how long is a phd at yale

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Application Timeline & Process

The timetable outlined below is a guide to assist students who plan to apply for academic Master’s degree and Ph.D programs. Because of the range of programs and requirements, the information below is a general framework. The process typically begins in the first semester of junior year, or two years prior to application. Students should plan on submitting application materials by the end of first semester senior year, or approximately eight months prior to matriculation.

The graduate school application process, also outlined below, is similar to the process you used when applying to undergraduate colleges; there are materials to gather and deadlines to meet. Many students find it helpful to compile a spreadsheet to help them stay organized and avoid missing important deadlines. Early decisions and rolling admissions policies are common, even if not explicitly stated. There are additional featured articles at the bottom of this page that can help you with some of these components.

Application Timeline

Junior year or one year prior to matriculating, september – december.

• Schedule an appointment with a Office of Career Strategy advisor.
• Meet with faculty and your Director of Undergraduate Studies to discuss potential programs and letters of recommendation.
• Begin to prepare for the GRE.
• Research and develop list of target programs.

January – May

• Refine list of target programs.
• Register and sit for the GRE .
• Ask for letters of recommendation.

June – August

• Draft personal statements.
• Finalize list of target programs, noting application deadlines (most will begin in November).

Senior Year or One Year Prior to Matriculating

• Request letters of recommendation from faculty.
• Finalize your personal statements and have them edited by a writing tutor and other readers.
• Contact the Office of the Registrar to request transcripts be sent to target programs.
• Begin submitting applications. Confirm with programs that your application file is complete, including letters of recommendation.
• Begin exploring sources of financial aid (federal, institutional and private) and obtain and file applications as soon as possible.
• Obtain a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and file well before the deadline.
• Have your fall semester transcripts sent to target programs.

February – April

• Evaluate Letters of acceptance and offers of financial aid.

Application Process

Standardized tests.

Standardized tests are used in combination with your other application materials to gauge your preparation for graduate-level work. Tests may be general or subject specific depending on the subject and program requirements. Determine which, if any, standardized tests you need to take and gather information on how often the test is offered, testing locations, and cost. For GRE details and registration information, please visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website .

Additional considerations for Students with Disabilities who are thinking about applying to graduate or professional schools include identifying which exams are needed, how far in advance exam accommodations must be requested, and which documentations regarding your disability will likely be needed for exam accommodations.

Personal Statements

Preparing a well-written and effective personal statement (sometimes referred to as statements of purpose or personal essays) that clearly articulates your preparation, goals, and motivation for pursuing that specific graduate degree is critically important. You will need to spend a considerable amount of time and effort crafting these statements. For individual assistance with writing your personal statement, consult with the writing tutor in your residential college  or the Writing Center within the Yale Center for Teaching and Learning .

Letters of Recommendation

Graduate programs will commonly require 2-3 letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation allow an admissions committee to understand your strengths, weaknesses, and potential from another person’s perspective. You can find more information in our Soliciting Letters of Recommendation Blog .

Application Forms

Program application forms are typically available on the program web site; you can also call the program to request application materials. Pay special attention to any directions given and complete application forms exactly as instructed. Do not simply refer the recipient to your resume; answer all questions completely and thoroughly.

Transcripts:  Graduate schools usually require that you submit official transcripts from all institutions of higher education as part of your application. You can request your Yale College transcript online through the Student Information System (SIS) or by contacting the Office of the Registrar . If you completed courses at another college or university or studied abroad, you will need to contact those schools directly to request official transcripts. For courses taken abroad, you may be required to get a translation of your transcripts if it is in another language.  

Resumes and CVs:  Graduate programs often require applicants to provide a resume or CV (curriculum vitae). The OCS website provides resume samples and a CV worksheet  that you can use as a guide when developing your document. Before submitting your resume or CV, you should have it reviewed by a OCS Career Advisor or Graduate Peer Advisor to assure it is free of errors and is effectively conveying your skills, background, and experiences.

