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Doctoral programs.

The goal of the GSE PhD in Education is to prepare the next generation of leading education researchers. The cornerstone of the doctoral experience at the Stanford Graduate School of Education is the research apprenticeship that all students undertake, typically under the guidance of their academic advisor, but often with other Stanford faculty as well.

In this apprenticeship model, doctoral students are provided with a multi-year funding package that consists of opportunities each quarter to serve as teaching and research assistants for faculty members' courses and research projects. By this means, and in combination with the courses they take as part of their program, students are prepared over an approximately five-year period to excel as university teachers and education researchers.

The doctoral degree in Education at the GSE includes doctoral program requirements as well as a specialization, as listed below, overseen by a faculty committee from one of the GSE's three academic areas.

Doctoral programs by academic area

Curriculum studies and teacher education (cte).

• ‌ Elementary Education
• ‌ History/Social Science Education
• ‌ Learning Sciences and Technology Design
• ‌ Literacy, Language, and English Education
• ‌ Mathematics Education
• ‌ Science, Engineering and Technology Education
• ‌ Race, Inequality, and Language in Education
• ‌ Teacher Education

Developmental and Psychological Sciences (DAPS)

• ‌ Developmental and Psychological Sciences

Social Sciences, Humanities, and Interdisciplinary Policy Studies in Education (SHIPS)

• ‌ Anthropology of Education
• ‌ Economics of Education
• ‌ Education Data Science
• ‌ ‌Educational Linguistics
• ‌ Educational Policy
• ‌ Higher Education
• ‌ History of Education
• ‌ International Comparative Education
• ‌ Organizational Studies
• ‌ Philosophy of Education
• ‌ Sociology of Education

Cross-area specializations

Learning sciences and technology design (lstd).

LSTD allows doctoral students to study learning sciences and technology design within the context of their primary program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Race, Inequality, and Language in Education (RILE)

RILE trains students to become national leaders in conducting research on how race, inequality, and language intersect to make both ineffective and effective educational opportunities. RILE allows students to specialize within their program of study (DAPS, CTE, or SHIPS).

Other academic opportunities

• ‌ Concentration in Education and Jewish Studies
• ‌ PhD Minor in Education
• ‌ Stanford Doctoral Training Program in Leadership for System-wide Inclusive Education (LSIE)
• ‌ Certificate Program in Partnership Research in Education
• ‌ Public Scholarship Collaborative

“I came to Stanford to work with faculty who value learning in informal settings and who are working to understand and design for it.”

Doctoral graduates were employed within four months of graduation

of those employed worked in organizations or roles related to education

For more information about GSE admissions and to see upcoming events and appointments:

To learn more about the Academic Services team:

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You are here, penn gse ranks #1 in u.s. news & world report best education schools.

For the first time, Penn’s Graduate School of Education has topped the U.S. News & World Report’s 2022 rankings for graduate schools of education . The school shares the #1 spot with Harvard’s Graduate School of Education, and the ranking marks the sixth consecutive year Penn GSE has been in the top 5.

“We are honored to be ranked in the top position, especially during this difficult year. Credit goes to Penn GSE’s extraordinary faculty, researchers, partners, students, alumni, and staff who work together to further our mission of expanding educational access, especially to those who are underserved or marginalized,” said Penn GSE Dean Pam Grossman .

The U.S. News & World Report  rankings also highlight Penn GSE’s strength across a variety of disciplines. For 14 years running, Penn GSE's leadership in the world of education policy has been reflected with top 10 positions – both the  Education Policy Division  and the Higher Education Division  moved up to the #5 spots in their respective categories.

Penn GSE’s  teacher education programs  have also been recognized among the nation’s best, with Secondary Teacher Education named as a top specialty area. The School’s excellence in preparing students to build creativity in the classroom has been recognized for the third year in a row with a ranking in  Curriculum and Instruction .

For the fourth straight year, Penn GSE’s  Education Administration  programs were highlighted, and the School also ranked highly in Educational Psychology for the second time in three years.

Grounded in a commitment to research backed up by over $60 million in funded work, Penn GSE is an Ivy League school committed to finding solutions to the challenges facing education. World-renowned faculty are among the most accomplished in their fields. 

Students have tremendous opportunities to develop tight-knit relationships with education’s leading scholars and participate in cutting-edge research. With some of the most selective doctoral programs in the country, Penn GSE has approximately two doctoral candidates for every standing faculty member. Master’s students benefit from a rigorous atmosphere that emphasizes real-world applications for every lesson. Penn GSE also offers a range of executive-style degrees that prepare professionals to be thought leaders and innovators in the evolving education landscape.

