harvard psychology phd stipend

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Please check out our  PRO-TiP  (PhD Resources and Online Tips Page)!  PRO-TiP provides easy and open access to resources that help demystify the process of applying to graduate programs in Psychology.

What kind of program does Harvard offer?

The Harvard Psychology Department offers a research-oriented Ph.D. program in four areas: Experimental Psychopathology & Clinical Science, Developmental, Social, and Cognition, Brain, and Behavior (CBB). The Department does not offer a terminal master’s degree in psychology, though students admitted to the Ph.D. program can earn a master’s along the way. Some graduates of the program seek positions as research psychologists in an academic setting. Other graduates get positions in government, consulting firms, tech startups or larger tech companies, hospitals or social service agencies, and other network or private clinical settings.  The Department offers two tracks, Clinical Science and a Common Curriculum. The common curriculum is composed of three sub-fields: Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Cognition, Brain, and Behavior (CBB). The Common Curriculum, described in the program section of the graduate program website ,   is taken by all students except those in Clinical Science. Though these area boundaries exist, collaboration is an important aspect of our academic community. As such, faculty and students collaborate within and across these area boundaries.

How do I get information about Harvard doctoral program admissions?

The Harvard Griffin GSAS Admissions website includes information about how to apply, required application materials, test score requirements, deadlines, and FAQs.  The application process is online .  This link connects you to the Psychology Program of Study page on the GSAS Admissions website. You can refer to our PRO-TiP page to find faculty answers to frequently asked questions.

Prospective applicants will want to read carefully about departmental faculty research interests   to decide whether this department is a good match. "Fit" of interests is an important criterion when the Department makes admissions decisions.

This list of theses and dissertations completed by current and previous students in the doctoral program may be useful in figuring out if this department would provide a good fit for your research goals.   

Do I need an undergraduate degree in Psychology to be eligible for the PhD program?

A psychology major is not required, but it is recommended that applicants take some basic psychology courses and obtain research experience. Admitted applicants have excellent grades, test scores, letters of recommendation, research experience and are a good match in terms of research interests with one or more members of the faculty, who serve as advisors.

Do I need to submit GRE scores, and how do I submit them?

*The submission of GRE scores is optional for Fall 2024 admission.*  GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date. If you have personal score reports available from tests taken within the last five years, you can upload them to your online application for consideration by the admissions committee. However, you will still need to ensure that  Educational Testing Service  (ETS) sends an official score report. Be sure to register for the tests well before administration dates and request that your scores be sent to Harvard University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences using code 3451 (department code is not required).

Does the Psychology Department offer a master's degree?

No, we do not offer a terminal master’s degree in psychology, though students admitted to the PhD program can earn a master’s along the way.   

How long does the program take?

Some students find four years is sufficient to complete the program, although most take five and a few take six years. Financial aid is generally offered for up to six years. 

Who may act as a PhD advisor?

Only tenure-track faculty members in the Department of Psychology may serve as primary advisors to PhD students in Psychology. Affiliated faculty cannot serve as primary mentors for PhD students. Students are welcome to form collaborations with affiliated faculty, but these individuals do not participate in our PhD program admissions.

Can I get training in clinical psychology at Harvard?

The Department offers a research-oriented program in Clinical Science. Our program was designed and is perhaps best suited for individuals who aspire toward careers in clinical scientific research and teaching. As compared with some more clinically oriented programs, we place relatively more emphasis on research training and experience in our program admissions and our training program for admitted graduate students. That said, the clinical training opportunities afforded by the program provide excellent training in clinical intervention and assessment as well. The Clinical Program is accredited by the American Psychological Association and by the Psychological Clinical Science Accreditation System (PCSAS).

Is there a part-time or distance learning option?

This is a full-time, in-person program. In unusual circumstances, the Department may grant permission for an enrolled student to temporarily register for a part-time schedule. It is required that students be in residence for at least two years in the program, and almost all students are in residence for the entire program. It is possible to receive permission to be a "traveling scholar" and do research or writing away from Cambridge, but this is most typical for students at an advanced stage of the program who have finished data collection. There is no online or distance-learning program.

Can I apply if I already have a master's degree?

Yes. Students that have completed prior graduate work can petition, after a semester of satisfactory work in the Department, to receive credit for up to eight relevant half-courses, the equivalent of a year's worth of work. However, many students in the program don't bother to apply for this credit since it is rare for a student to be exempted from any courses required by the department. In addition, the bulk of time in the doctoral program is spent on research projects, and the department very rarely exempts students from these. Even students coming in with a master's degree take between 4-6 years to complete the program, though an incoming student with more education may naturally be more focused at an earlier point in their program. By the time a student has finished all requirements for the doctorate, including research requirements, they will have many more than the required minimum number of credits.

Is there financial aid available?

Funding is in the form of grants in the early years and teaching or research fellowships in later years. Typically all admitted students are offered a funding package consisting of up to six years of full tuition, three years of living stipend, and two years of guaranteed teaching fellowships (which would provide a similar level of living support). Additional teaching is usually available in the fifth year. Both international and U.S. applicants are eligible for this financial package. Because funds are limited, applicants are urged to apply for any outside fellowships they may be eligible for.  NSF graduate fellowships  and those from the  Department of Defense  are examples of national fellowship competitions open to U.S. citizens. There are also the  Ford Foundation Fellowships , available specifically for URM scholars.  Receiving an outside fellowship may allow you to have a higher stipend, to decrease your teaching commitment or to have an additional year to complete your degree. Receiving an outside fellowship is also a professional honor that will help you in applying for jobs after graduate school.

