Programs of Study
Courses of study leading to the doctoral degree are offered in the arts and sciences, architecture, engineering, and public affairs. In addition there are several master’s degree programs, in architecture, engineering, finance, Near Eastern studies, and public policy. Graduate work is not offered in business, education, law, medicine, theology, or other professions not specified below.
By design Princeton emphasizes comparatively short and intensive programs of doctoral study, and the number of graduate students who can be enrolled is limited by the educational and financial resources of the Graduate School.
Doctor of Philosophy. The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree is granted at Princeton in the following departments and programs:
Anthropology
Applied and Computational Mathematics*
Architecture
Art and Archaeology
Astrophysical Sciences
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Chemical Engineering*
Chemistry*
Chinese Art and Archaeology
Civil and Environmental Engineering*
Classical Archaeology
Classics
Comparative Literature
Computer Science
Demography
East Asian Studies
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Economics
Economics and Demography
Electrical Engineering*
English
French and Italian
Geosciences
German
History
Japanese Art and Archaeology
Mathematical Physics
Mathematics
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering*
Molecular Biology**
Molecular Biology and Neuroscience
Music
Near Eastern Studies
Operations Research and Financial Engineering
Philosophy
Physics
Politics
Psychology
Psychology and Neuroscience
Public Affairs
Public Affairs and Demography
Religion
Slavic Languages and Literatures
Slavic and Theoretical Linguistics
Sociology
Sociology and Demography
Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Cultures
Ph.D. work also may be concentrated in one of the following areas, but the degree granted is in an appropriate field from among those listed above.
African-American Studies
African Studies
Ancient World
Classical Philosophy
East Asian Studies
Energy and Environmental Studies
Environmental Engineering and Water Resources
Hellenic Studies
History of Science
Italian Studies
Latin American Studies
Linguistics
Materials Science and Technology*
Medieval Studies
Near Eastern Studies
Neuroscience
Philosophy of Science
Plasma Physics
Plasma Science and Technology
Political Economy
Political Philosophy
Population Studies
Statistics and Operations Research
Transportation
* By fulfilling the requirements of the home department and the Program in Materials Science and Technology, doctoral students can qualify for a joint Ph.D.
** Through admission to the M.D./Ph.D. program of the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick, students can pursue the Ph.D. at Princeton University.
In each case admission is through one of the participating departments, except in the history of science, where Ph.D. candidates are admitted directly to that program.
Each department determines the length of its own Ph.D. program, which is typically either four or five years. Financial support, if offered, extends for that specified period. Each student’s academic program is arranged at the beginning of the term in consultation with an adviser or the director of graduate studies. Although no specific courses are required by the Graduate School, departments may (and many do) require specific courses or exercises as part of the pregenerals program.
Master’s Degrees. Students are admitted to master’s degree programs (final professional degree) in the following subjects:
Architecture (M.Arch.): program leading to the Master of Architecture prepares students to enter the professional practice of architecture and is recognized as qualifying for examination and state licensing after an internship.
Chemistry (M.S.): part-time, course-work-only degree for employees of local or regional firms.
Engineering (M.Eng.): course-work-only degree available in chemical, civil and environmental, computer science, electrical, mechanical and aerospace, and operations research and financial engineering. (M.S.E.): course work and required thesis; degree available in chemical, civil and environmental, mechanical and aerospace, and operations research and financial engineering. Students should consult the individual program descriptions.
Finance (M.Fin.): two-year course-work-only degree offered through the Bendheim Center for Finance.
Public Affairs (M.P.A.)
Public Policy (M.P.P.): course-work-only degree; intended for students with at least seven years of professional experience.
Master of Arts (M.A.) is granted as a final degree in only one area: Near Eastern studies. Candidates are admitted directly to, and receive their degrees in, this special area of study. As well, a thesis is required.
Joint and Multiple Degrees
The Graduate School offers no joint degrees other than those listed above. An applicant to the Graduate School can apply to only one department, and an enrolled student can be a candidate for only one advanced degree at a time.