Current students and graduates have access to career services support through both the University of Pennsylvania and Penn GSE’s own in-house, nationally certified career counselor who specializes in the education marketplace. Graduates join a powerful alumni network that includes teachers and leaders, entrepreneurs, and college presidents.

Penn GSE and its partners continue to provide leadership in the field and work toward making a positive impact through teaching, research, innovation, and transformational approaches to expanding educational opportunity.

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Related stories.

• Howard Stevenson and Nancy Hornberger elected to the National Academy of Education
• Prestigious awards shine a light on Penn GSE’s exceptional students and faculty
• McGraw Prize winners discuss how educators can adapt to meet the moment

Related Topics

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Media inquiries.

Penn GSE Communications is here to help reporters connect with the education experts they need.

Kat Stein Executive Director of Penn GSE Communications (215) 898-9642 [email protected]  

Doctor of Philosophy in Education

The Johns Hopkins School of Education’s full-time PhD program offers an individually tailored learning experience based on a student’s interest in finding solutions to pressing education problems. Select applicants receive full tuition and a stipend.

The School of Education will pause admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD) program for the 2025-26 academic year while we add several programmatic improvements. The next intake for admission to the PhD program will be for students who want to matriculate in the Fall 2026 semester. The online application will open in August 2025 to begin accepting submissions, and the application completion deadline will be December 16, 2025. Please complete our Request for Information Form to receive updates and announcements for the next admission period.

The program provides rigorous interdisciplinary training that develops students’ abilities to conduct evidence-based research on real-world educational challenges. Instruction and mentorship emphasizes the development and evaluation of policies and practices that address real-world educational problems.

Students benefit from a one-to-one apprenticeship model that pairs exceptional interdisciplinary candidates with nationally acclaimed faculty mentors, along with engaging coursework, sophisticated methodological training, and cohort-based learning.

Questions? Please reach out and we’ll be in touch soon.

Learn about our PhD students.

Upcoming Admissions Events

Have questions about our degree programs, the application, or financial aid and costs? Join us for an inside look at a graduate experience defined by innovation and driven by evidence-based research. Learn more about your area of interest or career path, meet some of our faculty, and connect to the Johns Hopkins School of Education community. Check out our admissions events and register for a virtual information session today.

Fall 2024 Semester Classes Begin

Core Faculty

Jennifer adams, phd.

Associate Professor Director, International Teaching and Global Leadership

Affiliation

Innovative Teaching & Leadership

International Teaching & Global Leadership

Robert Balfanz, PhD

Professor Co-Director, Center for Social Organization of Schools

Center for Social Organization of Schools, SOE Leadership

Education Policy & Politics, Research, Evaluation & Assessment, Social Context of Education

Ashley Rogers Berner, PhD

Associate Professor Director, Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy

Institute for Education Policy, SOE Leadership

Curriculum Studies, Education Policy & Politics, Research, Evaluation & Assessment

Rebecca Cruz, PhD

Assistant Professor

Center for Safe and Healthy Schools, Innovative Teaching & Leadership

Education Policy & Politics, Social Context of Education, Special Education

Marcia Davis, PhD

Associate Professor (Research) Co-Director, Center for Social Organization of Schools Director of Research, Baltimore Education Research Consortium

Learning & Instruction, Research, Evaluation & Assessment

Norma L. Day-Vines, PhD

Professor Associate Dean for Diversity and Faculty Development

SOE Leadership

Counseling & Human Development

Hunter Gehlbach, PhD

Professor Faculty Lead, PhD Program

Advanced Studies in Education

Learning & Instruction, Measurement & Research Methodologies

Odis Johnson, Jr., PhD

Bloomberg Distinguished Professor Executive Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Safe and Healthy Schools Director, Institute in Critical Quantitative, Computational, and Mixed Methodologies

Center for Safe and Healthy Schools, SOE Leadership

Education Policy & Politics, Measurement & Research Methodologies, Social Context of Education

Richard Lofton, PhD

Center for Safe and Healthy Schools

Education Policy & Politics, Social Context of Education

Douglas J. Mac Iver, PhD

Center for Social Organization of Schools

Curriculum Studies, Research, Evaluation & Assessment

Martha Abele Mac Iver, PhD

Associate Professor Associate Dean of Research

Research, Evaluation & Assessment

Olivia Marcucci, PhD

Advanced Studies in Education, Center for Safe and Healthy Schools

Social Context of Education

Ebony McGee, PhD

Stephen morgan, phd.

