Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Formative Education
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Formative Education
Drawing faculty from the diverse disciplinary traditions of history and听philosophy, anthropology and humanistic psychology, design thinking听and the learning sciences, this program prepares future scholars and听practitioners to听examine the normative dimensions of formal and informal education, the development of the whole human being in sociocultural context, and the grand social challenges that now demand a fuller educational response.听
How do I know if a doctoral program is a good fit for me?
Doctoral work is a good fit for students who are intellectually curious, self-motivated, and committed to rigorous, long-term study. Consider whether the specific program鈥檚 faculty expertise, research opportunities, and values align with your academic and professional goals.听
Should I reach out to faculty in advance of applying? Do I need to apply directly to a lab?听
No, you should not reach out to a member of advising for help with any questions. Please note that our faculty are unable to respond to prospective students because of the high volume of applicant inquiries, and in order to maintain a fair and unbiased application process.听 We encourage you to review faculty profiles to identify those whose research aligns with your interests and describe that alignment in your application materials. You do not need to contact or apply to a specific lab.听
Do I need to have a potential faculty advisor in mind to apply?听
We recommend that you have a faculty member or two in mind when you apply. The application for admission will ask you to name a faculty member or two whose research interests you believe align with your own; you do not need faculty sponsorship to apply. These should be faculty who are affiliated with the specific program/department to which you are applying. Each department-specific webpage lists the faculty who are currently accepting doctoral students. Please note that the faculty you name on the application are not the only ones you may be assigned to work with, if admitted. The department may determine that a different faculty member is a better fit.
Where can I find more information on entrance requirements? Is a specific graduate or undergraduate degree required for admission?听
Our doctoral programs have varying prerequisite requirements. You can find details about prerequisites in the 鈥淎pplication and Deadlines鈥� box within the bottom 鈥淎pply鈥� section of each page.听
Where can I find more about application deadlines and requirements?听听
You can find details about the application deadlines and required materials in the 鈥淎pply鈥� section toward the bottom of each program鈥檚 webpage. Please review the information carefully in order to ensure that you are able to submit all required materials by the deadline.听
Is it possible to apply after the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by the stated deadline. Our deadlines are firm due to the competitive nature of programs and the structured, multi-round review process.听
When will I receive my admission decision?
Admission decisions will be released between February and April. We appreciate your patience during the review process.
How does Ph.D. funding work?听
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.
Can I complete a Ph.D. part-time?听
Many of our Ph.D. programs require full-time study. To confirm whether a specific Ph.D. program can be completed part-time, check the program鈥檚 webpage. The 鈥淎t A Glance鈥� section will indicate what study modes are available.
What makes a strong candidate for Ph.D. admission?
Admissions committees are generally looking for applicants with relevant academic preparation, research experience, strong writing skills, and a clear passion for the subject matter. The most competitive applicants will articulate a clear fit between their research interests and the research focus of programs and faculty. Applications are reviewed holistically, with attention to both preparation and potential.
Will I be involved in research in my program?听
Yes, research is a central component of our Ph.D. programs. Students typically engage in research throughout their training, beginning with faculty-led projects and gradually developing independent lines of inquiry. This experience is designed to build the skills necessary for scholarly and professional success.听
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Interested in learning more about the program?
Schedule a time to meet with Professor Chris Higgins,
Chair of the Department of Formative Education, or听Cristiano Casalini, Professor and Endowed Chair of Jesuit Pedagogy and Educational History.
听听
At a Glance
"We can no longer afford to treat education like a technical matter, tinkering with means to a given end. Our programs seek to catalyze conversations about the ends themselves. What does it mean to be educated? What are the formative dimensions of our contemporary grand challenges? How do we form ourselves to lead flourishing lives and foster just communities?鈥�
Curriculum
Our curriculum is carefully crafted to provide you with the tools and knowledge to delve into the multifaceted aspects of education, encompassing individual development and the examination of societal challenges. Through our communal mentor model with esteemed core faculty members, you will have the unique opportunity to learn from and collaborate with experts in their respective fields within the core classes.听
Requirements
- Credits: 54 (up to 12 additional credits for direct admit)
- Comprehensive Exam
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| FORM8820 | History of Formative Education | 3 |
| FORM8810听 | Philosophy of Formative Education | 3 |
| FORM8830 | Anthropology of Formative Experience | 3 |
| FORM8840 | Design of Formative Experiences听 | 3 |
| FORM8850 | Psychology and the Other | 3 |
| FORM7101 | Readings and Research in Formative Education | 3 |
| FORM8800 | Colloquium in Formative Education听 | 0 |
| FORM9951 | Dissertation Seminar in Formative Education | 3 |
| FORM9988 | Dissertation Direction in Formative Education | 3 |
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Ph.D. students in Formative Education will select a minimum of three research methods courses in consultation with the program director.
