because I have a lowish GPA according to my reviews.

That being said, once you are an established researcher with a paper track record, the grades really shouldn't matter asides being a bragging point.

• 1 I think this claim might be a bit sketchy, since it isn't my experience that (the very tiny minority of) PhD students who get these external fellowships finish substantially faster than the department average. Do these agencies have data that show their fellows beat department averages in time to graduation? –  wsc Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 22:07

Straight A's didn't get me into trouble with my advisor. My committee didn't care either.

I was always told there are three grades in grad school: excellent (A), adequate (B), and failing (C).

It depends, but what I have seen so far (w.r.t. Computer Science PhD perspective) is a bit different than other opinions in this post.

I am doing PhD (Computer Science) in the US (at a mediocre school) and most of my cohorts (not most, actually all of them) have a very decent GPA (like 3.9+ out of 4.0), even couple of them have perfect 4.0/4.0 and a very few of them are publishing pretty much good level of research works.

Moreover, most of my faculty members in my school have similar credentials (good grade, good research background, and most of them are from top notch schools like UMD, UPenn, UMich, VTech) -- although my school ranks 60+ in the nation (according to US News, in CS specialization).

Even PhD students in my department who did summer research intern in big companies like google, IBM, Microsoft are also equipped with a good GPA. Even some of them have no publication at all !!, even after being a PhD student for more than 2 years. You will be surprised to know that one of them is currently working as a research intern position at google with no research paper at all, he has been a PhD student for last 2.5 years !! Moreover, if you are from a good school, things will be lot easier.

So, what I see, situation is totally opposite in US. Here Pedigree > GPA > publications.

I used to be the "odd one out", I had a decent publication record (published 4 conference papers during my masters (from a top school outside US) and 2 more in my 1st year of PhD here), but I settled with a low grade (3.2+), compared to others it is actually a "bad". Moreover, the venues that I have published my research works are considered to be quite decent in my field (two of the venues are in the top 20 lists in Microsoft academic search ranking , even I got one best student paper award there. In the US, keeping up both research works and regular course load is quite challenging, at least for me.

Such situation compelled me to focus more on the grades and to start practicing problems from sites like "careercup" to land a job in industry -- that's what others are doing here, and this is a totally disappointing and frustrating experience for me.

I had to cut my time on research as much as possible, now just doing a minimal possible work to maintain my supervisor's "happiness threshold level". Here, landing an academic job is harder than in industries -- unless you are a "rock star" researcher -- and this is the reality. Being a mediocre researcher (like me) from a mediocre school does not count much, neither in industry nor academia.

Last but not the least, I am an international student deceived by the so called delusion of "the land of opportunity".

• 1 I flagged your question because at first glance, your answer seems like an answer but then presents itself more as a rant. Some more coherence would be appreciated. –  Shion Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 1:34
• 1 How do you know what your professor's grades were? I have no idea what grades my colleagues got, except that they were higher than mine. –  JeffE Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 4:39
• 2 @Shion In my own experience, industry seems to care more about grades than research papers. I kind of believe what ramgorur said. Many employees in industry with only BS degree don't know how to perform matrix multiplication. The companies would have to hire PhD students to do it when they need to. –  Nobody Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 6:26
• 7 It sounds like you should move to a stronger department. The experience you describe is fairly typical for very strong students in weak departments. The only reason to emphasize grades over research in a research degree program is to avoid being embarrassed by its research record. Get a glowing recommendation letter from your advisor if you can, get strong recommendation letters from external colleagues (like the ones who gave you the best student paper award), and move up. –  JeffE Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 19:14
• 2 Assuming the situation there is as you perceive it, perhaps your department's choice to hire faculty on the basis of grades is not uncorrelated with its low research output. This is not a choice that is made universally. –  wsc Commented Jun 26, 2013 at 22:18

You may need good grades during the first two years of your PhD (the time you would be doing your MS, if you applied to a separate MS program) for the reasons listed above: fellowships, in case you decide to drop out and get a industry job, etc.

After two years in a PhD program, worrying about your GPA is a complete waste of time. I've yet to see any research university even ask for a transcript of your graduate classwork. Some research positions in industry might require a transcript and take into account your GPA, but I don't think this (misguided) practice is common.

What's true for certain is that if you're spending late nights and long hours polishing that final project in a class totally unrelated to your research area, so that you will get an A+ instead of an A -- please stop. You are hurting your career.

I am a Ph.D. student in my second year of research. I hold two MBA's and a bachelors degree. Each of my GPA's raised a bit in the course of my academic career (3.52 - 4.0). I am currently on the President's lists for Capella University. I do not think it matters to most. It certainly feels good to place a 4.0 in my application to teach at universities but I doubt it does much for my selection. The larger impact is what differences can you make. I have saught after a reputation to help develop peoples motivation towards academics, so a strong GPA helps prove that I know how to provide good advice on study habits to help others navigate through Bloom's Taxonomy. I would say, simply do your best! If you are in a Ph.D. program, you pretty much have a focused goal, and all the other crap is noise. Do your best, clear your classes, and focus on what is most important to you, not on what you think others will expect of you. Remember, Doctoral Students only account for less than 2% of America's population so take that into consideration when concerning yourself of what people will think of you. Be brave, take chances and have fun with your studies. You may lose points for being late, may lose points for a paper being too long, or perhaps you explored something not related to the assignment but got a lot out of it, don't stress about a perfect grade. A perfect GPA means nothing if you didn't maximize the opportunity to learn.

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Go to Grad School Guide: PhD Programs

Wondering if grad school is right for you? This week, we’re putting together a guide to the grad school experience, brought to you by those who know it best: current students and recent alums. Check in all week for an inside look at med school, law school, PhD programs, and more!

Thinking about an in-depth degree in your field? We sat down with three PhD students in three very different programs—Poli Sci, Communications, and Environmental Toxicology—to get their take on the grad school experience.

Bronwyn Lewis, PhD in Political Science/International Relations

School:  UCLA

Age:  26

Background before grad school: I taught for two years as a Colet Fellow at St. Paul's School of London, a 500-year-old British boys' secondary school, before completing a one-year MSc program in comparative politics at The London School of Economics. During the year I completed my master's, I also worked part-time as a GMAT and SAT Instructor for Kaplan London and ran a freelance international admissions counseling service for London students wishing to apply to U.S. universities.

Why did you choose this type of degree? 

I unexpectedly fell in love with teaching during my time at St. Paul's School, but I’ve always felt intellectually sharpest when I was a student myself. I realized that if I wanted to remain both a teacher and a student in the long term, then I might be happiest as a university professor.

I chose to study international relations out of personal interest. In a practical sense, though, it was also important to me that the training I would receive as an IR specialist at a school like UCLA would also be transferable to careers outside of academia, should the university job market be less than ideal when I complete my degree.

Why did you choose your particular program? 

Honestly? I had been living in London for three years by the time I applied to UCLA, and it was of vital importance to me to pursue my PhD in a less rainy, less gray, less cloudy location! UCLA was the only top-10 political science school that also seemed to be located in a meteorological Promised Land. It was the right choice, too—I can’t tell you how great it is to work off stress by riding my bike to the beach after a long day of class or research!

What tips do you have for someone applying to your program? 

