Programs

Ph.D. in Education

The Ph.D. in Education program at UC San Diego is designed for individuals with prior professional experience in teaching, learning, and research settings. Its core mission is to equip students with research methodologies to address disparities in educational experiences and outcomes. Graduates are prepared for research and academic careers in higher education, the non-profit sector, or governmental agencies, with a focus on improving educational practices and policies for social equity. The program emphasizes a collaborative approach, training researchers to partner with policymakers, educators, families, and communities to drive educational transformation. The program fosters interdisciplinary learning, encouraging students to deepen their knowledge through elective coursework within Education Studies and other UCSD departments. Research apprenticeships with faculty provide practical experience. Students also have opportunities for interdisciplinary research across various UCSD divisions, departments, and research units. A specialization in Critical Gender Studies is also available through collaboration with the Critical Gender Studies department.

Ph.D. in Education

The Ph.D. program in Education at UC Santa Barbara is a rigorous doctoral program designed to prepare students for careers in educational research, policy, and practice. The program emphasizes a strong foundation in theory, research methodologies, and specialized knowledge within various sub-fields of education. Students engage in advanced coursework, research apprenticeships, independent research projects, and comprehensive examinations to develop their expertise and contribute to the field. The curriculum is structured to provide a broad understanding of educational research while allowing for deep specialization. Core requirements include proseminars, core courses, and a significant number of research methodology courses. Students then choose advanced courses within specific pathways such as Culture, Language and Human Development (CLHD); Learning, Teaching and Teacher Education (LTTE); and Policy, Program Evaluation and Research Methods (PPRM). The program aims to foster independent thinking, critical analysis, and the ability to conduct significant scholarly work.

Ph.D. in Education: Education and Inequality Concentration

The Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in Education and Inequality at George Washington University focuses on understanding and addressing systemic oppression within educational contexts. This program aims to equip students to become change agents who can identify, disrupt, and dismantle systems that create barriers for marginalized, minoritized, immigrant, and BIPOC student populations. You will explore how factors like power, race, place, identity, gender, sexuality, disability, and citizenship intersect to affect access to education and social services, examining the complex relationships between communities, families, schools, and the broader society. As a Carnegie R1 institution with very high research activity, GW offers a rich academic environment. You will benefit from personalized mentorship with leading faculty, engage in hands-on experiential learning through cross-disciplinary research projects, and gain a deep understanding of research ethics and the social impact of scholarly work. Located in the policymaking capital of the world, the program provides unique opportunities to examine education reform and gain practical experience in diverse school settings.

Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering

This Ph.D. program is designed for students seeking advanced training in technology and engineering design, with a focus on developing leadership skills for research and teaching roles. The curriculum is highly flexible, allowing you to personalize your course of study in collaboration with your advisor and a special committee to align with your specific interests and career aspirations. Admission is directly to the Ph.D. program; a Master's degree is not a prerequisite. A key milestone is the Qualifying Examination, which includes Subject Area Examinations administered by the ECE Faculty, typically taken before the second year of study.

Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at UC San Diego is a research-focused degree. It requires the completion of specific coursework, passing a preliminary examination, a university qualifying examination, and the successful defense of a doctoral dissertation. The program is designed to train students to become independent researchers capable of making significant contributions to the field.

Ph.D. in Electrical Communication Engineering

The Ph.D. program in Electrical Communication Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and extensive research experience in a specialized field. The core of the program involves conducting original research that culminates in a dissertation. Throughout the program, students participate in a Research Training Programme (RTP), which includes coursework and seminars designed to deepen their understanding of their chosen field. This rigorous training, combined with independent research, aims to produce peer-reviewed publications, patents, and innovative technologies with societal impact. Students also have opportunities for collaboration, international visits, internships, and financial support for attending conferences.

Ph.D. in Epidemiology

The Ph.D. program in Epidemiology at McGill University trains scientists and health professionals to design and conduct studies, analyze health data, and effectively communicate scientific results. The goal is to gain novel insights into the causes and prevention of diseases at the population level. This doctoral-level work involves integrating biological knowledge of disease, statistical knowledge for quantitative analysis and causal inference, and sociological knowledge to understand dynamic human populations. McGill's strengths in this field include epidemiologic methods, clinical epidemiology, infectious diseases, social epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, public and population health, global health, environmental epidemiology, chronic diseases and aging, and perinatal epidemiology.