Bloomberg Distinguished Professor

Measurement & Research Methodologies, Social Context of Education

Jonathan Plucker, PhD

Research Professor Faculty Lead, Master of Science in Education Policy

Counseling & Educational Studies

Education Policy & Politics, Gifted Education, Learning & Instruction

Eric Rice, PhD

Social Context of Education, Urban Education

Joshua C. Schuschke, PhD

Educational Technology

Alexandra Shelton, PhD

Learning & Instruction, Special Education

Angela R. Watson, PhD

Assistant Research Professor

Institute for Education Policy

Education Policy & Politics

Program Overview

With its goal of pursuing big ideas and sharing knowledge to address real-world challenges, Johns Hopkins University takes pride in its founding mission as the U.S.’s first research university. The full-time Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Education at the Johns Hopkins School of Education embraces that tradition. We offer a world-class, research-focused program that prepares exceptional scholars to investigate and develop policies and practices that improve educational outcomes from pre-K through secondary school and beyond.

Students draw insights from different disciplines (e.g., educational psychology, learning sciences, sociology of education), synthesizing their knowledge to craft multidisciplinary, evidence-based approaches to address educational policies and practices — particularly those that can improve outcomes for historically underserved populations. Immersion in modern research methods — advanced statistical techniques, open science approaches, and data science — facilitates students’ capacities to argue for research-based educational reforms.

Students benefit from the mentorship of nationally acclaimed researchers in an apprenticeship model as well as collaborative learning opportunities from courses, research groups, and their cohort. Our graduates go on to careers in higher education as professors, policymakers, and influential scholars at research-intensive universities, institutes, and centers.

All PhD students at the School of Education are eligible for a fellowship for up to four years. The fellowship includes a yearly stipend and will cover tuition and fees. The fellowship also covers individual health, dental, and vision insurance. All PhD students must be registered full time and be in good academic standing every semester to continue to be eligible for their fellowship.

Through our PhD program, students acquire cutting-edge research skills that position them for tenure-track faculty positions in higher education, policymaking roles with state agencies or school systems, and leadership positions in educational research organizations.

• Research and Post Secondary Teaching
• University Professor
• University Researcher
• Policy Analyst

“ What set my experience apart was the chance to work with remarkable mentors who are not only impactful researchers in the field, but also genuinely care about me as a person.

2024-2025 Catalog

Doctoral degrees.

The University of Idaho awards the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in recognition of high achievement in scholarly and research activity. The degree of Doctor of Education is granted for high scholarly attainment and in recognition of the completion of academic preparation for professional practice. See the "Ph.D. and Ed.D. Procedures" tab for more details. The Doctor of Athletic Training is offered through the College of Education and the Department of Movement Sciences (see the "DAT Procedures" tab for more details).

The major professor and program offering a particular doctoral program indicate the general philosophy of the degree program, the objectives of courses and seminars, the research specialties available, and requirements unique to the department. Admission to the doctoral program is granted only to those who have a recognized potential for completing the degree.

Requirements for Doctoral Degrees

Credit requirements.

For the Ph.D. and Ed.D., a minimum of 78 credits beyond the bachelor's degree is required.; At least 52 credits must be at the 500 level or above and at least 33 of the 78 credits must be in courses other than 600 (Doctoral Research and Dissertation). A maximum of 45 research credits in 600 (Doctoral Research and Dissertation) including 6 credits of 599 (Non-thesis Research) or 500 (Master's Research and Thesis) may be in the 45 research credits used toward the degree. For the D.A.T., a minimum of 66 credits is required and follows a prescribed set of courses set by the program.

Courses numbered below 300 may not be used to fulfill the requirements for a doctoral degree; courses numbered 300-399 may be used only in supporting areas and are not to be used to make up deficiencies. Individual programs may require additional course work. Applicants having a doctoral degree may obtain a second doctoral degree subject to the approval of the Graduate Council. The Graduate Council will establish the requirements for the second degree.

Credit Limitations for Transfer, Correspondence Study, and Non-degree

For the Ph.D. and Ed.D. degrees, a student must complete at least 39 of the 78 required credits at the University of Idaho (U of I) while matriculated in the College of Graduate Studies. Credits can be transferred to U of I with the consent of the student's major professor, the committee (if required by the program), the program's administrator, and the dean of the College of Graduate Studies. Credits can be transferred only if the institution from which the credits are being transferred has a graduate program in the course's discipline. All credits used toward graduate degrees must be from regionally accredited American institutions or from non-US institutions recognized by the appropriate authorities in their respective countries. Transfer credits are subject to all other College of Graduate Studies rules and regulations. Correspondence study courses may be applied to the degree only with the prior written approval of the College of Graduate Studies. Courses used toward an undergraduate degree, professional development courses, and courses on a professional development transcript are not available to be used toward a doctoral degree.

Time Limits

Of the credits submitted to satisfy the requirements for a Ph.D. or Ed.D. degree, a maximum of 30 may be more than eight years old when the degree is conferred, provided the student's committee and program administrator determine that the student has kept current in the subjects concerned. Graduation must occur no later than five years after the date on which the candidate passed their preliminary or general examination. These time limitations can be extended only on recommendation of the committee and approval by the Graduate Council.