First: UCLA is unique among top political science schools in not requiring PhD students to undergo qualifying exams in order to advance to doctoral candidacy (which happens in the third year of most programs). Quals are notorious for being extraordinarily stressful: They are long oral exams in which a committee of your professors "grills" you on your mastery of the literature on your research interests. Instead of quals, which bear no practical resemblance to the work academics actually do, UCLA requires its students to produce two "field papers," which are publishable-quality journal articles. If this sort of philosophical difference appeals to you, UCLA might be a great place for you to apply.

Next, UCLA has historically been at the forefront of integrating methodologies borrowed from economics into the study of political science. So all doctoral students there are expected to develop at least a working proficiency in empirical methods (i.e., how to use statistical analysis to learn things about political behavior) regardless of whether you plan to use these methods in your own research. But that said, don't worry if you haven't exercised your quant skills in a while. If UCLA admits you, you'll be able to handle the training.

What do you wish you had known about the program before coming? 

I spent a lot of time extremely stressed about my academic performance in my first quarter. I don't think I fully grasped that the entire philosophy of a PhD program is not to test you so much as to nurture you into becoming a scholar. In some ways, a doctoral program is an ideal learning environment, and anxiety expended on your "grades" is largely wasted energy. Coursework is only there to enable you to learn. Of course, I say this now—and I will be a madwoman again the next time that finals roll around! But the stress is largely self-inflicted, and that is one way that a PhD program differs significantly from a JD or MD program.

What are your ideal post-graduation plans? 

In the best case, I will be offered a tenure-track position in International Relations or Methodology at another research university in California. But let's be honest, that's a huge pipe dream. If the job market is not favorable immediately upon graduation, though, I would jump at the opportunity to work at a foreign policy and security think tank like RAND Corporation, just up the road in Santa Monica.

Maureen Savage, PhD in Mass Communication

School:  Indiana University School of Journalism

Age:  24

Background Before Grad School: I’ve gone straight through on all three of my degrees (a BA in Film, Video, and Media Studies, an MA in Communication, and now a PhD), but during the summers I would either intern or work for a public radio station (WUOM, WMUK in MI). I currently work as a part-time board operator for Spirit 95 FM (WVNI) in Bloomington, IN.

Career Goal: To teach university-level communication and media courses, as well as work for a public radio station newsroom reporting on arts and culture.

Activities/Extra-curriculars: I work part-time work at WVNI and in retail, I’m active in the Lutheran Campus Ministries at IU, and I develop new hobbies like gardening and sewing in what other spare time I have.

Why did you choose your particular program?

After my visit to the campus, I liked the feel of the city and everyone I met at the school was great. The professors seemed genuinely interested in what I was looking to study, and they did a nice job of really selling the program to me and making me feel welcome. It also helps that they offered me a great financial package (full assistantship as well as a fellowship), so it’s great knowing I don’t have to go into debt to get my degree.

What tips do you have for someone applying to your program?

For applying for a PhD in general, my tip is just to have some idea of what it is you’d like to research before getting into the program. It’s okay if you don’t have your dissertation topic picked out—that’s what you’re there to figure out, anyways! But knowing a general topic of interest that you’d like to pursue makes things a lot easier when it comes to planning your research papers for your classes each semester.

What does your typical week look like?

Full-time doctoral students take three courses each semester, so I go to my classes Monday through Thursday. I’m also a research assistant this semester, so I spend a few hours a day helping my professor with her research projects. I make a point to get up early on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday and work out with a neighbor to get a jump-start on my day. Evenings are typically dedicated to homework and reading ( lots of reading). I always try to give myself one day where I can relax, clean my apartment, and run errands if need be. Then I have two jobs that I manage to work in there, too—so I keep pretty busy during the week!

What’s been the most challenging part of the experience?  

The hardest part is finding your balance , in every sense of the word. You have to balance your school life, social life, work life, and some personal time as well. If you only focus on school all of the time, you’ll find yourself burning out really quickly. It always helped me to have friends around who are outside of academia; spending time with those friends felt like taking a little mini-vacation from the “real life” of school.

What’s been the biggest surprise about your program?

Sometimes, you end up finding things that catch your interest that you never knew existed. I never knew I really enjoyed teaching until I got an assistantship during my master’s program, and that is part of the reason why I decided to continue my education. You also get some amazing opportunities to meet a wide variety of scholars in your (and other) research fields. It is always a little bit of a thrill to meet the scholar who wrote one of your textbooks!

Have your post-grad plans changed since you first started grad school?

My plans definitely changed. When I entered my master’s program, I had no intention of going on for a PhD. I had the opportunity to work with some amazing professors who really got me excited about teaching and research, and encouraged me to continue in my studies. So, clearly that path has led me elsewhere than where I originally intended. Luckily, many public universities have radio stations on or near campus, so it worked out pretty well that I enjoyed teaching, too.

Morgan Willming, PhD, Environmental Toxicology 

School:  Texas Tech University

Age:  25

Background Before Grad School:  BS, Biology

Career Goal:  I’m not entirely decided—maybe academia.

Activities/Extra-curriculars:  I’m involved in departmental grad student groups that organize student activities and participate in community service.

Why did you choose your program?

I decided I wanted to study environmental toxicology because it was a good synthesis of my interests in biology, chemistry, and environmental science. There aren't many such programs in the country, and my program had a strong reputation in the field and offered me funding.

What tips do you have for someone applying to this type of program?

Often when applying for a graduate program in the sciences, it can be more about choosing your advisor, not just choosing the school. Be sure to find an advisor whose interests are closely aligned with yours and one with whom you feel compatible. He or she is ultimately the one who can make or break your research and determine your future success. Do plenty of research into his or her publication record and funding.

Most importantly, ask current or former students about their experiences and honest opinions. Also, make sure you know how much time students are typically expected to spend teaching or on other research projects.

What do you wish you had known about your program before coming?

When visiting a school or program, I feel it's always a good idea to ask current students about any negative aspects to the program. Also, make sure you have some idea about the morale of faculty and students. Is there enough funding for students? Are people happy with how the department is run? Every department has its issues, and I wish I would've known a little more about those beforehand.

I'm generally in the lab, at my desk, or in class Monday-Friday 9 to 5 or so. However, this is really dependent on what I have going on in terms of research. Some weeks I'll have to put in lots of extra time, whereas other times I'll have much less going on. Sometimes I'm working for part of the weekend, too. Often times, your schedule can be determined by expectations from your advisor. Overall, there’s a lot of variability in what kind of time and when students are working.

What have been your favorite classes?

My favorite classes have been those that allowed me to get first-hand practical experience with techniques or instruments that I will use in my current research or in the future. I also have enjoyed journal clubs where we discuss current research articles in depth. Understanding the literature is a fundamental skill to develop in grad school, since nearly all scientific work is based on reading others' research and successfully publishing your own.

What are your post-grad plans, and have they changed since you first started grad school?

My plans are constantly in flux. As I've interacted with a wider range of professional scientists, I've learned about the ups and downs of a variety careers and it's given me a lot more to consider in choosing a specific career. Also, I've realized that I don't have to choose one career for the rest of my life. Many successful scientists might work for government or industry for a while before moving into academia.

Photo of science student courtesy of Shutterstock .

