Master of Design / MBA

The first program of its kind in the world, IIT's Master of Design/Master of Business Administration (MDes/MBA) marks an important milestone in the co-evolution of design, management, and innovation. Offered in conjunction with the IIT Stuart School of Business, the MDes/MBA dual-degree program combines graduate professional education in both design and business.  As design becomes regarded as an essential business resource, professional education that links the two fields is becoming increasingly important.

The dual-degree program integrates the Institute of Design's user-centered, methods-based approach to innovation with core management education in marketing, project accounting, and organizational behavior from IIT's Stuart School of Business. This course of study provides students with a unique and powerfully broad perspective on the innovation process. Upon graduation, MDes/MBA graduates are uniquely qualified to lead collaborative, interdisciplinary, innovation initiatives in global organizations. 

Students with a design background can be awarded both the MDes and MBA after two years plus one quarter, rather than the three years of continuous study required if they are pursued separately. Students without a bachelor degree in design must complete an intensive two-semester foundation sequence before beginning the main MDes program.  MBA courses can be taken during this time.

MDes/MBA (based on the 2011-2012 incoming class)

Average age: 28
Male: 26% / Female: 74% 
International: 13% 
Undergraduate degree in design: 75% / non-design: 25%

Average GPA: 3.44/4.0

Average GMAT score: 650

Average GRE score: 310/360

Average TOEFL score: 106.5/120

Deadlines

Fall admission: February 15th
Spring admission: September 15th international applicants, October 15th domestic; please note that admissions for the MDes program with foundation is offered for the fall semester only.

Application requirements

- Four-year bachelor's degree
- GPA 3.0/4.0 minimum
- Official transcript from institution where degree was earned
- GRE required for applicants without a bachelor's in design from an accredited English-speaking university; minimum 310/360 and 3/6.0. GMAT may be used as substitute for GRE; minimum 600/800 and 3.0/6.0. TOEFL required for international applicants without a bachelor's degree from an accredited English-speaking university; minimum score 100.
- Porfolio required for applicants with design degree, but is encouraged for all applicants
- Completed Statement of Education and Career Goals (found in application)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Interview (encouraged)
- Work experience, typically 2-5 years; should be included in resume for review
- Application fee of $100 

Expenses for financial affidavit (*estimated)

Tuition for 9 months, 2011-2012: $50,108
Living expenses, books, and supplies for 9 months*: $12,700
Mandatory health insurance: $830
Other student fees: $1,490
Total*: $65,128

For more information, please contact Rachel Dean, director of graduate admission and retention, using our contact form or 312.595.4906.