RENSSELAER POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
School of Science
- Departments
- News & Events
Accelerated B.S. / Ph.D. Program
You can receive your ph.d. seven years after starting college..
Earn a head start that provides a great time advantage.
Your next stop after graduation could be a fellowship at the Institute for Genomics Research, or the Fermi Laboratories, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)... all at the age of 25.
Rising sophmores with majors in the School of Science who have been at Rensselaer for at least one year with a 3.5 or higher Grade Point Average will be invited to apply in the summer before their sophmore year.
Application Procedure
Applications for the School of Science Accelerated B.S./Ph.D. Program are accepted by invitation only. Applications must include the following:
- Completed School of Science Accelerated B.S./Ph.D. Application
- A resume/curriculum vitae.
- An unofficial Rensselaer transcript from Rensselaer SIS. The transcript must show at least one school year at Rensselaer.
- Fill out the upper portion of the Student Recommendation Form, email it to your recommenders and ask them to email both recommendation letter and completed Student Recommendation Form to Kaylyn Getwright ( [email protected] ).
Send these items to Kaylyn Getwright at [email protected] with the subject line “B.S./Ph.D. Application”.
Applications are now open for Fall 2024!
Program Information
Earn two degrees in seven years.
The average undergraduate education takes four years and the average graduate time to the Ph.D. degree is five to six years. How can someone do it all in seven years?
- Using AP credits and/or credits from academic research, students accelerate their B.S. by one or more semesters
- Students accelerate their Ph.D. by finding their research topic area during their sophomore year, allowing them to get to work sooner
- Students in this program satisfy all the requirements for the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in their department
Perform Academic Research
Successful applicants spend the spring semester of their sophomore year doing rotational research projects in two research laboratories at Rensselaer. Students may choose a research group from any department within the School of Science based upon common research interests with the faculty research mentors. Once the right laboratory is found, students continue research during the summers (for a stipend) and during each semester (for academic credit).
Transitioning from Undergraduate to Graduate Status
Accelerated students transition into graduate status at the beginning of, or during, their fourth year of study, depending upon credits. The conditions for transition include meeting the requirements of the undergraduate major, maintaining a GPA of 3.5, and satisfactory progress in research. There is no separate application needed to be admitted to graduate school. Once students enter the graduate phase, they receive a Research Assistantship with a stipend and graduate tuition.
Student Spotlights
Caitlyn Moustouka, B.S./Ph.D. Student
I'm a 4 th year Biochemistry/Biophysics PhD student (7 th year in the Accelerated BS/PhD Program) working in the Makhatadze lab. My work focuses on understanding and functionalizing complex protein-protein interactions. I've been working on developing a fluorescent protein-based sensor for amyloid fibrils that exploits the inherent affinity of fluorescent proteins for the amyloid structure. This tool is being developed not only to detect and quantify fibrils, but also to help us understand the mechanism of the fluorescent protein-fibril interaction.
The Accelerated BS/PhD Program has allowed me to explore different areas of high-level scientific research early on in my undergraduate education, providing me with the resources to evaluate my interests and goals before committing to graduate school. It's very important to keep an open mind when deciding what areas of science to work in and where you'd like to do your graduate studies. Make sure to talk to your peers, professors, and current graduate students to get their insights, as well!
Christian Franquiz, B.D./Ph.D Student
During my time in the Colón Lab as part of the Accelerated BS/PhD Program, I have focused my research on the identification of kinetically stable proteins (KSPs) within model systems like tree nuts, sesame seed, and fruit seeds. By identifying these proteins and semi-quantifying their kinetic stabilty (KS), I aim to correlate the identified KS with allergy to explore the relationship between kinetic stability and allergy.
I've had the opportunity to present my research at various RPI internal conferences as well as external conferences, including American Chemistry Society and Protein Society. I would tell incoming students to make good use of your rotations to explore different aspects of your field-even if it's research you may initially enjoy or find inti midating.