• Utility Menu

Psychology Graduate Program

• Psychology Department
• FAQ for Applicants

Please check out our  PRO-TiP  (PhD Resources and Online Tips Page)!  PRO-TiP provides easy and open access to resources that help demystify the process of applying to graduate programs in Psychology.

What kind of program does Harvard offer?

The Harvard Psychology Department offers a research-oriented Ph.D. program in four areas: Experimental Psychopathology & Clinical Science, Developmental, Social, and Cognition, Brain, and Behavior (CBB). The Department does not offer a terminal master’s degree in psychology, though students admitted to the Ph.D. program can earn a master’s along the way. Some graduates of the program seek positions as research psychologists in an academic setting. Other graduates get positions in government, consulting firms, tech startups or larger tech companies, hospitals or social service agencies, and other network or private clinical settings.  The Department offers two tracks, Clinical Science and a Common Curriculum. The common curriculum is composed of three sub-fields: Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Cognition, Brain, and Behavior (CBB). The Common Curriculum, described in the program section of the graduate program website ,   is taken by all students except those in Clinical Science. Though these area boundaries exist, collaboration is an important aspect of our academic community. As such, faculty and students collaborate within and across these area boundaries.

How do I get information about Harvard doctoral program admissions?

The Harvard Griffin GSAS Admissions website includes information about how to apply, required application materials, test score requirements, deadlines, and FAQs.  The application process is online .  This link connects you to the Psychology Program of Study page on the GSAS Admissions website. You can refer to our PRO-TiP page to find faculty answers to frequently asked questions.

Prospective applicants will want to read carefully about departmental faculty research interests   to decide whether this department is a good match. "Fit" of interests is an important criterion when the Department makes admissions decisions.

This list of theses and dissertations completed by current and previous students in the doctoral program may be useful in figuring out if this department would provide a good fit for your research goals.   

Do I need an undergraduate degree in Psychology to be eligible for the PhD program?

A psychology major is not required, but it is recommended that applicants take some basic psychology courses and obtain research experience. Admitted applicants have excellent grades, test scores, letters of recommendation, research experience and are a good match in terms of research interests with one or more members of the faculty, who serve as advisors.

Do I need to submit GRE scores, and how do I submit them?

*The submission of GRE scores is optional for Fall 2024 admission.*  GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date. If you have personal score reports available from tests taken within the last five years, you can upload them to your online application for consideration by the admissions committee. However, you will still need to ensure that  Educational Testing Service  (ETS) sends an official score report. Be sure to register for the tests well before administration dates and request that your scores be sent to Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences using code 3451 (department code is not required).

Does the Psychology Department offer a master's degree?

No, we do not offer a terminal master’s degree in psychology, though students admitted to the PhD program can earn a master’s along the way.   

How long does the program take?

Some students find four years is sufficient to complete the program, although most take five and a few take six years. Financial aid is generally offered for up to six years. 

Who may act as a PhD advisor?

Only tenure-track faculty members in the Department of Psychology may serve as primary advisors to PhD students in Psychology. Affiliated faculty cannot serve as primary mentors for PhD students. Students are welcome to form collaborations with affiliated faculty, but these individuals do not participate in our PhD program admissions.

Can I get training in clinical psychology at Harvard?

The Department offers a research-oriented program in Clinical Science. Our program was designed and is perhaps best suited for individuals who aspire toward careers in clinical scientific research and teaching. As compared with some more clinically oriented programs, we place relatively more emphasis on research training and experience in our program admissions and our training program for admitted graduate students. That said, the clinical training opportunities afforded by the program provide excellent training in clinical intervention and assessment as well. The Clinical Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association and by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS).

Is there a part-time or distance learning option?

This is a full-time, in-person program. In unusual circumstances, the Department may grant permission for an enrolled student to temporarily register for a part-time schedule. It is required that students be in residence for at least two years in the program, and almost all students are in residence for the entire program. It is possible to receive permission to be a "traveling scholar" and do research or writing away from Cambridge, but this is most typical for students at an advanced stage of the program who have finished data collection. There is no online or distance-learning program.

Can I apply if I already have a master's degree?

Yes. Students that have completed prior graduate work can petition, after a semester of satisfactory work in the Department, to receive credit for up to eight relevant half-courses, the equivalent of a year's worth of work. However, many students in the program don't bother to apply for this credit since it is rare for a student to be exempted from any courses required by the department. In addition, the bulk of time in the doctoral program is spent on research projects, and the department very rarely exempts students from these. Even students coming in with a master's degree take between 4-6 years to complete the program, though an incoming student with more education may naturally be more focused at an earlier point in their program. By the time a student has finished all requirements for the doctorate, including research requirements, they will have many more than the required minimum number of credits.

Is there financial aid available?

Funding is in the form of grants in the early years and teaching or research fellowships in later years. Typically all admitted students are offered a funding package consisting of up to six years of full tuition, three years of living stipend, and two years of guaranteed teaching fellowships (which would provide a similar level of living support). Additional teaching is usually available in the fifth year. Both international and U.S. applicants are eligible for this financial package. Because funds are limited, applicants are urged to apply for any outside fellowships they may be eligible for.  NSF graduate fellowships  and those from the  Department of Defense  are examples of national fellowship competitions open to U.S. citizens. There are also the  Ford Foundation Fellowships , available specifically for URM scholars.  Receiving an outside fellowship may allow you to have a higher stipend, to decrease your teaching commitment or to have an additional year to complete your degree. Receiving an outside fellowship is also a professional honor that will help you in applying for jobs after graduate school.

How can I maximize my chances of being admitted?

We use a holistic approach in evaluating applicants and admitting graduate students to the program. Among the factors considered are grades from undergraduate coursework, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, application essays, prior research experience, and focused research interests, with an emphasis on those that are compatible with those of faculty members. The department is also actively committing to building an inclusive field. Part of that commitment is prioritizing diversity and support for diverse individuals within our own department.

While we do not require an undergraduate concentration in psychology, some social science coursework is recommended. Because the program is heavily quantitatively oriented, college-level math and statistics are also advised. Research experience is extremely helpful: successful applicants have often worked for professors, done research projects as part of college courses, written an undergraduate thesis, or volunteered in a psychology research lab.

Candidates’ research interests and compatibility with the program are determined in large part by the candidate's application essay, the Statement of Purpose. Here is some advice from a professor for writing a good application essay:

Over the past 12 years, I have been reading graduate school admissions’ essays. These include essays from students applying to work with me as well as those from my own students who are preparing to apply to other graduate programs. When my own students apply to graduate school, I give them very specific advice about the nature of the essay, what I think most candidate schools and advisors are looking for. I have always had a particular view about what makes for a good read , of course from a personal perspective. I have been struck by the fact that many of the incoming essays lack the kind of content that I am looking for, having the appearance of an undergraduate application essay. This seems unfortunate because I often use the essay more than almost anything else to get a sense of the applicant’s intellectual potential and passion. Many students that apply have stellar GPAs and GREs, but only a few present carefully reasoned essays that really motivate the reasons for going to graduate school. In essence, essays that capture my attention are ones that develop ideas, propose experiments, point to holes in the literature, and do these things with passion and excitement. These very general comments, which will certainly not capture every advisor’s perspective, or even the majority, can be distilled to a few essential ingredients, presented below as questions:

• Why continue on with your education? Why do you need to learn more? What skills, theories, and knowledge do you lack?
• What are the kinds of discoveries and theories that sparked your interest in the chosen discipline?
• In graduate school, what kinds of questions do you hope to address? Why do you think that these questions are important? Given the set of questions that you will focus on, what kinds of methods do you hope to apply? What skills do you bring forward as you enter graduate school and which skills do you hope to acquire?
• What holes do you see in the current discipline [big picture stuff]? In what ways do you think that they can be addressed during your graduate career?
• What kind of graduate environment are you looking for? Are you particularly keen on working with one faculty advisor, and if so, why this particular person? If you are leaning more toward a cluster of advisors, as well as the department more generally, why? Hint: faculty are engaged by students who have read some of their work, have thought critically about it, and wish to develop some of the issues addressed. Further, it helps with admissions to have one or more faculty championing your case.

