The information and program qualifications related to the Maritime Studies Doctor of Philosophy Program, under the Department of Maritime Studies of the Graduate School, are summarized below.
Information About The Program
The aim of the Naval Studies Doctorate Program is to provide students with advanced training in the maritime field and to develop their ability to conduct independent scientific research. In the program, studies are carried out in the fields of 'Sea Freight and Logistics', 'Human Resources in Maritime' and 'Safety in Maritime'. The program provides individuals with the opportunity to pursue a doctorate in one of these 3 topics. The program is 30% English. The aim of the Naval Studies Doctorate Program is to develop analytical thinking skills based on a critical perspective with an interdisciplinary education.
Click here for the program's website.
Active Student Count
Program Profile
he Maritime Studies PhD Program is an interdisciplinary graduate program that aims to educate researchers who possess advanced knowledge in the field of maritime studies, are capable of conducting independent scientific research, and can contribute to the production of scientific knowledge. The main objective of the program is to deepen students’ theoretical knowledge in maritime studies while developing their analytical thinking, critical evaluation, and advanced research skills.
Within the scope of the program, students are expected to specialize in areas such as maritime transportation and logistics, maritime cyber security, maritime economics, maritime safety and security, maritime human resources management, maritime policies, and current developments in the maritime field. In this context, the program aims to train researchers who can analyze complex issues in the maritime sector through an interdisciplinary perspective, conduct original research using scientific methods, and transfer their findings to both academic and sectoral applications.
The program supports students in effectively applying scientific research methodologies, following national and international academic literature, and producing original scientific studies in the field of maritime studies. Through coursework, seminars, and doctoral dissertation studies, students are expected to develop the ability to conduct independent research, produce academic publications, and contribute to scientific discussions.
Graduates of the program are expected to work as academics and researchers in universities, as well as contribute at an expert level to areas such as policy development, strategic planning, research, and consultancy within the maritime sector. The program also aims to support the production of scientific knowledge in maritime studies and contribute to both academic and sectoral developments at national and international levels.
Registration Requirements
Application Term : Previous Application / 2025-2026 Spring Semester
Application Requirements (For T.C Nationality) ALES Numerical, Verbal or Equally Weighted must be minimum 65 (old system GRE Quantitative minimum 652, new system GRE minimum 152 , GMAT minimum , GMAT minimum 485). Applicants who will apply for PhD programs after their undergraduate level degree are required to have Numerical score minimum 80 from ALES. Graduate GPA must be minimum 3.00/4 (76.66/100). Minimum GPA from undergraduate to doctorate must be 3.5/4 (88.33/100).
Quota (For T.C Nationality): 8
Application Requirements (For International Students) ALES Numerical, Verbal or Equally Weighted must be minimum 65 (old system GRE Quantitative minimum 652, new system GRE minimum 152 , GMAT minimum , GMAT minimum 485). Applicants who will apply for PhD programs after their undergraduate level degree are required to have Numerical score minimum 80 from ALES. Graduate GPA must be minimum 3.00/4 (76.66/100). Minimum GPA from undergraduate to doctorate must be 3.5/4 (88.33/100).
Quota (For International Students): 3
Transfer Quota : 2
Click here for quotas and conditions for all semesters. Application Page Graduate Education and Training Regulation Senate Principles
Application requirements, application dates, and quotas are updated in real-time from the Application System.
Program Learning Environments
Learning activities within the Maritime Studies PhD Program are conducted through various academic learning environments. Courses in the program are primarily delivered through face-to-face instruction in classroom settings. In addition to the transfer of theoretical knowledge, methods such as discussions, literature reviews, research presentations, case analyses, and project-based studies are used in order to encourage active participation and critical thinking among students.
The doctoral program aims to equip students with advanced research skills. In this context, students conduct seminar studies by following current scientific literature in their fields and deliver presentations on their research topics. Seminars and in-class academic discussions enable students to develop their research competencies and evaluate scientific issues from multiple perspectives.
A significant component of the learning process in the program is the doctoral dissertation. Under the supervision of their academic advisors, students conduct independent and original scientific research on selected topics. During this process, students are expected to develop advanced skills in literature review, data collection and analysis, application of scientific methodologies, and academic writing.
Learning activities are also supported by the university’s academic resources, including libraries, electronic databases, academic publications, and digital learning platforms. In addition, students are encouraged to follow both academic and sectoral developments through academic conferences, workshops, seminars, and events involving industry professionals.
Through these learning environments, the program aims to ensure that students acquire advanced knowledge and research competence in the field of maritime studies and develop into researchers capable of conducting independent scientific research and contributing to scientific knowledge at both national and international levels.
