Doctoral Student Handbook

Admission is for the fall term only. To be considered for the program, applicants must submit:

• The Harvard Griffin GSAS online application
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts for all colleges or universities attended
• Valid GRE general test scores
• Internet-based TOEFL or IELTS scores (for those for whom English is not their
  first language)
• Statement of purpose 

Deadline

Complete applications must be submitted online by December 1. Decisions are announced in late February.

The core of the Social Policy curriculum is a three-semester Proseminar in Inequality and Social Policy taken in years 2 and 3 of the program. Over the course of the three semesters, students write a publishable research paper. The Proseminar I and II courses are taught by a multidisciplinary team of four faculty members and introduce students to cutting-edge research on issues of inequality and social policy.

The Proseminar III course occurs during the fall and spring of the third year and is dedicated to the presentation and advancement of the Social Policy research paper. Each student is paired with an invited speaker from the Harvard Inequality & Social Policy Seminar Series who attends the proseminar class and serves as principal discussant for the student research presentation. The participation of thee faculty visitors, selected by the students themselves, affords a unique opportunity for doctoral participants to discuss their research and receive feedback from leading scholars in the field.

Government & Social Policy PhD students complete all the requirements for the Government PhD in addition to the Social Policy curriculum described above.

COURSES

Government & Social Policy students complete at least 12 four-credit courses in the first two years, of which 8 must be in political science. The Social Policy Proseminar I and II will count toward the overall 12. Students may choose three out of the four field seminars to enroll in: American Politics (Gov 2105), Comparative Politics (Gov 2305), International Relations (Gov 2710), and Political Philosophy (Gov 2093) as well as one course in quantitative methods. Students in political theory will have the option to be exempted from the methods course requirement.

Course Requirements for Students Admitted Prior to Fall 2021

First-year students must enroll in Gov 3001: Approaches to the Study of Politics. The course is taken SAT/UNSAT for a full semester of credit.

• Quantitative Methods: During the first or second year, every student must successfully complete, with a grade of B or higher, at least one graduate-level course in quantitative social science methods relevant to political science. An approved list is available at the Government department. 
   
• Political Theory: During the first or second year, every student must take a minimum of one graduate-level course (4 credits) in political theory. An approved list is available at the Government department.

SEMINAR PAPERS 

Government & Social Policy students must complete at least 3 research papers in the first two years, usually accomplished through enrollment in graduate seminars. The Social Policy Proseminar paper typically is one of the three research papers.

RESEARCH TOOLS REQUIREMENT

By the end of the first year, every student must submit to the Government department’s Director of Graduate Studies a written Research Tools Plan outlining intentions to acquire tools and methodological expertise connected to his or her areas of research interest. The Tools Plan should include a list of courses, modules, or workshops the student intends to take in order to meet the research tools requirement.

Every student must complete a minimum of 3.5 four-credit course equivalent units of research tools and methods courses, modules, or workshops by the end of their seventh term in residence (middle of the fourth year). The seminar, “Approaches to the Study of Politics,” and the graduate course in quantitative social science methods count for two units within this total. Students may count language training in various formats (semester courses or intensive summer courses) toward fulfilling this requirement.

RESEARCH WORKSHOP

The Government department offers a series of research workshops in each of four fields (American Government, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory) as well as Applied Statistics, and Political Economy for graduate students to present and discuss work in progress. Every student should attend at least one research workshop each semester when in residence. Research workshops do not count toward the requirement to complete 12 four-credit courses.

GENERAL EXAMINATION

In May of the second year, students sit for a 90-minute oral exam covering two major substantive fields of political science (American Politics, Comparative Politics, and Political Theory) and a focus field which is Social Policy. The Social Policy reading list for the general exam will be the Proseminar syllabi (semesters 1 and 2) from the year the student was enrolled.

Students are allowed a “course-out” option instead of taking a minor field oral exam in either Quantitative Methodology or Formal Theory by taking four courses from the methods sequence with an overall grade of B+ or higher. At most, one course outside of the methods sequence may count toward the course-out option. However, those seeking to use an outside course should consult with a member of the methods faculty before taking those courses for approval.

Students who choose to course-out will sit for the other two 30-minute exams.

RESEARCH EXPLORATION MEETING

In fall of the G3 year, the student and 3-4 faculty members convene to discuss potential dissertation topics. The student prepares a 10-page statement of discussion, which may either present a potential research question for the dissertation or set forth alternative possible research questions for consideration and development. The student then develops a dissertation prospectus, which must be approved by the dissertation committee following a dissertation prospectus meeting in the G3 year or early G4 year.

DISSERTATION PROSPECTUS MEETING

A prospectus meeting is held with the dissertation committee. Composition of the prospectus must be approved by November of the G4 year.