Essays that have the above ingredients are truly informative. They tell each faculty member why the candidate wants to go to graduate school, what problems they hope to tackle, what skills they bring, and which skills they hope to acquire. Following this format is, of course, not a ticket of admission, but it will certainly make your application more interesting and informative.

More information from faculty in this program can be found on our PRO-TiP page .

Can I take courses without being admitted to the degree program?

The only way to take Harvard FAS courses, unless you are enrolled in another Harvard graduate program or MIT, is to be admitted as a  Special Student , which allows you to take between one and four courses a semester. Foreign national students  have  to take a full-time load in order to get a student visa. Students are issued a transcript, but no degree or certificate, for their work in the Special Student program.

Admitted Special Student applicants should be aware that the Department does not have the resources to provide the same support, academic and otherwise, to Special Students as it does to PhD students. Special Students are not assigned advisors, office space, research space, research funds, financial aid, library keys, or computer lab accounts. They are restricted from taking the Department's proseminar (PSY 2010), and other courses at the discretion of the instructor. 

Many Special Students hope eventually to enroll in a psychology graduate program; some plan to apply to Harvard's Ph.D. program. However, applicants should consider the Special Student year an opportunity to take courses, rather than a way to get an early start on the PhD program. While Special Students are certainly eligible to apply, potential applicants should be aware that admission as a Special Student does not guarantee admission to the PhD program. Special Students who are later admitted to the doctoral program receive credit for appropriate graduate-level courses taken during the Special Student term(s).

• Resources for Applicants

PhD Admission FAQ

General Information

When is the application due and how do i apply .

NOW CLOSED- The application is due on  November 30, 2023  at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. 

Apply using the  application portal .

How long does it take to get a PhD in Psychology at Stanford?

The PhD program is designed to be completed in five years of full-time study. Actual time will depend on students' prior background, progress, and research requirements. The minimum residency requirement for the PhD degree is 135 units of completed coursework and research units.

What are the requirements for the PhD degree in Psychology?

Please consult the  PhD Requirements page .

What are the different subfields within the graduate program in Psychology?

• Affective Science
• Cognitive Psychology
• Developmental Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Social Psychology

What is the Department's teaching requirement?

PhD students must complete at least five quarters of teaching assistantship (TA) under the supervision of a faculty member. Students are required to attend a TA training workshop in their second year. In addition, students are encouraged to take advantage of department and university teacher training programs. Students for whom English is a second language are expected to acquire sufficient fluency in English. All international students must be approved by  Stanford’s EFS department . 

How many students apply to the Stanford Psychology PhD? How many are admitted? What are the demographics?

Stanford provides public reports with summary data about graduate programs and graduate admissions. Please consult the public dashboards published by Stanford's office of Institutional Research & Decision Support on  doctoral admissions ,  doctoral enrollment and demographics , and  doctoral completion and time-to-degree . 

Is there a standalone Master of Arts program in Psychology?

The Department of Psychology does not offer a terminal Master’s degree program. Current doctoral students within the Department or in another Stanford graduate program may apply to be awarded a Master of Arts in Psychology during the course of their PhD program.

Does your department have a program in Clinical Psychology? Are you accredited by the APA?

No. Our department does not have a program in Clinical Psychology. As such, we are not accredited by the APA.

Do you have any advice about getting into grad school?

The Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences offers an online resource for prospective graduate school applicants:  Guide on Getting Into Grad School . We encourage applicants to take advantage of this resource.

Financial Support

What is the annual cost of attending your program.

All students admitted to the Psychology PhD program receive five years of 12-month funding. Financial support is provided through a combination of fellowship stipend and salary, and assistantship salary and tuition allowance. Information about the cost of attendance and funding options are available from the  Financial Aid Office .

What type of financial support do you offer?

All students admitted to the Psychology PhD program receive five years of 12-month funding. Financial support is provided through a combination of fellowship stipend and salary, and assistantship salary and tuition allowance. Funding is contingent upon satisfactory academic progress. Students are encouraged to pursue fellowships offered by the University and by national organizations, such as the National Science Foundation.

Stanford University also offers the  Knight-Hennessy Scholars  program, designed to build a multidisciplinary community of Stanford graduate students dedicated to finding creative solutions to the world's greatest challenges. The program awards up to 100 high-achieving students every year with full funding to pursue graduate education at Stanford, including the PhD in Psychology. To be considered, you must apply to Knight-Hennessy Scholars and separately apply to the Psychology Department. Note that the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program application deadline is in the spring  before  the autumn application cycle.

Do you offer support for the summer months?

Yes, funding is offered for 12 months a year for 5 full years, including 5 summers.

Preparing for Admission

Am i eligible to apply if my undergraduate major is not in psychology.

An undergraduate major in Psychology is not required; applicants from other backgrounds can apply and be admitted. All applicants should have sufficient foundational knowledge and research experience prior to the program to allow them to go straight into graduate-level coursework and conduct research.

My undergraduate degree was completed outside the United States. Is my degree eligible? 

Please refer to the Stanford Graduate Admission Office's table of  minimum level requirements for international academic credentials . These credential requirements are set by the University and nonnegotiable.

If I have prior graduate work, can it be transferred to the PhD program?

No, the Department of Psychology does not allow the transfer of unit credits from your previous program.

How competitive is admission to the PhD program?

Admission to our program is highly competitive. About 10-15 admits enter the program each year and are chosen from a pool of over 600 applicants. These students are selected on the basis of a strong academic background as demonstrated by previous coursework, research experience, and letters of recommendation. Please be assured that the Department reviews each application very carefully and makes decisions on an individual basis.

The Application Process

How do i apply.

Please visit the  PhD Admissions page  for instructions on how to apply to the Psychology PhD Program, graduate application requirements, and the link to the online application. 

Is there an application fee? If so, can I apply for a fee waiver?

The fee to apply for graduate study at Stanford is $125, see  Application Fee . Fee waivers are available for some applicants. Please visit Graduate Admissions for information on applying for an  Application Fee Waiver .

Can I submit another application to a different department within the University?

You may only apply to one degree program per academic year. However, you may apply concurrently to one departmental program and to a professional school program (law, medicine, or business).

I'm interested in the joint JD/PhD in Law and Psychology - how does it work?

