Ph.D. in Philanthropic Studies

Take your academic career a step further

Our doctoral program trains future scholars and professionals to conduct original research on philanthropy and related topics. We engage both humanities and social science theory to prepare you to make an original contribution to the field.

Our doctoral students have examined a wide range of topics including the history of philanthropy, why people give, the role of nonprofits in policy, the effectiveness of foundations and faith-based initiatives, and the role of social movements in society.

As a student, you will take two years of coursework on campus, pass qualifying exams, defend a dissertation proposal, then research, write, and defend a final dissertation. You should plan to complete coursework, pass exams, and defend your dissertation proposal within three years of full-time enrollment.

All doctoral students submit annual progress reviews to the director of graduate programs and their research committee chair.

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Program requirements

Students must complete at least 90 credit hours, 30 of which often can transfer from a completed master’s degree program. Of the remaining 60 credit hours, 42 credit hours are coursework and 18 hours are dissertation research credits. Course work includes five core courses, three methodology courses, four courses in your minor field, and two electives.

You will identify your minor field of study and minor field advisor within your first year on campus, and pursue a variety of minor fields including Africana studies, business, economics, higher education, history, nonprofit management, philosophy, political science, religious studies, and sociology.

You can apply online through the IU Graduate School. You must have a master’s degree in a field relevant to philanthropic studies. Other requirements include a statement of research interest that identifies Lilly Family School of Philanthropy faculty with whom you seek to work, a résumé, undergraduate and graduate school transcripts, and letters of recommendation that attest to your ability to conduct original research. Standardized test scores, such as the GRE, are optional.

We admit approximately four or five full-time students annually to the doctoral program. From 2014–2023, doctoral students completed their degree in an average of 7 years. One hundred percent of Ph.D. graduates who sought employment were employed in either academic or faculty positions (70 percent) or high-level philanthropic professional positions (30 percent).

One hundred percent of our Ph.D. students, who are enrolled full-time, receive financial support in the form of tuition scholarships, health insurance, and an assistantship stipend for up to four years. Tuition scholarships are 88 percent of tuition for in-state students and 95 percent of tuition for non-resident students. To be eligible, you must work 20 hours per week as a research assistant or teaching assistant, attend monthly doctoral student meetings, and attend regular research seminars.

IU Graduate School

Apply online: click on “Admissions” then “Financial Support,” then “Travel Fellowships”
Up to $1,000 reimbursed to full-time students who are the first author on a conference presentation (oral or poster)

Empowering and training students and nonprofit professionals

Our faculty are passionate individuals who bring interdisciplinary perspectives to the study of philanthropy. But first, they are people that are determined to make an impact through their work. Learn more about how they got their start, their personal views on the work they do and how they use teaching and research to make a difference in the field.

Get to know our faculty