requirements for harvard phd

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Admissions & Financial Support

Interested in applying to one of our fully funded PhD Programs? Before you begin, learn more about our application requirements. Please note that applicants are only required to possess a bachelors degree. Undergraduate applicants in their senior year are welcome to apply

We realize that the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, recent natural disasters, and other extenuating circumstances may have significant impacts on applicants’ academic and personal lives, including the ability to provide all required application materials prior to our stated deadlines. If this pertains to your circumstances, please review the information below for next steps.

Required Application Materials

• Completed online application form
• Statement of Purpose
• Personal Statement
• Transcripts for all college/university degrees and courses Self-reported transcripts are accepted for both all programs at the application stage. Applicants must upload copies of his/her transcripts to the online application system. Hard copy transcripts will only be required if admitted to a program, prior to enrollment.
• Current GMAT or GRE scores (see details below)
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (non-native English speakers see details below)
• Three letters of recommendation (at least one from an academic source). Recommendation letters must be submitted online through the online application system. Hard copy recommendation letters will not be accepted.
• $105 application fee via credit card
• Optional writing sample (no more than 10 pages)

GMAT & GRE

All applicants are required to take either the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) or the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Submitted test scores are valid for no longer than five years. If you are applying for admission for fall 2024, you may submit scores from tests taken no earlier than January 5, 2019. There is no minimum test score requirement, and admissions committee does not have a preference in tests.

• Institution Codes for PhD Programs
• GMAT: HRL-X8-30

A department code is not required for score submission.

We realize that the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) pandemic, recent natural disasters, and other extenuating circumstances may have significant impacts on applicants’ academic and personal lives, including the ability to provide all required application materials prior to our stated deadlines. If you are unable to take the GRE or GMAT before the deadline, we still encourage you to apply, even if your scores are missing. Our application form includes a section for you to let us know about any of your materials that may be unavailable or delayed.

International Applications

Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. Applicants whose native language is other than English and who do not hold a Bachelor degree or its equivalent from an institution at which English is the language of instruction must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Submitted scores are valid for no longer than two years. If you are applying for admission for fall 2024, you may submit scores from tests taken no earlier than January 5, 2022. The committee prefers scores of at least 100 on the the TOEFL internet-based test and at least 7.5 on the IELTS test. Applicants are strongly encouraged to choose the TOEFL internet-based test when possible.

Institution Codes for Toefl score reports PhD programs: 3451

Instructions for submitting IELTS score reports Designate Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences as a recipient of your test results. Our address, for the record only, to identify us in the IELTS system, is 1350 Massachusetts Ave. Smith Campus Center 350, Cambridge, MA 02138. Paper test report forms will not be accepted at this address.

Accomodations for COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, or other extenuating circumstances

Reapplicants.

Applicants who applied last year are considered reapplicants. Those reapplying must submit a completely new application. The new application must include all required documents to be provided by the applicant - we will not re-use material previously submitted. These materials include an updated statement of purpose, transcripts, test score reports, updated letters of recommendation, the application fee, and any other supporting materials

Please note, Harvard University will accept no more than three applications from any one individual over the course of their lifetime. If your 2023 application is incomplete and you are denied admission, GSAS will not count it toward our lifetime limit of three total applications that an individual may submit due to the global pandemic.

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• PhD Course Requirements

[Part of the Policies of the CHD, August 2019 with later revisions; see also area-specific guidelines for  Applied Math ,  Applied Physics ,  Bioengineering ,  Computer Science ,  Electrical Engineering ,  Environmental Science & Engineering ,  and   Materials Science & Mechanical Engineering ]

The Committee on Higher Degrees (CHD) approves each graduate student’s program plan (and any revisions to it), and monitors progress towards attainment of the degree. It is the student’s obligation to keep the CHD apprised of any departures from an approved course selection plan in timely fashion.

Note that a Ph.D. student’s program plan must always comply with the requirements outlined here, in addition to complying with any area-specific requirements.  Area-specific Ph.D. requirements (course expectations, oral qualifying exam, dissertation, final oral exam) are also described on the Graduate Program - Degree Requirements pages of each area.

General Requirements

GSAS requires that all Ph.D. students complete at least 16, four-unit courses or their equivalent prior to graduation. SEAS requires that 10 of the 16 be letter-graded courses, at 100-level or higher, which together comprise the student’s Ph.D. Program Plan; c ourses at lower than 100-level, including all General Education courses, may not be included.   The remaining 6 courses beyond the SEAS 10-course requirement may include 300-level research courses and/or other undergraduate- or graduate-level coursework.

