Design MS

Degree Awarded:  Master of Science (MS)
Minimum Required Credits: 36  
Co-op Option(s): None    
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 11.0105
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 04.0401

About the Program

The Drexel MS Design Program is an evidence-based design program that develops your skills as a design leader in the twenty-first-century workplace. In this interdisciplinary program, students work across multiple sectors in service, material, environment, and product development to learn an evidence-based approach with a set of core design competencies. Created to serve students across all design disciplines, creatives, and those looking to make a career change, our program allows specialization in service, strategy, new forms of design, and product development.

This engagement-oriented program includes extensive coursework in social interest design, design-led strategy, and future-oriented technologies, preparing you to be an integral part of a development team in the design industry. Students in the program produce evidence-based thesis projects that are published through Pro-Quest Dissertations upon completion of their degree.

The MS in Design program is a 36-credit program and is part of the nationally-ranked Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. Situated in the Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism, the program benefits from its associations with faculty and students in the Interior Architecture & Design, Fashion Design, Product Design, Architecture, Graphic Design and Urban Strategy programs. This STEM-designated program can be taken either full time or accelerated, and we offer a range of coursework to suit all schedules, including those with full-time work commitments.

Additional Information

For more information about this program, please contact the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design. 

Admission Requirements

Same as Drexel Admissions.

Degree Requirements

Core/Foundational Courses
DSGN 5005Shared Foundations: Arts, Design, and Urban Creative Practice3.0
DSGN 5010Design Methods: Urban Scale3.0
DSGN 5015Design Methods: Environment and Human Scale3.0
DSGN 5020Advanced Methods: Strategy and New Practices3.0
Subject-Area Focused Courses
Select two of the following:6.0
Technology Specialization: Advanced Manufacturing
Technology Specialization: Materiality and Analog Making
Technology Specialization: Data Visualization and AI
Thesis/Capstone Courses
DSGN 6325Professional Thesis Seminar3.0
DSGN 7998Design Thesis I3.0
DSGN 7999Design Thesis II3.0
Elective Courses
Select three of the following: 19.0
Topics in Design and Disruption
Environmental Psychology and Design Theory
Special Topics in Design
Independent Study in Design
Topics in Service Design
Biodesign Lab
Special Topics in Design
Independent Study in Design
Qualitative Design Thinking and Research
Topics in Participatory Design Research
Total Credits36.0
1

Students seeking to take more than 6 credits of independent study may do so with department approval.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate an innovative and creative approach to problem solving as it relates to diverse research scenarios in various design fields.
  • Formulate an expressed and observable research strategy.
  • Demonstrate a knowledge of a variety of design and research experiences, approaches, and viewpoints.
  • Display a sensitivity to social, cultural, ethical, and environmental values through knowledge and application of evidence-based design processes.
  • Critically analyze their own work and academic research literature with respect to the global impacts and experimental design.
  • Use divergent and convergent thinking to generate novel and relevant ideas, strategies, approaches, and outcomes in design.
  • Distinguish larger, complex societal forces and systems that affect design directions, trends, and public policy.