Lubchenco graduated with an M.S. in zoology in 1971 and then a Ph.D. in 1975 in marine ecology from Harvard University. Her dissertation dealt with the population and community ecology of rocky sea shores in New England, in particular the role of herbivores, competition among seaweeds, and seaweed defenses against grazers.
Lubchenco earned a Master's degree in zoology in 1971, followed by a Ph.D. in marine ecology from Harvard University in 1975. Her dissertation focused on the population and community ecology of rocky sea shores in New England, specifically examining the roles of herbivores, competition among seaweed species, and seaweed defenses against grazers.