Master of Design (MDes)

The Master of Design (MDes) program is a two-year, 54-credit-hour degree program intended for those seeking professional knowledge at the highest level in the planning and design of new communications, products, services, environments, and systems. Students may construct their own curriculum after taking a core of methods courses focused on observing and understanding users in specific contexts, analyzing complex information, developing and exploring alternative solutions, and prototyping future innovations and scenarios. Examples of individual courses of study include communication design, product design, strategic planning, user research, design methods research, and systems design.

In addition to experienced designers, the school encourages students with no formal design training to apply to the program, offering a one-year "foundation" program of introductory courses providing prerequisite skills and experience. Students entering without any previous formal study of design or a portfolio will normally take three years to complete the Master of Design program. ID seeks to admit a class with approximately 50% of the students with design degrees and 50% from non-design backgrounds such as business, engineering, liberal arts, and architecture.

Applicants who have an undergraduate design degree from an accredited English-speaking university will enter directly into the two-year Master of Design program.

MDes statistics (based on the 2011-2012 incoming class)

Average age: 29
Male: 55% / Female: 45% 
International: 34% 
Undergraduate degree in design: 63% / non-design: 37%
Average GPA: 3.44/4.0
Average GRE score: 310/360
Average TOEFL score: 106/120

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: $41,180
Living expenses, books, and supplies for 9 months*: $12,700
Mandatory health insurance: $830
Other student fees: $1,490
Total*: $56,200

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