All SEAS Ph.D. Program Plans of 10 letter-graded, four-unit courses must be approved by the CHD and satisfy the following:

• No course with a grade lower than B- may be included in the Ph.D. Program Plan.  Also note the minimum average grade of B or better as described in the “GPA Expectations” section.
• a) Note that Physics 223 counts as a 200-level SEAS technical course for students in Applied Physics and in Engineering Sciences.  
• b) For academic years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, Bioengineering students may include a non-SEAS graduate-level technical class in place of one of the 5 such SEAS courses that are normally expected.
• a) Up to 1 disciplinary course may be a 100-level SEAS/FAS course.
• a) Up to 1 breadth course may be a 100-level SEAS/FAS course.
• b) Technical courses on topics adjacent and complementary to the student’s research topic may be breadth courses.
• c) Nontechnical courses, including innovation or communication courses, and courses from other Harvard schools outside SEAS/FAS normally may only be included in the breadth category.
• a)  Applied Math:  294/297/298/299r courses may only appear in the breadth category.
• b)  Applied Physics:  294/297/298/299r courses may only appear in the breadth category. If two 299r’s are taken, they must be taken with two different faculty.
• c)  Computer Science:  294/297/298 courses may only appear in the breadth category.  One 299r course is allowed in the disciplinary category. If two 299r’s are taken, they can be with the same faculty but the topics must be sufficiently different.
• d)  Engineering Sciences (Environmental Science and Engineering track only):  294/297/298/299r courses may only appear in the breadth category.  For students who started the program in 2023 or earlier, one 299r course is allowed in the disciplinary category.
• e)  Engineering Sciences (all tracks except Environmental Science and Engineering track):  294/297/298/299r courses may only appear in the breadth category. If two 299r’s are taken, they must be taken with two different faculty.
• f)  All degree areas : for students who entered the SEAS Ph.D. program prior to 2015, one disciplinary 299r course is allowed.
• a) Neither SEAS/FAS 300-level courses nor courses taken under the auspices of the Harvard Extension School may be included on a Ph.D. Program Plan.
• those who are Teaching Fellows, for at most 4 units per .25 FTE of TF appointment;
• international students who are taking the Derek Bok Center's  English, Culture, and Communicating Science  seminar in order to meet the GSAS English Language Proficiency requirement, for at most 4 units.

Note: 2-unit courses such as AP 299qr count as "half of a course" in the context of these requirements.

Exceptions to these requirements are considered by petition to the CHD via the PhD Program Plan form, which must include a rationale for the exception. Further requirements for including prior graduate-level coursework from Harvard or elsewhere, or courses taken through cross-registration, on the Ph.D. Program Plan are given below.

• a) The student must provide justification why the other institution's course is necessary (e.g., SEAS does not offer the topic or it has not been offered in recent years, etc.).
• b) Only G-level (graduate) MIT courses are acceptable.
• c) The student should attach the course syllabus and catalog description when submitting the Program Plan.
• d) Courses taken at MIT do not count as 200-level SEAS technical courses.
• a) Up to two 200-level SEAS courses, including 200-level FAS courses taught by SEAS ladder faculty, taken as a GSAS Special Student prior to enrolling as a SEAS Ph.D. student can be included in the Ph.D. Program Plan subject to the above general requirements.
• b) SEAS/FAS 100-level courses taken prior to enrolling as a SEAS Ph.D. student cannot be included in the Ph.D. Program Plan.
• c) G-level MIT courses taken via cross-registration while enrolled as a Harvard masters student will be considered by the CHD.
• a) Normally a maximum of 3 Harvard-equivalent courses will be considered by the CHD.  SEAS and FAS 200-level technical courses taken via cross registration while in an MIT graduate program do not count against the 3-course limit.
• b) If the coursework was performed while a candidate for an undergraduate degree, the student must unequivocally demonstrate that the course credit was applied solely to a concurrent graduate degree.
• c) Petitions to the CHD need to demonstrate that the courses in question are comparable to SEAS graduate courses, typically by submission of the course syllabus, requirements, and documentation of grade obtained.  The student should indicate whether each course fits within the 8-course disciplinary category or the 2-course breadth category.
• d) Typically only 1 of the transferred courses can count as part of the five 200-level SEAS technical courses.
• e) Transfer credit must be petitioned for before or upon first submission of the final Ph.D. Program Plan in G2 year.  Students are encouraged to petition for transfer credit on their prospective Program Plan in G1 year.  Coursework cannot be older than four years at the time the student submits the petition to the CHD.  
• f) Grades in courses taken previously elsewhere will not be factored into the Harvard GPA.

G2+ students

In general, students must achieve at least a "B" average grade in the ten courses comprising the Ph.D. Program Plan.  At the end of any term, a student who has failed to maintain a B average or has received any unsatisfactory grade may be required to withdraw from the program. Students who have satisfied the requirements for the S.M. degree en route may still receive that degree.

G1 students

A Ph.D. candidate whose GPA at the end of the first semester is between 2.50 and 3.00 may be warned that continuation as a Ph.D. candidate beyond the second semester is contingent upon achieving a cumulative 3.00 ("B") or better average grade at the end of the second semester. Failure to meet this standard normally will result in the student being expected to withdraw from the program following the third semester, receiving the S.M. degree if its requirements have been met. The student may petition for reinstatement to candidacy for the Ph.D. at the end of the third semester; this petition will be granted only if there is a reasonable expectation that the qualifying examination can be completed on schedule during the fourth semester.

A Ph.D. candidate whose GPA at the end of the first semester is less than 2.50 but who could achieve a cumulative 3.00 GPA or better at the end of the second semester normally will be expected to withdraw after the second or third semester, receiving the S.M. degree if its requirements have been met. Continuation for a third and final semester is contingent upon a marked improvement in performance sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that the requirements for the S.M. degree will be completed at the end of the third semester.

