Over the last hundred years, the field of engineering has evolved dramatically from a singular focus on emerging technology and infrastructures to a broader view of these elements as dynamic, interconnected systems. Leaders in the field are required to think holistically, navigating constant uncertainty with a keen sense of flexibility.
MIT’s System Design and Management is designed to meet these changing needs. Our programs educate future technical leaders in architecting, engineering, and designing complex products and systems. We educate our graduates to anticipate and resolve challenges before they arise.
Innovative Integration
Our program’s unique position — part of MIT School of Engineering and Sloan School of Management — provides students with balanced expertise in engineering and business. We offer our students both academic and industry perspectives, educating them to become adaptable leaders with strong engineering capabilities and judgment.
The diverse backgrounds and life experiences of both our faculty and student cohorts enable us to ask more relevant questions, breaking down traditional silos and blending crucial expertise from multiple disciplines to find innovative solutions. Through our integrated core, students learn to investigate the interconnected pieces of a given product or process, bringing together the big picture and recognizing that the whole is more than the sum of its parts.
A Shift in Thinking and Doing
SDM programs are designed to be transformative — mid-career professionals become senior leaders grounded in foundational systems thinking. We recognize that every student enters with their own skill sets and needs different coursework and hands-on experience to maximize impact and meaning in their time here. Our strong ties to industry allow us to track evolving needs and direction, adapting coursework and experiences to match.
We support each student in shaping their own journey. With ample opportunity for group projects, research, and hands-on experience, they gain the expertise needed to truly lead in their chosen domain.
A Network Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts
Our global community is a network of curious, driven individuals who support and challenge one another through shared experiences. Both inside and outside the classroom, we are intentional about community building and we ask our students to make an equal investment. These deep connections — across continents, disciplines, and industries — are the heart of SDM.
The connections made here last for a lifetime. Our students have access to a vast network of industry connections cultivated through our program’s industry partners and alumni community.