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 philosophy, anthropology and humanistic psychology, design thinking and the learning sciences, this program prepares future scholars and practitioners to 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.
Interested in learning more about the program?
Schedule a time to meet with Professor Chris Higgins,
Chair of the Department of Formative Education, or Cristiano Casalini, Professor and Endowed Chair of Jesuit Pedagogy and Educational History.
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?”
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.
Requirements
- Credits: 54 (up to 12 additional credits for direct admit)
- Comprehensive Exam
| 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 |
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.
Tuition & Aid
Education should level the playing field. We feel the same way about financial 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 BC’s instruction, the benefit of our alumni network, and the impact a BC degree will have on your employment options is both affordable and invaluable.
- 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 2025:
- December 1, 2024
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:
- 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’s 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.
Transcripts
Transcripts from all college/university study are required.
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 within the application. 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 either one longer or two shorter pieces of work 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 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 National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). 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
Quick Links
Contact Us
gsoe@bc.edu
617-552-4214