A Ph.D. candidate who could not achieve a cumulative 3.00 GPA or better at the end of the second semester normally will be required to withdraw at the end of the first semester, thus terminating degree candidacy.

Area Course Requirements, Guidelines, and Model Programs

In addition to the above requirements, which apply to all SEAS Ph.D. students, each area (Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Computer Science, and Engineering Sciences) may have area-specific requirements or guidelines, and some areas have provided model programs with suggestions of appropriate courses.  A Ph.D. student’s Program Plan  must always comply  with the requirements outlined in the “General Requirements” section above, in addition to complying with any area-specific requirements.

These programs below form a starting point for a discussion with the faculty about areas of interest. Students should work in close consultation with their advisers to develop an appropriate program plan. Courses provide the background knowledge that is often needed to successfully complete research and allow students to learn more broadly about a field or related fields in a structured fashion.

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Psychology Graduate Program

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• 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).

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Welcome! 

Applications to degree programs for the 2024-2025 academic year are now closed. 

Click here to Access the Applicant Portal

We’re delighted that you are interested in pursuing academic studies at the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Whether you intend to study toward a master’s or PhD degree, join a visiting students program, or participate in one of our outreach programs, we are looking forward to reviewing your application. For information about tuition and fees, see the Cost of Attendance section.

Harvard does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job or course of study requirements, and we actively seek applicants from historically underrepresented communities. We hope you’ll consider applying. 

Immigration status does not factor into decisions about admissions and financial aid. For more information, see Undocumented at Harvard . 

Information for:

Exchange Scholars  

Get Started 

Step 1: choose a program. .

You have several options for study at Harvard Griffin GSAS. 

Degree Programs 

The school offers master’s and PhD degrees in programs based in the arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering and applied sciences. Many programs also allow a student to conduct more focused research by choosing an area of study. Review the programs on offer to decide which program best meets your academic goals. 

Are you a Harvard student looking for information on the AB/AM and AB/SM programs? Visit the Harvard AB/AM and AB/SM programs page.

Non-Degree Programs 

The Visiting Students Program offers you the opportunity to take classes and conduct research with faculty. 

Outreach Programs 

If you are looking for a short-term research experience, consider a paid summer internship  organized by Harvard Griffin GSAS, Harvard departments, and Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals. The School also offers the  Research Scholar Initiative , a post-baccalaureate program that enables college graduates to take part in a long-term research experience. 

Step 2: Make a note of the application deadline and review admissions policies.

Application deadlines vary by program and are noted on the relevant program page . You should also review our admissions policies .

Step 3: Determine whether you need to take standardized tests and register early. 

Degree programs may require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test or subject test scores. Applicants who are non-native English speakers may be required to demonstrate English proficiency by submitting scores from an English Language test (TOEFL or IELTS). Review the admissions policy on English proficiency for more information.  

Step 4: Complete your application by the deadline. 

The degree program application becomes available in September. You should review Completing Your Application before starting your application. All components of the application to a degree program are due by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the deadline date.

Applications for the Visiting Students Program are accepted twice a year.

For application information about our Outreach Programs , visit your program page of interest.  

Who should I contact if I have a question about a specific program? 

If you still have questions after carefully reviewing your degree program of interest, reach out to the contact noted on the program’s page. 

Can I enroll in courses instead of applying to a degree program? 

If you are interested in taking courses for academic credit outside of a formal degree program, you may apply for Visiting Student status by the appropriate deadline. Please visit the website or contact [email protected] to learn more. 

Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS) Applicants 

While prospective degree program applicants are encouraged to carefully choose the HILS program that best fits their academic goals, interested applicants may apply to up to three programs and pay only one application fee. If you elect to apply to three programs, only two may be programs in the Department of Medical Sciences (these programs are biomedical informatics, biological and biomedical sciences, immunology, neuroscience, speech and hearing bioscience and technology, and virology). The fee waiver for additional applications is ONLY available for those applying to multiple programs in the HILS federation. For more information, please consult the HILS page . See Completing Your Application for information about fee waivers related to financial hardship. 

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The Ph.D. Program in the Department of Economics at Harvard is addressed to students of high promise who wish to prepare themselves in teaching and research in academia or for responsible positions in government, research organizations, or business enterprises. Students are expected to devote themselves full-time to their programs of study.

The program prepares students for productive and stimulating careers as economists. Courses and seminars offered by the department foster an intellectually active and stimulating environment. Each week, the department sponsors more than 15 different seminars on such topics as environmental economics, economic growth and development, monetary and fiscal policy, international economics, industrial organization, law and economics, behavioral economics, labor economics, and economic history. Top scholars from both domestic and international communities are often invited speakers at the seminars.  The Harvard community outside of the department functions as a strong and diverse resource. Students in the department are free to pursue research interests with scholars throughout the University. Faculty of the Harvard Law School, Kennedy School of Government, and Harvard Business School, for example, are available to students for consultation, instruction, and research guidance. As a member of the Harvard community, students in the department can register for courses in the various schools and have access to the enormous library resources available through the University. There are over 90 separate library units at Harvard, with the total collections of books and pamphlets numbering over 13 million.  Both the department and the wider University draw some of the brightest students from around the world, which makes for a student body that is culturally diverse and likely unequaled in the range of intellectual interests of its members. These factors combine to add an important dimension to the educational process. Students are able to learn from one another, collaborate on research projects and publications, and form bonds that are not broken by distance once the degree is completed and professional responsibilities lead them in different directions.