Students will select 7 electives (3 credits each) with the help of their advisor.听
100%
of full-time Ph.D. students receive a multi-year funding package that includes full tuition remission, a living stipend, and medical insurance coverage
Tuition & Aid
Education should level the playing field. We feel the same way about听financial听aid.
The Lynch School of Education and Human Development provides more than $10.8 million in financial aid to students each year. As a result, the quality of 51成人动漫鈥檚 instruction, the benefit of our alumni network, and the impact a 51成人动漫 degree will have on your employment options is both affordable and invaluable.听
- Scholars exploring topics such as transformative dialogue and critical consciousness, spiritual formation, design of learning environments, the formative power of the arts, social imagination and hope, experiential learning, pluralism and civic education, experimental higher education, ecological change;
- K-12 educators poised to challenge the narrow instrumentalism of contemporary schooling to advocate for a holistic vision of growth that reunites thinking and feeling, knowing and making, the moral and the technical, the intellectual and the existential, character and calling.
- Professors prepared to teach in institutions that value interdisciplinarity, design thinking, and formative teaching and mentoring;
- Designers and others working in the private and public sectors seeking to promote humane learning, transformative practices, and just communities.
Apply
PrintApplication & Deadline
A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required. The fee is waived for select applicants.
Deadlines
Fall 2026:
- December 1, 2025
This program does not offer rolling admission after the deadline.
Resume
To be uploaded to your online application.
In addition to your academic history and relevant volunteer and/or work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.
Personal Statement
In 1,000-1,500 words:听
- Describe how your academic and professional background, and any life experiences, have informed your interest in completing doctoral work in the DFE department.
- Describe your research interests and future research plans.
- Explain why you are a good match for the Formative Education Ph.D. program at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development. A good statement of purpose will indicate 1-3 specific faculty whose program of the research aligns with the research interests of the applicant and describe how specific faculty can support the applicant鈥檚 scholarly and research interests.
Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required with at least one required from an academic source. Applicants may submit one additional recommendation of their choice. Academic letters are a better indicator of your qualifications for doctoral work as compared to professional letters. Ideally, academic letters should be as recent as possible, and from faculty who are in fields related to education.
Tip from the Admissions Team: Reach out to recommenders early to share your graduate school goals and confirm they can meet your deadline. Make sure to enter your recommender's contact information correctly on the application, as it can't be edited after you submit. Taking these steps generally leads to stronger letters and less stress.
Transcripts
Transcripts from all college/university study are required.
For degrees from the United States and Canada, unofficial transcripts may be used for application review. Official transcripts will be required upon enrollment.
Applicants who have received degrees from institutions outside the United States should view the "International Students" section for additional credential evaluation requirements.
Please begin your online application before submitting your transcripts. Details on how to submit transcripts and international credential evaluations can be found听. In order to ensure your transcript reaches our office, it is important to review and follow the instructions.
Standardized Tests
GRE scores are not required. If you wish to send GRE scores, the Lynch School GRE code is 3218.
Please view the "International Students" section for information on English Proficiency test requirements.
Writing Sample
To be uploaded to your online application.
All applicants to this program are required to submit听either one longer or two shorter听pieces听of work听demonstrating graduate-level writing ability. If submitting two pieces, please combine and upload as a single document. Applicants are welcome to preface the sample with a brief summary that explains the听background of the piece(s) to provide context for the Admissions Committee. There is no word limit for this submission.
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 . Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.
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.
Please click the link below for full details on these requirements.
Requirements for International Students
Tip from the Admissions Team: Order your credential evaluation and submit all documents to the evaluator at least one month before your program鈥檚 deadline. During peak application times, delays are common and can lead to missed deadlines.
Quick Links
Contact Us
听 gsoe@bc.edu
听 617-552-4214