The PhD (Doctoral) program in System Design and Management at Keio University’s Graduate School of System Design and Management (SDM) is a research‑oriented doctoral degree tailored for students who wish to pursue advanced research in systems engineering, design thinking, and management of complex socio‑technical systems. Doctoral candidates primarily engage in independent original research under faculty supervision, with emphasis on addressing large‑scale and real‑world challenges such as innovation leadership, societal systems design, environmental sustainability, technological systems integration, and human‑centred solutions. SDM encourages students to take relevant doctoral research and coursework, including core systems design subjects and project‑based learning, to build a solid foundation in systems thinking as part of their preparation. Completion of the degree requires fulfilment of credit requirements, submission of a doctoral dissertation, and successful final examination of the thesis results, typically over a minimum of six semesters. The program fosters interdisciplinary scholarly development that bridges engineering, management, and design approaches, preparing graduates for research, academic, and leadership roles in industry and society.

NOTE: The university may have additional program-specific eligibility requirements.
It is recommended to verify these on the official university website.