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Apply   |   Contact Us   |   Carol Davis Fund   Anonymous Feedback to the Physics Chair

Course requirements for degree.

Each student is required to demonstrate proficiency in a broad range of fields of physics by obtaining honor grades (B- or better) in at least eight half-courses: a minimum of four core courses and an additional four elective courses. (Note that courses cannot double count.)

Core courses

• Advanced Quantum Mechanics I [Physics 251A] or Quantum Field Theory I [Physics 253A] or Quantum Field Theory II [Physics 253B] or Modern Atomic and Optical Physics I [Physics 285A] or Modern Atomic and Optical Physics II [Physics 285B] or Introduction to Quantum Theory of Solids [Physics 295A] or Quantum Theory of Solids [Physics 295B]
• and Advanced Quantum Mechanics II [Physics 251B]
• and Advanced Electromagnetism [Physics 232] or Modern Optics and Quantum Electronics [Applied Physics 216] or Optics and Photonics [Engineering Sciences/Applied Physics 273] or Radiative Processes in Astrophysics [Astronomy 200]
• and Statistical Physics [Physics 262] or Statistical Thermodynamics [Applied Physics 284].

Elective courses

Four additional half-courses drawn from the following list, with at most two half-courses in any one field. Note: not all courses listed are given every year, and course offerings, numbers, and contents sometimes change. Students therefore should occasionally confer with their advisors or with the chair of the Committee on Higher Degrees about their programs of study.

Particle Physics, Field Theory, and String Theory:

• Relativistic Quantum Mechanics with Applications [Physics 245]
• Phenomena of Elementary Particle Physics [Physics 248]
• Quantum Field Theory I [Physics 253A]
• Quantum Field Theory II [Physics 253B]
• Quantum Field Theory III [Physics 253C]
• Group Theory with Application to Particle Physics [Physics 264]
• Beyond the Standard Model [Physics 283B]
• The Standard Model [Physics 254] or [Physics 283R]
• Introduction to String Theory [Physics 287A]
• Topics in String Theory [Physics 287BR]
• Supersymmetry and Invariants [Physics 289R]

Condensed Matter Physics:

• Introduction to Soft Matter [Applied Physics 225]
• Topics in Bose-Einstein Condensation and Superfluidity [Physics 266]
• Classical and Quantum Phase Transitions [Physics 268R]
• Mesoscopic Physics and Quantum Information Processing [Physics 270]
• Strongly Correlated Systems [Physics 284]
• Topics in Condensed Matter Physics [Physics 298R]
• Solids: Structure and Defects [Applied Physics 282]
• Kinetics of Condensed Phase Processes [Applied Physics 292]
• Introduction to Quantum Theory of Solids [Applied Physics 295A]
• Quantum Theory of Solids [Applied Physics 295B]
• Superconductivity [Applied Physics 296R]
• Materials Chemistry and Physics: Seminar [Applied Physics 298R]
• Computational Design of Materials [Applied Physics 275]
• Electrical, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of Materials [Applied Physics 218]
• Statistical Mechanics of Spin Glasses and Neural Networks [Physics 265]

Atomic, Molecular, and Optical (AMO) Physics:

• Photons and Atoms [Physics 265]
• Topics in Experimental Atomic Molecular and Optical Physics [Physics 265R]
• Topics in the Physics of Quantum Information [Physics 271; formerly Physics 287]
• Modern Atomic and Optical Physics I [Physics 285A]
• Modern Atomic and Optical Physics II [Physics 285B]
• Modern Optics and Quantum Electronics [Applied Physics 216] (if Physics 232 or Engineering Sciences 273 is used as a core course)
• Applications of Modern Optics [Applied Physics 217]
• Optics and Photonics [Engineering Sciences 273] (if Physics 232 or Applied Physics 216 is used as a core course)
• Quantum Devices [Engineering Sciences 274]
• Quantum Technology [Engineering Sciences 274]
• Platforms for Quantum Science [Applied Physics 276]
• Introduction to Quantum Information [Physics 260 / QSE 210]

Relativity and Astrophysics:

• General Theory of Relativity [Physics 210]
• General Relativity, Cosmology, and Other Topics [Physics 211]
• Any 200-level Astronomy course

Mechanics, Electromagnetism, and Applied Mathematics:

• Advanced Machine Learning [Computer Science 281]
• Data Analysis for Physicists [Physics 201]
• Modern Dynamical Systems [Physics 218]
• Advanced Electromagnetism [Physics 232] (if Applied Physics 216 or Engineering Sciences 273 is used as a core course)
• Physical Mathematics I [Applied Mathematics 201]
• Physical Mathematics II [Applied Mathematics 202]
• Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos [Applied Mathematics 203]
• Introduction to Disordered Systems and Stochastic Processes [Applied Mathematics 203]
• Practical Scientific Computing [Applied Mathematics 205]
• Advanced Scientific Computing: Stochastic Optimization Methods [Applied Mathematics 207]
• Elementary Functional Analysis [Applied Mathematics 210]
• Numerical Solution of Differential Equations [Applied Mathematics 212]
• Fundamentals of Biological Signal Processing [Applied Mathematics 215]
• Inverse Problems in Science and Engineering [Applied Mathematics 216]
• Stochastic Modeling [Applied Mathematics 222]
• Fluid Dynamics [Engineering Sciences 220]
• Topics in Biological Fluid Dynamics [Engineering Sciences 225]
• Solid Mechanics [Engineering Sciences 240]
• Fracture Mechanics [Engineering Sciences 247]
• Deformation of Solids [Applied Physics 293]
• Advanced Elasticity [Engineering Sciences 241]
• Plasticity [Engineering Sciences 246]
• Computing Foundations for Computational Science [Computer Science 205]
• Data Science [Applied Computation 209]
• Data Science 1: Introducation to Data Science [Applied Computation 209a]
• Data Science 2: Advanced Topics in Data Science [Applied Computation 209b]
• Extreme Computing [Applied Computation 290]
• Introduction to Distributed Computing [Computer Science 262]
• Information Theory [Engineering Sciences 250]
• Statistical Interference [Statistics 211]
• Inference, Information Theory, Learning and Statistical Mechanics [Applied Physics 286]
• Neural Computation [Applied Math 226]
• Active Matter [Applied Mathematics 230 / Physics 230]

Laboratory Electronics, Fabrication, and Device Physics

• Electronics for Scientists [Physics 223]
• Topics in Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuits [Engineering Sciences 271R]
• RF and High-Speed Integrated Circuits [Engineering Sciences 272]
• Electron Microscopy Laboratory [Applied Physics 291]
• Mesoscale and Low Dimensional Devices [Applied Physics / Physics / QSE 296]
• Microfabrication Laboratory [Engineering Sciences 277]

Biological and Medical Physics:

• Advanced Neural Signal Processing [Engineering Sciences 218]
• Physics-related courses at the 200-level from Biophysics and Biology offerings.

Earth and Planetary Physics:

• Physics-related courses at the 200-level in Earth and Planetary Sciences.

Other Fields:

A student may use 200-level courses or fields not on this list with the approval of the Committee on Higher Degrees. In place of demonstrating proficiency by satisfactory course performance, a student may demonstrate proficiency by an oral examination, by submitting evidence of satisfactory work in appropriate courses taken at other institutions, or by other means deemed satisfactory by the Committee on Higher Degrees. Students wishing to utilize this option should submit a petition to the Committee on Higher Degrees before the end of their first year of Harvard graduate school. The general requirements outlined above are a minimum standard and students will usually take additional courses in their selected fields and in other fields. A student need not fulfill these requirements before beginning research. As a result of an exchange agreement between the universities, graduate students in physics at Harvard may also enroll in lecture courses at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The procedure is outlined under "Cross-Registration into Courses Offered by Other Faculties" in The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Handbook .

Laboratory: Adequate laboratory experience is a required part of the PhD program for all students who do not submit a thesis that demonstrates experimental proficiency. Students may satisfy this requirement in any one of the following ways:

• by taking the Laboratory Course in Contemporary Physics [Physics 247R],
• or by submitting documentation of equivalent laboratory experience,
• or by taking an oral examination on an experimental topic,
• or , for students planning on completing a thesis in a topic in astrophysics, by taking the Astrophysics Laboratory [Astronomy 191].

Students who wish to fulfill this requirement by equivalent laboratory experience, or by taking an oral examination, or by taking the Astronomy Laboratory should obtain approval of the Committee on Higher Degrees no later than the end of the third year of residence.

• GRADUATE STUDIES
• Admissions & Financial Aid
• Admissions FAQs
• Advising Team
• Advising Portal (Graduate)
• Course Requirements
• Other PhD Tracks
• Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
• GSAS Student Council
• PhD Thesis Help
• Tax Information

PhD Admissions FAQ

If you have questions, not answered here or elsewhere on our web pages, send an email to  hst-phd-admissions [at] mit.edu (HST PhD Admissions staff) .

What is the MEMP PhD program?

The Medical Engineering and Medical Physics (MEMP) PhD program trains students to advance human health. The MEMP program is a unique combination of curriculum, practice and community that integrates:

• A thorough graduate education in a classical discipline of engineering or physical science
• In depth training in the biomedical sciences and the practice of medicine through preclinical coursework alongside medical students and clinical experiences in hospital wards
• Access to research opportunities in labs at Harvard, MIT and Harvard teaching hospitals
• A community of peers with career paths in medicine, science, engineering, business, and government
• Original research in the form of a doctoral thesis

What makes MEMP unique?

The MEMP program differs significantly from many biomedical engineering (BME) doctoral programs because of its breadth and its depth in multiple dimensions. It not only emphasizes grounding in a classical discipline but also provides much more exposure to the medical sciences than most BME programs. This exposure comes in many forms, including biomedical sciences coursework in which MD students are peers, as well as through multiple clinical experiences. The MEMP program also provides an open environment that allows students to follow their interests even when they cross the conventional barriers between disciplines, professions and institutions.