Writing Samples and Creative Portfolios:  Depending on your discipline, you may also need to submit writing samples appropriate to your intended area of specialization, such as poetry, fiction, or journalism. For those pursuing advanced degrees in performing or visual arts, you may also need to submit a portfolio of your work or audition tapes. Review the specific requirements for the programs you’re considering and speak with your faculty advisor or OCS Career Advisor, Derek Webster , to discuss your needs.

Interviewing:  A graduate school interview should be approached in the same manner as a job interview. Preparation and practice are essential. Be ready to discuss your academic preparation and motivations for seeking a graduate degree, your specific areas of interest within the field of study, and your goals following your degree completion. Also, be prepared to discuss any internships, fieldwork, research, or clinical experiences and the impact they had on you. After the interview, don’t forget to send thank you notes.

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Yale silver scholars progam at som.

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Connecting with Faculty & Requesting Letters of Recommendation

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Connecting With Faculty During Your Time at Yale

There are many reasons you will want to get to know your professors during your time at Yale. Not only are they brilliant researchers, and wonderful teachers, they also greatly enjoy working …

Applying To (and Paying For!) Graduate School (videos)

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Thinking about graduate school? Wondering how to approach the application process and funding? Watch these two great videos to find out. Both review the general application approach and process; the first video also includes information about fellowships you might want …

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Yale office for graduate student development & diversity (ogsdd), association of professional schools of international affairs (apsia), career videos, job search resources, ocs youtube channel.

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OCS is excited to share our brand new YouTube Channel ! You’ll find all our animated videos, panel talks, career development …

Big Interview (AI Resume Reviews and Mock Interviews)

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Service to School (S2S) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides free college and grad school application counseling to military veterans …

OCS Professional Development Reimbursement for Yale Juniors and Seniors

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In an effort to support students pursuing careers in the nonprofit, government and the arts sectors, those interviewing for national …

International research and collaboration opportunities outside the U.S

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Funding for global research and in support of collaboration with researchers from other countries.

LawCareer.Net

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LawCareers.Net (LC.N) is a comprehensive, one-stop online resource created for future lawyers and those who recruit them. The site contains …

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Yale University

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Graduate & professional study.

Yale offers advanced degrees through its Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and 13 professional schools. Browse the organizations below for information on programs of study, academic requirements, and faculty research.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

Yale’s Graduate School of Arts & Sciences offers programs leading to M.A., M.S., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees in 73 departments and programs.

School of Architecture

The Yale School of Architecture’s mandate is for each student to understand architecture as a creative, productive, innovative, and responsible practice.

School of Art

The Yale School of Art has a long and distinguished history of training artists of the highest caliber.

Divinity School

Yale Divinity School educates the scholars, ministers, and spiritual leaders of the future.

David Geffen School of Drama

The David Geffen School of Drama graduates have raised the standards of professional practice around the world in every theatrical discipline, creating bold art that engages the mind and delights the senses.

School of Engineering & Applied Science

The Yale School of Engineering & Applied Science is at the cutting edge of research to develop technologies that address global societal problems.

School of the Environment

The School of the Environment is dedicated to sustaining and restoring the long-term health of the biosphere and the well-being of its people.

Jackson School of Global Affairs

The Jackson School of Global Affairs trains and equips a new generation of leaders to devise thoughtful, evidence-based solutions for challenging global problems.

Yale Law School hones the world’s finest legal minds in an environment that features world-renowned faculty, small classes, and countless opportunities for clinical training and public service.

School of Management

School of Management students, faculty, and alumni are committed to understanding the complex forces transforming global markets and building organizations that contribute lasting value to society.

School of Medicine

Yale School of Medicine graduates go on to become leaders in academic medicine and health care, and innovators in clinical practice, biotechnology, and public policy.

School of Music

The Yale School of Music is an international leader in educating the creative musicians and cultural leaders of tomorrow.

School of Nursing

The Yale School of Nursing community is deeply committed to the idea that access to high quality patient‐centered health care is a social right, not a privilege.

