Program Overview

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Introduction to the Doctor of Philosophy in Formative Education

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Formative Education is a rigorous academic program designed to prepare future scholars and practitioners to examine the normative dimensions of formal and informal education. This program draws faculty from diverse disciplinary traditions, including history, philosophy, anthropology, humanistic psychology, design thinking, and the learning sciences.

At a Glance

• Number of Courses: Students with a master's degree will take 18 courses and an ongoing colloquium.
• Program Duration: Full-time students with a master's degree are expected to complete the program in 5 years. Part-time students with a master's degree and students admitted directly from the B.A. are expected to complete the program in 6 years.
• Start Term: Students can begin the program only in the fall semester.

Curriculum

The curriculum is carefully crafted to provide students with the tools and knowledge to delve into the multifaceted aspects of education. Through a communal mentor model with esteemed core faculty members, students will have the unique opportunity to learn from and collaborate with experts in their respective fields within the core classes.

Requirements

• Credits: 54 (up to 12 additional credits for direct admit)
• Comprehensive Exam
• Program of Study:
  • Core Courses
  • Research Sequence
  • Electives

Core Courses

Course	Course Title	Credit
FORM8820	History of Formative Education	3
FORM8810	Philosophy of Formative Education	3
FORM8830	Anthropology of Formative Experience	3
FORM8840	Design of Formative Experiences	3
FORM8850	Psychology and the Other	3
FORM7101	Readings and Research in Formative Education	3
FORM8800	Colloquium in Formative Education	0
FORM9951	Dissertation Seminar in Formative Education	3
FORM9988	Dissertation Direction in Formative Education	3

Research Sequence

Ph.D. students in Formative Education will select a minimum of three research methods courses in consultation with the program director.

Electives

Students will select 7 electives (3 credits each) with the help of their advisor.

Faculty

The faculty of the Department of Formative Education includes:

• Marina Bers, Augustus Long Professor of Education
• Caitlyn Bolton, Assistant Professor
• Cristiano Casalini, Endowed Chair, Jesuit Pedagogy and Educational History
• Chris Higgins, Department Chair, Department of Formative Education
• David Goodman, Associate Professor of the Practice
• Gilda Morelli, Department Chair, Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology
• Charles Zuckerman, Assistant Professor

Tuition & Aid

The Lynch School of Education and Human Development provides more than $10.8 million in financial aid to students each year. All students admitted for full-time Ph.D. study receive a multi-year funding package that includes tuition coverage, a graduate assistantship position with a stipend, and health insurance coverage.

A Future in Formative Education

Graduates of the Ph.D. in Formative Education program are prepared for careers as:

• Scholars exploring topics such as transformative dialogue and critical consciousness, spiritual formation, design of learning environments, and more
• K-12 educators advocating for a holistic vision of growth
• Professors teaching in institutions that value interdisciplinarity, design thinking, and formative teaching and mentoring
• Designers and professionals working in the private and public sectors to promote humane learning, transformative practices, and just communities

Application & Deadline

• Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required.
• Deadlines: Fall 2026: December 1, 2025. This program does not offer rolling admission after the deadline.

Application Requirements

• Resume: To be uploaded to the online application.
• Personal Statement: In 1,000-1,500 words, describe academic and professional background, research interests, and why the applicant is a good match for the Formative Education Ph.D. program.
• Letters of Recommendation: Three letters are required, with at least one from an academic source.
• Transcripts: Transcripts from all college/university study are required.
• Standardized Tests: GRE scores are not required.
• Writing Sample: Either one longer or two shorter pieces of work demonstrating graduate-level writing ability.

International Students

Applicants who have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an evaluation company approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Applicants who are not native speakers of English and who have not received a degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction must also submit a TOEFL or IELTS test result that meets the minimum score requirement.