Sociology & Social Policy students take at least 14 courses which include: 7 required theory and methods courses in Sociology (including the teaching practicum); 2 workshops in Sociology; and 4 elective courses in Sociology.

The Social Policy Proseminar I and II sequence counts toward two of the four Sociology electives. The Inequality & Social Policy Seminar Series may be used to fulfill one of the two Sociology workshops. Additionally, students may (with prior approval from the Sociology Committee on Higher Degrees) use an individual reading course in Sociology (Soc 3301) or an elective course outside of Sociology to count as one of the four electives.

QUALIFYING PAPER IN SOCIOLOGY

Sociology & Social Policy students complete a substantial research project in Sociology, the Qualifying Paper (QP). The QP is developed during the G2 year and must be completed by March 31 of the G3 year. Sociology & Social Policy students typically utilize the paper developed in the Proseminar as the QP provided that it is similar in scope. 

Students select a QP primary advisor (QP chair) in the G2 year and submit first and second drafts to the QP Chair in the fall of the G3 year. Two additional faculty are selected to form a QP committee. A draft of the QP is due to the full committee by January 15 of the G3 year.

DISSERTATION PROSPECTUS

Students develop a dissertation prospectus and formally appoint a dissertation committee in the G4 year. A dissertation defense and approved prospectus is required by April 30 of the G4 year.

DISSERTATION

All students should read The Form of the Doctoral Dissertation before writing the dissertation, which explains the mechanics of producing a dissertation. 

There are two styles of a dissertation. The first is comprised of multiple chapters, prefaced by an abstract. The second is comprised of three papers, each of which could be published independently. An executive summary linking all three papers is required as part of the three-paper dissertation. Two papers in the dissertation may be co-authored. Only one of these may be co-authored with a faculty member. The job market paper is required to be single authored. In specific research fields, the dissertation committee chair may require more papers to be single authored.

DISSERTATION DEFENSE

The dissertation defense is a public event advertised to the HKS community and all members of the PhD Standing Committee prior to the defense. Attendance by other doctoral students and faculty members is encouraged. The student arranges the date and time of the defense with the committee, and the Doctoral Programs Office arranges the location.

The defense should occur at least two weeks before the electronic dissertation is due at Harvard Griffin GSAS, to allow sufficient time for revisions. It is advisable to start arranging the defense date in advance to resolve possible scheduling conflicts among dissertation advisors.

The dissertation committee chairperson must be present in the room for the defense. In rare instances, one committee member may participate by conference call if a trip to Cambridge is impossible.
 

DISSERTATION DEFENSE COMMITTEE

The dissertation committee shall typically be composed of one member from the traditional disciplinary department (Government or Sociology), one member from the HKS Social Policy faculty, and a third member who may come from either domain. Two of the members of the committee must be members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, which includes, for dissertation committee purposes, HKS Social Policy faculty members who serve on the Committee on Higher Degrees in Social Policy.

Students are required to maintain a B average to remain in satisfactory standing.

Degrees are awarded in November, March, and May; deadlines for degree applications are in August, November, and March, respectively. Electronic dissertations must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office in September, January, and May respectively. If completion of the degree is delayed, the degree application form must be re-submitted to the Registrar’s Office before the next degree deadline.

Students typically complete all course work in the first two years and complete the dissertation in approximately six years. 

Harvard Griffin GSAS imposes a strict 10-year limit on the number of years a student can study for his/her/their PhD degree, including leaves of absence but excluding family leave. The PhD Committee can petition Harvard Griffin GSAS for exceptions to the G10 rule for one year only, after which the student is withdrawn.

Students in the Social Policy PhD programs will have two advisors at the beginning of their graduate studies, one from the traditional disciplinary department, Government or Sociology, and one from the Social Policy program. The departmental advisor will be assigned according to the prevailing practices of the relevant department. The social policy advisor will generally be the director of graduate studies or the chair of the Social Policy PhD programs. During the third year, the student will choose an advisor in accordance with his/her/their research interests, with an eye toward composing an eventual dissertation committee. 

Students in the Social Policy PhD programs will be reviewed formally by the Committee on Higher Degrees on Social Policy every year at the conclusion of the spring term. This review will require a brief commentary from the advisors indicating the student’s progress and highlighting any special concerns or achievements of which the committee should be aware.

Harvard Griffin GSAS REGISTRATION PROCESS

1. Registration and enrollment are completed electronically. Details are available on my.harvard.edu.
2. Enrollment: students enroll in 16 credits each semester.
3. All doctoral candidates are registered at Harvard Griffin GSAS. You must cross-register from Harvard Griffin GSAS to HKS to take a course at HKS.