Ahlyia Leclerc, B.S./Ph.D. Student
My name is Ahlyia Leclerc and I plan on entering the field of astrobiology! Particularly, I am interested in pursuing research on the origins of life at hydrothermal vents and extending that by looking for life beyond our planet. I started research in the spring of my sophomore year. I have conducted research on black carbon cycling in salt marsh intertidal systems where prescribed burns have taken place. I used my findings from that to start another project looking at whether or not black carbon can be produced at hydrothermal vents and what implications there could be for the origins of life at those systems. My advice for anyone interested or already in the program is to get to know your professors and don't be afraid to reach out to them. They have your best interest in mind, so forming bonds with them makes this experience even more rewarding. Additionally, some labs may not always be available for research rotations, so putting yourself out there can help put you on their radar or help point you to another lab that is a good fit for you. Be adventurous and open minded in your interests, and also be willing to take chances on yourself. You'd be surprised how much you can accomplish by simply giving yourself a chance!
Carleton Coffin, B.S./Ph.D Student
I’m a 4 th year Biochemistry/Biophysics PhD student (7 th year in the accelerated BS/PhD program) working in the Royer lab. My work focuses on understanding and quantifying the heat shock response to hydrostatic pressure in wild type and pressure tolerant E. coli . I use two photon excitation scanning number and brightness fluorescence microscopy with GFP promoter fusions for key heat shock genes to determine the absolute fluorescence intensity at single cell resolution. The data for all the cells can then be combined to examine the distribution of the response across populations of cells for each promoter fusion. This work will elucidate how pressure resistance occurs in bacteria to provide a foundation to combat the rise in pressure resistant pathogenic bacteria that threaten pressure sterilization in the food industry. This work will also provide a better understanding of how organisms adapt to survive in the deep sea, where the pressure is 100 times higher than at sea level.
The accelerated BS/PhD project has had a very positive impact on my career. I knew going into my undergraduate education that I wanted to go into research and obtain a PhD, so this program was a deciding factor in attending RPI. It also allowed me to work in multiple diverse laboratory environments, allowing me to rapidly expand my knowledge base and my lab skills. When I transitioned to graduate school, I felt fully prepared, and I had already decided on a lab to perform my thesis work in, making the first year experience much smoother.
Getting accepted into this program opens up a wide variety of options for undergraduates to get involved in research. Being accepted into this program shows PIs and the graduate students that you are committed to going into research and that you are one of the top people in your class. Being a member of this program also dramatically increases the chances of getting accepted to work in a lab. Think carefully on which labs you want to do your three rotations in. I personally recommend rotating in three very different labs. It will give you best chances of determining which kinds of research, techniques, and lab environments you like the best.
- Skip to Content
- Skip to Footer
Northeastern University College of Science
PlusOne Degrees and Accelerated PhD Programs
The PlusOne program allows current Northeastern students the opportunity to pursue both a bachelor’s and master’s degree successively in a condensed period of time. We also offer Accelerated PhD programs in Biology and Physics.
For students pursuing a PlusOne degree, several credits of undergraduate work are replaced by graduate coursework, thus permitting the completion of an undergraduate degree, as well as a full master’s degree, in a shorter period of time than would be possible if students pursued each degree separately through the traditional route.
In most programs, with appropriate academic progress, students receive the master’s degree one year after completing the undergraduate degree.
To apply to the PlusOne Master’s degree or Accelerated PhD program you must be a current Northeastern undergraduate student. Interested students should see the requirements below for more information before applying. Students should apply to enter the PlusOne program no earlier than their fifth academic semester and at least two academic semesters before expecting to earn the Bachelor of Science degree (three academic semesters prior for Marine Biology). Eligible candidates will complete an online application . No GRE or application fee is required!
Note : Any financial aid a student may have received from the university while an undergraduate will not continue once the student obtains graduate status. PlusOne students are not eligible for the Double Husky Scholarship.
PlusOne Programs
BS Mathematics
Program Contacts
Contact your assigned undergraduate advisor to determine how your undergraduate courses may count towards the PlusOne program.
For questions related to Graduate course offerings, program content, post-grad career opportunities, and overall program requirements contact:
Solomon Jekel , PhD, Associate Professor
He Wang, PhD, Assistant Teaching Professor
Click here to download a PDF about the Applied Mathematics PlusOne.