School of Public Health

The School of Public Health supports research and innovative programs that protect and improve the health of people around the globe.

Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS)

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences is composed of the departments and academic programs that provide instruction in Yale College and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

Centers & Institutes

A number of our centers and institutes offer additional opportunities for graduate and professional study.

Prospective Students

Why choose yale graduate school.

Graduate school is the place to

• examine life's most challenging questions
• develop as a scholar
• produce new knowledge at the cutting edge of your discipline
• join a lively, welcoming, and diverse intellectual community
• prepare for a successful career within academia or beyond

At Yale's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), you will transition from being your professors' student to becoming their colleague. If this prospect excites you, please consider applying to Yale. Few places in the world can serve as a better incubator for your continued learning, growth, and potential as a scholar, independent researcher, and leader.

The Graduate School confers MS, MA, MPhil, and PhD degrees in departments and programs across the university. We are distinct from Yale's 13 professional schools , which have their own programs, policies, admissions, and degree requirements. There are also joint degree programs that involve both GSAS and one of the professional schools.

For more information, please see the GSAS Viewbook .

Full Tuition Fellowship & Stipend for PhD Students

Many prospective students are surprised to find that all PhD students at Yale are fully funded. They receive the following financial award, typically for a minimum of five years:

• a fellowship that covers the full cost of tuition ($49,500 for 2024-2025)
• a 12-month stipend (minimum of $49,538 for 2024-2025)
• free comprehensive health insurance, including hospitalization coverage and specialty care, for students, their legal spouse, and their children
• a family support subsidy for graduate students with children under the age of 18

Many PhD students are eligible for funding in their sixth year from GSAS or from their adviser's research grants, as well as supplementary financial support, such as travel grants and conference funding. Additionally, a Dean's Emergency Fund is available to help doctoral students with eligible, unanticipated emergency expenses.

We do not charge many of the fees common to other schools (e.g., technology fee, library fee, gym fee, student activities fee). In some cases, even the Continuing Registration Fee for advanced PhD students is covered by the Graduate School.

As a result, PhD students at Yale receive more than $500,000 on average in tuition fellowships, stipends, and health care benefits over the course of their enrollment. You can typically complete your degree without incurring debt. We make this investment because we consider it our responsibility and privilege to educate the very best students in the world, ensuring that you have ample opportunity to complete your degree and become a leader in your field.

Most students pursuing Master's degrees do not receive financial support from the Graduate School and are responsible for paying tuition, but some programs offer limited funding. Please check with the program that interests you for more information.

A Home for Your Research

A successful graduate education involves finding a program that matches your interests and faculty advisers who will help you flourish. This means that you need to do some serious investigation before you apply.

To evaluate if Yale is right for you:

• explore all the departmental and program websites that interest you,
• learn about the faculty affiliated with each program and read their research,
• visit campus and talk to current students of the department or program to get a sense of the culture and climate or explore Yale extensively online, and
• contact alumni to learn about their experience at Yale and the careers they are pursuing.

At Yale, you will find world-class faculty members, strongly committed to both teaching and research, who will mentor and advise you. You will find a place that celebrates collaboration within and across disciplines and encourages broad intellectual exploration without boundaries.

Career Prospects and Job Placement

It may be helpful to begin the process of considering graduate school by keeping the end in mind. How does a graduate degree align with your career goals?

A PhD degree is the traditional prerequisite for a faculty position at colleges and universities around the world, but that is far from the only career path. Our alumni work in many other sectors as well, including business, government, law, intellectual and cultural institutions, and more.

Consider the career trajectory of recent graduates in your discipline. What types of jobs do they have now? How long did it take them to find those positions? Are they employed in academia or in other sectors? You can find this information through:

• your program or department of interest, including its website, faculty, staff, and students;
• Yale's centralized database of Program Statistics, which includes an overview of employment for recent graduates in each program; and
• the Office of Career Strategy (OCS) , which specializes in supporting Yale students who want to pursue non-academic career paths.