English Proficiency
Regulations and Guidelines
Academic Calendar
Course Plans
Course Schedules
Course Adjustment and Exemption Procedures
Program Educational Objectives
Regardless of the department, the program is suitable for those who have completed a master's program with thesis, especially those who want to direct their career in the field of maritime and specialize in the field of maritime. The Maritime Studies doctoral program aims to provide students with theoretical knowledge in the field they want to research, and to train academics and practitioners who are open to global and global competition.
Measurement and Evaluation
Evaluating Student Success
The student success is evaluated considering Articles 56, 57, 58, and 59 of the Istanbul Technical University Graduate Education and Training Regulation Senate Principles.
ARTICLE 56 - Before the enrollment for the courses begins, the faculty member who offers the course informs the Program Executive Committee about the types, number and contribution percentage to the final grade of the studies within the semester, as well as requirements for a right to take the semester final exam. These requirements shall be finalized by approval of the Program Executive Committee and approval of the chair of the department, who declares them to the student and informs the Graduate School.
ARTICLE 57 - A student may appeal the final grade of a course within one week following the announcement of the grades. Appeals must be submitted to the Graduate School in writing. The relevant faculty member shall re-evaluate the student's success status and submit the result to the Graduate School within one week. Appeals not submitted within the prescribed time frame shall not be considered by the Graduate School.
ARTICLE 58 - Courses in graduate programs shall be evaluated according to the following grading system.
| Grade Description |
Grade |
Scale |
| Excellent |
AA |
4.00 |
| Very good plus |
BA+ |
3.75 |
| Very good |
BA |
3.50 |
| Good plus |
BB+ |
3.25 |
| Good |
BB |
3.00 |
| Conditional Pass |
CB+ |
2.75 |
| Conditional Pass |
CB |
2.50 |
| Conditional Pass |
CC+ |
2.25 |
| Conditional Pass |
CC |
2.00 |
| Fail |
FF |
0.00 |
| Fail(No Exam) |
VF |
0.00 |
ARTICLE 59 - Students who wish to improve their cumulative grade point average may retake courses during the course-taking period. The most recent grade will be counted for the repeated courses.
Internship
There is no internship in this program.
Graduation Requirements
7 courses (average: 3.00), seminar course (non-credit), doctoral proficiency exam and thesis work must be successfully completed, with at least 30 percent English.
The Awarded Degree and Title
Degree : Doctor of Philosophy Title : Doctor of Philosophy
Program Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Maritime Studies Doctorate Program can integrate their profession with the maritime field. They can specialize in maritime transport and logistics, maritime security and maritime human resources.
Number of Graduates
There are no graduates from 2025 or earlier. The 2026 graduate numbers have not yet been transferred to this page.
Program Outcomes
P.O.1
Developing and deepening current and advanced knowledge in the field of maritime at the level of expertise with original thought and/or research based on master's qualifications and reaching original definitions that will bring innovation to the field (Knowledge).
P.O.2 To be able to comprehend the interdisciplinary interaction that the field is related to; Ability to reach original results by using knowledge that requires expertise in analyzing, synthesizing and evaluating new and complex ideas (Knowledge).
P.O.3 To be able to evaluate and use new knowledge in the field with a systematic approach (Skill).
P.O.4 Developing a new idea, method, design and/or application that brings innovation to the field, or applying a known idea, method, design and/or application to a different field, researching, comprehending, designing, adapting and applying an original subject (Skill).
P.O.5
To be able to use the information about the maritime field in the evaluation of the developments that shape the formation of the disciplines (Skill).
P.O.6 To be able to develop new strategic approaches and take responsibility for the solution of complex problems that are encountered and unpredictable in applications related to the field (Competence to Work Independently and Take Responsibility).
P.O.7 Being able to contribute to the progress in the field by independently carrying out an original work that brings innovations to the field, develops a new idea, method, design and / or application or applies a known idea, method, design and / or application to a different field (Competence of Independent Working and Taking Responsibility ).
P.O.8 Being able to develop new thoughts and methods related to the field by using high-level mental processes such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving and decision making (Learning Competence).
P.O.9 Possess the most advanced specialized skills and techniques, including synthesis and evaluation, necessary to identify problems, solve important problems, and expand and redefine existing knowledge or professional practice for maritime research (Skill).
P.O.10
Analyzing, evaluating and synthesizing new and complex ideas corresponding to the most advanced level in the maritime field with a critical approach (Field Specific Competence).
P.O.11 Contributing to the knowledge in the field by developing a qualified study based on original research in the field of maritime, worthy of being published in national and international peer-reviewed journals (Field-Specific Competence).
Turkish Qualifications Database
The qualification has not yet been incorporated into the TYÇ.
Program Coordinator
Head of the Department
Click for detailed student count.
Links