First Year

During the first year students take 32 credits of coursework to gain fundamental knowledge of their fields, and acquire the skills pertinent to their thesis topics. Each student enrolls into one required course (4 credits) and three electives (12 credits) each semester. No more than 8 credits may be from independent study. DDes students are required to have their course selection approved by their advisors prior to registration. When choosing electives students work with their advisors to construct an appropriate sequence of courses. DDes students may enroll in any non-studio course at the GSD, at any Harvard graduate school, and also at MIT through cross-registration.

Required Courses:

ADV 9503 Preparation of Doctoral Thesis Proposal (Fall) with the primary advisor (4 units)
All DDes first-year students are required to submit a preliminary literature review to the primary advisor and to the program office by the beginning of the spring semester.

ADV 9691 Discourses and Research Methods (Spring) (4 units)
Instructors: Ali Malkawi and Peter Rowe
All DDes first year students are required to submit a draft prospectus to the primary advisor at the end of ADV 9691.

During the fall semester, the program will offer workshops to build research related skills.

Workshop 1: Literature Search and Review – Mechanics

Workshop 2: DDes research presentations

Workshop 3: DDes research presentations

Second Year

The general examination (GE) marks the end of two semesters of course work during which the student acquires the core knowledge in his/her chosen research field. The GE is ideally taken at the end of the second semester, but no later than at the end of the third semester. The beginning of the second year usually involves the prospectus exam as the second part of the general examination. In preparation for the exam the DDes student authors and coordinates a thesis proposal that outlines specific issues and steps to be addressed through doctoral research. The proposal is evaluated based on originality, contribution to the field, and feasibility. The thesis committee is formed after the prospectus exam, directing and guiding the DDes candidate in the research and the preparation of the thesis (equivalent of 16 credits of thesis research each semester). DDes candidates hold regular meetings with the committee until the completion of their degree.

After passing the general exam, DDes candidates can apply for up to two semesters of leave of absence but must be in residence for at least two additional semesters, including their last semester. During their second year, DDes candidates have the opportunity to work as Teaching Fellows (TF). TFs gain teaching experience by typically supporting larger courses offered by any of the three departments at the GSD. Compensation for work as TF is normally integrated into the GSD’s financial aid package.

Required Thesis Preparation course:

ADV 9504 Thesis in Satisfaction of the Degree Doctor of Design with the primary advisor (16 units)

Students may take up to 4 additional units of elective courses each semester in the second year.

Third Year

In the third year the thesis research is completed and the dissertation is written. The work must be defended in a public defense, and it must be accepted unanimously by the thesis committee. When needed, studies can be extended beyond the third year.

Thesis Preparation course:

ADV 9506 Thesis Extension in Satisfaction of the Degree Doctor of Design with the primary advisor (16 units)

Students may take up to 4 additional units of elective courses each semester in the third year.