Students interested in the JD/Ph.D. joint degree must apply and gain entrance separately to the School of Law and the Psychology Ph.D. program. Additionally, students must secure permission from each degree program to pursue the joint degree. Interest in both degrees should be noted on the student’s admissions applications and may be considered by the admissions committee of each program. Alternatively, an enrolled student in either the Law School or the Psychology department may apply to add the other degree and undertake the joint degree program, preferably during their first year of study. Students participating in the JD/Ph.D. joint degree program are not eligible to transfer and receive credit for a masters, or other degree, towards the Psychology Ph.D.

Students interested in the MPP/Ph.D. joint degree must apply and gain entrance to the Public Policy program’s MPP degree and the Psychology Ph.D. program. Students should note their interest in both degrees on their graduate admissions applications. Additionally, students must secure permission from each degree program to pursue the joint degree

Which faculty are accepting new students this year?

All active faculty are potentially accepting new students each year. In your application, we ask you to list the top 3 faculty you are most interested in working with. Multiple readers will review your application in full regardless of who you list. 

My institution does not report GPAs on a 4.0 grading scale. How should I report my GPA on the application?

Please do not convert your GPA to a 4.0 grading scale. You should enter “0.00” for the GPA and use the “Unconverted GPA” and “Unconverted GPA System” fields instead. A link to detailed instructions for reporting GPA is located near these fields on the application.

I attended multiple undergraduate institutions. In what order should I list them on the application?

The institution where you earned or expect to earn your Bachelor's degree should be listed as "Post-Secondary Institution 1." The remaining institutions don’t have to follow a particular order. List all institutions that were attended for at least one full academic year. Please note that you must submit a transcript for all courses taken towards your undergraduate degree, including those from your nonprimary institutions.

When should I submit my transcripts if my degree will still be in progress at the time of the application deadline?

The most current version of your unofficial transcript must be submitted as part of your electronic application, even if the grades from your fall term are not available. The absence of these grades will have no impact on the review of your application. If you are admitted and enrolled, we will ask you to submit your final transcript showing all grades and proof of degree conferral.

Should I submit official transcripts?

At the time of your initial application, please only submit your unofficial transcripts. Submit the unofficial transcripts as part of your electronic application, per the instructions in the application portal. A short list of applicants who move forward to the next stage of the review process will be contacted with instructions for submitting official transcripts at a later stage. 

It may be helpful to understand the difference.  Unofficial transcripts  are transcripts issued by your college or university directly to you, the student, which you then submit to Stanford for review. Official transcripts  are transcripts issued by your college or university directly to Stanford University, usually by secure electronic transfer and sometimes in hard copy in signed and sealed envelopes. The key difference is that an  official transcript  has never been directly handled by the applicant.

Do you have a minimum GPA score?

We do not require applicants to have a minimum GPA for consideration, and we do not release information about the average GPAs of accepted students. As a guideline, successful applicants typically earn undergraduate cumulative GPAs among the top of their class. However, please keep in mind that admission to our graduate program depends on a combination of factors, and all areas of a student’s application are weighed similarly when applications are reviewed. If our research areas meet your educational goals, we encourage you to submit an application. 

May I contact the faculty directly during the application process?

Applicants are not prohibited from reaching out to faculty directly during the application cycle. However, please understand that our faculty are extremely busy, and it is quite possible that you will receive either a very short response or no response at all. This does not mean the faculty are not interested in your application. All applications will be read and reviewed in full during the formal review process. Note that per Department policy, all faculty are potentially accepting graduate students in any given cycle, so you do not need to contact faculty in advance to see if that specific mentor is accepting students for the coming year.

Can I meet with Department staff either by phone or email before I apply to discuss my application materials or ask general questions about the program?

No, the Department staff do not have meetings with or provide individualized advising for prospective applicants. Please understand that this is a matter of bandwidth and equity. We do not have the ability to offer personalized service to all interested applicants, so we do not offer them at all. By Department policy, our staff do not provide any evaluative feedback on prospective applicants' materials, so please do not contact us with CVs, academic histories, etc to request feedback or ask about odds for acceptance. For support in crafting your application, we recommend that you turn to your existing network of mentors (e.g., your letter writers) and/or the resources offered by your current or prior academic institution(s).

TOEFL and GRE

Is the general gre required is the subject gre required.

No, the Stanford Psychology PhD program does not require the general GRE or the subject GRE. We will not be collecting any information related to GRE exam scores on the application. Please do not submit GRE scores to Stanford for our program.

What is the TOEFL exam, and am I required to take it?

The TOEFL is a standardized test of English language proficiency. Per University policy, the TOEFL exam is required for international, non-native English speakers who apply to any Stanford graduate program. 

The TOEFL score requirements are waived for international non-native English speakers who have received a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from an institution in the United States or another English-speaking country. Therefore, applicants with these degrees from the U.S., Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, Singapore, Ireland, and the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales) are exempt from taking the TOEFL and do not need to submit the TOEFL waiver request form.

When should I take the TOEFL?

The TOEFL must be taken by the published application deadline. 

What is the minimum TOEFL score required for admission?

Please visit the website of  Stanford's Office of Graduate Admissions  for more information on the University’s minimum requirements.

If my TOEFL score falls below the University’s minimum, am I still eligible to apply?

Yes, you may still apply. If your TOEFL scores fall below the University's minimum requirements and you are admitted, Stanford may require you to take an English placement exam and/or English classes.

May I submit the IELTS instead of the TOEFL to demonstrate English proficiency?

The IELTS is not accepted at Stanford University; only the TOEFL is accepted to provide proof of proficiency in English.

How do I request a TOEFL exemption or waiver?

For all questions related to TOEFL exemptions or waivers please refer to the website of  Stanford’s Office of Graduate Admissions . Please note that the central office makes all final decisions regarding TOEFL waivers; the Department of Psychology is not involved in the approval of TOEFL waivers.

How do I check the status of my TOEFL scores?

Log in to your application account. It may take up to two weeks after submitting your application or sending the scores (whichever occurs later) for your official scores to show as received. Processing may be delayed or halted if the name or birthdate on the score report does not exactly match the information on your application.

Why does my TOEFL status show as “Not Applicable” even though I submitted a TOEFL score?

This may be because you listed English as your first language in the application. Please note that “first language” refers to your native language.

Is there a department code for ETS to use in order to send in my scores?

No, there are no individual department code. Use the Stanford University score recipient code  4704  to send your TOEFL scores.

Statements of Purpose

How long should my statement of purpose be.

We strongly recommend that your statement of purpose be around two pages in length.

What should I include in my statement of purpose?

Please consult the Stanford Graduate Admissions  FAQ page  for more information on the Statement of Purpose.

Letters of Recommendation

When are the letters of recommendation due.

The letters of recommendation have the same deadline as the rest of the application. This year, the deadline is  November 30, 2023.

How many recommendations do I need, and who should I ask to be my recommenders?

Applicants need three recommendations from faculty or others qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. At least one evaluation and letter should be from a faculty member at the last school you attended as a full-time student (unless you have been out of school for more than five years). Substitutions for faculty recommendations may include work associates or others who can comment on your academic potential for graduate work.

My recommender will not be able to submit his/her letter by the application deadline. Will my application still be considered?

