CMU launches doctorate for accomplished technology innovators
Carnegie Mellon’s new Executive Doctorate of Technology Practice gives accomplished technology innovators an opportunity to earn a doctorate degree in Mechanical Engineering through a program designed specifically around their professional experience.
For the first time, founders, inventors, and technology leaders who transformed industries before completing a traditional degree have the opportunity to earn a doctoral degree at Carnegie Mellon University.
The Executive Doctorate of Technology Practice (EDTP) offered by Carnegie Mellon University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering is designed for experienced innovators with a significant technological impact record who want to deepen their expertise through structured interdisciplinary study. Unlike a traditional doctoral program, a completed bachelor’s degree is not required, though candidates must have completed some level of postsecondary education.
“These innovators have already proven they know how to turn ideas into impact,” said Jon Cagan, head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “EDTP gives them access to world-class expertise and the time and structure to step back from what they’ve built to deepen their knowledge and think critically about what comes next.”
“With many of our own faculty and students launching companies and translating research into practice, we are uniquely positioned to bridge tech leaders with our community so that they can share their expertise while developing a more structured approach to technology, knowledge, and innovation.”
The EDTP applies doctoral rigor through a model designed around the experience of established tech leaders. Over a minimum of three years, candidates complete graduate coursework, a curated qualifying exam, a formal proposal and a defense of an original body of work.
Two new elements bring candidates’ professional experience directly into the mechanical engineering community. Through an Innovator-in-Residence experience, candidates will share their expertise to advance MechE projects and to support the entrepreneurial efforts of current students.
A teaching independent study will require candidates to develop a course, seminar, or other educational experience that shares lessons for their career with mechanical engineering students.
“Graduates of EDTP will be prepared to define new directions for their field,” said Chris Hertz, director of academic programs. “They will anticipate and weigh the ethical, societal, and global implications of emerging technologies, and integrate knowledge across disciplines to solve novel problems.”
The application for The Executive Doctorate of Technology Practice is now open. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply onlilne.