Students are strongly advised to attend research seminars in their anticipated field of dissertation research and any other related areas. Involvement in seminars should not be delayed until the student has a dissertation prospectus in hand. Research seminars provide an excellent opportunity to meet other students and faculty in one’s specialty. Research assistantships that can help finance graduate study often grow out of these seminar contacts. 

Consult the Doctoral Programs Office for general information.

Students are encouraged to serve as teaching fellows in Government, Sociology, or at Harvard Kennedy School. Students in the Government & Sociology program will normally be expected to teach at least one section in a departmental course sometime during the period that they are in residence.

Financial assistance packages are offered with the assumption that the recipient is a full-time student in residence, in good standing, and registered in only one degree-granting program. Students in joint programs will be on leave of absence from one institution while registered at and receiving financial aid from the other.

1. All Harvard Griffin GSAS students may reapply for financial assistance annually. Third- and fourth-year support packages include tuition and health fees. Tuition and health fees are available to G5 students only after the 4th year if needed. The final year of financial support is the Dissertation Completion Fellowship taken in either the G5 or G6 year.
    
2. Let the Doctoral Programs Office know if you need help before you are in dire straits. If you do have a financial emergency, contact the program director immediately.
    
3. The Doctoral Programs Office collects information about selected sources of support, and advice for writing requests for support. The Harvard Griffin GSAS Fellowship Office has information on grant support from National Science Foundation (NSF), Fulbright and other sources. You may search the online database for fellowships and grants. A useful series of meetings is led each fall by the director of fellowships at Harvard Griffin GSAS. In recent years, several PPOL students have won Harvard Traveling Fellowships, summer scholarships, and term-time dissertation completion awards. It is a good idea to initiate inquiries about fellowships in the fall for the following year.
    
4. Students who are going on the job market may apply to the Doctoral Programs Office for travel reimbursement. Submit petitions before you depart and retain all receipts for submission after you return. Job Market students are eligible to up to $400 per student to attend one job market conference.
    
5. The doctoral committee supports one professional membership per student in an organization close to the student’s area of research. Maximum reimbursement for a basic membership is $45.

The Doctoral Program Office hosts a series of events for preparation for the job market and posts CVs of students on the job market on the HKS website with links to students’ websites.

The PhD degree is conferred by FAS. All PhD recipients are invited to attend an early morning breakfast with Harvard Griffin GSAS. After the commencement ceremony in Harvard Yard, Social Policy students are invited to participate in the HKS Diploma Ceremony, the Harvard Griffin GSAS diploma awarding ceremony in Sanders Theater, or a Resident House diploma awarding ceremony. 

Commencement information is available online during the spring term. The Doctoral Programs Director will answer any additional questions regarding commencement.

Access to HKS computer facilities is free of charge; however, there is a fee to use the black and white laser printers in the computer lab. Additional computing resources are provided by the Government and Sociology Departments. Check the HKS Hub (HarvardKey required) for details. 

In addition, Harvard Griffin GSAS students have access to the Science Center computer labs. Learn more about this facility and the printing options. 

The Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Center (formerly Dudley House) has a student-run computer room that is managed by the Graduate Student Council and open to all Harvard Griffin GSAS-enrolled students. For students to access the computer room, they will need to obtain the door lock combination by showing their current Harvard Griffin GSAS ID card to the Office of Housing Services and completing the authorization form.

Consistent with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Harvard University does not discriminate against students, faculty, or staff based on sex in any of its programs or activities, including but not limited to educational programs, employment, and admission. Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is a kind of sex discrimination and is prohibited by Title IX and by the University. 

The Harvard Griffin GSAS policies addresses sexual and gender-based discrimination as part of the regulations and standards of conduct. Review the Harvard Griffin GSAS policies for details and the Office for Gender Equity’s web site for resources and information.

Title IX Coordinators

• Seth Avakian |  617-495-9583
• Katie Mulroy | 617-495-5005
• Jimmy Kane | 617-495-8935

In July 2020, student workers (primarily teaching fellows and research assistants) entered into a collective bargaining agreement. Learn more about Harvard Graduate Students Union.

For any questions on where to go, contact the Doctoral Programs Director. 

Harvard Counseling and Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Smith Campus Center, 4th floor | 617-495-2042

Center for Wellness and Health Promotion
Smith Campus Center, 2nd floor | 617-495-9629

Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Student Services
Room B-2, Lehman Hall, 8 Harvard Yard | 617-495-5005

Derek Bok Center for Teaching and Learning
50 Church Street, 3rd floor| 617-495-4869

Fellowships and Writing Center

Academic Resource Center
1414 Massachusetts Avenue, Floor 3R

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