Program Overview

System Design and Management Program

The System Design and Management (SDM) program is a joint initiative between the MIT Sloan School of Management and the School of Engineering, leading to a Master of Science in Engineering and Management. This program focuses on developing competencies in systems thinking, management skills, leadership, and an end-to-end understanding of systems development.

Program Overview

Students in the SDM program take subjects drawn from three primary areas:

• Systems, which includes systems engineering, architecture, and optimization
• Management
• A technical area of the student's choosing

The program is designed for experienced engineers and product development professionals seeking to build upon their technical background and advance to leadership positions in their careers. Participants come from both private and government institutions, either as company-sponsored or self-sponsored students. Applicants typically have significant engineering and/or managerial experience, in addition to a scientific or engineering education. On average, SDM student-fellows have about 10 years of work experience. Most SDM students have advanced degrees in other fields, and over half come from countries other than the United States.

Degree Options

The SDM program offers a full-time residential option and commuter and distance learning options for technical professionals who are continuing in their positions at remote locations while enrolled in the program. The subject requirements are the same for all options, and all programs begin on campus in late August, two weeks before the start of the fall term. All students are required to spend one full-time, 13-week semester in residence on campus during either the spring or fall term. Typically, students fulfill the residency requirement during the second year, dedicating the other second-year semester to thesis research and development, which can be done at a distance.

Residential Option

• Residential students complete the entire program on campus, typically in 16 months (or as few as 12 with faculty approval).
• Students have the option to extend their experience through internships or teaching or research assistantships.

Commuter Option

• Students who live locally can choose the commuter option and complete the program in 21–24 months by taking one to two courses per semester.

Distance Learning Option

• Distance learning students typically finish the program in 21–24 months, completing the first year at a distance and spending one semester in residence full-time at MIT.

Admissions

• Application deadlines are in mid-January and mid-March.
• Applicants receive a decision within four to six weeks after the deadline by which the complete application was received.