This could be an SDSC member from the Physics department or from another field relevant to the proposed thesis research. Prospective students may apply to the PhD program direct from their undergraduate studies. The Joint Program with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) is intended for students whose primary career objective is oceanography or oceanographic engineering. Students divide their academic and research efforts between the campuses of MIT and WHOI. Joint Program students are assigned an MIT faculty member as an academic advisor; thesis research may be supervised by MIT or WHOI faculty.
Complete instructions concerning application requirements are available in the online application. All admitted students, whether or not they are US citizens, are eligible for support. Currently, we can support five entering students each year with tuition plus a 12-month stipend. We can also support graduating fifth-years with a one-year post-doc if they are unable to secure a position elsewhere. In special cases, we are able to support sixth year students with tuition plus a 9-month stipend in place of a post-doc.
Program requirements are outlined in a booklet titled The Doctoral Program [PDF]. Demonstrated competence for original research at the forefront of aerospace engineering is the final and main criterion for granting the doctoral degree. The candidate’s thesis serves in part to demonstrate such competence and, upon completion, is defended orally in a presentation to the faculty of the department, who may then recommend that the degree be awarded. MIT offers the degrees of Doctor of Science and Doctor of Philosophy interchangeably in the engineering and science departments (except biology and brain and cognitive sciences) and in the fields of medical engineering and medical physics.
When considering pursuing a PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), many prospective students often wonder how long is PhD in MIT? The duration of a PhD program at MIT can vary depending on the field of study and individual progress, but on average, most students complete their doctoral studies in 5-6 years.
Students should not earn more B grades than A grades, reflected by a PhysSDS GPA of ≥ 4.5. Students may be required to retake subjects graded B or lower, although generally one B grade will be tolerated. Bring a business perspective to your technical and quantitative expertise with a bachelor’s degree in management, business analytics, or finance. At MIT Admissions, we recruit and enroll a talented and diverse class of undergraduates who will learn to use science, technology, and other areas of scholarship to serve the nation and the world in the 21st century. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment.
In addition, a 24-unit thesis is required beyond the 66 units of coursework. Special students admitted to the SM program in this department must enroll in and satisfactorily complete at least two graduate subjects while in residence (i.e., after being admitted as a degree candidate) regardless of the number of subjects completed before admission to the program. Students holding research assistantships typically require a longer period of residence.In addition, the department’s SM program requires one graduate-level mathematics subject. The requirement is satisfied only by graduate-level subjects on the list approved by the department graduate committee. The specific choice of math subjects is arranged individually by each student in consultation with their faculty advisor. While both programs enable students to specialize at the doctoral level in a computation-related field via focused coursework and a thesis, they differ in essential ways.
Program Structure
Admissions decisions will take into account these declared interests, along with each applicant’s academic background, preparation, and fit to the program they have selected. All applicants are asked to specify MIT CCSE-affiliated faculty that best match their research interests; applicants to the Dept-CSE PhD program also select the home department(s) that best match. At the discretion of the admissions committee, Dept-CSE PhD applications might also be shared with a home department beyond those designated in the application. CSE PhD admissions decisions are at the sole discretion of CCSE; Dept-CSE PhD admission decisions are conducted jointly between CCSE and the home departments.
PhD programs at MIT typically involve coursework in the first year followed by research and dissertation work. During the coursework phase, students are expected to take classes relevant to their field of study to build a strong foundation of knowledge. This is usually followed by a qualifying exam to assess the student’s readiness to conduct independent research.
Research and Dissertation
After completing the coursework requirements, students at MIT focus on conducting original research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. This research culminates in a doctoral dissertation, which must be defended in front of a committee of faculty members. The completion and defense of the dissertation mark the final stages of the PhD program at MIT.
In conclusion, while the length of a PhD program at MIT may vary, most students complete their studies within 5-6 years. With a strong emphasis on research and independent study, earning a PhD from MIT is a rigorous but rewarding experience.
