90 PhD programmes offered by the university

The Northwestern University Marketing doctoral program provides rigorous training in the skills required for success as a world-class marketing researcher. This is achieved via coursework, close collaboration with faculty, and intellectual exchange in a department known for its research culture.

The Operations Management doctoral program at Northwestern University trains students to apply empirical techniques and theoretical analysis to advance our understanding of how work and processes are, or should be, organized and managed.

The Industrial Engineering and Management Sciences program at Northwestern University produces researchers who combine strength in core methodologies of operations research (e.g., optimization, stochastic modeling and simulation, statistics, and data analytics) with the ability to apply them to yield practical benefits in solving problems that are important in the real world. 

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 Life Sciences and Clinical Investigation program at Northwestern University is designed to connect PhD trainees in life sciences early in their research experience with clinician investigators who can help them see the value of understanding the clinical needs of patients. 

The Physical Therapy and Public Health program at Northwestern University is available to physical therapy students in the Feinberg School of Medicine. 

The Civil and Environmental Engineering - Mechanics, Materials, and Structures program at Northwestern University provides a strong background in the theory and practice of modern civil and environmental engineering through formal course and research requirements. 

The Applied Physics program at Northwestern University offers interdisciplinary PhD research opportunities for graduate students with a strong undergraduate background in Physics.

The Communication Sciences and Disorders program at Northwestern University brings together researchers studying mechanisms and disorders of communication in an interdisciplinary setting. 

The Computer Science - Theory program at Northwestern University primarily prepares students to become expert independent researchers. 

The Physics program at Northwestern University prepares students for careers in research, teaching, or industry. 

The Performance Studies program at Northwestern University is committed to the interdisciplinary study of performance. 

The PhD program in Managerial Economics and Strategy (MECS), a program offered jointly by the Departments of Managerial Economics and Decision Sciences (MEDS) and Strategy at Northwestern University, emphasizes the use of rigorous theoretical and empirical models to solve problems in both theoretical and applied economics.  

The PhD program in Management and Organizations (“MORS”) from Northwestern University, integrates psychological, sociological, economic, and complex systems perspectives on the study of organizations and their members.

Graduates form the Sociology program at Northwestern University are pioneers of sociological research, analysis, writing and teaching, and future leaders across diverse sectors of professional life.

The Computer Science - Systems and Networking program at Northwestern University primarily prepares students to become expert independent researchers. 

The Psychology program at Northwestern University prepares students to be future leaders in scientific psychology through programs in five areas: clinical psychology; personality, development & health psychology; cognitive psychology; social psychology; and brain, behavior, & cognition.

The Human Development and Social Policy program at Northwestern University studies how public policy affects human development and well-being, how research on human development across the life span informs policy, and how people affect policy.

The Learning Sciences program at Northwestern University prepares researchers, developers, and practitioners to advance the scientific understanding and practice of teaching and learning.