Industry PhD
A Doctoral Pathway for Full-Time Employees
The Industry Experiential PhD is a first-of-its-kind, research-based doctoral program co-designed with business partners to provide full-time, master’s level employees a pathway to a doctoral degree. Employees pursue a PhD while maintaining their job and conducting research at their place of employment, working closely with both Northeastern faculty and internal company mentors. Applicable to any of Northeastern’s 36 research doctoral programs.
Collaborative Research Model
Northeastern PhD Advisor
Academic guidance, methodology, dissertation oversight
Company Research Leader
Industry mentorship, business alignment, committee member
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Shared Research Project
Faculty-guided research conducted at company site addresses both academic contributions and business innovation challenges
Your Employee / PhD Student
3-5 Years
PhD research while employed full-time
PhD research while employed full-time
Workplace Research
Conducted at employee’s site
Conducted at employee’s site
Flexible Start
Varies by department
Varies by department
Partner Benefits
- Recruit, support, and retain emerging talent
- Partner with entrepreneurial research university
- Deeper engagement in evolving research fields
- Access to university facilities and faculty expertise
- Research leadership mentors and co-publishes with students
- New research directions and product development
Student Benefits
Work on research important to your organization while earning a PhD
- Earn PhD while retaining current job
- Develop deep expertise solving industry problems
- Cutting-edge skills for career advancement
- Dual mentorship from university and company
- World-class academic training and guidance
- Research directly applicable to daily work
Ready to Engage?
Connect with our team to discuss how this doctoral partnership can advance both your employee development goals and research initiatives.
Experiential PhD | Northeastern University