Awarding Doctoral Degrees to Members of the Faculty

Regulations are outlined in Section 4920 of the Faculty-Staff Handbook.

Particular Requirements for the Ed.D. Degree

A period of professional practice is required for the Doctor of Education degree; the period involved is determined by the student's supervisory committee. While the Ed.D. is a College of Education degree, you should consult with the departments in the College of Education to learn of specific emphasis requirements.

Procedures for Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Education Degrees

Appointment of major professor and committee.

Refer to " Appointment of Major Professor and Committee for All Degree Seeking Graduate Students " in the preceding General Graduate Regulations section. In addition, a doctoral supervisory committee consists of at least four people: the major professor as chair and at least one additional UI faculty member from the program, the balance of the committee may be made up of faculty members from a minor or supporting area, and faculty members from a discipline outside the major. If the committee has a co-chair, the minimum number of committee members is five.

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination is a program option and serves to assess the background of the student in both the major and supporting fields and to provide partially the basis for preparation of the student's study program. A particular program may or may not require a master's degree as a prerequisite for the qualifying evaluation. As soon as the program's qualifications are met, a supervisory committee is appointed.

Preparation of Study Plan

Refer to " Preparation and Submission of Study Plan " in the preceding General Graduate Regulations section.

Preliminary Examination for Ph.D. Degree

The preliminary examination should be scheduled only after the student has completed the majority of the courses on their study plan. The student is required to be registered during the semester the preliminary examination is taken. The student's committee certifies to the College of Graduate Studies the results of the preliminary examination and if passed, the student is advanced to candidacy. Graduation must occur no later than five years after the date on which the candidate passed their examination. If the preliminary examination is failed, it may be repeated only once; the repeat examination must be taken within a period of not less than three months or more than one year following the first attempt. If a student fails the preliminary examination a second time, or the program does not allow the student to repeat the examination after the first failure or the student does not retake the examination within one year, the student is automatically moved to unclassified enrollment status and is no longer in the degree program.

General Examination for Ed.D . Degree

When the student approaches the end of their course work, has completed the professional experience requirement, and has outlined the dissertation subject in detail, the supervisory committee approves the holding of the general examination. The student is required to be registered during the semester the general examination is taken. The examination is both written and oral and is intended to assess progress toward degree objectives. The student's committee certifies to the College of Graduate Studies the results of the general examination and if passed, the student is advanced to candidacy. Graduation must occur no later than five years after the date on which the candidate passed their examination. If the general examination is failed, it may be repeated only once; the repeat examination must be taken within a period of not less than three months or more than one year following the first attempt. If a student fails the general examination a second time, or the program does not allow the student to repeat the examination after the first failure or the student does not retake the examination within one year, the student is automatically moved to unclassified status and is no longer in the degree program.

See the General Graduate Regulations section regarding application for advanced degree, registration requirements, final defense and dissertation requirements.

Procedures for Doctor of Athletic Training

The culminating clinical project.

Students enrolled in the Doctor of Athletic Training (D.A.T.) will engage in research projects during the curricular phase of the program. These project(s) will lead to at least two publication ready manuscripts, and all students must meet professional authorship requirements (regardless of order). See the  Department of Movement Sciences and Doctor of Athletic Training webpages for more information.

The Team (Committee)

All D.A.T. project team committees will have at least four committee members: two members of the athletic training faculty (all with graduate faculty status), the student's attending clinician (who is the student's on-site mentor during the student's residency), and an expert in the student's chosen area of clinical research. The athletic training faculty members will always chair the CCP, provide research guidance, and serve as the experts in the development of advanced practice in Athletic Training. A situation may arise in which one or both of the members of the committee that are outside of the AT program faculty may have a degree less than that of which the student is seeking; however, the intent of the third and fourth D.A.T. committee membership is to provide outside validation of the student's progress toward advanced practice and clinical utility of action research studies.

Culminating Clinical Project Hours

These dissertation hours may be used in instances when the CCP has not been successfully completed and the curricular phase of program has been completed.

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College of Education, Health and Human Sciences

Physical Address: 921 Campus Drive Moscow ID, 83844

General Contact: Phone: 208-885-6772 Email: [email protected]

Student Services: Phone: 208-885-6610

Fax: 208-885-1071

Mailing Address: University of Idaho Boise Center 322 E. Front Street Boise, ID 83702

Phone: 208-334-2999

Fax: 208-364-4035

Email: [email protected]

Web: Boise Center

Coeur d'Alene

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Phone: 208-292-2519

Fax: 208-667-5275

Email: [email protected]

Web: CDA Center

Doctoral Degree Overview

University of Idaho offers two advanced Education degree programs, the Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Differences between the two are explained below. The Doctoral Handbook will guide students through the steps necessary to be considered for admission to the doctoral program in the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences and College of Graduate Studies. For more information about our programs, contact us by email at  [email protected]  or call 208-885-6772.