New Haven: A Great Small City

Our campus is right in the center of one of America's most vibrant small cities: New Haven, Connecticut. It's a wonderful community, rich in history, art, theater, live music, and great restaurants.

We encourage you to visit and experience for yourself all that New Haven has to offer. You can browse the Artspace Gallery or City Wide Open Studios; see a show, movie, or concert downtown; shop at major stores and local boutiques; enjoy over 400 cafés and restaurants; experience nature while hiking in East Rock Park or biking along the Farmington Trail; and so much more. Both New York and Boston are easily accessible from New Haven by train and car.

If you can't visit, here are some resources that showcase what our city has to offer:

• New York Times, " 52 Places to Go in 2023: New Haven, CT ," January 12, 2023
• New York Times, “ New Haven, Conn.: More Than Just Academics and Mozzarella, ” June 1, 2022
• Washington Post, “ New Haven: A long-weekend destination with lots to do, and you can leave the car at home, ” March 15, 2019.
• Hartford Courant, “ Study: New Haven, Danbury among America’s 50 best small cities, ” June 5, 2019.
• Between Two Rocks, “ 5 Reasons Why New Haven is the Greatest City in America, ” April 5, 2018.
• The Middletown Press, “ Pelli's 50 year collaborator recalls a humble giant ,” on why this architecture giant chose New Haven as home base for his office. July 23, 2019.
• Info New Haven

Furthermore, you will have easy access to Yale's extraordinary libraries, museums, and 13 professional schools, all of which are located right in New Haven. The School of Medicine, the Divinity School, the School of Architecture, the Law School, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the Yale Center for British Art, and more – with their collections, labs, and faculty – are within walking distance of Yale's central campus, making it easy to find resources and partner with collaborators.

The Next Step: Admissions and Getting In

Identifying a program that aligns well with your intellectual and professional interests is the first step in the admissions process. The faculty members who will review your application need to know if your aspirations align with their program, so be sure to explain and document why you belong at Yale.

We hope that you will find a place here.  As former Yale historian George Pierson wrote, “Yale is at once a tradition, a company of scholars, a society of friends.” It is among the best places in the world to study, explore, conduct research, gain skills, and grow into the person you aspire to be.

To get started, please review application requirements at PhD/Master's Application Process , where you will find a link to the application.

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INFORMATION FOR

• Residents & Fellows
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Admissions: Applying to the MD-PhD Program

We seek applicants who are committed to pursuing a career as a physician-scientists. We value students who are curious, creative, compassionate, and resilient, and bring a diverse range of personal experiences, viewpoints, and academic interests to our collaborative and innovative community.

Candidates must submit their application to the Yale School of Medicine which includes the AMCAS and the Yale Secondary Applications and indicate their interest in being considered for the MD-PhD Program. All applications are holistically reviewed to find candidates whose academic and personal experiences indicate exceptional potential and a commitment to pursue MD and PhD training at Yale. Among the things we look for in a candidate's application are:

• Significant research experience(s) with evidence of increasing independence, responsibility, and depth of contributions
• Outstanding letters of recommendation, including those from research mentors who can reflect upon your potential for success as a physician-scientist
• Personal statements that allow us to understand your reasons for training as a physician-scientist
• Activities that reflect your curiosity, compassion, maturity, leadership, grit
• Broad academic excellence, not reflected solely in MCAT scores or GPA

Admissions Timeline

Invitations for interview will be sent via email from September to January. All interviews are virtual and will be scheduled over a two-day period. Candidates have interviews with members of both the MD and MD-PhD Interviewing subcommittees, non-evaluative meetings with MD-PhD program faculty and students, and informational sessions with the program director and current students. Social events and student buddies will help you learn more about the MD-PhD community at Yale and about living in New Haven. As part of the invitation to interview, we will provide a survey link that allows you to request informal meetings with up to five Yale faculty whose research is of interest to you. These informal discussions are not part of the admissions evaluation but are made available to you so that you can get a more complete picture of what Yale has to offer. Applicants who are not invited to interview for the MD-PhD Program will be offered the option to have their application considered for MD-only admission.

