Northwestern University's Learning Sciences program was the first of its kind in the nation.

Application Deadlines

• PhD Programs (LS & LS+CS)

  December 15 before the fall start date.

  Applications for the Learning Sciences PhD programs are accepted for fall quarter matriculation only.

  Applicants interested in the PhD program are encouraged to email  sesp-ls@northwestern.edu at any time.

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• Master of Science in Education, Learning Sciences 

  Our Master's program is now accepting applications.

  
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PhD Application Details

Applications are accepted for fall quarter matriculation only. The admissions application has closed for the Fall 2021 cohort and will reopen in September 2021 for the Fall 2022 cohort.  

All PhD applicants must meet the deadline of December 15, 2021. Incomplete applications will not be considered for admission. Additional information for prospective students may be found on The Graduate School website. You may also view frequently asked questions about admissions.

Want to learn more about our PhD programs? RSVP for our upcoming online information sessions here. For both programs, we will have a one-hour online information session for the joint Computer Science + Learning Sciences PhD program immediately following by an online information session for the Learning Sciences PhD program.

• Monday, Oct. 18: CS+LS from 3 to 4 p.m. CT; LS from 4 to 5 p.m. CT
• Monday, Nov. 15: CS+LS from 3 to 4 p.m. CT; LS from 4 to 5 p.m. CT

PhD Application Timeline

December  - On-line application due to The Graduate School
January  - Faculty begin reviewing applications
February  - Faculty issue interview invitations
Mid to late February - Virtual Learning Sciences Interviews
March  - Faculty send admit letter offers
April  -  Council of Graduate Schools Admit Letter Acceptance Deadline Council of Graduate Schools

Application Materials

All application documents are required to be submitted electronically; we don't accept paper copies. The following application documents are required:

• Graduate School online application
• Application fee of $95
• Two letters of recommendation (minimum; three maximum)
• Statement of purpose
• Resume/CV
• Writing sample
  • Writing sample should be academic in nature.
  • Applicant must be the sole author.
• All post-secondary official transcripts
  • Transcripts should be official copies and in PDF format.
• Optional GRE scores (send scores via institution code #1565; no department code)
  
  • Applications to Northwestern University’s Learning Sciences PhD Program are GRE-optional, meaning that applications submitted without scores will be given full consideration. In all cases, we will evaluate traditional measures of academic success including undergraduate GPA, graduate GPA (if applicable), performance in courses requiring rigorous quantitative and qualitative reasoning, independent writing samples, and letters of recommendation. GRE scores when submitted will be considered along with these other measures.
• English proficiency scores for non-native English speakers
  • For the TOEFL, you must score 600 or higher on the paper-based test, 250 or higher on the computer-based test, and 100 or higher on the Internet-based test. For the IELTS, you must score 7.00 or higher.
  • Scores must be no older than two years at the time of matriculation.
  • International applicants who have earned a post-secondary degree from an accredited higher education institution whose primary language of instruction is English are not required to provide English proficiency scores. English proficiency scores are required of all other international applicants.