BS Behavioral Neuroscience BS Biochemistry BS Biology BS Cell and Molecular Biology BS Computer Science BS Computer Science and Biology BS Computer Science and BNS BS Data Science and Biology BS Data Science and Biochemistry BS Data Science and Behavioral Neuroscience
Contact your assigned undergraduate advisor to determine how your undergraduate courses may count towards the PlusOne program.
For questions related to Graduate course offerings, program content, post-grad career opportunities, and overall program requirements, contact:
[email protected]
Click here to download a PDF about the Bioinformatics PlusOne.
BS Biochemistry BS Biology BS Cell and Molecular Biology BS Biotechnology (CPS) BS Chemistry
For questions related to Graduate course offerings, program content, post-grad career opportunities and overall program requirements, contact:
[email protected]
Click here to download a PDF about the Biotechnology PlusOne.
BS Biochemistry BS Biology BS Biology and English BS Biology and Mathematics BS Biology and Political Science BS Biological Sciences (CPS) BS Biotechnology (CPS) BS Behavioral Neuroscience BS Behavioral Neuroscience and Design BS BS Behavioral Neuroscience and Philosophy BS Cell and Molecular Biology BS Computer Science and Biology BS Data Science and Biology
Program Contacts:
Click here to download a PDF about the Cell and Gene Therapies PlusOne.
BS Biochemistry BS Chemistry
For questions related to Graduate course offerings, program content and overall program requirements, contact:
Tara Loschiavo , Academic Coordinator
Faculty Advisor – select a potential Graduate Thesis Advisor. One letter of recommendation is required from this faculty member confirming support of the thesis project.
Click here to download a PDF about the Chemistry PlusOne.
All MES and CSSH majors
Contact your assigned COS undergraduate advisor or CSSH Undergraduate Advisor to determine how your undergraduate courses may count towards the PlusOne program.
Benjamin Dittbrenner, PhD , MS in Environmental Science and Policy Program Director
Click here to download a PDF about the Environmental Science and Policy PlusOne.
BS Marine Biology BS Ecology and Evolutionary Biology BS Environmental and Sustainability Sciences – Earth, Oceans, and Environmental Change concentration – Conservation, Restoration, and Management concentration
Andrea Jerabek , Program Manager
Tara Duffy, PhD , Marine Biology Major Advisor/Three Seas Faculty Head
Click here to download a PDF about the Marine Biology PlusOne.
If you would like to create a PlusOne program outside of the current offerings, a complete PlusOne application is required for review. See application requirements here .
Select Program ‘Create Your Own’ on the online application. Submit this form in the Program Plan section of the online application. The form should be signed by your undergraduate advisor and director from your home college.
Accelerated PhD Programs
To participate in the program, students must be on spring co-op (Div BA) or skip their last co-op, and must have a 3.5 GPA in their physics courses for accelerated entry into the program. Students can participate by successfully completing the degree requirements, including successful completion of two 7000-level physics graduate courses and one shared 5000 level course before receiving their BS degree (PHYS7321, PHYS7301 and PHYS 5318). All students must email the Graduate Director by April 1 before the start of their final undergrad year for permission to take 7000 level courses to enter the first stage of the BS/PhD program. Acceptance into this stage will allow students to take the 7000 level courses required for entry to the program, but this does not guarantee admission to graduate portion of the program. Students would then apply formally to the graduate program by December 1 of year 4 (or year 5 for undergraduate students opting for a 5-year BS track), and receive their BS at the end of year 4 (or year 5 for undergraduate students opting for a 5-year BS track).
BS/PhD students will apply to the Physics PhD program by December 1 in the final year of their BS degree. If students meet the grade and course requirements, we will require only standard application materials such as a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and transcript. These limited application requirements are defined as accelerated admission and contingent upon successful completion of the 2 – 7000 level courses and 1 – 5000 level course. Students must have a grade of B or higher in all three courses to apply for accelerated admission.
Students interested in pursuing the Accelerated PhD in Physics should first contact the Graduate Director, Paul Whitford to express interest and find out more about the program.
Interested students should review application requirements and submit their application . Undergraduate transcripts will be automatically uploaded by Graduate Student Services once the application is complete. No GRE or application fee is required!
