Call for Applications
PhD Program in Science and Technology Studies

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (Troy, NY, USA)

The Department of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer invites applications for admissions into their PhD program. Founded in 1982, the STS Department at Rensselaer is one of the oldest and most highly recognized programs in this field. Their Faculty is internationally recognized for research that emphasizes the cultural, historical, economic, political, and social dimensions of our scientific and technological society, with a strong emphasis on ethical engagement. Topically, their work spans a wide range including and not limited to sustainability, digital culture, disability studies, food security/justice, STEM education, critical design, human health, medicine, and energy and environmental policies.

Students who have completed, or are nearing completion of an appropriate undergraduate degree, as well as those who hold or are completing a Master’s degrees in relevant fields may apply directly to the Ph.D. program. Currently, the Department is not accepting students who wish to pursue a stand-alone Master’s degree, but students may earn a Master’s degree while working toward the Ph.D.

Embedded below is a flyer describing our program; a more detailed description of the program may be found in the attached brochure. Because of some recent changes in our faculty, we encourage you to visit our departmental website at www.sts.rpi.edu for a more detailed and up-to-date listing of faculty and faculty research, graduate student interests, curriculum, publications, and other current program information.

To be in the best position to be considered for admission and financial support, please plan on having your complete credentials submitted to Rensselaer Graduate Admissions by the January 1st, 2019 deadline.

How to Apply: For important information regarding the online application process, please visit RPI’s Office of Graduate Admissions website: http://admissions.rpi.edu/graduate/index.html. Our department maintains a Graduate Admissions and Awards Committee that will evaluate your application for intellectual merit and fit. While we do consider GRE scores, the department employs multi-criteria admissions in order to attract a diverse student cohort, and will consider applicants who are outstanding in other ways.

Financial Aid: All applicants who indicate a need for financial support on the application will be considered for full funding packages on a competitive basis. We have a limited number of full funding packages (tuition plus stipend) available to the most competitive applicants. (Please be aware that because doctoral funding is generally awarded for a full academic year, we typically cannot admit doctoral students for Spring entry [January] unless they are enrolling through their own or externally-secured funding.)

If you have further questions about our Ph.D. program, please feel free to contact the STS Graduate Program Director, Atsushi Akera, at akeraa@rpi.edu. (For questions pertaining specifically to the application process and paperwork, or for initial inquiries about a campus visit, please contact the HASS Graduate Program Administrator, Jenn Mumby, at mumbyj@rpi.edu.)