Ph.D. in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences

The Ph.D. program in Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the Milken Institute School of Public Health focuses on research into the prevention of chronic diseases. Faculty research interests include the role of diet and physical activity in preventing obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, with a particular emphasis on diverse ethnic groups. The program aims to prepare students to conduct advanced research and contribute to public health policy and recommendations. Students will engage in research utilizing large-scale cohort studies, dietary intervention studies, meta-analyses, and qualitative/quantitative research on behavioral determinants. The curriculum incorporates advanced methodologies such as the use of biomarkers, device-based assessments, and digital technologies to gain deeper insights into lifestyle behaviors and their impact on cardio-metabolic health. The ultimate goal is to inform evidence-based recommendations and policies for lifestyle-related disease prevention.

Ph.D. in Film, Television, and Media

The Department of Film, Television, and Media at the University of Michigan offers a Ph.D. program administered by the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies. This doctoral program focuses on advanced study and research in film, television, and media.

Ph.D. in Foundations of Education

The Ph.D. in Foundations of Education program at Virginia Tech offers an individualized, interdisciplinary approach to doctoral studies. Students engage with critical issues in education at all levels, drawing from the humanities and social sciences. The program equips students with the philosophical, historical, political, and sociological tools needed to analyze and address complex educational challenges locally and globally. Special program focuses include critical theory, rural education, literacy, social justice, equity, and inclusion, emphasizing the application of research and theory to practice and policy.

Ph.D. in Geosciences

Ph.D. in Industrial and Systems Engineering

The Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering (ISE) at Virginia Tech offers a world-renowned Ph.D. program recognized for its cutting-edge research. This program fosters a collaborative environment where experienced faculty work alongside top graduate students to conduct independent investigations yielding high-quality scholarly work. Graduates are well-prepared for advanced roles in academia and the private or public sectors.

Ph.D. in Language Sciences

Waseda University offers a Ph.D. program in Language Sciences, focusing on Applied Linguistics and related fields. This doctoral program aims to cultivate advanced researchers and university-level educators specializing in areas such as plurilingual speech perception, evaluation, acquisition, and education. Students will engage with contemporary research methodologies, potentially including AI-assisted learning and quantitative analysis. The program welcomes students with strong foundational skills in areas like corpus linguistics, acoustic analysis, phonetics, phonology, psycholinguistics, and quantitative sociolinguistics. The curriculum emphasizes a comprehensive understanding of linguistic, sociolinguistic, psycholinguistic, and pedagogical aspects, preparing students to undertake independent research projects. Students may also have the opportunity to join ongoing research projects and benefit from an international research network.

Ph.D. in Linguistics

The Ph.D. program in Linguistics at Stony Brook University is designed to prepare students for advanced research across all core areas of theoretical linguistics. This includes specializations in syntax, semantics, morphology, phonology, and phonetics, as well as in first and second language acquisition. The program also emphasizes experimental and computational approaches to these linguistic subfields. Students benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration with faculty and students in related departments such as Psychology, Music, Computer Science, Philosophy, and the Institute for Advanced Computational Science (IACS).

Ph.D. in Linguistics

The Ph.D. program in Linguistics at UC Davis offers students the opportunity to specialize in various aspects of theoretical and applied linguistics. The program is supported by a diverse graduate faculty with expertise across multiple departments, encouraging an interdisciplinary approach to linguistic study. Students can focus on areas such as multilingualism and language development, or delve into language structure and theory, and language sciences.

Ph.D. in Linguistics

The Department of Linguistics at the University of Washington offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program for students passionate about advancing knowledge in the field. Students can specialize in either General Linguistics or Computational Linguistics. The program is designed for those who wish to conduct advanced independent research, focusing on both the theoretical and applied aspects of language. The department's core faculty have extensive interests in areas such as syntax, phonology, morphology, semantics, phonetics, sociolinguistics, and computational linguistics. Please note that programs in language pedagogy or applied linguistics are not offered by this department.

