11 PhD programmes offered by the university

The Linguistics program at Northwestern University provides students with a solid background in linguistic theory with an emphasis on empirical and experimental methodologies.

The English program at Northwestern University offers advanced study and research in literary history, criticism, and theory, with excellent opportunities for interdepartmental and interdisciplinary study. 

The Health Sciences - Social Sciences and Health program at Northwestern University offers doctoral student training across multiple disciplines within the health sciences, spanning from informatics and program evaluation to implementation science and outcomes research. 

The Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences program at Northwestern University provides the resources and training environment necessary to promote the development of Ph.D. students into independent, creative research scientists and teachers.

The Religious Studies program at Northwestern University is highly flexible and profoundly interdisciplinary. All students take courses both within and outside the department, most choose at least one dissertation adviser from another department, and many students take one qualifying examination in another discipline. 

The Philosophy program at Northwestern University trains students historically and systematically, fosters the growth of philosophical skills, and encourages broad and incisive exploration of individual interests.

The German Literature and Critical Thought program at Northwestern University focuses on the theoretical and cultural foundations of German literature, critical thought, and media from early modernity onward.

The History program at Northwestern University is distinguished by its relatively compact size, admitting about 15 students or fewer each year. This highly selective program allows close faculty-student interaction and permits exacting criticism of sources, research procedures, and writing skills.

The Slavic Languages and Literatures program at Northwestern University, one of the best in the country, specializes in Russian literature and culture. 

The Interdisciplinary PhD in Theatre and Drama program at Northwestern University is a cross-school program featuring faculty and coursework that span the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. 

Graduates of Comparative Literary Studies program at Northwestern University leave with the historical knowledge, linguistic skills, and interpretive methodologies necessary to undertake scholarly research on and to teach literature in at least two languages.