The Sloan School is committed to research , and the philosophy and structure of the Ph.D. program reflect this professional commitment. A substantial part of the student's work in the latter half of the first year and in the second year is devoted to an independent research project. The topic, design, and execution of the project are left to the student, while advice and criticism are provided by a research advisor and other interested faculty. The doctoral dissertation consists of significant scholarly research in some area of management. Close working relationships with faculty are established early so that the thesis can be defined as a manageable project as early as possible.
Candidates typically require two or three years of full-time work to complete their theses.
There is no language requirement in the Sloan School's doctoral program, although in some cases the student and his or her advisor decide that further study of a foreign language is necessary if the student is to work effectively in his or her major field. This is usually true, for example, in the field of Strategy and International Management. All doctoral students in the Sloan School are eligible to apply for the approximately 100 part-time research and teaching assistantships available each year. Each year, the MIT Sloan Fellows Program admits approximately 55 mid-career executives who have demonstrated potential for filling positions with general and senior management responsibility. These men and women are sponsored by private and public organizations.