Ph.D. in Management, Operations Research Concentration

The Ph.D. in Management with a concentration in Operations Research at Rutgers University–New Brunswick is offered by the Department of Management Science and Information Systems (MSIS). This program builds upon previous concentrations and focuses on advanced study and research in areas such as applied statistics, optimization, business analytics, operations management, and various theories related to uncertainty and risk. The faculty comprises world-renowned scholars with extensive research contributions and editorial experience in leading academic journals. Students are expected to have a strong foundation in linear algebra, analysis, probability, and programming skills. For those needing to strengthen their background, the Master of Information Technology and Analytics program is recommended, with courses potentially counting towards the Ph.D. if admitted later. The doctoral program requires students to complete a set of foundational and major courses, engage in early research experiences, and ultimately write and defend a dissertation. The curriculum is designed to equip students with rigorous quantitative and analytical skills necessary for impactful research and careers in operations research and related fields. Students typically complete three courses per semester during their first two years, followed by a qualifying examination, and then dedicate their third and fourth years to dissertation research.

Ph.D. in Marine Geology and Geochemistry

Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) offers a Ph.D. program focused on Marine Geology and Geochemistry. This program delves into the geological and geochemical processes of the Earth's oceans, exploring topics such as oceanic crust formation, mantle dynamics, and the enrichment mechanisms of metals in deep-sea environments. Students will engage with cutting-edge research in deep-sea exploration and in-situ observation. The program is led by experienced faculty with significant contributions to the field, including pioneering work in deep-sea submersible technology and extensive publication records in high-impact scientific journals. The research areas align with major national and international scientific initiatives, providing students with opportunities to contribute to significant global research efforts.

Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering

The Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of California, Riverside is a research-intensive doctoral degree. While there are few mandatory courses, students are recommended to complete a minimum of 36 units of graduate or upper-division coursework. This coursework should cover the five core areas of Materials Science and Engineering: Thermodynamic Foundation, Crystal Structure and Bonding, Materials Characterization Techniques, Functional Materials, and Materials Synthesis and Processing. Students must also enroll in specific courses like MSE 200 and MSE 250 throughout their residency. The specific course of study is determined in consultation with a research advisor and the MSE graduate advisor, and may be adjusted based on research needs. Throughout the program, students will progress through several key academic milestones. These include a preliminary examination to assess readiness for doctoral study, followed by the development and defense of a dissertation proposal. The final stage involves the completion and public defense of an original doctoral dissertation, which must represent a substantial contribution to the field of Materials Science and Engineering. The program encourages students to gain teaching experience by serving as teaching assistants for at least three quarters.

Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering

The Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering at Duke University is a multidisciplinary graduate program designed for students with diverse academic backgrounds. This program fosters a strong materials community across the university by providing shared curricular experiences. It is an integral part of the Duke Materials Initiative (DMI) and involves faculty from eight participating departments within the Pratt School of Engineering and Trinity College of Arts and Sciences. Students benefit from a wide array of research areas and faculty advisors, with the potential to engage with resources from the School of Medicine, Nicholas School of the Environment, Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University Energy Initiative, and the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Initiative.

Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering

The Ph.D. program in Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) at Iowa State University offers advanced research opportunities for students aspiring to careers in academic research, industry, or government laboratories. This doctoral program focuses on in-depth study and original research within the broad field of materials science, preparing graduates to tackle complex challenges in materials design, processing, characterization, and application. Students engage in rigorous coursework and extensive research, contributing to the forefront of materials innovation. The program emphasizes developing critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a deep understanding of materials behavior across various scales. Graduates are equipped to lead research initiatives and make significant contributions to the field.

Ph.D. in Mathematical Sciences

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Mathematical Sciences program is offered in three concentrations: Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, and Statistics. This program focuses on Pure and Applied Mathematics, with a separate document available for the Statistics Ph.D. Our faculty's research interests span a wide range of advanced mathematical topics, including algebraic geometry, computational topology, number theory, network science, biomathematics, fluid mechanics, and partial differential equations. This department also supports Master's degree programs in Mathematics, Statistics, and Biostatistics, as well as Doctoral and Master's programs in Complex Systems and Data Science.