Special Instructions for Applicants Interested in “non-traditional” PhD programs

MD-PhD applicants who plan to pursue their PhD in Anthropology, Economics, History of Science & Medicine, Philosophy, Religious Studies or Sociology must submit applications to both the MD-PhD program and to the PhD program. (A link to the PhD program application will be sent to such students when their complete MD-PhD program application is received.) Interview invitations will be made after both applications have been reviewed. Materials required to support the PhD program application are detailed below. Students interested in these programs are encouraged to contact the MD-PhD program to indicate their interest and to obtain the most up-to-date information about specific PhD program requirements. Please note: the completed MD-PhD application must be received by October 15th and the PhD application completed by November 1st to allow full review and consideration for interview.

Requested additional materials:

• Anthropology
• History of Science and Medicine
• Religious Studies
• Please upload a current resume/CV.
• Applicants to Economics (Only) – GRE Test Scores required

Important information to keep in mind:

• The " personal statement of academic purpose " is carefully evaluated by PhD program faculty; when requested, it should be prepared with this audience in mind. This document should be a succinct statement of 500-1,000 words explaining why you are applying to Yale for graduate study, describing your past research, your preparation for the intended field of study, your academic plans for graduate study at Yale (e.g. your proposed research project), and your subsequent career objectives. Explain how the faculty, research, and resources at Yale would contribute to your future goals.
• You may submit a letter of recommendation from the same individual as part of both the AMCAS and GSAS applications; we encourage you to ask the recommenders most capable of speaking to your preparation for the PhD program of study to submit their letters to both AMCAS and GSAS. Once you identify a recommender in the GSAS Admissions Portal, they will receive an email providing instructions and access information.
• No application fee to GSAS will be required to submit these additional materials.
• The MCAT will be accepted in lieu of the GRE except for candidates to Economics.

Gap years are not necessary for applicants . Nationally, >75% of MD-PhD students have taken at least one gap year after college 1 . Gap years can help applicants gain research or clinical experience necessary for deciding whether dual-degree training is right for them. Or they can provide time to travel, work, or take the MCAT and apply. But gap years per se are not necessary to be admitted to MD-PhD programs! The distribution of gap years taken by Yale MD-PhD applicants, interviewed or accepted candidates, and matriculated students for 2019-2023 shows a median “gap” of 2 years for interviewed, accepted, and matriculated applicants But 18% of our current students joined the program immediately after graduating from college.

Diversity and inclusion are central to our mission; our goal is to train students with a wide range of backgrounds, personal identities, and research interests to become physician-scientists. MD-PhD students who matriculated in the past five years completed their undergraduate degrees at accredited four-year institutions all over the United States and territories, and include students who have attended community colleges, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and small, non-research-intensive colleges. Demographics of current students, as self-identified in their AMCAS medical school applications, are shown below. We encourage individuals with disabilities or who may be from economically, socially, culturally and/or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds to apply to our Program. Yale is committed to providing an accessible and inclusive environment to individuals with disabilities by ensuring that appropriate academic and technical accommodations are available to students. Please contact the MD-PhD Office and Student Accessibility Services for further information. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, refugees, asylees, DACA recipients and international students are all eligible to apply for admission to the MD-PhD Program.

1 Brass LF, Fitzsimonds RM, Akabas MH. Gaps between college and starting an MD-PhD program are adding years to physician-scientist training time. JCI Insight. 2021;e156168 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ Google Scholar ]

Yale's MD-PhD Program grants full consideration to students who plan to pursue a PhD program in departments that are part of the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) , the School of Public Health (YSPH) , School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) , and some departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS ). Please click on the links for more information on specific PhD programs. Current students are pursuing their PhD training in the following programs and departments.