How can I maximize my chances of being admitted?

We use a holistic approach in evaluating applicants and admitting graduate students to the program. Among the factors considered are grades from undergraduate coursework, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, application essays, prior research experience, and focused research interests, with an emphasis on those that are compatible with those of faculty members. The department is also actively committing to building an inclusive field. Part of that commitment is prioritizing diversity and support for diverse individuals within our own department.

While we do not require an undergraduate concentration in psychology, some social science coursework is recommended. Because the program is heavily quantitatively oriented, college-level math and statistics are also advised. Research experience is extremely helpful: successful applicants have often worked for professors, done research projects as part of college courses, written an undergraduate thesis, or volunteered in a psychology research lab.

Candidates’ research interests and compatibility with the program are determined in large part by the candidate's application essay, the Statement of Purpose. Here is some advice from a professor for writing a good application essay:

Over the past 12 years, I have been reading graduate school admissions’ essays. These include essays from students applying to work with me as well as those from my own students who are preparing to apply to other graduate programs. When my own students apply to graduate school, I give them very specific advice about the nature of the essay, what I think most candidate schools and advisors are looking for. I have always had a particular view about what makes for a good read , of course from a personal perspective. I have been struck by the fact that many of the incoming essays lack the kind of content that I am looking for, having the appearance of an undergraduate application essay. This seems unfortunate because I often use the essay more than almost anything else to get a sense of the applicant’s intellectual potential and passion. Many students that apply have stellar GPAs and GREs, but only a few present carefully reasoned essays that really motivate the reasons for going to graduate school. In essence, essays that capture my attention are ones that develop ideas, propose experiments, point to holes in the literature, and do these things with passion and excitement. These very general comments, which will certainly not capture every advisor’s perspective, or even the majority, can be distilled to a few essential ingredients, presented below as questions:

• Why continue on with your education? Why do you need to learn more? What skills, theories, and knowledge do you lack?
• What are the kinds of discoveries and theories that sparked your interest in the chosen discipline?
• In graduate school, what kinds of questions do you hope to address? Why do you think that these questions are important? Given the set of questions that you will focus on, what kinds of methods do you hope to apply? What skills do you bring forward as you enter graduate school and which skills do you hope to acquire?
• What holes do you see in the current discipline [big picture stuff]? In what ways do you think that they can be addressed during your graduate career?
• What kind of graduate environment are you looking for? Are you particularly keen on working with one faculty advisor, and if so, why this particular person? If you are leaning more toward a cluster of advisors, as well as the department more generally, why? Hint: faculty are engaged by students who have read some of their work, have thought critically about it, and wish to develop some of the issues addressed. Further, it helps with admissions to have one or more faculty championing your case.

Essays that have the above ingredients are truly informative. They tell each faculty member why the candidate wants to go to graduate school, what problems they hope to tackle, what skills they bring, and which skills they hope to acquire. Following this format is, of course, not a ticket of admission, but it will certainly make your application more interesting and informative.

More information from faculty in this program can be found on our PRO-TiP page .

Can I take courses without being admitted to the degree program?

The only way to take Harvard FAS courses, unless you are enrolled in another Harvard graduate program or MIT, is to be admitted as a  Special Student , which allows you to take between one and four courses a semester. Foreign national students  have  to take a full-time load in order to get a student visa. Students are issued a transcript, but no degree or certificate, for their work in the Special Student program.

Admitted Special Student applicants should be aware that the Department does not have the resources to provide the same support, academic and otherwise, to Special Students as it does to PhD students. Special Students are not assigned advisors, office space, research space, research funds, financial aid, library keys, or computer lab accounts. They are restricted from taking the Department's proseminar (PSY 2010), and other courses at the discretion of the instructor. 

Many Special Students hope eventually to enroll in a psychology graduate program; some plan to apply to Harvard's Ph.D. program. However, applicants should consider the Special Student year an opportunity to take courses, rather than a way to get an early start on the PhD program. While Special Students are certainly eligible to apply, potential applicants should be aware that admission as a Special Student does not guarantee admission to the PhD program. Special Students who are later admitted to the doctoral program receive credit for appropriate graduate-level courses taken during the Special Student term(s).

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• Graduate Stipends

Direct Deposit is the most efficient way for you to receive your stipend. Once hired, you will receive an email from [email protected] prompting you to login to PeopleSoft and enter your direct deposit details. Once you receive this email, enter your bank account information online by going to HARVie and clicking on the PeopleSoft link at the top right. Once in PeopleSoft, within the Self Service menu, click on My Pay and then Deposit. If you want to review any paystubs, you can also do that through the Self Service menu in PeopleSoft by clicking on the Paychecks option. Attempting to enter this information before receiving the email from our office will result in an error.  Stipends are paid by the first of each month.

