Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Global Studies

Graduates of this Ph.D. program will be able to:

• Utilize qualitative and/or quantitative methods to conduct research on major issues of contemporary global significance.
• Understand policies key to addressing critical global problems, ranging from migration to conflict and climate change. 
• Publicize best practices and innovative findings through teaching, presentations, and publications in various formats.

Graduates of the Ph.D. program will also demonstrate the following knowledge competencies:

• Knowledge in globally shared political, social, economic and security issues.
• Current academic research in the fields covered by two of the program areas of study (Conflict, Cooperation, Security and Human Rights; International Political Economy, Trade and Development; or Theory in Global Studies) as well as a broad familiarity with key topics in all three areas.
• An understanding of the key concepts, theories, and methodology in the new and emerging field of Global Studies.
• An understanding of the diverse aspects of global civil society--such as political economy, security, human rights, religion, ethical and historical perspectives--that affect our contemporary world in significant ways.
• A working knowledge of the organizations, institutions and global systems having important roles in the development and maintenance of global civil society, human rights and social justice and economic growth and stability.
• Advanced quantitative and qualitative research methods.

All College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences master’s and doctoral applicants must submit:

1. An application
2. An application fee
3. A statement of purpose
4. Letters of recommendation
5. Official transcripts
6. Official test score report - only required for:
   1. (GRE) Criminology and Criminal Justice, Ph.D.
   2. (GRE) Global Studies, Ph.D.
   3. Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Music Education, Master of Music (M.M.)
7. Resume - required for:
   • Music Education, M.M.
   • Public Administration, M.P.A
   • Master of Education, M.Ed., programs
     • Optional for the Education Administration PK-12 option
   • Language Arts and Literacy, Ed.S
   • Doctoral level education programs
     • Optional for the Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice
     • Ph.D. in Psychology applicants should submit a curriculum vitae (CV)
8. Writing Sample (Education Ph.D. programs only)

Note: All required materials must be received before the application package can be evaluated. Supporting documents may be uploaded directly to your GradCAS application. If you have trouble uploading materials after applying, you may email them directly to graduate_admissions@uml.edu.

Please note the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.  

Program Application Deadlines for Fall Admissions:

• Global Studies Ph.D. - January 15
• Psychology Ph.D. - January 15
• Criminology Ph.D. - February 1
• Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies - February 15

Program Application Deadlines for Summer Admissions:

• The Leadership in Schooling Ed.D. is a cohort-based program that begins each year in May. Applications are accepted during the preceding year between July - October 15. 

International Students: please see the additional application requirements.

Bachelor's to Master's Students: You will need to apply via the application portal. Visit the Bachelor's to Master's page to learn about the process to transition to your desired master's program.

1. Online Application application

Applications are accepted through the GradCAS application portal.

• Application assistance

Apply for Summer 2025, Fall 2025 & Spring 2026

Apply for Summer 2026, Fall 2026 & Spring 2027

2. Application Fee⁠

The application fee is $50 for each application and is non-refundable. Applications will not be processed until this fee is received or the applicant inputs a coupon code at checkout.

3. Statement of Purpose statement

In a separate document, submit a brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, any teaching experience and/or research conducted/published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two page recommended maximum.

For applicants to Doctoral education programs:

Leadership in Education Ph.D. and Research & Evaluation in Education Ph.D. - candidates should submit a statement of no more than 1,500 words, that responds to two questions:

• What are you interested in researching during your doctoral studies, and why?
• How would doctoral studies at UMass Lowell advance your career goals?

Leadership in Schooling Ed.D. - A two-page statement of purpose in which the applicant describes their understanding of equity-based educational problems and identifies and articulates the reasons to address a contextually relevant, equity-based problem (for STEM applicants should have a STEM focus).

Note: If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit a program-specific statement of purpose with each application package.

4. Letters of Recommendation recommendation

Master's and Ed.D. applicants need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation. Doctoral (Ph.D.) applicants are required to submit three (3) letters of recommendation. You will be asked to provide contact information for your referees during the application process, and an automated request will be sent out. 

Criminal Justice, M.A.: Letters of recommendation are optional, not required.

Recommendations should be from instructors who have taught you, ideally in the field to which you are applying. Recommendations may also be from employers or supervisors who are in a position to compare your performance to that of your peers.

5. Official Transcripts transcripts

Provide a complete and official transcript from the institution that awarded or will award you a bachelor’s degree. Master’s transcripts are required for students applying to the Ed.D. and Education Ph.D. programs. Otherwise, submission of any master’s coursework is optional.

You may also include transcripts from other institutions at which you have taken relevant coursework, which may be beneficial for supporting your candidacy. Please note that waiting for additional transcripts may delay review of your application.

Review the GradCAS Transcript Request Instructions. Candidates are encouraged to submit their official transcripts directly to GradCAS, which is particularly advantageous if you are applying to multiple schools. GradCAS will attach your transcripts to all existing applications for all schools, allowing you to request these official documents just once.

Transcripts are also accepted in sealed and signed envelopes mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions or electronically directly from your university. Send to graduate_admissions@uml.edu. If you received your degree from UMass Lowell, it is not necessary for you to request a transcript, we are able to provide one for you.

University of Massachusetts - Lowell
Graduate Admissions
Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Center
839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01854-3941

International transcripts demonstrating completion of a bachelor's/master's degree require a course-by-course credential evaluation from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency, such as:

• Center for Educational Documentation, Inc. (CED)
• Educational Credential Evaluators® (ECE)
• World Education Services (WES)

Please note, the Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credential evaluated.

test-score 6. Official Test Score Report(s)

Submission of the GRE test score report is required for applicants to the following programs:

• Criminology and Criminal Justice, Ph.D.
• Global Studies, Ph.D.

• Master of Music in Music Education, MM - Applicants to this program must submit proof of successfully passing the MTEL test in Music. 
  

For more information about standardized tests, our Admissions Standards page provides current information.

7. Resume⁠

The programs listed below require a resume for admissions consideration:

• Music Education, M.M.
• Public Administration, M.P.A
• Master of Education, M.Ed., programs
  • Optional for the Education Administration, PK-12 option
• Language Arts and Literacy, Ed.S
• Doctoral 
  • Optional for the Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Ph.D. in Psychology applicants should submit a curriculum vitae (CV) rather than a resume to highlight academic and professional achievements.

8.  writing-sampleWriting Sample / Artifact⁠

• Leadership in Education Ph.D. and Research & Evaluation in Education Ph.D. - Please submit a writing sample that demonstrates the applicant's ability to present a cohesive, focused and persuasive response to an education issues of his or her choice. The writing sample should be accompanied by a brief note explaining the context in which it was written and identifying the kinds of support received by the applicant producing it.

If you have any trouble with the application process, please call Graduate Admissions at 978-934-2390 or email graduate_admissions@uml.edu.