Letters of recommendation must be submitted by the application deadline. As such, we strongly encourage you to contact your recommenders directly to remind them of our deadline. If your recommender misses the deadline, please contact  psych-admissions [at] stanford.edu (psych-admissions[at]stanford[dot]edu) . Depending on the circumstances, Department staff may collect the letter via email and forward it to the faculty to add to your file. That said, the program expects applicants to do everything possible to ensure that letters are submitted on time via the secure online system.

Can my recommenders submit their letters via email, fax, or postal service?

No. Recommenders must submit their letters via Stanford’s online recommender system.

My recommenders are having technical difficulties with the online letters of recommendation process. Who should they contact?

Should any of your recommenders experience technical difficulties with the online letters of recommendation process, please refer them to our application database provider's letters of recommendation help page or have them submit a Help Request Form directly to our application database provider.

Additional Materials and Updates

I realized i made a mistake on my application and/or uploaded the wrong version of my documents. what do i do.

Depending on the timing and the nature of the error, our staff may be able to correct your application. Please send an email to  psych-admissions [at] stanford.edu (psych-admissions[at]stanford[dot]edu) . Include your full name, a complete description of the error, and attach the correct version of the file (if applicable). The Department reserves the right to decline to update your application after the deadline has passed. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

If you need to change your recommenders, please use the Activity Status Page. Note: The order of recommenders cannot be changed.

May I submit a resume/CV, list of publications, etc. as part of my application?

Applicants are permitted to upload one additional document to the online application, under the “Document Uploads” section.

Is there an interview process? 

Yes, our faculty interview prospective students before making final admission decisions. 

When are the interviews?

The interviews for the current admissions cycle are likely to be in February 2021. We anticipate that all interviews will take place virtually.

When can I expect to find out the decision on my application?

The Department of Psychology aims to issue all offers of admission to PhD degree applicants by the end of March.

I applied in a prior cycle and was not admitted. Can I apply again?

Applicants who applied in prior cycles and were previously not admitted are welcome to reapply if they can demonstrate significant progress made since they last applied. We encourage you to use your Statement of Purpose to explain this progress.

All documents must be resubmitted with a new application. We do not keep records from past applications.

I still have questions!

If you have questions that are not answered on this page or the Stanford Graduate Admissions  FAQ page , please email  psych-admissions [at] stanford.edu (psych-admissions[at]stanford[dot]edu) . If your questions are already covered on this page, your email may not receive a response.

Note that our Department staff are experts on the logistics and administration of the application, but do not answer questions related to research topics or faculty fit. Per Department policy, Department staff will not offer any evaluative feedback on application materials or applicants' academic background. Unfortunately, due to the extremely high volume of inquiries, we cannot provide individual status updates for applicants at any point in the process.

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Students & recent graduates

Begin your search, pathways program.

The Pathways Program offers federal internship and employment opportunities for current students, recent graduates and those with an advanced degree. There are three different paths available.

New changes are coming soon that will expand opportunities to participants in "qualifying career or technical education programs" (which may include Registered Apprenticeship Programs, Job Corps, Climate Corps, AmeriCorps, and Peace Corps)

The Internship Program is for current students. If you're a current student in high school, college, trade school or another qualifying educational institution, you may be eligible. This program offers paid opportunities to work in federal agencies and explore federal careers while completing your education.

Learn more about the Internship Program .

The Recent Graduates Program is for those who have graduated, within the past two years, from a qualifying educational institution or certificate program. The Recent Graduates Program offers career development with training and mentorship.

You must apply within two years of getting your degree or certificate (veterans have up to six years to apply due to their military service obligation).

Learn more about the Recent Graduates Program .

• Have completed an advanced degree from a qualifying educational institution or program within the past two years of the annual application opening date.
• Expect to complete all advanced degree requirements, including the completion or successful defense of any required thesis or dissertation, by August 31 of the next year, from the opening date of the annual application announcement.

Email [email protected] for questions related to the Presidential Management Fellows Program. Questions about a specific announcement found on USAJOBS should be sent to the hiring agency using the contact information in the announcement.

Learn more about the Presidential Management Fellows Program .

Please contact [email protected] with any issues or questions related to the Pathways Programs for students and recent graduates.

Additional hiring options

• A U.S. citizen or national.
• Enrolled in or pursuing a bachelor's or graduate degree on at least a half-time basis.

Learn more about the Post-Secondary Student Hiring Authority .

This program is for those who have completed a bachelor's or graduate degree within the last two years. Veterans may have up to six years to apply. The program offers appointments to a permanent position.

Other student programs and opportunities

There are several other opportunities available to students, including:

• CyberCorps®: Scholarship for Service
• Department of Defense student opportunities
• Department of State Student Internship program
• NASA internship opportunities
• National security education programs such as Boren Scholarships and Fellowships and English for Heritage Language Speakers scholarships
• Overseas Seasonal Hire program
• Summer jobs (for example, a lifeguard)
• USAID Pathways for Students and Recent Graduates
• U.S. Department of Energy Community College Internship (CCI)
• U.S. Department of Energy Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)
• Virtual Student Federal Service (VSFS)

How do I know a job is open to students or recent graduates?

In the job announcement look for the This job is open to section. When a job is open to Students you'll see the Students icon: . When a job is open to Recent graduates , you'll see the Recent graduates icon: . There may be other groups listed that can also apply.

You can also select the Students or recent graduates filter. Your results will display all jobs open to students and recent graduates.

Documents you may need

Upload and submit through usajobs.

You can upload and save documents to your USAJOBS profile. Once uploaded, you can submit these forms with your job application as needed. Sign into USAJOBS or learn how to upload documents .

Additional Resources

• A-Z list of federal agencies External link. Opens in a new window.
• Federal internship FAQs
• Federal occupations by college majors
• Pathways FAQs

Other Hiring Paths

• Open to the public
• Federal employees
• Students & recent graduates
• Military spouses
• National guard and reserves
• Senior executives
• Individuals with disabilities
• Family of overseas employees
• Native Americans
• Peace Corps & AmeriCorps VISTA
• Special authorities

• Graduate School

Thinking of getting an advanced degree? Get advice on choosing a program, applying for scholarships, and managing life as a student again.