Nonresident Alien Stipend/ Scholarship Recipients

If you are a Nonresident Alien stipend/scholarship recipient   and you are on a F or J visa, your stipend/scholarship payment will be taxed at 14% in the absence of a previously claimed tax treaty benefit. All other visa types will be taxed at 30%. At the end of the tax calendar year, you will receive an IRS Form 1042-S from Harvard detailing your scholarship income and any tax withholding or treaty benefits claimed.  You will use this form when you file your US Tax Return with the IRS. If you have questions or need further information, please contact International Payee Tax Compliance .   The Harvard International Office  also has information on taxes.

Stipend/ Scholarship Recipients that are US Citizens or Permanent Residents

Harvard is not required to report or withhold taxes on your stipend/ scholarship, and no tax document will be issued to you. However, you are required to report any taxable amounts of your worldwide income to the IRS when you file your taxes.

Due to the impact of the pandemic, Harvard University is reevaluating all payment processes for students. As new information is assessed, you may receive additional updates that relate to stipend/scholarship payments throughout the fall semester.

This webpage is for informational purposes only, and should not be considered tax, financial or legal advice. Please consult your own tax or financial advisor with any questions.

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Funding & Scholarship: Graduate Programs

Financial support for ph.d. students, all students admitted into our ph.d. program receive full financial support., this support includes tuition, fees, $1,000 in transportation and dental subsidies (as of ay24-25), and a cost-of-living stipend ($3655 per month in ay23-24 and $4083 per month before taxes in ay24-25)..

Support is independent of need provided a student remains in good academic standing and is making satisfactory progress towards his/her Ph.D. degree. Students are expected to complete their Ph.D. requirements in four to six years. Financial support takes several forms: fellowships, teaching fellowships, and research assistantships. Ordinarily, first-year Ph.D. students are supported with full fellowships so that they can devote their time to coursework.

For the class entering in Fall 2024 : SEAS PhD students are expected to complete two sections of teaching in SEAS in their second year or spread across their second and third years. Both sections may be completed concurrently in a single course. Their research assistantship will be adjusted accordingly during the semester(s) in which they are teaching fellow (TF). The academic requirement for the PhD degree is one section of teaching in SEAS. The student and their research advisor may arrange to replace the second section of teaching with a research assistantship. Beyond the first year, when students are in a better position to teach and assist in research, support is ordinarily provided through research assistantships, or a combination of a teaching fellowship and a research assistantship. For more detailed information, please visit the following pages: GSAS Tuition and Fees  G SAS Financial Support for PhD Students

External financial support for Ph.D. students

Applicants and current students are encouraged and expected to apply for all non-Harvard scholarships for which they are eligible, especially those offered by the  National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program  and  National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG) . 

Each year, many SEAS students secure fellowships from external agencies.  Should an incoming student be awarded and accept any fellowship external to Harvard, it is the expectation that the student will utilize these funds in the first year of study in place of Harvard funding.   In advanced (G2+) years in the graduate program, students with external fellowships are advised to have a discussion with their financial aid officers from Harvard Griffin GSAS and SEAS about how to best utilize the remaining years of funding based on their activities and academic requirements.

To ensure equitable treatment of all students, the coordination of external award benefits with a student’s existing funding package is determined by the Harvard Griffin GSAS financial aid officer in consultation with SEAS.

PhD students with external support are eligible for a SEAS-sponsored academic incentive.  PhD students who bring in open, competitive external fellowships that are equal to 50% or more of total their support (tuition/fees + stipend) will receive a supplemental award of $3,000 in the first year of the external fellowship.  PhD students who bring in open external competitive external fellowships that are not 50% or more of their total support and are at least $10,000 (tuition/fees + stipend or salary) will receive a supplemental award of $1,000.  The full $3,000 bonus may also be awarded in certain cases of multi-year fellowships depending on the total amount of support provided.

Financial support for terminal masters students (M.E. & S.M.)

While financial aid is not available for master’s students in our M.E. and S.M. programs, there are a variety of funding opportunities available. Prospective students are encouraged to apply for independent grants and fellowships to fund their studies.  Information about tuition and fees can be found here . Students in our Computational Science & Engineering or Data Science programs-should visit this page and also may contact the  GSAS Financial Aid Office  to learn more.

Students in the  MS/MBA:Engineering Sciences program  are eligible to apply for need-based  HBS Fellowships  and student loans in both years of the program.

PhD Student Support

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This section provides information about the requirements and policies associated with financial support. Financial support is the shared responsibility of Harvard Griffin GSAS, the academic program, and the student. Your financial aid officer can help you navigate the many options available.

• Fellowships
• Financial Obligations
• External Awards
• FAS Humanities and Social Sciences Support
• Parental Accommodation and Financial Support (PAFS)
• The GSAS Professional Development Fund for PhD Students
• Tuition and Health Fee Grants
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• Paying Your Student Account
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• Financial Support for Phd Students

PhD Students in the Natural Sciences, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Medical Sciences

Phd students in the humanities and social sciences programs of the faculty of arts and sciences, phd students in humanities and social sciences programs offered in partnership with other harvard schools, acceptance of financial support.

The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences offers incoming PhD students full financial support—including tuition, health insurance fees, and basic living expenses—for a minimum of five years (typically the first four years of study and the completion year). This funding package includes a combination of tuition grants, stipends, traineeships, teaching fellowships, research assistantships, and other academic appointments.

Each student is provided a Notice of Financial Support at the time of admission and is assigned a financial aid officer , who administers this funding and is available to assist with financial concerns. Each spring, continuing students supported by Harvard Griffin GSAS-administered funding sources are required to activate their funding for the upcoming academic year using the Student Aid Portal, an online financial aid management system.

