DDes Experience
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 DDes 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 is passed the student becomes a Doctor of Design Candidate. From the second year on, the main goal is to advance the research project and write the dissertation. Candidates receive their Doctor of Design degrees from the GSD after completing the dissertation a defense.
The DDes is an integrated part of the Harvard Design School; the programs’ doctoral candidates may continue taking GSD, Harvard and MIT classes, as also often participate as Teaching Fellows of the GSD departments, and are invited to studio critic and reviews.
For further information on admissions click here.