Program Contact
Paul Whitford
Yunrong Chai, PhD
Julian Stanley discusses his experience in the Bioinformatics PlusOne program which allowed him to pursue both a BS in biology and a MS in bioinformatics at the same time.
“Through the program, I spent a year splitting my time between learning, teaching, and conducting research, which helped convince me that I would be comfortable continuing to learn, teach, and conduct research during my Ph.D. and beyond.”
Read about it here.
Want to take the next step? Learn more about applying here.
- Skip to Header
- Joint BS/MS
- BS to PhD Direct Path
- Graduate Forms
- EGN 5940 Grad Internship
- PhD Dissertation Defense Guidelines
- Graduate Student Listings
- Graduate and Professional Student Association
- Graduate Program Contacts
BS to PhD Direct Path Program
The usual degree path for an engineer or computer science student at FAU is first a BS degree, then a master's degree and then a PhD degree. All of this can take up to 10 years of study. The BS to PhD Direct-Path program gives highly-qualified bachelor and master's students the opportunity to move rapidly into research activities with the simultaneous completion of the MS and PhD degrees. Admission to the direct-path Ph.D. program may be granted to students entering or already in a graduate engineering or computer science program, including students selected for the Joint BS/MS program. Admission and degree requirements are listed below.
Students in the BS program Admission Requirements
- Satisfaction of the department’s minimum GPA requirement, normally in the 3.2 -3.3 range in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate coursework.
- A combined score (verbal+quantitative) of at least 310 on the GRE.
- Two letters of recommendation (minimum) which should address the student's qualifications for research.
Students in the MS Program Admission Requirements
- GPA of 3.5 (minimum) in the graduate program at FAU
- Apply to the Direct-Path Ph.D. program in the first year of the MS program.
- the department
- the college graduate committee
- the Division of Graduate Studies
Degree Requirements
- Successful completion of the department's doctoral qualifying/candidacy exam. This exam will be scheduled according to the departmental guidelines
- A minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the B.S. degree as follows*
- A minimum of 42 graduate credits of coursework from which a minimum of 27 coursework credit hours must be in the doctorate-granting department (excluding directed independent study credits) and a minimum of 18 credits of 6000-level courses must be completed.
- Except under unusual circumstances, no more than 6 credits are allowed for directed independent study and/or advanced research graduate courses.
- Three credit hours (minimum) in mathematics or a technical field closely related to the student's research, as determined by departmental criteria.
- 30 dissertation credit hours (minimum).
- No 4000 level courses allowed towards the degree. Courses taken to make-up for the deficiencies will not be counted toward the degree.
- Successful completion and defense of the dissertation.
Degree Granting
Students admitted to the program that do not complete the Ph.D. degree requirements will be allowed, upon completion of normal departmental requirements, receive the M.S. degree.
*Changes are effective for students admitted to the program in Spring 2020 or later.
School of Science
Computer science, b.s. + ph.d. accelerated program, you can receive your ph.d. seven years after starting college..
Earn a head start that provides a great time advantage.
Your next stop after graduation could be a fellowship at the Institute for Genomics Research, or the Fermi Laboratories, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)... all at the age of 25.
Rising sophmores with majors in the School of Science who have been at Rensselaer for at least one year with a 3.5 or higher Grade Point Average will be invited to apply in the summer before their second year using the Application Procedure below:
Application Procedure
Application Procedure for the School of Science Accelerated B.S./Ph.D. Program by invitation only. To be considered, students must:
1. Fill out the three-page application provided below.
2. Provide a one to two page resume/curriculum vita.
3. Obtain an unofficial Rensselaer transcript from Rensselaer SIS. Your transcript must show at least one school year at Rensselaer.
4. Send these three items to Kaylyn Getwright at [email protected] with the subject line “B.S./Ph.D. Application”.
5. Obtain two letters of recommendation, preferably from faculty members familiar with your scientific interests and experience. To accomplish this, fill out the upper portion of the recommendation below, email it to your recommenders and ask them to email both recommendation letters and completed forms to Kaylyn Getwright ( [email protected] )
Applications are now closed until Fall 2024.