A typical funding package* includes:

• grants toward tuition and the Harvard University Student Health Program  paid in full for years G1 through G4 and the dissertation completion year, with a partially subsidized dental plan option available
• a combination of stipend, teaching fellowships, and/or research assistantships during years G1 through G4
• summer research support from Harvard Griffin GSAS or faculty grants following the first four academic years.

*In some programs, the timing and structure of living expense support may vary from this pattern.

The initial Notice of Financial Support assumes continuous enrollment as a full-time resident student; students not enrolled are not eligible for Harvard Griffin GSAS financial aid programs. Students may find that their actual enrollment patterns necessitate adjustments to the timing of their funding. Students wishing to defer Harvard Griffin GSAS-administered funding indicate this in the Student Aid Portal during the annual financial aid acceptance process. The options for deferring financial support vary by type of aid; please refer to the applicable sections of the financial aid policy webpages for details. Students who are considering deferring financial support are strongly encouraged to contact their financial aid officers to review how such actions may impact their funding in future years.

While funding packages vary by program, PhD students in the sciences typically receive full funding until they complete their programs of study. Contact your department administrator or financial aid officer for details.

See more detailed information about funding for students in humanities and social sciences programs of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences.

Humanities and Social Sciences Programs in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences

• Celtic Literatures and Languages
• Comparative Literature
• East Asian Languages and Civilizations
• Film and Visual Studies
• Germanic Languages and Literatures
• History of Art and Architecture
• Inner Asian and Altaic Studies
• Linguistics
• Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations
• Romance Languages and Literatures
• Slavic Languages and Literatures
• South Asian Studies

Social Sciences

• African and African American Studies
• American Studies
• Anthropology
• History of Science
• Human Evolutionary Biology
• Middle Eastern Studies
• Social Policy

A number of humanities and social sciences PhD programs are offered in partnership with Harvard's professional schools. While funding packages vary by program, PhD students in these interfaculty programs generally receive at least four years of financial support for tuition, health fees, and living expenses; most programs provide dissertation completion fellowships as well. For more information, refer to your Notice of Financial Support or contact your financial aid officer .

Interfaculty Programs in the Humanities and Social Sciences

• Architecture, Landscape Architecture, and Urban Planning
• Business Administration
• Business Economics
• Health Policy
• Organizational Behavior
• Political Economy and Government
• Public Policy

Each student is provided a Notice of Financial Support at the time of admission and is assigned a financial aid officer who administers this funding and is available to assist with financial concerns. Students are required to formally accept their financial aid offers and acknowledge their understanding of financial aid policies. Students should also consult their academic programs to determine whether program-specific conditions apply.

Each spring, continuing students supported by Harvard Griffin GSAS-administered funding sources are required to activate their funding for the upcoming academic year using the Student Aid Portal, an online financial aid management system. Continued eligibility for financial aid is contingent upon an annual report by the faculty that the student is making  satisfactory progress toward the degree.

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Fully Funded PhD in Psychology at Harvard University

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Harvard University, nestled in the vibrant academic hub of Cambridge, Massachusetts, offers an outstanding fully funded PhD program in Psychology. As a pioneer in the field of psychology, Harvard has consistently upheld its commitment to academic excellence and research innovation.

Harvard’s Psychology Department is organized into four dynamic research areas:

Clinical Science/Experimental Psychopathology: Explore the complexities of clinical psychology and psychopathology through cutting-edge research.

Developmental Psychology: Investigate the fascinating world of human development, from infancy to adulthood, and contribute to our understanding of growth and change.

Social Psychology: Dive into the intricacies of social behavior, cognition, and interaction, contributing to our knowledge of human social dynamics.

Cognition, Brain, and Behavior (CBB): Delve into the interdisciplinary field of cognitive psychology, neuroscience, and behavior, exploring the workings of the human mind and brain.

PhD Program Requirements

Prospective applicants must meet rigorous criteria to be considered for admission to Harvard’s PhD program in Psychology.

Admissions are highly competitive, and successful candidates often possess a diverse range of academic achievements and experiences.

PhD Funding Coverage

Harvard University is committed to supporting its PhD students in Psychology throughout their academic journey. Admitted students can benefit from generous fellowship packages that provide financial security and enable them to focus on their research and studies. The financial support typically includes:

Tuition Coverage: Harvard’s fellowship packages often cover up to six years of tuition costs, relieving students of this financial burden.

Stipend: Students receive stipends to cover living expenses during their academic year, ensuring they have the financial resources to concentrate on their studies.

Summer Research Fellowships: In addition to the academic year support, students are granted funding for summer research fellowships, allowing them to pursue their research interests year-round.

Teaching Fellowship: During the third and fourth years of the program, students are guaranteed a Teaching Fellowship, providing valuable teaching experience and additional financial support.

Application Requirement

To initiate your journey towards a PhD in Psychology at Harvard, you will need to prepare a comprehensive application package. The package typically includes the following components:

Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions to demonstrate your academic prowess.

Letters of Recommendation: Secure strong letters of recommendation from professors, mentors, or professionals who can vouch for your research potential and academic abilities.

