Doctor of Design Mechanics

Once accepted to the program, each student is assigned a faculty advisor, whose aim is a thorough and close guidance in course selection, development of the thesis proposal and writing of the dissertation. During the first two semesters, the coursework is combined with the preparation of a thesis proposal. In the second semester the DDes student will be forming the thesis committee with input from the thesis advisor. At the end of the second semester, a general examination on the student's research field will take place showing the student’s mastery of the current issues discussed in the field. Following the general exam the Doctor of Design student must complete a thesis proposal and defend it. The DDes student will not be allowed to register for the third semester until these requirements are satisfied unless there is a petition to the Program chair outlining the reason for delay.

Once the general exam and prospectus is passed the student becomes "all but dissertation" and a doctoral candidate. From the second year on, the main goal is to advance the research project and write the dissertation. Candidates receive their doctoral degrees from Harvard GSD after completing their dissertation and conducting their defense.

The DDes is an integrated part of Harvard GSD; the programs’ doctoral candidates may continue taking Harvard and MIT classes, they also participate as Teaching Fellows of the GSD departments, and are invited to be studio critics at reviews.

For more information, please visit the Office of Admissions.