Earning a doctorate degree represents the pinnacle of academic achievement, signifying the successful completion of rigorous advanced study and original research. These programs are designed for individuals passionate about pushing the boundaries of knowledge and contributing significantly to their chosen fields. Notably, in many science and engineering disciplines, the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and Doctor of Science (ScD) degrees are awarded interchangeably, reflecting similar coursework and expectations, with students often able to choose their preferred designation.
For those aspiring to pursue doctoral-level education, it’s crucial to apply directly to the specific department or graduate program that aligns with your research interests. Some programs may also encourage or require students to pursue a minor field of study, broadening their expertise and interdisciplinary perspective.
Below is a comprehensive list of Doctorate Degree Programs available, along with key application information to guide prospective candidates.
| Program | Application Opens | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Aeronautics and Astronautics | September 1 | December 1 |
| Architecture | September 15 | January 7 |
| Biological Engineering | September 15 | December 15 |
| Biology | October 1 | December 1 |
| Brain and Cognitive Sciences | September 1 | December 1 |
| Chemical Engineering | September 15 | December 1 |
| Chemistry | September 15 | December 1 |
| Civil and Environmental Engineering | September 15 | December 1 |
| Computational and Systems Biology | October 1 | December 1 |
| Computational Science and Engineering PhD | September 15 | December 1 |
| Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences | September 1 | December 15 |
| Economics | September 15 | December 15 |
| Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | September 16 | December 1 |
| Health Sciences and Technology (Joint Harvard-MIT Program) | August 1 | December 1 |
| History, Anthropology, and Science, Technology, and Society | September 10 | December 10 |
| Institute for Data, Systems, and Society | September 15 | December 15 |
| Linguistics | September 15 | December 15 |
| Materials Science and Engineering | September 1 | December 1 |
| Mathematics | September 14 | December 15 |
| Mechanical Engineering | September 15 | December 15 |
| Media Arts and Sciences | September 15 | See home department |
| Microbiology | October 1 | December 1 |
| MIT Sloan PhD Program | September | December 1 |
| MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography / Applied Ocean Science and Engineering | October 1 | December 15 |
| Nuclear Science and Engineering | September 15 | December 15 |
| Operations Research Center | September 1 | December 15 |
| Philosophy | September 15 | January 2 |
| Physics | September 15 | December 15 |
| Political Science | October 9 | December 15 |
| Program in Polymers and Soft Matter | See home department | See home department |
| Transportation | September 15 | December 1 |
| Urban Studies and Planning | September 5 | December 15 |
