An Innovative, Interdisciplinary and Evidence-based Design Program

The MS in Design program is part of the nationally-ranked Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, housed in award-winning, technologically enhanced facilities and taught by faculty who have worked at the top of their fields. Situated in the Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism, the program benefits from its associations with faculty and students in the Interior Architecture & Design and Urban Strategy graduate programs; students are also taught and advised by faculty from product, graphics, and public health. The program provides a forum for students to pursue projects within design, technology, social impact, community, environmental design, and health. This flexible program operates with a core curriculum that is built on and augmented by a customized set of electives and the three-term thesis sequence. The curriculum, though self-directed, is grounded in real-life problems, research, studio class work, problem definition, and iterative making.

This 48-credit STEM-designated program can be taken either full or part-time; we offer a range of coursework to suit all schedules, including those with full-time work commitments. With over forty successful Alumni, our diverse range of current and past self-developed student topics include circular design, assistive technologies, mental health services, shelter systems, artificial intelligence, blockchain for human uses, services for sustainable living, and healthy service, space, and product development. The program includes making, research, fabrication, collaboration, and human-centered design thinking. 

COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND PLAN OF STUDIES

Visit the Drexel University Course Catalog: Design MS page to learn more about courses and requirements. The sample plan of study is for review purposes only. Several factors influence the length of the program and the sequencing of courses including the option to study full or part time and programmatic changes. Students should contact the program director or Westphal's admissions team with questions.