For more information about our doctoral programs, contact Ann Brown .

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

The Doctor of Education prepares students as professional leaders, educators and practitioner-scholars who actualize the knowledge base in their respective field. Students will:

Create and model ethical evidence-based best practices

Lead organizational change 

Establish a caring and collaborative learning community

Support the principles of teaching and learning practices

Utilize the principles of effective leadership

Develop proficiency utilizing and applying technologies

Evaluate the individual, organizational, and societal contexts of learning

Design research that addresses professional policy issues

Integrate ethical sensitivity toward diversity and social justice in research, teaching and learning

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Doctor of Philosophy prepares students as researchers, faculty and/or discipline-based scholars who contribute to the knowledge base of their respective fields. Students will:

Engage in ethical, empirical, theoretical, and/or conceptual inquiry

Develop an active research agenda

Engage in grant-writing, proposal and manuscript preparation and presentations

Develop understanding of pedagogies and content 

Contribute to professional organizations, societies and/or academies

Engage in appropriate outreach/service 

Doctoral Specializations

Adult, organizational learning and leadership, ph.d..

A Ph.D. in Adult, Organizational Learning and Leadership will prepare you to lead and teach professional development and training programs as a leader or educator. This doctorate program at  University of Idaho prepares students in a wide range of careers including higher education, business, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

• View Ph.D. study plan

Autism Spectrum Disorder & Related Disabilities, Ph.D.

The Ph.D. specialization at the University of Idaho is designed to prepare prospective university faculty and leaders to teach, conduct and disseminate research and secure funding for research in the area of autism spectrum disorder and related disabilities. This highly structured program is designed to accommodate full- and part-time doctoral students both at a distance and on campus, and to produce high-quality leaders that are philosophically oriented toward family involvement, cultural competency, inclusive and multi-tiered supports, evidence-based interventions and research to practice scholarship.

• View Ph.D. study guide

Career and Technical Education, Ph.D. or Ed.D.

This program prepares education professionals for leadership positions in public or private education systems, including K-12 districts and community colleges. The degree is designed for experienced educators who want to perform and apply research to address practical problems relevant to their personal careers and local educational landscapes. As a student in this program, you will lead original dissertation research, likely within the context of your professional work, with a focus primarily on real-world, real-time applications in your local community. Students graduate proficient in program evaluation, case study and action research.

• View Ed.D. study plan

Curriculum and Instruction, Ph.D. or Ed.D.

This program offers opportunities to contribute to national and international conversations surrounding the many complex issues in today’s educational system. This research-oriented program is designed primarily, but not exclusively, for students who want research and/or teaching careers in higher education. As a student in the program, you will design and implement original dissertation research to address a specific problem or issue in the field of education. Your work should lead to publishable articles in national and international peer-reviewed journals. Students in this program become proficient in advanced statistical and qualitative research methodologies and gain the skills to lead further research in their professional careers in academia.

Educational Leadership, Ph.D. or Ed.D.

A Doctor of Education (Ed.D) or a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree with an educational leadership emphasis is for students who want to learn advanced skills and theories that will help inform and improve research and practice. This degree prepares students to assume positions as research-based faculty members in universities, high-level administrators and analysts in schools, school districts and in state and national-level agencies. The doctorate can also open doors in the private sector as a consultant and CEO.

Exercise Science, Ph.D.

This Ph.D. program prepares you to help advance the field of exercise science through teaching, research and service at universities or other exercise-related institutions. As a student in the program, you will focus your doctoral studies in biomechanics, exercise physiology or sport psychology. You also will lead independent research in the field, with opportunities to conduct performance, physiological or motor-skills tests in the on-campus Human Performance Laboratory which houses the Exercise Physiology Lab and the Biomechanics Lab.

Healthy Active Lifestyles, Ph.D.

Stem (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), ph.d. or ed.d..

The College of Education, Health and Human Sciences (EHHS) has a specialization in STEM education within its Ph.D. in education. The college focuses on the disciplines within STEM not only because the skills and knowledge in each discipline are essential for student success, but also because these disciplines are deeply intertwined in the real world and in how students learn most effectively.

There are various areas of expertise and experience in EHHS that include but are not limited to:

• K-12 STEM Education
• Math and Science Education
• Engineering and Technology Education
• Indigenous STEM Education
• Experiential STEM Education

Because there is so much variance among study plans in the STEM Education specialization based on students’ backgrounds and focus, a sample program sheet is not provided. Contact the associate dean for the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences for specific information regarding a given focus within STEM Education.