Documents & Resources
- School of Science Accelerated Program Application 2023
- School of Science Accelerated Program Faculty Recommendation 2023
Program Information
Earn Two Degrees in Seven Years
The average undergraduate education takes four years and the average graduate time to the Ph.D. degree is five to six years. How can someone do it all in seven years?
- Using AP credits and/or credits from academic research, students accelerate their B.S. by one or more semesters
- Students accelerate their Ph.D. by finding their research topic area during their sophomore year, allowing them to get to work sooner
- Students in this program satisfy all the requirements for the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in their department
Perform Academic Research
Successful applicants spend the spring semester of their sophomore year doing rotational research projects in two research laboratories at Rensselaer. Students may choose a research group from any department within the School of Science based upon common research interests with the faculty research mentors. Once the right laboratory is found, students continue research during the summers (for a stipend) and during each semester (for academic credit).
Transitioning from Undergraduate to Graduate Status
Accelerated students transition into graduate status at the beginning of, or during, their fourth year of study, depending upon credits. The conditions for transition include meeting the requirements of the undergraduate major, maintaining a GPA of 3.5, and satisfactory progress in research. There is no separate application needed to be admitted to graduate school. Once students enter the graduate phase, they receive a Research Assistantship with a stipend and graduate tuition.
207 Lally Hall
110 8th Street
Troy, NY 12180
Accelerated Online Doctoral Degrees to Get Quickly
BestColleges.com is committed to delivering content that is objective and actionable. To that end, we have built a network of industry professionals across higher education to review our content and ensure we are providing the most helpful information to our readers.
Drawing on their firsthand industry expertise, our Integrity Network members serve as an additional step in our editing process, helping us confirm our content is accurate and up to date. These contributors:
- Suggest changes to inaccurate or misleading information.
- Provide specific, corrective feedback.
- Identify critical information that writers may have missed.
Integrity Network members typically work full time in their industry profession and review content for BestColleges.com as a side project. All Integrity Network members are paid members of the Red Ventures Education Integrity Network.
Explore our full list of Integrity Network members.
One of the biggest hurdles for doctoral students is the time it takes to complete a doctorate. These programs often require 5-7 rigorous years to complete, which can make them difficult to pursue for many people.
An accelerated online doctorate introduces an alternative pathway for you. These degrees allow you to complete a traditionally lengthy program in a fraction of the time. Learning online can also make your study schedule more flexible and may be more accessible than on-campus learning.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to some of the most popular accelerated doctoral degrees and answer your common questions.
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
What Is an Accelerated Doctoral Degree Program?
Schools use a variety of methods to accelerate doctoral programs, including accepting large numbers of transfer credits, allowing heavier course loads, and condensing study schedules.
Through online delivery, schools can accelerate these programs and still offer flexible schedules.
Accelerated online doctoral degrees appeal to many types of students, but they may suit working students best since they can more easily accommodate nontraditional study schedules. On the flip side, an accelerated doctoral program could mean a more rigorous program.
Before enrolling, consider both the advantages and drawbacks of an online and fast-tracked program and how it might affect your learning experience.
10 Popular Online Accelerated Doctoral Degrees
Online accelerated doctoral degrees come in many different packages, but some disciplines lend themselves better to this format than others. Below, we take a look at some of these options.
1. Accounting
Most accelerated accounting programs award professional degrees, such as a DBA in accounting .
These programs require less intensive research and dissertation requirements and focus more on career-based coursework, such as advanced accounting methods and techniques. This creates more opportunities for accelerating the program via self-paced studies or a master’s-to-DBA pathway program.
2. Business Administration
An online DBA provides the best opportunity for you to accelerate a business doctorate. While these programs take an average of three years to complete, several schools offer fast-tracked online DBAs that offer more condensed schedules and classes year-round.
In place of the larger dissertations of Ph.D. programs, DBAs usually feature smaller dissertations and applied research projects.
3. Counseling and Therapy
Many doctoral programs in counseling feature significant clinical components in order to qualify graduates for state licensing requirements, making it difficult to accelerate them.
