Ph.D. programs prepare students to conduct independent research at the cutting edge of science.

Requirements for Enrollment in a Ph.D. program:

• A bachelor's degree or higher.
• A strong background in the sciences.
• Acceptable English language skills.
• 3 Letters of Reference
• Graduate Record Examination General Test scores, demonstrating an appropriate level of accomplishment.

• The bachelor's degree must be from an accredited college or university.
• Students who hold a master's degree in an appropriate discipline, or a doctoral degree in medicine, veterinary medicine, or dentistry are also eligible.

• Most successful applicants have a GPA well above 3.0.
• Individual programs may have specific requirements. Prospective students should consult the College of Graduate Studies (CGS) catalog for these.

• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for students whose first language is not English. (This requirement does not apply to students whose bachelor's degree was earned at an accredited U.S. college or university.)

4. Required: 3 Letters of Reference

• Letters of reference should be written by people who can comment from personal knowledge on the applicant's academic qualifications, preferably from individual faculty or pre-professional committees. If, however, an applicant has been out of school for a number of years, s/he may substitute professional references.

5. Required: Graduate Record Examination General Test:

• GRE test scores must demonstrate an appropriate level of accomplishment.
  • The results of the GRE, while important, are considered in conjunction with other credentials of the candidate.
  • In recent years, the matriculating class has had an average of 1100 or higher in the combined verbal and quantitative scores of the GRE.
• Only GRE test scores from the past 5 years will be considered.
• For the Graduate College admission, the General Test is required by all Ph.D. programs.
• In addition, certain Ph.D. programs either require or strongly advise that applicants take an advanced test; please consult the JCGS catalog.
• Scores must be received directly from the Educational Testing Service.
  • ETS should be directed to submit the results of the Graduate Record Examination to the Director of Admissions at Jefferson.
  • The Thomas Jefferson University code is 2999.

Flexible-Entry Pathway

The Ph.D. programs of the Jefferson College of Graduate Studies share a number of common features, and for applicants who are uncertain as to their specific future course of study and research, the College offers the Flexible-Entry Pathway whereby application may be made to the College without initially specifying a particular Ph.D. program. In the first year, admitted students enroll in the Foundations of Biomedical Science core course as well as subsequent electives appropriate to their potential future course of study.

Students also engage in a series of three laboratory rotations with faculty from across any of the existing Ph.D. programs. By the end of the first academic year students are expected to have selected both a Ph.D. thesis advisor as well as matriculate into a specific Ph.D. program.

Application Procedures

The deadline to submit PhD applications and all supporting materials is January 15, 2008. Applications received after this date will be considered at the discretion of the admissions committee of the desired program.