• Homework Help
• Private School
• College Admissions
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• Choosing a Graduate Program
• Tips & Advice
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• MicroMasters: The Bridge Between Bachelor’s Graduate Degrees
• How to Ace the Graduate School Admissions Interview
• Graduate School Admissions Interview: Dos and Don'ts
• What to Expect During a Grad School Interview
• How to Study in Graduate School vs College
• Should You Email Professors at Potential Grad Schools?
• Pros and Cons of Earning a Master's Degree Before a PhD
• It's Never Too Late: How to Apply to Grad School When You're Over 65
• What to Ask During an Academic Job Interview
• Admissions Interview? Be Prepared to Interview with Graduate Students
• What to Ask During a Graduate Admissions Interview
• Understanding the Definition of a Doctoral Candidate
• How to Email Professors at Prospective Grad Schools
• You're Accused of Plagiarism: What Now?
• Do Graduate School and Work Mix?
• Training in Clinical and Counseling Psychology
• Is Midlife too Late for Graduate School?
• Considering a Graduate Degree in History?
• Should You Take a GRE Review Course?
• Types of Financial Aid for Graduate Students
• A Doctor of Philosophy or Doctorate
• What Is a Master of Social Work?
• Online Degrees Grow in Popularity and Prominence
• Graduate School Adviser vs. Mentor: What's the Difference?
• Applying to Graduate Programs in Clinical or Counseling Psychology
• Pros and Cons of a Graduate Degree in English
• A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing a Ph.D. Dissertation
• How to Get Your Official Academic Transcript
• 6 Tips to Liven Up Your Lectures
• What Is an Assistantship?
• How to Prepare Your Curriculum Vitae
• What to Expect From a Teaching Assistantship
• What is an Ed.D. Degree?
• Reasons Why Some Don't Get into Graduate School
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• Top 10 Best Veterinary Schools in the U.S.
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• 6 Tips Applying to Grad School for a Different Major
• What Comes After a Master's Degree?
• How to Decide Between a Ph.D. or Psy.D. in Psychology
• The Meaning and Significance of a PsyD
• Should I Seek the MSW, PhD or DSW for a Career in Social Work?
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• A Note About Masters and Doctoral Comprehensive Exams
• Stop Procrastinating to Complete Your Dissertation
• Avoid These Common Mistakes Students Make in Grad School
• How to Get Help from Your Professor
• Asking Faculty to Sit on Your Dissertation Committee
• Graduate School Papers and You
• 6 Reasons to Read Before Class
• 6 Tips to Read More in Less Time
• What is Grad School Like?
• Organization Tips for Graduate Students
• Is Grad School Harder Than College?
• 8 Tips for Taking Notes from Your Reading

• Graduate Student Life

As a graduate student, you’ll develop professional and leadership skills in a global community that prepares you to make a difference and excel in your career.

• Life at Seattle U

Graduate Life Created for Community

Graduate students at Seattle University come from all walks of life. We know that you or a peer could be working full-time with family commitments while taking classes in the evening. You could be drawn to Seattle’s tech industry from abroad and trying to navigate life in the United States. Or maybe, you’re a recent undergraduate working towards your law degree or MBA before starting your career.

No matter what scenario fits your life, all graduate students need support during this academically challenging time.

We’re here to help give you a sense of community at Seattle University and make sure you have all the support you need to be successful here.

Browse Graduate Programs

Campus Spaces Designed for your needs

Even though you’ll most likely live off campus, you’ll find grad student-focused spaces to study and socialize.

The Graduate and Adult Learner (GAL) Link is the home for graduate students and adult learners. It’s staffed by current Seattle University students.

The GAL offers a comfortable, community space that includes a kitchenette, outdoor patio and a printing and study area.

ConnectSU: Connect with Other Grad Students

Find and attend events, browse and join organizations, and showcase your involvement by logging onto ConnectSU. There’s plenty of organizations who want to connect with graduate students and most of them host both online and in-person events and opportunities to engage with people outside of your educational cohort. Be sure to login to see all that’s available to Seattle University students.

Learning Commons Partnership: Get Academic Help

Whether you need help organizing a first draft, researching a paper or just some general tutoring, the Learning Commons Partnership is there with the resources you need to get your classwork done. Billodue Makerspace with our helpful staff and various tools are also available to help you complete physical projects, while our Media Production center offers the tools and training to create multimedia projects.

Graduate Student Council: Actively Advocating for Grad Life

The Graduate Student Council (GSC) is a student-run organization on campus. Its mission is to advance services and policies and create a supportive community for graduate and professional students at Seattle University.

GSC hosts events and leadership opportunities for graduate and professional students. This active organization is a great way to connect with other graduate students outside of class and to shape graduate student life at Seattle University.

Hear from Our students

Mackenzie Otterson

"I intentionally chose to come to Seattle U for graduate school because of its size., I knew its smaller size meant having more contact with faculty, smaller class sizes, and getting to know my cohort more deeply than I did at my undergraduate institution. I was fortunate to spend the last year working on campus while also getting involved in my graduate program’s orientation sessions and leadership team."

Graduate Student Life: Explore Possibilities

Campus Connections

From career services to the International Student Center, we have resources to help you navigate every part of graduate student life.

Seattle-based Community Engagement

Seattle University’s Center for Community Engagement helps connect you with community partners for meaningful career growth.

Graduate Students with Families

Seattle U’s Center for Community Engagement compiles lists of summer camps, free classes and activities and museum passes for the whole family.

What’s A Good GPA For Grad School? How To Get In

Updated: Mar 26, 2024, 4:18pm

Applying to grad school can be stressful, especially if your undergraduate GPA could be higher. But there’s good news—you don’t need a 4.0 to get into grad school.

What’s a good GPA for grad school? It depends on the school and program. In general, graduate schools look for a minimum 3.0 GPA, but programs admit applicants with lower GPAs, too.

Grades aren’t the only way grad schools measure applicants. You also submit letters of recommendation and college essays , among other materials that can help you stand out. By doing your research and strengthening other areas of your application, you can get into grad school without a high GPA.

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What GPA Do You Need for Grad School?

Many grad schools require a minimum 3.0 GPA for admission, while some competitive programs may require a GPA as high as 3.5.

However, meeting the minimum GPA threshold doesn’t guarantee admission. For example, the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill’s graduate school recommends applicants have a minimum 3.0 GPA, but the average GPA for admitted students is 3.54.

Competitive grad programs may have even higher average GPAs: For example, Harvard University ‘s John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences reported a 3.8 average undergraduate GPA for fall 2023 graduate students. Many prestigious M.B.A. programs report the average undergraduate GPA for new grad students is 3.5 or higher.

Less competitive programs regularly admit students with lower GPAs , especially those whose applications highlight other aspects of their achievements.

How Do Grad School Admissions Officers Evaluate Applicants?

Grades aren’t the only factor grad school admissions officers consider when evaluating applicants. Ultimately, the admissions process aims to find students who will succeed in grad school. You can show your preparation for graduate-level coursework in several ways.

Elements outside GPA that play a role in grad school admissions decisions include:

• Standardized Test Scores: High scores on tests like the GRE or GMAT can boost your chance of admissions. For test-optional graduate programs, consider submitting scores if you have a lower GPA.
• Experience: Some programs require applicants to have research or work experience, so explain how your previous jobs or research opportunities have prepared you for the program in your statement of purpose.
• Letters of Recommendation: Recommendation letters speak to your viability for grad school, which makes them a valuable tool for admissions officers. When choosing recommenders, ask faculty or work supervisors who can provide specific examples of your academic and professional strengths.
• Statement of Purpose: Your statement of purpose explains your preparation for grad school, why you will fit into the program and what you plan to do with your graduate degree.
• Undergraduate Transcripts: Admissions officers look for more than grades in your transcript. They want to see which courses you took, whether you meet prerequisite requirements and whether your transcripts show improvement over time.

How To Get Into Grad School With a Low GPA

Strengthening your application with research experience, work history or standardized test scores can help you stand out even with a lower GPA. You can also take graduate courses to demonstrate that you can succeed in advanced classes. Finally, if you thrive in interview settings, consider programs that incorporate interviews with faculty or admissions officers to showcase your strengths.