Statement of Purpose: Craft a thoughtful and well-articulated statement of purpose that outlines your research interests, career goals, and why Harvard’s program aligns with your aspirations.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV): Highlight your research experiences, academic achievements, and relevant extracurricular activities.

Writing Sample: Submit a writing sample that demonstrates your analytical and research skills. This could be a research paper, thesis, or any relevant document.

Interview: Be prepared for an interview, as Harvard may invite promising candidates for further discussion about their application.

Application Deadline

December 15, 2024

Application Fee

The application fee is $105.

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Ph.D. students in Harvard’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences will be paid at least $50,000 in program stipends, increasing most stipends by more than 10 percent, GSAS Dean Emma Dench announced in an email Monday.

The surprise holiday raise will also increase compensation for some in the social sciences and humanities by more than 20 percent starting July 1, 2024.

The Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Auto Workers had been pushing for the increase since May, when the union collected more than 1,600 signatures for a petition calling on the University to raise yearly compensation to $48,779, the living wage rate in Middlesex County.

The new minimum is just $1,221 above the union’s requested amount.

“This is a huge deal,” said HGSU-UAW steward Rachel E. Petherbridge. “I cannot overstate that this is the difference between people making rent in their current apartments or having to move.”

Although Dench attributed the changes to the work of top University administrators, HGSU-UAW declared it a union victory, publicly announcing the news on X before GSAS.

In emails to individual departments, union stewards wrote that the raise was a “direct result” of union organizing.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the exact things that we wanted in the living wage campaign they announced that they would give,” Petherbridge said.

But despite eight months of organizing, HGSU-UAW steward Alexandra C. Stanton said that union organizers were “all a little bit surprised that this was announced.”

The union had requested to reopen negotiations over wages in July, but Harvard later rejected the request, as the contract didn’t mandate the University to engage in mid-contract negotiations.

Still, Stanton said the issue was a major concern for a large sector of the union, and the “pressure really affected Harvard.”

Harvard spokesperson Jason A. Newton declined to comment for this article.

The stipend increase to $50,000 is a significant boost to individual wages for some of the school’s lowest-paid Ph.D. students, marking a new compensation structure that approaches pay parity. Though total compensation is not capped at $50,000, all Ph.D. students will make at least the minimum rate.

Under HGSU-UAW’s current contract, which expires in 2025, minimum pay varies widely. Prior to this raise, student workers in the life sciences would have earned over $4,000 more than their counterparts in humanities or social sciences in the 2025 fiscal year.

In Monday’s announcement, Dench wrote that the decision was facilitated by the GSAS Admissions and Graduate Education Working Group final report released in September , which explicitly recommended increasing stipends.

The report found that the GSAS’s financial aid was “no longer sufficient” to keep up with rising costs of living and to remain competitive with peer institutions. According to the report, Harvard pays graduate students $5,000 to $15,000 less than other universities.

But in her email announcing the change, Dench wrote that the “report’s recommendations gave us a stronger platform from which to advocate for our students.”

Stanton said major union wins at other universities, including significant raises won by MIT’s graduate student union in September, put pressure on Harvard to strengthen its compensation.

“A union win anywhere really helps people everywhere,” Stanton said.

In her email, Dench thanked Harvard President Claudine Gay, Provost Alan M. Garber ’76, and Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Hopi E. Hoekstra for “their support, financial and otherwise.”

“These enhancements are the result of hard work on the part of many in the Harvard Griffin GSAS and University communities,” Dench wrote.

Dench did not mention the union, the living wage campaign, or specific findings from the report.

“While Harvard carefully avoids mentioning HGSU in its announcement email, make no mistake that this would not have been achieved without the Living Wage campaign and the organizing of over 1600 student workers,” immunology department stewards wrote in an email to students.

Union organizers also claimed the raise was motivated in part by a desire to address predictable concerns that would become bargaining issues during HGSU-UAW’s next contract negotiation, expected to begin in 2024.

“They know our contract declaration is coming up and maybe they want to put the idea in people’s heads that Harvard, just out of the goodness of their hearts, gave everybody a raise to $50,000,” Stanton said.

“Now is the time for us to double down, because if we can win $50,000 a year when our contract expires, can we win an even bigger raise?” she added. “Can we win a cost of living adjustment?”

Correction: December 20, 2023:

A previous verison of this article incorrectly stated that the Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Auto Workers broke the news about the Ph.D. program stipend increase on X before the official announcement. In fact, HGSU-UAW was just the first to publicly announce the stipend increase.

—Staff writer Cam E. Kettles can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on X @cam_kettles or on Threads @camkettles .

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BU Graduate Workers Launch Strike with Rally, Picket Plans

University ready to continue negotiations.

U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) offers rousing remarks during a kick-off rally by the striking Boston University Graduate Workers Union on Marsh Plaza Monday afternoon. Pressley (Hon.’21) was a student at BU’s College of General Studies for two years before leaving to work full-time at the Boston Marriott Copley Place in the mid-1990s. Photo by Janice Checchio

Molly Callahan

Boston University Graduate Workers Union kicked off a strike on Monday with a noon rally on Marsh Plaza that featured fiery words from a number of graduate students, along with a speech from U.S. Representative Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and a later appearance by U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.).

Members of BUGWU, which represents more than 3,000 master’s, professional, and PhD graduate students, walked off their jobs Monday to press for a new contract with increased stipends and better benefits, among other issues. The BU bargaining unit is part of SEIU 509, the Massachusetts Union for Human Service Workers and Educators.