Alumni tell us that the HST Introduction to Clinical Medicine (ICM), which is the capstone experience differentiating MEMP from traditional BME programs, is transformative and has a major impact on their careers.

• The clinical experience is priceless.  Provides months of real-world exposure to the challenges - and rewards - of medicine, from diagnosis to treatment
• Doing ICM also made my coursework relevant - I saw myriad applications for engineering expertise and abundant problems needing to be tackled. ICM brought these to life in a way lectures or textbooks never would have.
• The types of students who are drawn to MEMP because of Intro to Clinical Medicine (ICM) are those who want to understand problems from many different angles, not just their engineering discipline, and builds the interdisciplinary culture that HST strives for right from the beginning .
• From direct observation from my peers and colleagues, HST alumni, that have entered both academia and industry, the ICM experience has prepared them in ways that may have otherwise taken years to learn in order to interact with physicians and advance translation of ideas and products... Medicine is a culture and knowledge base that needs to be experienced in the clinic, learning with patients, and cannot be appreciated solely in the classroom.

Is my background appropriate for MEMP?

MEMP applicants should have an undergraduate (bachelors/baccalaureate) degree in an engineering discipline or a physical/quantitative science field (for example, chemistry, physics, computer science, computational neuroscience). A masters degree is not required. Successful candidates will have demonstrated a sustained interest in applications of engineering and physical science principles to biology or medicine through courses, research, and/or industrial experience.

When members of the admissions committee review submitted applications, they are assessing whether applicants are prepared to succeed in graduate courses in engineering or physical sciences at MIT. To determine if your background provides sufficient preparation for our program, you can review the program’s requirements for a concentration area here and here . Materials for many of the classes listed on the TQE form are available on MIT Open Courseware , which allows you to see the level at which the material is covered.

Does HST offer fee waivers?

Applying to graduate school can present a financial obstacle for many qualified applicants. Application fee waivers are available for US citizens and permanent residents who meet eligibility requirements set by the  MIT Office of Graduate Education . All requests are made through the MIT Office of Graduate Education process. 

How do I apply to MEMP?

All MEMP candidates are required to apply through MIT, using the MIT online Application for Graduate Admission. Note that MEMP students enrolled through MIT can work in the labs of any Harvard or MIT faculty member, including those at Harvard-affiliated hospitals and research institutes .

Can I apply to MEMP through via Harvard?

Candidates who have applied to MEMP via MIT and are simultaneously applying for graduate study with one of our partner units at Harvard – the Harvard Biophysics Graduate Program or the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) – may optionally follow these instructions to apply to participate in the MEMP curriculum in conjunction with their PhD at Harvard. This path is appropriate if:

• you have a particular interest in the curriculum of Harvard's interdepartmental Biophysics Program; or
• you are interested in joining the lab of a Harvard SEAS faculty member to work on a SEAS-based project. 

Successful applicants to MEMP through Harvard must be accepted by both their Harvard program and HST. If you are accepted to MEMP through both MIT and Harvard, you can choose which offer to accept.

Can I apply to multiple PhD programs in the same year?

Yes, you may apply to multiple MIT graduate degree programs in the same admissions cycle. HST encourages applicants to consider the suitability of programs at different institutions and in other MIT departments. Each application to MIT is considered separately, and MIT will charge a separate application fee for each program that you apply to.

How do MEMP students select their research advisors and thesis project?

MEMP PhD students admitted through MIT work in a wide variety of research areas and can work in the labs of any MIT or Harvard faculty member. This includes research labs located at many institutions affiliated  with Harvard  and  with MIT .   Faculty formally affiliated with the HST program are listed at http://hst.mit.edu/faculty-research/faculty , but MEMP students are not restricted to working with these individuals.

As part of the admissions process, promising applicants are invited for interviews. After offers of admission have been extended, admitted candidates will have opportunities to interact with faculty and current students as part of MEMP Open House in early March. Due to the large number of applications, we do not encourage candidates to contact potential research mentors prior to being invited to interview.

When can I begin an application?

The application website opens each year on August 1 for admission in fall of the following year.

What is the deadline to apply?

Application deadlines  are typically in early December preceding the fall term in which you intend to enroll.

We appreciate receiving all letters of recommendation by the application deadline, as that will expedite the processing of your application. We will accept letters of recommendation received up to 7 days after the application deadline. Applications will be considered incomplete and may not receive full consideration if the required three letters are not received by that extended deadline.

It is not possible to make changes to your application after the deadline, even if new information becomes available regarding publications, awards, grades, etc. If you are invited to interview, you can share those updates with members of the admissions committee at that time.

Is the GRE required?

No, GRE test scores are not required or accepted.

I'm an international student. Is an English proficiency exam required, and how do I submit exam scores?

HST places a high premium on both written and spoken communication skills. International students applying to HST should select one of the following options.

Option 1 : Submit IELTS, Cambridge English, or TOEFL exam scores. You must schedule your test so official results will be sent and received by our application deadline.

• HST requires a minimum score of 7 on the IELTS test. IELTS does not use a code system; please designate Health Sciences and Technology (HST) as the MIT department for sending your scores. 
• HST requires a minimum score of 185 for the Cambridge English C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency assessments.
• HST accepts all versions of the TOEFL iBT test and requires a minimum score of 100. Please have your official TOEFL test scores sent to MIT using institution code 3514 . A department code is not necessary. All scores received by MIT are matched to submitted applications. 

