PhD in Technology, Policy and Innovation

The PhD program is designed with an understanding that technology shapes every facet of modern life. Familiarity with the characteristics, capabilities, and limitations of current and emerging technologies is indispensable to wise and effective decisions and practices in government, business, and personal life.

Program Overview

The PhD Program has a four-part mission:

To develop a cadre of scholars who will be engines of national and global leadership in charting and gauging the future course of technologies;
To carry out policy and design/planning research in intersecting socio-technological areas: energy and environmental systems; and engineering & technology workforce policy;
To establish a new model for doctoral education that promotes highly intensive collaborations and uses advanced educational technologies in a fertile, diverse, globally networked laboratory environment that transcends disciplinary boundaries; and,
To serve as an exemplary resource for regional and national industry and government, as well as for schools, colleges/universities, and other educational institutions in both implementing technological innovation and carrying out policy studies.

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Admissions

Apply now for the PhD in technology, policy and innovation program!

To apply for admission to PhD study in technology and society, applicants must have:
1. A bachelor’s degree in engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, mathematics, or a closely related area from an accredited college or university.
2. A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0;
3. Three letters of recommendation; 3.
4. If your native or primary language is not English, a TOEFL or IELTS examination is required. Minimum score requirements can be found on the Graduate School's website located here. English proficiency scores (TOELF or IELTS exams) must be sent electronically sent to Stony Brook University (2548).
5. A Statement of Purpose describing the applicant’s relevant past experience and immediate and long-term goals. Applicants should describe how the type of research that they expect to conduct while in the program relates to one of the department’s research areas, energy and environmental systems and engineering education, management, and policy.
6. Curriculum Vitae (CV); 6.
7. Applicants with domestic credentials must submit an official transcript from each college or university attended, regardless of whether a degree was conferred.
8. Applicants with international credentials must submit an official English translation of all coursework showing a complete course-by-course record, GPA, degree, and institution, in addition to the original documents. In some instances where the coursework, degree equivalency, GPA, and/or institution cannot be verified, a course-by-course evaluation from one of Stony Brook University's approved NACES members listed below, may be requested from the applicant: World Education Services (WES), International Education Evaluations, Inc (IEE), Education Credential Evaluators (ICE).
The deadline for submission of applications and all supporting documents for the Fall 2025 semester for prospective PhD students is January 15, 2025.
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All official transcripts must be sent to the address listed below.
The Graduate School
Stony Brook University2401 Computer Science Building
Stony Brook, New York 11794-4723

Official E-Transcripts: email to gradadmissions@stonybrook.edu
Phone: (631) 632-4723

Explore Your Future Career Opportunities

Typical career paths in this program may lead to positions such as:

Technical Operations Manager
Director of Alternative Energies
Research and Development Officer

Laboratory Manager
Information Technology Manager
Engineering Manager

PhD Students

Guilherme Larangeira

Guilherme Larangeira

Gui is a part-time student in the Stony Brook University technology, policy, and innovation PhD Program.

Doctoral Defense

Take the opportunity to attend a dissertation of a Department of Technology and Society doctoral candidate. The candidate will present their research and allow time for questions and discussion. This is the final step before the student before the candidate receives their doctoral degree.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The aim of the Statement of Purpose is to provide information that will allow reviewers to see how your background,education, and experience make you a strong candidate for this specific PhD program. Please comment on any work,research or otherwise, that you have done that may have prepared you for the rigors of our PhD program. Also, it may be helpful to comment on your special characteristics that have prepared you for the intellectual dimensions and personal commitment essential for successful PhD work.

Your statement of purpose should be 2 to 5 pages in length and include you’re your prior research experience, what you hope to study in the PhD program, a description of what you think will be your intellectual contribution to the program and how you hope to contribute to the university’s mission of diversity and inclusion.
All supporting documents, including the English Proficiency test scores, must be received by the application deadline. There are no exceptions to this requirement. English Proficiency test scores must be submitted to Stony Brook University (School Code: 2548) by the application deadline in order for your application to be reviewed.
Students offered full-time admission to our PhD program are supported with a stipend and tuition. Typically, full-time students are offered four years of funding—with yearly support contingent the department's budget, on good standing and continued progress in the PhD program.
The admissions committee considers overall academic performance, statement of purpose, evidence of ability to carry out research in technology, policy and innovation. The committee seeks to determine whether you are likely to be successful in rigorous courses and if your research interests align with our program research.