The next negotiating session between the union and University is set for Wednesday.

As many as 400 strikers and supporters from local unions, including those at Tufts, Harvard, and Northeastern universities, crowded into Marsh Plaza to hear speakers say it’s more than a contract dispute, it’s a fight for economic justice for a long-overlooked segment of the workforce. 

A University statement in response to the protest said: “We value our graduate students and their many contributions to teaching and research and will continue to address their needs through the collective bargaining process.

“At the same time, we are concerned about the strike’s impact on teaching, research, and the lives of thousands of other students, and we are working to minimize that disruption,” the statement continued. “We remain committed to improving the lives of our graduate students through negotiations and hope that process will bring the strike to an end quickly.”

Pressley (Hon.’21), who was a student at BU’s College of General Studies for close to two years in the mid-1990s before leaving to work full-time at the Boston Marriott Copley Place, said that experience taught her what it’s like to feel “part of an invisible workforce.” 

“BU, do you see us now? BU, do you hear us now?” Pressley said to raucous cheers.

BU officials say they have met with representatives of the BUGWU bargaining unit to negotiate at least 15 times since July 2023. The University has created a Frequently Asked Questions page that includes more detailed information on the strike, its impact, and the University’s efforts to make sure education continues during the strike.

The two sides remain far apart on key issues, and University officials have acknowledged some frustration that the union has not responded to multiple offers that BU has put on the table. In the union’s own “Bargaining Tracking Sheet,” which it has posted on its public Instagram page, approximately 40 separate issues are listed as being negotiated. The words “We need to respond to BU,” appears next to more than 20 of them, including Benefits, Compensation, Childcare Subsidy, Parental Leave, and Gender Affirming Care. Also, on Monday, BU officials said the union declined a request to bring in a federal mediator from the Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service.

The University’s latest offer includes an increase in the 12-month PhD student stipends to $42,159 next year and an overall 13 percent over three years. BU has also offered a commitment to raising the minimum rate for students paid hourly, from $15 to $18.

The University offer would also move PhD students currently on eight-month stipends to nine-month stipends, which would mean an increase in year one of the contract to $31,619. Along with various benefit changes, the University would create a Graduate Worker Help Fund of $50,000 to help provide needs-based support during times of unforeseen crisis.

The union says it is seeking a stipend increase of roughly 50 percent to $62,440 in the first year of the contract, and that the hourly worker minimum wage be set to $41.63, more than double the University’s offer. The union is also seeking improvements to benefits, including health care and child care.

Pressley’s speech, which came roughly halfway through the rally, fired up the crowd on a blustery, cold March afternoon. 

“As someone who attended this institution and who was also a hotel worker for six years, this struggle hits close to home for me,” she said. “I’m here today because this fight…is an intersectional issue that transcends communities. I’m here today to affirm, to celebrate, and to recognize your labor.” 

Warren showed up after the rally and joined the protestors on Marsh Plaza, carrying a BU Grad Workers on Strike sign.

Other speakers at the rally included striking representatives of several BU departments as well as members of the Starbucks workers union and unions on other campuses, including Harvard University. Other universities saw strikes last fall before contract agreements were reached, part of what the Boston Globe has called “a nationwide surge of union activity in higher education.”

“Workers are fighting back. In the past several years, we’ve seen unprecedented waves of strikes in organizing throughout higher education,” said Dave Foley, president of SEIU Local 509, which BUGWU is part of. “Through collective action, workers can build power to make their lives and their communities better.”

“BU has consistently undervalued your efforts,” undergraduate speaker Jasmine Richardson (Pardee’25) of the Residence Life (ResLife) union (which is this part of SEIU) told the rally. “Grad workers go above and beyond and for that grad workers deserve recognition. BU continues to talk about their concerns about the disruption to our class time. But I want to be clear we are learning a lot on this picket line. We are learning to stand up for our community and to fight for what’s right.”

Before and after the rally, striking union workers and their supporters marched around Marsh Plaza, holding signs and chanting. Drivers on Commonwealth Avenue honked to show support, while BU tour guides shepherded groups of prospective students around the fringes of the rally. 

The grad students include anyone in a research or teaching role, who is paid for up to 20 hours of service work per week. As students who are fulfilling course requirements, doing dissertation research, and contributing to ongoing research and scholarship, they spend additional time on their duties, they say. All PhD students receive free tuition and health benefits for at least five years on the Charles River Campus, while master’s and professional graduate students pay at least some tuition.

Several rally speakers called on the University to use part of its $3 billion endowment to fund increases for the union. However, college endowments are largely made up of pledges and gifts donated by individuals toward specific reasons, such as to fund scholarships, to launch new programs, or to help build new facilities, and funds may not be redirected for any purpose.

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Staff Writer

Joel Brown is a staff writer at BU Today and Bostonia magazine. He’s written more than 700 stories for the Boston Globe and has also written for the Boston Herald and the Greenfield Recorder . Profile

Senior Writer

Molly Callahan began her career at a small, family-owned newspaper where the newsroom housed computers that used floppy disks. Since then, her work has been picked up by the Associated Press and recognized by the Connecticut chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2016, she moved into a communications role at Northeastern University as part of its News@Northeastern reporting team. When she's not writing, Molly can be found rock climbing, biking around the city, or hanging out with her fiancée, Morgan, and their cat, Junie B. Jones. Profile

Comments & Discussion

Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.