Questions on our Graduate Programs?

» Visit our Graduate Program FAQ page

• Doctoral Handbook pdf
• Doctoral Dissertation Proposal Approval pdf

Admission Details

Ed.D. or Ph.D.

• Next available: Fall 2025
• Application Deadline: Dec. 1
• Summer only
• Next available: Summer 2024
• Application Deadline: April 15

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Best graduate student loans for fall 2024

By Aly Yale

Edited By Angelica Leicht

Updated on: August 2, 2024 / 3:12 PM EDT / CBS News

Depending on what field you're planning to go into, graduate school might be a necessity. But even if it's not, you may still want an advanced degree to improve your earning or employment prospects.

It's an effective strategy . After all, having a master's degree or higher offers earnings about 20% higher than those with only a bachelor's degree, according to the National Center for Education Statistics.

Unfortunately, those advanced degrees don't come for free. The average cost of graduate school is just under $20,000 per year, the latest data shows — and that's for in-state tuition only. While federal student loans and aid can often help cover some of these costs, it may not be enough. If that's the case for you, private student loans can be an option to fill in the gaps. 

Start comparing the top student loan rates available to you here .

Here are the best private graduate student loans to consider: 

Best overall: College Ave

When it comes to private student loans for graduate school, College Ave is tops overall. The lender offers general graduate school loans as well as loans specifically for graduate students in dental, MBA, medical and law programs. Its interest rates are among the lowest we looked at and come in both fixed and variable options.

There are also four repayment plans to choose from, including a flat $25 payment during school. Loan terms range from five to 15 years. 

Learn more about your College Ave student loan options here .

Best for low rates: Sallie Mae

Sallie Mae offers low interest rates on both fixed-rate and variable-rate graduate loans. Fixed interest rates range from 3.99% to 14.48%, while variable rates range from 5.37% to 14.97% (including an autopay discount). 

There are zero origination fees tied to these loans, and you can get up to 48 months of payment deferment while doing an internship or fellowship. There's also a six-month grace period upon graduation with this lender.

Find out how affordable your student loans could be with Sallie Mae .

Best for no fees: Earnest

If you want to avoid fees when getting your graduate student loan, look to Earnest, which charges no origination, disbursement or late payment fees. You can also skip a payment once a year without penalty, and there are four repayment options to choose from. 

Another standout: Earnest offers a rare nine-month grace period after graduation vs. the six-month option offered by most lenders.

Check your private student loan options with Earnest today .

Best for borrowers with a cosigner: Ascent Funding

If you can find a creditworthy cosigner, you may to look to Ascent Funding for your graduate school loans. The lender offers some of the lowest rates around for cosigned loans, with fixed APRs starting at just 3.79%. Be aware, though, that its non-cosigned loans have APRs much higher (ranging from 8.65% to nearly 15%). 

There are also graduate loans for a number of programs, including MBA, medical school, dental school, law school, PhD programs, master's programs and health professions, and the maximum loan amounts can be as high as up to $400,000.

Start comparing your loan options from Ascent Funding now .

Best for students with bad credit: SoFi

If you don't have great credit, you may want to look to SoFi. Not only does the lender offer a number of cosigner options you can use to qualify , but as a member, you can also check your credit score and get access to financial advisor and career services, too. There are opportunities to earn cash for good grades as well, and there are several options for rate discounts.

Loans are available for graduation programs and certificates, and the minimum loan amount is just $5,000.

See what rate you could get with SoFi here .

Best for students with good credit: LendKey

If you've got good credit and are willing to set up autopay, you can get a rate as low as 3.99% with LendKey (or as low as 6% on variable-rate loans). The marketplace boasts a variety of loan options from credit unions nationwide and streamlines the application process on its digital platform. You can also refinance student loans through LendKey.

The bottom line

When getting any sort of loan — education or otherwise — make sure to shop around for your lender. Rates, fees, and loan offerings can vary widely between companies, so comparing several options can help ensure you get the best deal.

If you need help deciding what private student loan or lender to go with, reach out to a financial professional. They can point you toward the right options for your goals.

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The Top International Relations Schools of 2024, Ranked

An insider’s guide to the world’s best programs—for both policy and academic careers.

The Teaching, Research, and International Policy (TRIP) Project at William & Mary’s Global Research Institute has long partnered with Foreign Policy to create a reputational ranking of academic programs in international relations. Over the past two decades, our process has remained simple and consistent: We ask IR professionals what they think are the five best places to study for an undergraduate, terminal master’s, and doctoral degree.

