There are a few things you will need to know ahead of applying to the Social Policy (SPOL) PhD program. 

In addition to submitting your application online, you will also need to send your official test scores, be aware of our in-residence requirements, and provide documents to support your application.

Master's Degree

A master's degree is not required to apply. 
 

Test Scores

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE)

Official GRE scores are required with your application and test scores must be issued within the past five years, no earlier than September 1, 2017. There is no minimum GRE score requirement. We do not accept the GMAT or LSAT. Plan to take the GRE by mid-November at the latest if you are submitting your application in December, and send your GRE scores to the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS) Office of Admissions, using ETS code 3451. A department code is not required.

TOEFL IBT AND IELTS

You must submit your TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) or IELTS scores with your application if you are an international applicant and:

  • Have an equivalent of a bachelor’s degree from an institution where the primary language of instruction is not English
  • Have a master’s degree from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction

A minimum TOEFL score of 103 OR a minimum IELTS score of 7 is required. Official test scores must be issued within the past two years, no earlier than September 1, 2020. Plan to take the English proficiency tests by mid-November at the latest if you are submitting your application in December. You must send your scores to the Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Admissions and use ETS code 3451. A department code is not required.

Supporting documents for your SPOL application

You will need to prepare and submit the following documents directly to the Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Admissions  by the indicated deadline:

  • Online application form
  • Application fee
  • CV/resume
  • Official GRE scores; GMAT and LSAT are not accepted
  • Official TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) scores, if necessary
  • Official academic transcripts
  • Statement of purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • One writing sample