There are 11 comments on BU Graduate Workers Launch Strike with Rally, Picket Plans

Please be honest: the union gave BU administrators its contract proposals in June. BU dragged out the formal presentation of those proposals for months and only began making counteroffers in February. The union spent seven months waiting on counters, BU management has spent less than five weeks waiting. Their “frustrations” are entirely of their own making and to claim otherwise, even in management’s official propaganda newsletter, is deeply misleading and disingenuous.

How are Pressley and Warren fighting for these strikers desire for improved lives on capital hill?

“Several rally speakers called on the University to use part of its $3 billion endowment to fund increases for the union. However, college endowments are largely made up of pledges and gifts donated by individuals toward specific reasons, such as to fund scholarships, to launch new programs, or to help build new facilities, and funds may not be redirected for any purpose.”

Wanna win strikers? Then know the system in and out.

“Ready to continue negotiations”????????????? The administration has sat on the proposal for months. They have shown no interest in treating this matter seriously.

Strange way to end this piece — couldn’t these pledges and gifts be used to off set other costs so that the overworked and underpaid graduate students are not rent burdened?????

Thanks for your comment. The answer to your question is no. Colleges are not allowed to simply redirect endowment dollars randomly, which is why that point was included in the story. The American Council on Education explains endowments this way: “An endowment is an aggregation of assets invested by a college or university to support its educational and research mission in perpetuity. It represents a compact between a donor and an institution and links past, current, and future generations. These gifts also allow an institution to make commitments far into the future, knowing that resources to meet those commitments will continue to be available. An institution’s endowment actually comprises hundreds or thousands of individual donations. Endowments allow donors to transfer their private dollars to public purposes with the assurance that their gifts will serve these purposes for as long as the institution continues to exist.” — The editors

And yet there are ways. Check out this piece in last week’s Chronicle of Higher Education, especially the bit toward the end about Trinity Washington University: https://www-chronicle-com.ezproxy.bu.edu/article/your-pay-is-terrible-youre-not-alone . True, the piece does not specify the involvement, if any, of any endowment funds, but the principle is clear: keep morale high by paying attention to what your workers (at all levels) actually need.

If BU can lead on so many other things in a principled way, why not on this? Or is that in conflict with its other priorities and, if so, then to what extent is it doing honest business as an educational institution?

Here is a relevant quote from our mission statement: “We remain dedicated to our founding principles: that higher education should be accessible to all and that research, scholarship, artistic creation, and professional practice should be conducted in the service of the wider community—local and international.” ( https://www.bu.edu/about/mission-statement/ )

“Dedication” is — or ought to be — more than a word.

As for donor gifts and the endowment: Aren’t donors cultivated? If no donors have been interested in donating toward, say, graduate stipends, it must be that BU has not made it clear that this sort of commitment is one of its institutional priorities.

“At the same time, we are concerned about the strike’s impact on teaching, research, and the lives of thousands of other students, and we are working to minimize that disruption…” What about the ones who remain in solidarity despite any so-called disruptions? Didn’t want to have “disruptions,” they why let it get to the point if a strike? Pay the grad students fairly!

I am a graduate student who disagrees with this strike. Here are the reasons. I have to say it out loud to people around me, because I am a minority on this issue, and I feel being implicitly represented. I sent it to you so that you may find something useful in my arguments.

1. No one forced any one of us to do a PhD or come to BU. You **agreed** to it, perhaps happily. And now you just decide the stipend is not enough for your liking. 2. The strike has little to do with fairness or justice. It’s **self-serving** because it prevents your students from pursuing their studies, for your personal gain. 3. Postponing the teaching is not like postponing carmaking, there are sensitive periods and complementarity in human capital accumulation, so what is not learned today is **missed** forever. 4. Yes, the salary is low, and it was hard to be self-reliant during Covid. But being poor doesn’t justify abandoning one’s duties or **breaking agreements**. 5. The hourly wage for TA and RA isn’t low, for TA (in Econ Dept) I spend about 10 hours a week, and for RA about 15 hours, less than the 20 hours that I get paid for. 6. The exploring stage of research doesn’t yield results, and it is hard to ask the school or government to fully compensate for the effort. The young musicians or entrepreneurs at start-ups usually have low incomes before they succeed. 7. When it comes to the stipend, why only compare with Harvard or MIT graduate students? Why not compare with PhDs in public schools or medical students who have to pay the tuition? 8. Living in Boston is not cheap, but it also means access to **amenities**, many of which are free, like the Charles River. A $30,000 stipend in a village is less desirable than $25,000 in Boston since there is no place to spend the money. 9. Access to the gym, university activities, seminars with distinguished guests, department-provided meals, travel, and research funds are benefits that are being **taken for granted.** 10. And what is the price of attention, and support of the advisors? The human capital you accumulated can’t be monetized in the short run, but isn’t it precious? Being a PhD student at BU is a **privilege**, there are enough brilliant students who want it with half of the stipend. 11. The department does not make us rich but it offers **stability**. It did not kick students out in qualifying exams or when they struggled with research. Professors support all kinds of career choices. Marc(the Dean) invented a department RA job in one semester during Covid so that I could receive the stipend. 12. The union says the majority voted Yes. But there is severe **selection** into voting, few people who disagree like me would bother to vote No. And how much stipend is “fair”, based on what criteria? If I have to choose, I trust the school more than student activists in using the monopoly market power. 13. The quickest way to live a financially abundant life is to quit immediately, I am serious, since some will have difficulty finding a desirable job in the end. Going on a strike and feeling good about yourself in a union is circuitous. 14. For me, I didn’t cross the Pacific to join a union and ask for money, you certainly cross your “Ocean” hoping to **achieve something**. Our effort will never be fully compensated by the stipend. This path as a researcher is never about money in the first place. A higher stipend would be helpful for sure, but do we live in a world where people all set their wages by themselves? 15. I disagree with this strike and I don’t like to be implicitly represented. I might be in the minority on this issue, but this is why I need to say it out loud. I will oppose the strike with my words and actions. Perhaps you will at least consider what “fair” really means before using this word.