Here are some considerations for getting into grad school with a low GPA:

Apply To Grad Schools With Lower GPA Requirements

Instead of applying to grad programs that require a minimum 3.0 to 3.5 GPA, consider applying to programs with lower grade point average requirements. Additionally, some programs offer conditional or provisional admission for applicants who do not meet GPA minimums. If you qualify for provisional admission, you must usually earn a B or higher in your graduate classes to stay enrolled.

Research or Work Experience

Work or research experience can help you stand out despite a low GPA. While enrolled as an undergraduate, consider internship or volunteer opportunities in your field to build relevant skills. For research-intensive areas, ask faculty in your department about research assistant positions or undergraduate thesis options.

Letters of Recommendation

Strong letters of recommendation can make up for a lower GPA. Think strategically about who to ask for a recommendation letter. Professors who can speak to your academic strengths can reassure grad programs that you’re ready for advanced coursework. If you have full-time professional experience, ask supervisors who can speak to your work ethic and leadership potential.

Personal Statement

A strong grad school admission essay can help you stand out. Explain how the program will help you achieve your goals. Mention specific faculty members and their research to show the direct connection between the department and your aspirations.

Consider addressing your GPA as you explain your preparation for grad school. For example, if circumstantial impacts like bereavement or medical issues negatively affected your GPA, you can explain these situations in your statement.

Professional Experience

Fields like business emphasize professional experience in the admissions process. In your statement of purpose, showcase your work experience and the specific skills you’ve developed that relate to your grad program. You can also detail how the skills and knowledge you gain as you earn the degree will help you advance your career after graduation.

Strong Entrance Exam Scores

Some graduate programs require standardized test scores. Whether you take the GRE, GMAT, LSAT or another exam, high scores can strengthen your application if you have lower grades.

Adequate preparation is essential to getting high test scores. Give yourself ample time to prepare by creating a schedule to incorporate daily practice for several weeks or months, which can help you build and review test-specific knowledge. Find study guides or courses that prepare you for the test. Take practice tests to understand exam structure, pacing and question formats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About GPAs for Grad School

What is a good gpa for grad school.

Many graduate programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA for admissions. More competitive programs generally admit applicants with a 3.5 GPA or higher.

What is the lowest GPA to get into grad school?

Grad schools often recommend a 3.0 GPA for admissions, but may accept candidates with a 2.5-2.9 GPA with provisional admission. If you have a lower GPA, consider retaking courses to raise your grades or take graduate courses to strengthen your application.

What are the odds of getting into grad school?

The odds of getting into grad school depend on the program and the strength of your application. If you’re interested in grad school but don’t have a high GPA, contact graduate programs for information on their admission policies.

How strict are GPA requirements for grad school?

The strictness of GPA requirements varies by institution. Some schools post a recommended GPA rather than a required minimum grade point average and evaluate applications holistically, offering conditional admissions for students who do not meet the recommended GPA. Reach out to specific programs on your list to learn more about their requirements.

What if my GPA is too low for grad school?

If your GPA is low for grad school, consider strengthening your application with standardized test scores, letters of recommendation and relevant research or work experience. You can also raise your GPA by retaking undergrad courses with low grades or taking graduate-level classes.

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Genevieve Carlton holds a Ph.D. in history from Northwestern University and earned tenure at the University of Louisville. Drawing on over 15 years of experience in higher education, Genevieve provides practical, research-based advice on college degrees, career training and other higher education topics.

• Communication
• Graduate Level Writing Tips

Graduate-Level Writing Tips: Definitions, Do’s and Don’ts

Debra Davenport, PhD

In your communication master’s program, you will be expected to demonstrate well-honed writing skills in your essays. Your courses will require proficiency in real-world business communications, as well as scholarly writing and the use of APA formatting.

Real-world written business communications may include:

• Executive summaries
• News releases
• Media advisories
• Company fact sheets
• Business reports

Academic papers are those you will write in your courses that:

• Review and discuss the scholarly literature
• Synthesize theories, models and course readings
• Present critical analysis, research and scholarly insight in an objective manner
• Are formatted according to APA standards
• Are written in the scholarly voice

What Is the Scholarly Voice?

Essentially, the scholarly voice is unbiased, high-level and evidence-based writing that reflects the epitome of good grammar, syntax and tone. Follow the do’s and don’ts below to excel at this format in your graduate school essays.

Scholarly Resources:

• https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/683/1/
• http://blog.apastyle.org/
• http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/scholarlyvoice
• http://academicguides.waldenu.edu/writingcenter/scholarlyvoice/tone

The “Do’s” of Scholarly Writing

1. Use proper syntax. Syntax is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “the arrangement of words and phrases to create well-formed sentences in a language.” Syntax is an important aspect of writing that helps to ensure clarity. Incorrect syntax often results in sentences and paragraphs that do not make sense, and this can pose serious perceptual issues for professional communicators. See this article for a number of examples.

2. Follow the rules of punctuation. Common errors include incorrect placement of quotation marks and erroneous use of the semicolon. As an example, note that quotation marks follow periods and commas, (“The sky is blue.”)

3. Include references, citations and /or footnotes, no matter what kind of document you’re writing. Taking the time to locate sources that substantiate your statements demonstrate your proficiency as a scholar-practitioner and your commitment to excellence. Citations are required in your academic papers, but clients also appreciate this attention to detail. When pitching a project or campaign, the inclusion of reputable sources will support your recommendations and boost your own credibility.

4. Proofread and edit your work. Many errors are missed during the first proofread; be prepared to review your work multiple times.

The “Don’ts” in Scholarly Writing

1. Don’t write in the second person narrative. The second person voice is typically used in articles like this one, where the writer is intending to inform and instruct. According to WritingCommons.org , “writing from the second person point of view can weaken the effectiveness of the writing in research and argument papers. Using second person can make the work sound as if the writer is giving directions or offering advice to his or her readers, rather than informing [them].”

Here is a comparison of second and third person perspectives from WritingCommons.org:

• Weak: You should read the statistics about the number of suicides that happen to your average victim of bullying! (2nd person)
• Stronger: The statistics from a variety of research reports indicate that the suicide rate is high among victims of bullying; they are under so much psychological pressure that they may resort to taking their own lives. (3rd person)

2. Don’t rely on software to correct your writing. Certainly, tools such as spell check, grammar check and grammarly have some benefit, but they cannot replace firsthand knowledge and mastery of proper writing. I recall one particular paper I received several years ago that was, quite literally, gibberish. When I inquired about the content of the student’s paper, she replied, “Well, I used grammar check!”

Don’t hesitate to seek writing coaching if you have questions or concerns about any aspect of good writing. As graduate students in a masters-level communication program, writing excellence should be a top priority.

By taking an informed and proactive approach to your writing, you will strengthen your academic performance, hone your professional and communication skills and enhance your career.

Dr. Debra Davenport is an online faculty member for Purdue’s online Master of Science in Communication degree program. The program can be completed in just 20 months and covers numerous topics critical for advancement in the communication industry, including crisis communication, social media engagement, focus group planning and implementation, survey design and survey analysis, public relations theory, professional writing, and communication ethics.

Find out more about what you can do with a MS in Communication from Purdue University. Call us today at 877-497-5851 to speak to an admissions advisor, or request more information .

*The views and opinions expressed are of the author and do not represent the Brian Lamb School of Communication.

About the Author

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