The Network Science PhD program at Northeastern University is a pioneering interdisciplinary program that provides the tools and concepts aimed at understanding the structure and dynamics of networks arising from the interplay of human behavior, socio-technical infrastructures, information diffusion and biological agents.
The PhD in Network Science is an interdisciplinary program supported jointly by the Bouvé College of Health Sciences, College of Arts, Media and Design, College of Science, D’Amore-McKim School of Business, College of Social Sciences and Humanities, and Khoury College of Computer Sciences.
Our interdisciplinary program provides the conceptual and mathematical tools needed to describe and predict networks in an ever-evolving field. You’ll learn a range of network-based approaches, and will become proficient in relational (graph-based), mathematical, and algorithmic techniques, as well as fundamental network theories that can be used to explain mechanisms and processes of networks across domains—in physical, technological, informational, and social systems.
As the only Network Science program based in the U.S., our curriculum provides a scholarly experience that is truly one of a kind. The program fosters intellectual and quantitative agility, enabling you to combine theoretically-driven inquiries with data collection and analytic tools and theories—while also understanding when, and in what contexts, particular techniques are appropriate and meaningful.
Our Mentoring Approach
The program takes a mentoring approach whereby the graduate students work in research groups of faculty, doctoral students, and postdoctoral fellows, with opportunities to conduct research across traditional disciples utilizing network methodologies. In the laboratory, responsibility for collaboration in research gradually shifts from the faculty advisor to the student, culminating in the student’s doctoral dissertation.
Each student will have one primary faculty advisor from the Network Science Doctoral Program faculty. Students are admitted into the program with a faculty advisor. Students will be expected to select their dissertation advisors by the end of the spring semester of their second year in the program. In most cases, the student’s faculty advisor is expected to become their dissertation advisor.
Our Network Science doctoral program receives applications from students around the world with diverse backgrounds and research interests. The backgrounds of our incoming students are quite diverse, ranging from mathematics, physics, and computer science, to biology, to epidemiology to psychology, political science, communication, and other social sciences.
The application deadline for Fall 2025 is December 1, 2024.
Types of Applicants
Applicants to our Portland, ME campus
Applicants interested in working with one of our faculty members, Matteo Chinazzi or Guillaume St-Onge, in our Portland, ME campus will still need to select Boston as their desired location on the application portal.
Admitted students for the AY25-26 who are selected to work with our faculty in our Portland, ME location will do their first year in Boston and are expected to move to Portland in Year 2. We anticipate that from AY26-27 students will be able to start the PhD program in Portland from Year 1.
International Applicants
We welcome applications from talented students from all countries around the world. If during the application process, you have any questions about immigration issues, please feel free to contact us. View President Aoun's statement on embracing our global community here.
Admission Requirements
Language Proficiency Requirement
A minimum of a baccalaureate from an accredited institution is required. Proficiency in the English language is essential. Students selected must meet minimum requirements for admission to the University (overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0, and a combined GRE Verbal + Quantitative score of 297). Note GRE is optional for applications this year. However, a GPA of 3.5 and a combined GRE V/Q score of 311 are considered competitive.
International students must submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores unless they have earned a degree at an institution where English is the medium of instruction. Students must receive a minimum score of 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL. The TOEFL and GRE scores should be sent to the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH). The institution code for the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) is 3682.
In some cases the language proficiency requirement might be waived. For a list of such examples please check here.
Recommended Background Qualifications
Incoming PhD students should have a strong academic foundation in quantitative and computational skills, including topics like undergraduate-level mathematics, probability, and statistics. Your application materials should show proficiency in these areas, or you may address gaps by outlining a plan to get those skills. We are happy to discuss strategies for skill-building, and admitted students will have opportunities to strengthen these concepts through workshops and coursework. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
Program Information
For more information about applying to the Network Science PhD Program, read this Q&A,“Everything that you wanted to know about applying for grad school but were afraid to ask” by former PhD Program Director David Lazer.
How to Apply
Application System
Applications should be submitted through the SLATE application portal: https://enroll.northeastern.edu/apply/
Application Materials
The following materials must be included as part of your application:
Application and application fee*
Transcripts from all schools attended
GRE scores are recommended
Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL exam, IELTS exam, Duolingo exam, or a degree earned at an institution where English is the medium of instruction).
Three letters of reference (two of which must address academic competencies)
Resume
Statement of Purpose (SOP) (1-2 pages)
Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose (SOP) should include a description of your interest in the program and your career goals. Your essay should demonstrate knowledge about the program, and of the types of research carried out by Network Science Institute faculty, and how you and your interests fit with that. It should also include the ways in which your experiences and/or coursework have influenced your development, interest, and your potential as a scholar.
Applicants should indicate interest in one of the network science institute faculty and/or core research areas as part of their application. Faculty research, lab groups, and recent publications can be found within the Institute website.
For Portland, ME applicants:
Applicants interested in working with one of our faculty members, Matteo Chinazzi or Guillaume St-Onge, in our Portland, ME campus should explicitly state this in their SOP. If they mention the Portland location and our faculty's names in their statement they will certainly be considered for that location during the application review process.
