Preliminary Application for the Interdisciplinary PhD

Northeastern's university-level Interdisciplinary Ph.D. enables research students to train as the next-generation of multidisciplinary researchers and be well positioned to address high impact research questions as trailblazers in new and emerging research fields.

This unique degree is a pathway for applicants whose research ambitions do not fit within one of Northeastern's disciplinary PhD programs. To be considered for this PhD, applicants must submit a proposal for their dissertation research. The Graduate Group, which is the faculty group that oversees the degree curriculum will review the research to determine fit. If it is determined that this interdisciplinary PhD is a fit for the proposed research, the applicant will be invited to meet with faculty across the university. After meeting with faculty, the applicant will revise their research statement. Final determination about recommending admission will include an assessment of how the research statement evolved after meeting with faculty.

The preliminary application for the interdisciplinary PhD must be completed in one session. Please review the required information below to ensure that all materials are available at the time of preparation. Following an initial review by the Graduate Group, you may be asked to provide additional information including references.

Following a recommendation for admission consideration by the Graduate Group and prior to enrollment, applicants will be invited to submit a formal application that will ensure that all review steps including support for international students and all steps following applicable laws are performed consistently across all applicants and according to university processes.

Biographical Information

Applicant's First Name*

Applicant's Last Name*

This should be your legal name.

Applicant's Email Address*

Telephone Number (Mobile)*

Please tell us about your educational background.

Where did you receive your undergraduate degree?*

Please include:

Name and address of institution
Degree received, year of graduation and major
Grade point average / ranking information (you will be asked to submit an unofficial application below)

Have you pursued graduate education?*

Select or enter value

Where did you receive your graduate degree?*

Please include:

Name and address of institution

Degree received, year of graduation and major

Grade point average / ranking information (you will be asked to submit an unofficial application below)

Please include academic information about any other institution you attended for graduate school.*

Provide a succinct description of the research area you wish to pursue.*

Who are the potential Northeastern faculty members you would like to study with?*

List faculty member and their Department / College

Please cite specific Northeastern faculty with whom you have discussed your research.*

Why do you want to pursue this Interdisciplinary Ph.D.*

We ask this question because this interdisciplinary degree is available to applicants when an existing Ph.D. in Northeastern's portfolio is not a good fit.

Why do you believe this degree can not be pursued through one of Northeastern's existing PhD programs.*

You can see a listing of existing PhD programs here.

Describe the disciplines intersected (and why) by your proposed research.*

Do you wish to pursue this degree through Northeastern's Experiential PhD pathway?*

Northeastern offers PhD students a number of pathways to pursue experiential learning. These pathways are educational partnerships with organizations beyond Northeastern's campuses and often involves performing all or some of the research at the partner's site.

Select or enter value

If you are employed and would like to pursue the Ph.D. through an educational partnership with your employer, please enter your employers name below.

Name of Employer

Describe the research environment or partner beyond Northeastern's campuses are you interested in?

Please provide any additional comments or ask questions here.

File Upload (please submit all documents as a single .pdf)*

Please provide the following documents as a single pdf to complete your application. Please do not upload pdf portfolios or binders. Just a pdf file.

CV / Resume describing education, research and work experiences
Unofficial transcripts from all previous institutions you have attended
Preliminary research statement

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