Northeastern University offers the PhD programs listed below. Included in this list are Cross-Disciplinary Science PhD Programs, where students may pursue a PhD program that blends curriculum across two departments in the College of Science, such as psychology with marine and environmental science.
In addition, PhD students are encouraged to pursue additional graduate certificates to enhance their professional development including the Postsecondary Teaching, Global Doctoral Research, and Experiential PhD Leadership. The Experiential PhD page has additional information on doctoral opportunities that connect Northeastern to industry, government, and nonprofit partners.
B
- Bioengineering, PhD (Boston)
- Bioengineering, PhD (Portland)
- Biology, PhD (Boston)
- Biomedical Science, PhD (Boston)
C
- Chemical Engineering, PhD (Boston)
- Chemistry, PhD (Boston)
- Civil and Environmental Engineering, PhD (Boston)
- Computer Engineering, PhD (Boston)
- Computer Science, PhD (Boston)
- Counseling Psychology, PhD (Boston)
- Criminology and Justice Policy, PhD (Boston)
- Cross-Disciplinary Science PhD Programs - see available programs below
- Cybersecurity, PhD (Boston)
E
- Economics, PhD (Boston)
- Electrical Engineering, PhD (Boston)
- Electrical Engineering, PhD (Oakland)
- English, PhD (Boston)
H
- History, PhD (Boston)
- Human Behavior and Sustainability Sciences, PhD (Boston)
- Human Movement and Rehabilitation Sciences, PhD (Boston)
I
- Industrial Engineering, PhD (Boston)
- Interdisciplinary, PhD (Boston)
- Interdisciplinary, PhD (Portland)
- Interdisciplinary Design and Media, PhD (Boston)
- Interdisciplinary Engineering, PhD (Boston)
M
- Marine and Environmental Sciences, PhD (Boston)
- Mathematics, PhD (Boston)
- Mechanical Engineering, PhD (Boston)
- Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Discovery, PhD (Boston)
N
- Network Science, PhD (Boston)
- Nursing, PhD (Boston)
P
- Personal Health Informatics, PhD (Boston)
- Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery, PhD (Boston)
- Pharmacology, PhD (Boston)
- Physics, PhD (Boston)
- Political Science, PhD (Boston)
- Population Health, PhD (Boston)
- Psychology, PhD (Boston)
- Public Policy, PhD (Boston)
S
- School Psychology, PhD (Boston)
- Sociology, PhD (Boston)
- Biophysics, PhD (Boston)
- Human Behavior and Sustainability Sciences, PhD (Boston)
Graduate Certificates Available to PhD students for Professional Development
- Experiential PhD Leadership (Boston)
- Global Doctoral Research (Boston)
- Postsecondary Teaching (Boston)
The PhD Network works with Northeastern's colleges to produce career-ready, dynamic researchers with the deep knowledge and real-world skills and literacies they need to shape global and societal solutions—in academia and industry.
At Northeastern, every PhD student has opportunities to acquire experience beyond traditional dissertation research. Exposure to and integration with our many industry and academic partners—through internships, fieldwork, and other collaborations—and in authentic settings—from laboratories, startup companies, and nonprofit institutions—lead to research with greater impact and broader career opportunities, both within and beyond academia. The PhD Network works with internal and external partners to grow and facilitate opportunities for PhD students.
Shared values unite PhD-centered activities at Northeastern:
- Excellence with purpose: All PhD programs combine academic rigor with societal impact, preparing critical thinkers to tackle the world's most challenging problems.
- Innovative thinking: Our education programs, mentoring activities, and research scholarship develop novel content and pathfinding approaches.
- Crossing boundaries: PhD students transcend disciplinary and international boundaries during their innovative educational journey.
- Integrative education: The integration of scholarship and research training with collaborative fieldwork and professional development provides a uniquely experiential education.
- Inclusive diversity: Students and faculty from diverse cultures and backgrounds drive excellence by bringing a wide range of perspectives to our distinctive programs.
Explore the PhD Network website to learn more about:
- Resources that support PhD students’ educational, professional, and personal lives
- Events created especially for PhD students, both at Northeastern and through our partners
- Funding in support of fellowships, internships, and conference attendance