Best, Chen, Junhao (CJ) He/His PhD student at Boston University Econ Department

I must first commend you for articulating your perspective and engaging in critical discourse. However, I must also address some points in your argument that exhibit logical fallacies and overlook key economic and ethical considerations.

Your assertion that individuals “agreed happily” to pursue a PhD or attend BU overlooks systemic factors such as economic pressures and limited opportunities in academia. It is important to recognize that the decision to pursue higher education is often complex and influenced by various factors beyond personal preference.

Characterizing the strike as “self-serving” neglects the collective nature of labor movements and the pursuit of fair working conditions. Strikes are often a last resort to address systemic issues and advocate for equitable treatment.

While it is true that education has sensitive periods and cumulative effects, it is also crucial to acknowledge the value of fair compensation for labor. Workers deserve adequate wages and working conditions, especially in academia where research and teaching are central to institutional success.

Poverty should never be used to justify exploitative practices or disregard contractual agreements. Fair compensation is a fundamental principle in labor rights and should not be compromised.

Comparing hourly wages without considering workload and responsibilities oversimplifies the issue. The value of labor extends beyond the number of hours worked and encompasses expertise, contribution to research, and teaching effectiveness.

Equating research exploration with entrepreneurial ventures overlooks the fundamental differences in risk, reward, and institutional support. Academic research requires sustained investment and should be valued accordingly.

Comparisons with other institutions or fields should be made with careful consideration of contextual factors such as cost of living based on geography, institutional resources, and funding models. Therefore, it is not far-fetched or invalid to use MIT or Harvard as benchmarks versus a public institution such as University of Vermont

Access to amenities and benefits should not detract from the core issue of fair compensation. Workers should not have to rely on supplementary benefits to offset inadequate wages.

Appreciation for institutional support and resources should not undermine the legitimate demands for fair treatment and compensation. These benefits should be seen as essential components of a supportive academic environment, not as concessions for low wages.

The value of advisor support and academic opportunities should not be conflated with fair compensation. Mentorship and professional development are integral parts of academia but should not be used to justify exploitative labor practices.

Stability and support from the department are important, but they should not be used to justify inadequate wages or dismiss calls for fair treatment.

The democratic process of union voting should be respected, and concerns about selection bias should be addressed through inclusive dialogue and representation. Have you talked to your union rep about this? This is why grievance mechanisms exist in a union.

I think your point about quitting is severely incorrect and generally bad advice. Suggesting that quitting is the quickest path to financial abundance overlooks the ethical and collective dimensions of labor rights advocacy. Workers have a right to advocate for fair treatment without resorting to extreme measures. Your statement reflects a capitalist ideology that prioritizes individualistic success over collective action and solidarity. From a Marxist perspective, quitting immediately to pursue personal financial gain perpetuates the capitalist system’s exploitation and inequality. Going on strike and participating in collective action is not about feeling good individually but about challenging the unequal power dynamics inherent in capitalism and advocating for the rights and well-being of all workers. It’s a step towards reshaping societal structures rather than perpetuating individualistic pursuits within a flawed system.

The pursuit of knowledge and research should not be divorced from considerations of fair compensation and equitable treatment. Academia should strive to uphold ethical standards and ensure that labor is justly rewarded.

Disagreement with the strike is valid, but it is essential to engage in constructive dialogue and seek solutions that uphold the principles of fairness and justice for all workers in academia.

In conclusion, while your perspective is valuable, it is crucial to consider the broader economic and ethical implications of labor rights and fair compensation in academia. Constructive dialogue and collective action are essential for addressing systemic issues and advocating for positive change.

Right on, LOUIS AL-DUSSER! I was just about to respond to JUNHAO CHEN and I was happy to read your thorough reply. Bravo for saying what needed saying!

I truly hope the unions at BU are successful in their efforts. That said, the university does not pay a living wage to many of its full-time staff, who often already have Masters degrees and PhDs. Two wrongs don’t make a right. I’m just saying that they’re never going to pay students fairly. The cost of living in this area is extreme and a study recently showed that a single person needs well over 100 grand a year to live comfortably here. Full-time staff at BU often don’t make anywhere near that amount.

Will this place fall to its knees without student workers? Yes. Do they deserve more equitable pay and additional benefits? Yes.

We’ve been warned not to tell you that we support you, but many of us on the staff do. I support BU unions! March on, students! Fight for your rights!

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