Programs that don’t lead to licensing, however, such as an Ed.D. in counseling or therapy, can offer accelerated online options by reducing the clinical and research requirements. These programs focus more on enhancing the practical knowledge of already licensed counselors with courses like counselor education and supervision.
4. Data Science
While you can find accelerated professional doctoral degrees in data science , such as a D.Eng. in data science, some schools have accelerated Ph.D. programs as well.
While these programs typically feature the same dissertation requirements as traditional Ph.D. programs, they fast-track the program by offering condensed courses like data engineering and machine learning and a faculty-assisted dissertation process.
5. Education
Education doctorates are some of the most commonly accelerated degrees, as they feature less intensive research requirements than a Ph.D. and fewer practical requirements than many clinical degrees. Accelerated online Ed.D. programs often focus on building administrative and leadership skills in experienced educators with courses like curriculum design and instructional strategies.
If you have experience and some doctoral coursework, you may even be able to enroll in an All But Dissertation (ABD) education doctoral program.
6. Healthcare Administration
Many doctor of healthcare administration (DHA) programs offer accelerated pathways by bypassing the dissertation and delivering practice-based studies instead, such as health leadership, human resources, and an applied research project.
Some DHA programs also offer advanced standing for relevant graduate-level training or professional experience.
DNP programs offer one of the fastest routes to a doctorate in nursing. By focusing more on evidence-based and advanced practice courses than intensive research, these programs can be complete more quickly. Some possible courses include healthcare policy and health informatics.
While DNP programs feature significant clinical requirements, you can still complete this degree in as little as two years.
8. Organizational Leadership
You have several options for an accelerated organizational leadership doctorate , including a DBA or Ed.D. in organizational leadership, which feature less intensive research requirements than the usual.
However, you can also find Ph.D. programs that stray from the traditional five-year curriculum by offering accelerated leadership and performance management courses before the dissertation.
9. Psychology
At the doctoral level, most accelerated psychology programs award Psy.D. degrees because these programs focus more on clinical practice than research. In addition to fast-tracked courses in applied research and evidence-based practice, many Psy.D. programs feature applied doctoral projects instead of lengthy dissertations.
10. Public Administration
When you want an accelerated doctorate in public administration , a professional doctor of public administration (DPA) is likely your best bet. Unlike research-heavy Ph.D. programs, DPA programs typically emphasize coursework and practical project-based training.
Often designed for working professionals and aspiring practitioners, DPA programs may offer more flexible schedules as well.
Frequently Asked Questions About Accelerated Online Doctorate Degrees
How quickly can i get a doctorate.
The length of your doctoral program depends on the school and your previous training and experience, but most accelerated doctorates take about 3-4 years to complete. With advanced standing and/or a heavy course load and condensed schedule, you might graduate in less than three years in some cases.
Do all doctorate degrees require a dissertation?
While Ph.D. programs typically require you to write a dissertation , not all doctoral programs require one. For example, many professional doctoral programs include an applied research project or put more emphasis on coursework and clinical work. In fact, the lack of a dissertation is what helps professional degree programs offer accelerated pathways.
Can you get a doctorate degree online?
Many schools allow you to earn a doctorate through online studies . You can watch recorded or live online lectures, attend virtual labs, and complete much of your research without ever visiting campus.
However, many clinical components of professional doctorates require in-person attendance, though you can often complete these requirements at a location near you.
What is the difference between a Ph.D. and a doctorate?
A Ph.D. is one type of doctorate — a research-based doctor of philosophy, to be specific. Other doctorates include an Ed.D., a DBA, a DPA, a DNP, and a DHA. These doctoral degree types may be classified as professional doctorates as they feature more practitioner-focused studies.
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by BestColleges. Page last reviewed May 13, 2024.
Explore More College Resources
Is an Accelerated Degree Program Right for Me?
An accelerated degree program is a flexible option that enables motivated students to graduate in less time and enter the workforce more quickly.
by Juliann Scholl, Ph.D.