Option 2 : If you meet one of the following criteria, you are not required to submit IELTS, Cambridge English, or TOEFL scores:

• English is your first (native) language;
• You have received a degree from a high school, college, or university where English is the primary language of instruction;
• You are currently enrolled in a degree program where English is the primary language of instruction

Please provide these answers in the  Personal Background  and Academic History  section of your MIT MEMP application. 

Option 3 : If you do not meet the criteria in Option 2 , but you believe that you have sufficient English proficiency for graduate study (for example, many years of professional activities reading, writing, and speaking English), you may choose not to submit test scores. In this case, you should do both of the following:

• Describe your experience and skill levels in writing, reading, and speaking English in the Test Scores  section on your application. 
• Ask one or more recommenders whose native language is English to include their subjective evaluation of your English language preparation for graduate study as part of their letter of recommendation.

If you cannot provide current IELTS, Cambridge English, or TOEFL scores and do not meet the criteria in Options 2 or 3 , you may apply to HST, but we cannot guarantee that your application will receive full consideration.

How do I convert international or letter grades to GPA?

Please include the cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) as reported on your transcript. You should not convert international or letter grades to a GPA. If there is no cumulative grade available, enter n/a for not applicable or 0 (zero).  

What supporting documents are required, and how do I submit them?

Specific instructions for submitting resumes/CVs,  transcripts,  and letters of recommendation  follow. Please do not send copies of journal articles, certificates, photographs, or any other materials; they will not be reviewed.

Test score reports: We do not accept GRE or MCAT scores. Detailed instructions for international applicants submitting TOEFL or IELTS scores can be found here .

Resumes/CVs:  The online application will prompt you to upload a resume or CV.

Transcripts: As part of the online application, you will upload grade reports or unofficial transcripts from each college or university where a degree has or will be earned.  Candidates who are offered admission and choose to enroll  will be asked to arrange for an official transcript to be sent directly from each school where a degree has been awarded.

Please do not send official transcripts until you are prompted to do so. We accept both paper and electronic transcripts. Transcripts that do not already include an English version must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

Letters of recommendation:  Three letters are required, and one or two additional letters (up to a total of five) will be accepted. At least two letters should be from people well acquainted with your academic work and research abilities. 

Each letter should be on institutional letterhead and include a legible signature. Letters should be received by the application deadline, but no later than December 9 .

Whenever possible, letters should be submitted online. We do not accept letters of recommendation by email or fax. If your recommender encounters difficulties, instruct them to  hst-phd-admissions [at] mit.edu (contact us) for assistance.

May I include a publication that has been submitted or is currently under review, in revision, accepted for publication or in press?

Publication information should be listed in the applicant's CV.

Applicants may refer to submitted manuscripts - such as journal articles or conference proceedings - at any stage of the publication process. Please clarify the current state of the review process. If you are invited to interview, you may be asked to provide an update on the current status of a manuscript. 

May I send additional supporting materials?

No, please do not send additional supporting materials. They will not be reviewed.

What happens after HST receives my application?

Once your application is complete, you will receive an email confirmation. Due to the high volume of activity near the deadline, it may take a few days to receive this confirmation. We appreciate your patience and understanding. If your application is incomplete (for example, due to missing letters of recommendation), you will receive status updates via email until the application is complete or through December 20, whichever comes first. 

Applications are reviewed by multiple members of the HST PhD admissions committee, and selected candidates are invited to participate in virtual interviews that occur in late January. Offers of admission are sent by mid-February and admitted candidates are invited to visit Cambridge for a series of Open House events in late February or early March. Admitted candidates must accept or decline their offer of admission by April 15.

Can I send an updated material after I submit my application?

Unfortunately, due to a large number of applications, we are not able to replace material within a submitted application unless there is an egregious error (i.e. wrong letter of recommendation, a file will not open, etc.)

It is not possible to make changes to your application after the deadline, even if new information becomes available regarding publications, awards, grades, etc. If you are invited to interview, you can share those updates with members of the admissions committee at that time. 

When will I know if I have been selected for an interview? When are the interviews?

In mid-January, promising candidates will receive an email invitation to partcipate in video conference interviews. Candidates who are not selected to interview will receive formal notification of their status as soon as possible.

The remote interviews will be scheduled to take place in late January. Interviews will be offered at a variety of times throughout the day, Monday thru Friday. The specific time slots will be shared with candidates when they are invited to interview, and each interviewing candidate will ultimately be assigned to a single two-hour block. As part of that process, we will make every effort to accommodate scheduling constraints and preferences. 

How will I know whether or not I have been accepted?

Applicants invited to interview will be notified by mid-February of HST's decision. All notifications are sent via email.

Candidates offered admission will be asked to let us know their decision as soon as possible, but no later than April 15th. 

What are my chances of being accepted to MEMP?

The admissions committee reviews applications holistically, considering all aspects of an applicant’s life experiences in addition to academic achievements, research experience, and letters of recommendation. Successful candidates typically have a grade point average of 3.6 or higher on a 4.0 scale, strong letters of recommendation from faculty or others with whom they have worked closely, and relevant prior research experience. We understand that not all applicants have had the same access to undergraduate research experiences. 

