Doctor of Education

The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program prepares education scholars and leaders for the 21st century. The program provides rigorous research training that equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to have broad impact in the worlds of policy and practice. Working with premier faculty in the field, students conduct cutting-edge research that addresses the most pressing problems in education. Graduates often assume roles as university faculty, senior-level educational leaders, policymakers, and researchers.

Students join a community of scholars who work at the nexus of practice, policy and research. Within the Ed.D. program, HGSE offers five concentrations:  Education Policy, Leadership, and Instructional Practice; Human Development and Education; Culture, Communities, and Education; Quantitative Policy Analysis in Education; Higher Education. The Urban Superintendents Program enrolled its last cohort in Fall 2009 (see the new Ed.L.D. program).The concentrations give students great latitude in designing a highly individualized course of study based on their research interests. Drawing on the vast intellectual resources available at Harvard University, students combine the strengths of a wide array of fields and disciplines with deep knowledge of the education sector. Education scholars and leaders need expertise in at least one perspective and understanding of other perspectives to contribute to solving complex educational problems in the United States and around the world. The program embraces this premise through a core curriculum that includes a first-year course on the interdisciplinary nature of education, rigorous training in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, and a variety of experiences designed to stimulate learning from colleagues with different backgrounds, experiences, and career goals.

Prospective students should investigate the research interests of the HGSE faculty, examine the courses offered at the school and prepare early to complete the application for admission. For additional questions on the Ed.D. program, don't hesitate to contact us.

All Ed.D. students receive a five-year funding package, covering full tuition and health fees. It also includes stipend support in year one and guaranteed income through work (e.g., teaching fellowships and research assistantships) in years two through five. Select Ed.D. students receive the Harvard University Presidential Scholarship, which provides additional stipend support to doctoral students who show exceptional promise. For
complete information on available fellowships and scholarships, please visit http://www.gse.harvard.edu/financialaid.

Please view our Student Profile and Alumni Profile pages to learn more about our Ed.D. students.

Our 2011 Ed.D. graduates pursued a wide range of topics for their dissertation work. You are welcome to review the dissertation titles and committee members for our most recent doctoral graduates. View 2011 graduate dissertations (132KB pdf).