Application Fee
The application fee for both domestic and international students is $100. After completing the on-line application, directions will be provided for the payment. If this is a financial burden, application fee waivers can be offered on a case by case basis. To officially request an application fee waiver, please email the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at gradcssh@northeastern.edu.
Useful Links
For other good advice on applying to graduate school see:
“Graduate School Q&A” by Brooke Foucault Welles
International students admitted to the Network Science PhD program typically receive an F-1 Visa. The Office of Global Services is available to answer questions regarding international student The following documents are typically required for the F-1 visa application:
Online Non-immigrant Visa Application Form (DS-160) confirmation page
Visa application fee payment receipt (visit the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate website for specific instructions)
Form I-20 issued by OGS at Northeastern University
Valid passport (the passport should be valid for at least six months after your date of entry into the U.S.)
Evidence of financial support (proof of sufficient funds for estimated cost of one academic year)
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 fee payment receipt
A copy of your acceptance letter to Northeastern University
One photograph (see the U.S. Department of State website for photo requirements)
If you have any questions about immigration issues, please feel free to contact us. View President Aoun's statement on embracing our global community here.
Admitted students typically receive financial support in the form of a Graduate Assistantship for 5 years while in good standing in the program. This support typically includes a stipend, tuition remission, and health insurance. Assistantships are provided for the first five academic years, plus the first summer. Continuation of your Assistantship is contingent upon fulfilling all academic and graduate assistantship requirements and may be facilitated through your pursuit of external funding sources, such as fellowships or grants. Conditions relating to PhD Student funding can be found here.
Tuition Remission
Student support typically includes a tuition waiver for coursework pertaining to studies.
Graduate Assistantships
Stipends are provided through Graduate Assistantships. The responsibilities required for Assistantships vary, but typically come in the form of Fellowships, Research Assistantships or Teaching Assistantships. Assistantships are offered with the expectation that the student devotes 20 hours per week to their assistantship duties. Students are admitted into the program with a faculty advisor. Student’s assistantship duties are assigned and performed under the supervision of their faculty advisor.
The annual (including the summer) stipend rate at the Network Science Institute for 2025-2026 will be approximately $43,050. Students are typically paid on a twice-monthly basis.
Research Assistantships (RA)
Support is primarily maintained through research assistantships (RA), for which students are expected to devote 20 hours per week to research assigned through the student’s faculty advisor. RA positions give students the opportunity to participate in research projects as members of a research team. Frequently, this work leads to the students' doctoral thesis projects. Students should expect to spend additional time conducting research in support of their academic studies, such as coursework and activities connected to their dissertation.
Teaching Assistantships (TA)
Graduate students holding teaching assistant appointments must register as full-time resident students and are charged full tuition during the period of appointment. The TA appointment comprises a monthly stipend as well as a tuition scholarship which is credited directly to the student’s account. Teaching Assistants are compensated on the basis of the time devoted to teaching activities. A 100% graduate TA appointment typically includes payment of full tuition for the period of the appointment. Partial appointments (for effort less than 100%) are also possible, and are frequently used to supplement outside fellowships, scholarships, or research assistantships. Students who receive financial support from multiple resources must do so in accordance with department and university guidelines. A 100% teaching assistantship requires no more than 20 hours of effort per week. Northeastern recognizes that graduate students may spend additional time conducting research in support of their academic studies, such as coursework and activities connected to the dissertation.
Other Financial Support
There are also funding opportunities available through external sources where the funds are provided directly to the PhD student rather than through Northeastern University. External doctoral fellowships typically offer stipends comparable to the NU stipend, and some awards offer additional travel or equipment funds. These awards are competitive and rare, though Network Science students have had success with them in the past. If a student receives an extramural award, the external funds will be applied towards stipend and tuition/fees, and the program and/or advisor will supplement as needed to ensure students receive at least the standard support outlined in the admissions letter.
Occasionally, students have a need for supplemental financial support. Information on financial aid loans can be found here.
Health Insurance
All students in the NS PhD program receive health insurance and tuition remission. While Northeastern University covers the cost of the individual graduate student health insurance plan (NUSHP) for its fellowship students and graduate assistantships, you will be required to pay all other university-issued fees (including student fees, roughly $130 per semester, the University Health and Counseling Service fee, estimated at $225 per year, and an additional one-time fee of approximately $375 for international students). Additional information on the student health plan can be found here.
When is the program application deadline?
The priority application deadline for Fall 2025 is December 1, 2024.
Where will I be located if admitted to work with faculty in the Portland, ME location?
Admitted students for the AY25-26 who are selected to work with our faculty, Matteo Chinazzi or Guillaume St-Onge, in our Portland, ME location will do their first year in Boston and are expected to move to Portland in Year 2. We anticipate that from AY26-27 students will be able to start the PhD program in Portland from Year 1.
I am interested in the PhD program at the London UK campus. How can I apply?