Ph.D. Program

Make an impact: The intellectual rigor from researchers associated with Yale Economics drives innovations in domestic and international policy.

• Requirements

Yale's Department of Economics offers a challenging and rigorous academic program, a distinguished and accessible faculty, and a friendly, supportive environment for study.

Our core teaching faculty of 66 is supported by a diverse group of visiting professors and graduate student teaching assistants, making it one of the largest economics departments in the United States with one of the highest teacher/student ratios for the 130 Ph.D. students in residence.

The Department of Economics also has close ties with professional schools in related fields, such as the Yale School of Management, the Yale School of the Environment, and the Yale School of Public Health, where many of its secondary faculty members teach. It also works with affiliated centers, including the Cowles Foundation for Research in Economics, the Economic Growth Center, and the newly created Tobin Center for Economic Policy . 

• The Program
• Prospective Students
• Milestones and Timeline
• Student Resources
• Student Directory

Our Program

Yale's economics faculty embraces a broad range of research and teaching interests. Courses and seminars span a wide spectrum of economics, from dynamic structural models to field experiments. Our students apply econometric and data analytic methods to a variety of subjects in macroeconomics, labor economics and finance. Our courses examine critical economic policy issues, including antitrust and environmental regulation. Our focus is global, spanning the United States and developed economies to the developing nations of Latin America, Asia and Africa. Whatever your interest, our faculty is ready to guide you through a wide offering of more than a hundred regular courses, seminars or workshops, combined with individually tailored reading and research courses to best prepare you for your Ph.D. research and dissertation.

Our faculty is eclectic in methodologies and views of economics. There is no Yale dogma or school. You will acquire a critical perspective on the full range of approaches to macroeconomics. You will be well trained in neoclassical theory and in the theory of public choice, externalities and market failures. You will master the skills of sophisticated modern econometrics and understand pitfalls in its applications. You will gain respect for the power of contemporary mathematical models and also for history and for the insights of the great economists of the past.  

Fields of Study

Important dates.

Aug. 19, Mon. GSAS New Student Orientation week begins.

Aug. 26, Mon. Add/drop period opens, 8:00 am.

Aug. 28, Wed. Fall-term classes begin.

Full calendar

Department of History

Ph.d. programs.

The Department of History’s doctoral degree program seeks to train talented historians for careers in scholarship, teaching, and beyond the academy. The department typically accepts 22 Ph.D. students per year. Additional students are enrolled through various combined programs and through HSHM.  All admitted Ph.D. students receive a  full  financial aid package  from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 

History of Science and Medicine

The  Program in the History of Science and Medicine  (HSHM)  is a semi-autonomous graduate track within the Department of History. HSHM students receive degrees in History, with a concentration in the History of Science and Medicine.  There is a separate admissions process for students interested in the History of Science and Medicine. For more information, please see the  HSHM website . 

Combined Doctoral Programs

Joint ph.d. programs.

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INFORMATION FOR

• Prospective Students
• Incoming Students
• myYSPH Members

The mentorship and support I’ve received through the Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS (CIRA) as a predoctoral fellow has been invaluable and was a big factor in my decision to attend YSPH.

PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) Department aims to understand and improve health equity, both domestically and globally. SBS provides instruction in the theory and methods of the social and behavioral sciences that emphasize individual, interpersonal, community, and structural influences on health, illness, and recovery. The primary emphases are focused on (1) understanding the psychosocial, behavioral, community, and societal influences on health in the general population, with a focus on those who are disadvantaged; and (2) creating multilevel interventions that eliminate barriers to health, from infancy to old age. The SBS curriculum takes an interdisciplinary approach and focuses on integrating methods from epidemiology and the social sciences, training scientists with a broad skill set that allows them to answer a host of complex research questions. The department has numerous research strengths including in HIV/AIDS, aging health, community engaged health research, maternal child health, mental health, health equity and disparities, and stigma prevention and health.

This program does not require General GRE test scores.

Learn more about the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences

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