In our most recent survey on the topic, conducted from October 2022 to January 2023, we received responses from 979 IR scholars across the United States, 294 staff affiliated with U.S. think tanks, and 291 policymakers who worked in the U.S. government during the George W. Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations. For the first time, we also asked respondents which Ph.D. programs are best for a student interested in a policy career, rather than an academic one. As the number of tenure-track positions in universities declines and the demand for expertise within the policy community increases , this question is more relevant today than ever before.

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• Ph.D., ACADEMIC
• Ph.D., POLICY

Undergraduate Programs

These results should look familiar to those who follow national undergraduate rankings. Ivy League schools, Stanford University, the University of Chicago, and a few large public universities were favored across the board. But a handful of outliers punched well above their weight: Georgetown University, American University, George Washington University, Tufts University, and William & Mary all placed much higher here compared with their rankings in U.S. News & World Report , widely considered the most influential college ranking in the United States. In fact, Georgetown stands out as the top undergraduate choice among policymakers and think tank staff.

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Master’s Programs

For master’s students hoping to pursue a policy career, all three groups we surveyed expressed a preference for programs on the East Coast. Only a few schools located west of the Rocky Mountains made the top 20 in each list. Respondents also highlighted several options outside the United States in the top 20: IR faculty included four international programs, while policymakers included five—all located in Europe—and think tankers included eight, one of which is in Asia.

Ph.D. Programs for Academics

IR faculty members’ rankings of Ph.D. programs have proved remarkably stable over the years. Between our 2017 survey and our most recent one, no top 15 program has moved more than one spot in either direction; in fact, most held the same rank. Additionally, policymakers and think tank staff appeared to value academic Ph.D. programs located in Washington, D.C., and outside the United States much more than U.S.-based IR scholars did.

Ph.D. Programs for Policymakers

When asked about doctoral students pursuing a policy career, all three groups we surveyed showed a preference for institutions with strong connections to Washington. Schools such as George Washington University, Georgetown University, and American University are ranked higher for students pursuing policy careers than for those hoping to enter academia. Conversely, institutions such as the University of Chicago and Massachusetts Institute of Technology are ranked lower for policy careers than academic ones. This shift highlights the importance of proximity to policy centers and the availability of practical engagement opportunities in shaping perceptions of a program’s value for a policy-oriented career in IR.

Advice to Prospective Students

Prospective students would do well to explore the specific features of various programs rather than focusing solely on a broad reputational ranking, which tells us little about a program’s regional, functional, or methodological strengths. For example, both academic and policymaker respondents who specialize in international political economy and/or trade policy ranked the London School of Economics master’s program higher than respondents who focus on security policy. Similarly, academics who specialize in the study of Latin America ranked the University of California, Berkeley Ph.D. program higher for an academic career than their non-Latin Americanist colleagues.

Still, prospective students should keep in mind that reputation matters. Although reputation may be an imperfect indicator of quality, it is a strong indicator of perceived quality within the field. A program’s standing can have conscious and unconscious effects on graduate school admissions committees, scholarship committees, and hiring managers in the public, private, and higher education sectors. For this reason, our ranking provides a systematic measure of these perceptions to assist prospective students in making informed choices as they plan for their future.

Advancing a Global Affairs Career

The intersection of large-scale challenges and technological advancements demands a broader range of knowledge and skills from international relations professionals. Learn about the impact this is having on employment trends in the latest FP Graduate School Guide .

To learn how your academic institution can be part of the FP Guides, contact Director of Academic Partnerships: Sherri Greeves, [email protected] .

Irene Entringer García Blanes is a senior project manager for the Teaching, Research, and International Policy Project at William & Mary. Twitter:  @EntringerIrene

Susan Peterson is the Wendy and Emery Reves professor of government and international relations at William & Mary.

Michael J. Tierney is the George and Mary Hylton professor of international relations and director of the Global Research Institute at William & Mary. Twitter:  @MikeTierneyIR

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• Student Loans

How The FAFSA Differs For Grad School

Updated: Jan 30, 2024, 10:41am

Returning to school for a graduate or professional degree is a big decision that more people are choosing. In fact, the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) estimates that enrollment in master’s, doctoral and professional degree programs will increase 6% by 2031.

Graduate school can be expensive, but many students don’t realize financial aid is available. Besides loans, you can use grants, assistantships and work-study programs to finance your degree.

To access financial aid, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—the same form you filled out during undergrad. However, the FAFSA works differently for graduate students.

Find the Best Private Student Loans of 2024

Do i need to file a fafsa for grad school.

Earning a master’s degree can help accelerate your career, but you may be worried about the high cost of graduate school—and with good reason. The average annual cost of tuition and fees is about $20,000 for full-time graduate students, according to the NCES.

However, there are many financial aid opportunities available, if, you fill out the FAFSA .