NU London PhD follows a model shared by many European institutions, where students apply to work on a specific project and complete their doctoral degree requirements mostly through research (or with minimal coursework) over 3.5 years. For these positions, there is no application process from the US, positions are posted from NU London as they become available.
The following Q&As are relevant to the application process for our US-based PhD program at the Boston, MA and Portland, ME campuses.
What materials should I submit to apply?
The following material must be included as part of your application:
· Statement of Purpose (SOP)
· Transcripts from all institutions attended
· 3 letters of recommendation
· GRE scores recommended but not required
· Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL exam, IELTS exam, Duolingo exam, or a degree earned at an institution where English is the medium of instruction).
The statement of purpose (SOP) should include a description of your interest in the program and your career goals. Your essay should demonstrate knowledge about the program, and of the types of research carried out by Network Science Institute faculty, and how you and your interests fit with that. It should also include the ways in which your experiences and/or coursework have influenced your development, interest, and your potential as a scholar.
Applicants should indicate interest in one of the network science institute faculty and/or core research areas as part of their application. Faculty research, lab groups, and recent publications can be found within the Institute website.
Applicants interested in working with one of our faculty members in our Portland, ME campus should explicitly state this in their SOP. They will still need to select Boston as their desired location in the application portal but if they mention the Portland location and our faculty's names in their statement they will certainly be considered for that location during the application review process.
How do I select the “Network Science” program on my application?
Admission for the Network Science program is housed in the College of Social Science and Humanities. For the application, be sure to select [Social Science and Humanities] in the [College/School] field. Network Science should then be listed as a program.
How can I select the Portland, ME location on my application?
Applicants interested in working with one of our faculty members, Matteo Chinazzi or Guillaume St-Onge, in our Portland, ME campus should explicitly state this in their SOP. They will still need to select Boston as their desired location in the application portal but if they mention the Portland location and our faculty's names in their statement they will certainly be considered for that location during the application review process.
How do I know if my transcripts and test scores have been received?
Please contact the Graduate Student Service office (gradcssh@northeastern.edu) to check if your transcripts and test scores have been received. The Graduate Student Service office receives and processes all application material for the Network Science PhD program. Please note that an electronic copy of your transcripts, uploaded with your application, is required for the review process. Should you be accepted, and decide to enroll, an official copy of your transcripts is required within 30 days of matriculation.
How do I view the status of my application to the PhD program at NU?
As we continually look for ways to improve and enhance the student experience, Northeastern University has recently moved to Slate, an admissions application platform designed to provide each student a unique and personalized admissions experience. During this period of transition, you may experience delays in response to your questions regarding application status and updates. For the most up to date information regarding the standing of your application, please visit enroll.northeastern.edu/apply/status
For questions unrelated to Fall 2025 applications, please allow 1-3 business days for a response.
Is the application fee waiver available? What should I do to get the waiver?
To officially request an application fee waiver, please email the College of Social Sciences and Humanities at gradcssh@northeastern.edu.
What are the details regarding TOEFL requirements? Do I still need to take the language proficiency test if I have previously gone to an English-speaking school?
Here are some examples where you may not have to provide us with a language proficiency test score report, but please do be advised that language proficiency will be determined during the application review process.
· You have/will receive a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from a U.S. institution.
· You are a citizen of a country where English is the official/primary language.*
· You have/will receive a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree from a country where English is the official/primary language.*
· You have/will receive a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree abroad from an accredited, American university abroad.
· English is the medium language of instruction at the program where you have/will receive a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree. This information must be clearly stated on your transcript.*
* Please refer to the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) which is your intended college, to determine if this waiver applies. To contact CSSH use this email address: gradcssh@northeastern.edu You may be asked to provide official documentation from your institution that states that English is the only medium of instruction.
Please note that we consider graduate certificates as a non-degree and as such they will not satisfy the language proficiency requirement.
The TOEFL and GRE scores should be sent to the College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH). The institution code for College of Social Sciences and Humanities (CSSH) is 3682.
How is the program admittance determined?
As with many PhD programs, admittance to the Network Science PhD program is determined on a case by case basis, where applicants’ background and area of academic interest are evaluated by the faculty who sit on the admissions committee, and each have their own criteria. It is difficult to put forth a metric or guideline as to what they are specifically looking for.. Of the students who were admitted, the average GPA was over 3.5 on a 4 point scale. GRE Qualitative, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing scores were in the upper percentiles.
Recommended Background Qualifications
Incoming PhD students should have a strong academic foundation in quantitative and computational skills, including topics like undergraduate-level mathematics, probability, and statistics. Your application materials should show proficiency in these areas, or you may address gaps by outlining a plan to get those skills. We are happy to discuss strategies for skill-building, and admitted students will have opportunities to strengthen these concepts through workshops and coursework. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
What is the financial support package for this program?
The financial support typically involves a stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance. For the AY 2025-2026 year, the stipend will be $14,350 per semester, or $43,050 for the fall, spring, and summer term.
Resources