Updated July 11, 2024
Best Online Accelerated Master’s Degrees
An accelerated online degree program can help you finish your master’s faster and work toward a degree around your schedule.
by Bennett Leckrone
Updated May 10, 2024
Best Online Accelerated Bachelor’s Degrees
An accelerated online bachelor’s degree can help you graduate and launch your career faster. Learn more about popular accelerated bachelor’s programs.
by Margaret Attridge
Updated April 29, 2024
View the most relevant schools for your interests and compare them by tuition, programs, acceptance rate, and other factors important to finding your college home.
- Harvard Business School →
- Doctoral Programs →
PhD Programs
- Accounting & Management
- Business Economics
- Health Policy (Management)
- Organizational Behavior
- Technology & Operations Management
Students in our PhD programs are encouraged from day one to think of this experience as their first job in business academia—a training ground for a challenging and rewarding career generating rigorous, relevant research that influences practice.
Our doctoral students work with faculty and access resources throughout HBS and Harvard University. The PhD program curriculum requires coursework at HBS and other Harvard discipline departments, and with HBS and Harvard faculty on advisory committees. Faculty throughout Harvard guide the programs through their participation on advisory committees.
How do I know which program is right for me?
There are many paths, but we are one HBS. Our PhD students draw on diverse personal and professional backgrounds to pursue an ever-expanding range of research topics. Explore more here about each program’s requirements & curriculum, read student profiles for each discipline as well as student research , and placement information.
The PhD in Business Administration grounds students in the disciplinary theories and research methods that form the foundation of an academic career. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program has four areas of study: Accounting and Management , Marketing , Strategy , and Technology and Operations Management . All areas of study involve roughly two years of coursework culminating in a field exam. The remaining years of the program are spent conducting independent research, working on co-authored publications, and writing the dissertation. Students join these programs from a wide range of backgrounds, from consulting to engineering. Many applicants possess liberal arts degrees, as there is not a requirement to possess a business degree before joining the program
The PhD in Business Economics provides students the opportunity to study in both Harvard’s world-class Economics Department and Harvard Business School. Throughout the program, coursework includes exploration of microeconomic theory, macroeconomic theory, probability and statistics, and econometrics. While some students join the Business Economics program directly from undergraduate or masters programs, others have worked in economic consulting firms or as research assistants at universities or intergovernmental organizations.
The PhD program in Health Policy (Management) is rooted in data-driven research on the managerial, operational, and strategic issues facing a wide range of organizations. Coursework includes the study of microeconomic theory, management, research methods, and statistics. The backgrounds of students in this program are quite varied, with some coming from public health or the healthcare industry, while others arrive at the program with a background in disciplinary research
The PhD program in Organizational Behavior offers two tracks: either a micro or macro approach. In the micro track, students focus on the study of interpersonal relationships within organizations and the effects that groups have on individuals. Students in the macro track use sociological methods to examine organizations, groups, and markets as a whole, including topics such as the influence of individuals on organizational change, or the relationship between social missions and financial objectives. Jointly administered by HBS and GSAS, the program includes core disciplinary training in sociology or psychology, as well as additional coursework in organizational behavior.
Accounting & Management
Business economics , health policy (management) , marketing , organizational behavior , strategy , technology & operations management .
COMMENTS
You can receive your Ph.D. seven years after starting college. Earn a head start that provides a great time advantage. Your next stop after graduation could be a fellowship at the Institute for Genomics Research, or the Fermi Laboratories, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)... all at the age of 25.
The PlusOne program allows current Northeastern students the opportunity to pursue both a bachelor’s and master’s degree successively in a condensed period of time. We also offer Accelerated PhD programs in Biology and Physics.
The BS to PhD Direct-Path program gives highly-qualified bachelor and master's students the opportunity to move rapidly into research activities with the simultaneous completion of the MS and PhD degrees.
Students accelerate their Ph.D. by finding their research topic area during their sophomore year, allowing them to get to work sooner. Students in this program satisfy all the requirements for the B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in their department. Perform Academic Research.
You may not find one-year Ph.D. programs online, but there are fast-tracked doctorates. Explore popular accelerated online doctoral degrees.
Students in our PhD programs are encouraged from day one to think of this experience as their first job in business academia—a training ground for a challenging and rewarding career generating rigorous, relevant research that influences practice.