HGSE 2026

[Marky]

I've been hoping someone would start the HGSE thread here, but PUMPED to start it myself! I'm feeling all kinds of thoughts, feeling, and emotions about even the possibility of applying to HGSE. I'm hoping that this thread will be a good way to meet one another as we apply this year.

I really love what @Here2Teach used to kick-off the thread last year, and I'm borrowing that information to start things off this year. I did notice a couple of the links are not working now, and have tried to update them.

HGSE Basic Info

• School Website | Degree Programs | Admission Info | Financial Aid
• Introduce Yourself | Upcoming Events | Virtual Campus Tour | Connect
• Recorded Webinars (lots of great info on admission tips, international students, student life, career & alumni, Ed.M. vs. Doctorate program, student chats etc.)
• Faculty Directory by Area of Expertise

Admission Stats

• GC applicant admission data from 2013-2025 (huge thanks to @graciasadios and @mjsmith for compiling)
• Student body breakdown (2024-2025 entering class data)

HGSE Publications

• Ed. Magazine | EdCast (Weekly Podcast) | Usable Knowledge (Relevant Research)

[Jim VK]

Thanks for starting this thread! Great information all in one spot.

Good luck if you apply! Don't forget to submit your survey here when you hear back. The results are shown on the HGSE admission results page.

[Marky]

Thank you @Jim VK! I didn't know about this survey here, and I definitely will fill it out once I hear in the spring.

[KellyKat]

Currently in the OEL program (grad in may), now applying for the PH.D program CIS concentration.  

 

I think it's hard to understand the statistics for HGSE, since all of their PH.D programs officially let's go through GSAS instead, even though the classes you take will be through HGSE.

 

Just a heads up why the statistics change vastly from source to source.  Technically, only in the master's programs and the doctor of educational leadership ( which isn't running this year.) are fully HGSE.  

[Marky]

On 8/10/2025 at 5:44 PM, KellyKat said:

Currently in the OEL program (grad in may), now applying for the PH.D program CIS concentration.  

 

I think it's hard to understand the statistics for HGSE, since all of their PH.D programs officially let's go through GSAS instead, even though the classes you take will be through HGSE.

 

Just a heads up why the statistics change vastly from source to source.  Technically, only in the master's programs and the doctor of educational leadership ( which isn't running this year.) are fully HGSE.  

@KellyKat Thank you for sharing this! As I have been looking around, I had noticed the statistics I could find on HGSE....if I could find them at all....seemed to be all over the place. I didn't know the doctor of educational leadership wasn't running this year. Do you have any insider information why this happened?

[KellyKat]

On 9/20/2025 at 11:55 AM, Marky said:

@KellyKat Thank you for sharing this! As I have been looking around, I had noticed the statistics I could find on HGSE....if I could find them at all....seemed to be all over the place. I didn't know the doctor of educational leadership wasn't running this year. Do you have any insider information why this happened?

I know they are restructuring it.  (Verified)

 

I suspect it might be to have a hybrid verison as well where you can study residentially and then use a current employer for the practium but that is purely my guess.  

[Marky]

On 10/11/2025 at 9:08 AM, KellyKat said:

I know they are restructuring it.  (Verified)

 

I suspect it might be to have a hybrid verison as well where you can study residentially and then use a current employer for the practium but that is purely my guess.  

Thank you for the insider info!

[KellyKat]

Only 2 days until the Ph.D applications are due... starting to stress it hard.  

[luckysolucky]

Hey all! I just submitted my application to UC Berkeley, but HGSE is my first choice so I'm excited to find this forum. I liked the introduction format from last years thread, so here's mine: 

Program/Concentration: M.Ed in LDIT, concentration in Arts and Learning
GRE: N/A
Work experience: About 4 years. I worked throughout undergrad for youth development nonprofits, and I have been program coordinator for an arts education org these past two years after graduation
Undergrad: BS in Psychology
Undergrad GPA: 3.7
Research: None
LORs: 1 from a writing professor I was close with, 1 from my Learning and Motivation professor I'm not really close to, and one from my current supervisor who loves me
Other info: I did my undergrad in Boston and lived there for 5 years if anyone has questions about the city. I'm also apply to UC Berkeley, Northwestern, UPenn, and University College London if anyone wants to discuss those programs.

Good luck to everyone! I'm so nervous and excited for March!

[KellyKat]

Submitted Yesterday


Program/Concentration: PhD in CIS (culture, institutions, and society) 
GRE: no
Work experience: 15 Years in Education (US and abroad), currently teaching high school and graduate students 
Undergrad: BS in communications & English literature 
Undergrad GPA: 3.4
Graduate School: M.Ed., University of the People (3.9), Ed.M (in progress, May 2026) HGSE- OEL (4.0)
Research: Master's capstone, and will be doing a small project in the spring (very small project) 
LORs: 2 from HGSE professors (one is a chair), one from a supervisor at the HE institution where I work part-time, one from an established education writer in my field, and one from a peer in my current program (talking about how I have helped others learn). 

Other:  Speak at conferences, featured in publications