Submitting the form, which should take under an hour, could result in major savings. The most recent data from the NCES shows the following statistics for the 2019-2020 award year:

• 74% of graduate students received some form of financial aid
• 43% of graduate students received grants, averaging $11,300 per student
• 12% of graduate students received assistantships, worth an average value of $18,800
• 39% of graduate students took out direct unsubsidized loans
• 11% of graduate students loans took out direct PLUS loans

If you skip the FAFSA as a graduate student, you could miss out on valuable financial aid, including gift aid that doesn’t require repayment.

How Does the FAFSA Work for Grad School?

The FAFSA for grad school is pretty similar to the FAFSA for undergraduate students. You’ll need the following information for the FAFSA form:

• Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID to sign into StudentAid.gov
• Social Security number or Alien Registration number
• Account statements for your checking and savings accounts
• Information about investment accounts
• Federal income tax returns
• Records of untaxed income

However, the FAFSA for graduate school differs in several key ways:

• Dependency status. Almost all graduate students are considered independent for financial aid purposes . This means you’ll only have to enter your own income and asset information rather than your parents’.
• Aid options. Graduate students have different loan and aid options than undergraduate students. As a graduate student, the only loans you can qualify for are direct unsubsidized loans and grad PLUS , so you’re responsible for all interest that accrues on your loan. Most grad students are also ineligible for Pell Grants, though you may qualify for other types of grant aid.
• Borrowing limits. Undergraduate student loans have annual and aggregate borrowing limits . Graduate unsubsidized loans also have borrower caps, but grad PLUS loans have no borrower maximum. You can borrow up to the total school-certified cost of attendance.

Grad School FAFSA Eligibility

As with undergraduate students, graduate school applicants are only eligible for federal financial aid if they meet the following requirements:

• Are U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens
• Are planning to attend an accredited university in an eligible degree program
• Demonstrate financial need for programs like grants and work-study

In general, any degree you pursue after earning a bachelor’s degree is considered graduate school from a financial aid perspective. Graduate school financial aid includes financing for master’s degrees, business school and doctorate programs, as well as law, medical or dental school.

Financial Aid Options for Grad School

There are several forms of federal financial aid you can receive as a graduate student, based on your FAFSA information:

• Student loans. The government uses the FAFSA to determine your eligibility for federal student loans, which tend to have lower interest rates and more repayment options than private student loans for graduate school .
• Grants. You may be eligible for federal, state or local grants based on your FAFSA information. Grants are a form of gift aid and don’t need to be repaid. For federal grants, graduate students pursuing an education degree may be eligible for the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
• Work-study. Another federal program available to graduate students, the work-study program helps you get a part-time job to offset your education expenses.

Grad School Loan Limits and Fees

If you’re like most graduate students, you’ll borrow some money to pay for your degree. On average, graduate borrowers took out about $26,000 in loans for the 2019-20 school year alone. For federal loans, there are two borrowing options:

• Direct unsubsidized loans. Direct unsubsidized loans for graduate students have an interest rate of 7.05% for the 2023-24 school year. The annual borrowing limit is $20,500 and lifetime limit is $138,500; any federal loans you took out for your undergraduate degree also count toward the lifetime maximum. The loan disbursement fee for unsubsidized loans is 1.057%.
• Grad PLUS loans. Unlike direct unsubsidized loans, PLUS loans don’t have an annual or aggregate limit. You can borrow up to the total cost of attendance in your program. However, PLUS loans have the highest interest rate of all federal loan options, at 8.05% for the 2023-24 school year. They also have a disbursement fee of 4.228%.

What To Expect After You Submit Your Graduate FAFSA

Submit your FAFSA as soon as you can after the application opens each year. After you submit it, you’ll receive your federal Student Aid Report (SAR) . The SAR summarizes the information on your FAFSA and explains your eligibility for financial aid. For the 2024-25 award year and onward, the SAR will be replaced with the FAFSA Submission Summary.

Contact your intended school’s financial aid office to see if there are any other steps you need to complete. Some universities have their own financial aid applications you’ll have to submit, or you may have to send in additional information to be considered for scholarships or other institutional aid.

The university will review your FAFSA information and other documents to determine your financial aid awards. They will send you a financial aid award letter detailing what grants, scholarships and student loans you’re eligible for and what steps you must complete to accept.

Once you’ve received your financial aid offer from the university and are enrolled at least half-time, any federal student loans you have from your undergraduate studies should be automatically deferred. If they’re not, you should ask the school you’re attending to report your enrollment to make you eligible for in-school deferment .

Planning for Graduate School

If you’re pursuing a master’s or another professional degree, filling out the FAFSA is an essential first step in paying for grad school . While the FAFSA for grad school has slightly different requirements than it does for undergraduate students, it can help you qualify for grants, work-study programs and federal student loans. To get the maximum amount of financial aid you deserve, apply as early as possible.

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