Admission to MEMP is competitive, with approximately 10% of applicants invited to interview and offers of admission extended to roughly half of the interviewed candidates.

What types of financial support are available?

HST MEMP is a fully-funded program. Students in good academic standing receive full financial support – consisting of living expenses, tuition, and health insurance - for the duration of their graduate studies.  Almost all incoming students receive departmental fellowship support for the first academic year. In subsequent years, students receive full financial support from a combination of  research assistantships (RAs) , teaching assistantships (TAs) , and fellowships . HST is proud that more than 1/3 of our students are supported by external fellowships. More information is available here: https://hst.mit.edu/academic-programs/financial-support/MEMPs . 

Where can I learn more about MIT’s tuition, fees, and estimated cost of living?

As described above, all students in good academic standing receive full financial support – consisting of stipend, tuition, and health insurance - for the duration of their graduate studies. For more detailed information regarding the cost of attendance, including specific costs for tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food as well as transportation, please visit the MIT Student Financial Services website at  https://sfs.mit.edu/graduate-students/guide/grad-cost-of-attendance/ .  

I'm an international student. How does that effect my chances of being admitted and receiving first-year funding?

All applications are evaluated without consideration of nationality or citizenship. Similarly, funding offers to admitted candidates are typically the same for domestic and international candidates.  International students comprise approximately 25% of currently enrolled MEMP students.

If I'm accepted, can I defer my admission until the following year?

You should apply to MEMP by the application deadline that immediately precedes the fall term in which you intend to enroll. HST does not grant deferrals for students to pursue business ventures, work experience, public service opportunities, travel or educational programs unrelated to medical engineering. HST will consider requests for deferrals in cases where applicants receive opportunities for international study via the Churchill Scholarship, Whitaker International Fellowship, Rhodes Scholarship and other similar programs.

Can I apply to MEMP if my undergraduate major is in the life sciences?

A traditional life sciences curriculum is generally not adequate preparation for MEMP.  However, some successful applicants have an undergraduate (bachelors/baccalureate) degree in life sciences augmented by extensive coursework in mathematics, physics, engineering, and/or computer science. This may take the form of a formal minor program or a less-formal collection of courses that provide a similar level of expertise in a quantitative field.

When the admissions committee reviews submitted applications, they are assessing whether applicants are prepared to succeed in the relevant graduate courses at MIT. To determine if your background provides sufficient preparation, you can review the program’s requirements for a concentration area and the classes that fulfill that requirement . Materials for many of the concentration area classes are available here , which allows you to see the level at which the material is covered and to assess your preparation.

Can I apply to MEMP if I already have a medical degree or if I am currently enrolled in medical school?

The MEMP curriculum combines training in engineering or a physical/quantitative science discipline with classes in biomedical sciences and clinical experiences. The admissions process generally favors candidates who would benefit from both elements of the training over those candidates who already hold a medical degree or are enrolled in medical school. If you choose to apply, your statement of purpose should specifically address the rationale for your proposed training in MEMP, as opposed to a more traditional science or engineering PhD program. How will the MEMP curriculum enhance your career path, given that you have already obtained biomedical sciences training and deep clinical perspectives?

Additionally, if you have not studied an engineering or physical/quantitative science discipline in addition to medicine, you should consult the FAQ here .

Can I apply if...

... I'm a first year grad student at MIT in Mechanical Engineering (or another engineering or physical/quantitative science discipline)? I didn't know about HST when I applied to graduate school, but now I'm really interested in MEMP.

Yes, you may. If admitted, you would transfer from Mechanical Engineering to MEMP. It's very likely that the coursework and research that you are doing in your first year of graduate school can be used to satisfy requirements towards your MEMP degree.

Will I have to take MEMP Quals if...

... I'm a first year grad student at MIT in Chemical Engineering ( or another engineering or physical/quantitative   science discipline ), I've already passed my quals in my department, and I've been accepted to MEMP for next year?

If you've already passed doctoral qualifying exams in another department at MIT, then you can submit a petition requesting to substitute that qualifying exam for your MEMP quals. The faculty committee that oversees MEMP quals will decide on your petition by reviewing your academic performance and comparing the ChemE quals to the MEMP quals.

Do MEMP students get a master's degree on the way to their PhD?

Master's degrees are not required in MEMP, and HST does not typically grant master's degrees to MEMP students. It is possible for MEMP students to earn a master's degree in a related field (for example, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering). If you are interested in this option, you must apply directly to the appropriate department for their master's program and notify HST if admitted.

In most cases, the coursework and research required for the master's degree can also be used to satisfy requirements towards your MEMP degree. Students will be assigned an Academic Advisor from both graduate departments and will complete master's degree requirements first.

Who do I contact for other questions?

We're happy to help. Just email us at  hst-phd-admissions [at] mit.edu (subject: MEMP%20Admissions%20question) (hst-phd-admissions[at]mit[dot]edu)

MIT Admissions Blog

Learn more directly from HST students via  MIT's Admissions Blog .

HST distinguished scholars, on a boat cruise 2022