HGSE’s mission is to prepare education leaders and innovators who will change the world by improving education. Through a rich suite of courses and co-curricular experiences designed to incorporate the best learning practices, along with the expert mentorship of Harvard’s exceptional faculty, a degree from HGSE prepares you to make a difference in education today. 

 HGSE’s Master’s in Education — a full-time, one-year, on-campus Ed.M. — has five distinct program options spanning education leadership and entrepreneurship, education policy, human development, teaching and teacher leadership, and learning design and technology. If you’re an aspiring or established educator, leader, and innovator who seeks an immersive Harvard experience that’s deeply grounded in field-facing challenges — and that offers limitless opportunities for personal and professional growth and impact — we welcome you to join our community. 

 HGSE’s Master’s in Education Leadership — an online, part-time, two-year Ed.M. program — is designed for dynamic professionals interested in deepening their impact and connecting with a network of outstanding faculty and peers, all with the convenience of an online program that complements their careers. If you’ve got at least seven years of relevant or transferrable work experience and are looking for a master’s program that lets you embrace new leadership roles, we welcome you to join our community. 

 Doctoral study at Harvard means full immersion into one of the world’s most dynamic and influential intellectual communities. At the Harvard Graduate School of Education, two distinct and fully funded doctoral programs leverage the extraordinary interdisciplinary strengths of the university. The Doctor of Education Leadership (Ed.L.D.) prepares experienced educators for system-level leadership roles in school districts, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. The Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Ph.D.) empowers cutting-edge interdisciplinary research informed by the cognitive sciences, economics, medicine, the humanities, and more. 

James Bryant Conant Fellowships

The James Bryant Conant Fellowship fund was established to support the professional growth of outstanding teachers and administrators under contract with the Boston and Cambridge public schools who are accepted to HGSE degree programs. Those interested in these competitive, full-tuition awards should consult their unions or school administrative offices concerning the tenure or professional status requirements of their school systems. There is a separate application required, which is found below.

Conant Fellowships are one-year awards which may be prorated for part-time study. Fellows are required to return to their school systems for a minimum of one year after completing the HGSE degree

Urban Scholars Award

The Urban Scholars Award is designed to attract and reward exceptional Ed.M. and C.A.S. candidates who have provided evidence demonstrating their strong commitment to the betterment of urban education. Candidates are selected on the basis of academic excellence and a demonstrated commitment to a career working in urban education. In particular they will have three years minimum of direct work experience or significant volunteer work in urban education settings (primarily urban schools, but also community organizations, non-profits, government agencies, etc.). Urban Scholars receive an award package covering full HGSE tuition and student health insurance fees during the fellowship year, and must be enrolled full-time.

Saul Zaentz Fellowships

The Saul Zaentz Fellows Program is designed to attract exceptional students invested in early childhood education to enroll in HGSE’s Ed.M. and Ed.L.D. Programs, both of which prepare leaders for critical roles in education policy and practice. The goal of the Saul Zaentz Fellows Program is to prepare a new generation of leaders for the early childhood field. Candidates are selected on the basis of academic excellence and a demonstrated commitment to a career working in early childhood education. In particular candidates will have 3-5 years or more of direct work experience (paid or as a volunteer) in early childhood education, as a practitioner, researcher, advocate, or policymaker (this may include work in schools, but also in community organizations, non-profits, government work, etc.). In addition to completing the standard Ed.M. or Ed.L.D. curriculum, as part of the Saul Zaentz Initiative, Saul Zaentz Fellows will participate in structured co-curricular, mentoring, and networking opportunities. Saul Zaentz Fellows receive an award package covering half of the HGSE tuition during the fellowship year, and must be enrolled full-time. Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate financial need as determined by the HGSE Financial Aid Office.

Leadership in Education Awards

Leadership in Education Awards are given to top Ed.M. degree candidates with strong leadership potential. Leadership in Education recipients are given an award close to one half of tuition during the one year program. Preference is given to alumni of Teach for America, the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps/VISTA, TeachFirst or other comparable full-time volunteer service programs. Awards are determined during the admissions process and no separate application is required.

Zuckerman Fellowships

Candidates who already possess an M.D., J.D., M.B.A., D.M.D., or D.D.S. degree, or are currently in the process of obtaining one of those degrees are eligible to apply. Only Ed.M. candidates will be considered.

Pforzheimer Fellowships

Incoming Ed.M. students who are graduates of Harvard/Radcliffe College are eligible to apply. These fellowships are intended for graduate students who demonstrate significant talent for and commitment to public service. Priority is given to current practitioners. Candidates must submit:

• A statement of no more than two double-spaced pages in length, describing your commitment to and experience in public service
• A current curriculum vitae or résumé
• A HGSE Financial Aid Application