Master of Design + MPA
Master of Design + MPA
The Master of Design + Master of Public Administration (MDes + MPA) dual-degree program prepares students to address dynamic and complex civic and social challenges effectively. This unique program—the first of its kind in the nation—is ideal for professionals who aspire to lead innovation initiatives within the civic sector. Students pursue two graduate degrees simultaneously, an MDes through ID and a MPA through the Stuart School of Business.
By gaining the knowledge and skills related to public and nonprofit management and policy analysis, you’ll learn to move fluidly between strategic thinking and creative doing. Through hands-on projects, collaborations, and individual work, you’ll get both the depth required to be leaders in your field and the breadth required to contend with modern-day challenges.
Students without formal design education and students still working on their English fluency are welcome and supported through our programs.
To learn more about our MDes + MPA program and the potential career opportunities it can provide, complete this form.
Designed to see the previously impossible.
The MDes + MPA is a two-year, 69-credit-hour degree program with customizable study. 45 design credits are completed through ID and 24 business credits are completed through Stuart School of Business.
The MDes curriculum is organized across three stages of study: Entry, Core, and Concentration. Each stage contains a collection of courses (modules) arranged to deliver the highest educational impact for ID students.
These modules will help you fill any gaps you may have in your education or practice and will orient you to ID’s specific philosophy and culture. All students are advised which courses in these modules are most appropriate for their situation and goals.
These modules develop your critical competency for nearly any design practice. Core courses help you deeply understand complex challenges, creatively explore options, and develop impactful and resilient solutions. Students are expected to establish competence and demonstrate mastery in each Core module by the end of the program.
Concentration modules focus on application skills and are oriented toward specific design roles such as Design Research and Insight, Product-Service Delivery, and Innovation Strategy. Students are encouraged to choose 1–3 concentration modules but can take courses within any of the concentrations.
Designed to roll out “aha” at scale.
All courses at ID explore methods and apply theories to real-world problems. Naturally, critical and ethical conversations regularly arise as students get their hands dirty—prototyping, making ideas real, and then seeing those ideas in action.
ID courses come in four structural types: Bootcamps, Seminars, Workshops, and Studiolabs. These course types describe how the course is conducted, and the commitment needed to maximize learning. Full-time students take a balance of each course type during a semester (e.g., one studio + 2 workshops + 4 seminars).
Student Work
Alumni
Designed to expand your perspective.
ID alumni make up a strong network—a uniquely skilled set of more than 2,400 people across 32+ countries who deal with difficult issues and navigate them with clarity, purpose, and discipline.
This vibrant network is invaluable to ID students and graduates.
Alumni Highlights
Career Support
Designed to expand your career opportunities.
With our focus on business and social innovation, and a strong alumni network, we connect students with opportunities that align with what top organizations seek in talent.
Timing
| yEar 1 | yEar 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Spring | Summer | Fall | Spring |
| Design Course | Design Course | Internship (Optional) | Design Course | Design Course |
| Design Course | Design Course | Design Course | Design Course | |
| Design Course | Design Course | Design Course | Design Course | |
| Design Course | Design Course | Design Course | Design Course | |
| MPA Course | MPA Course | MPA Course | MPA Course | |
| MPA Course | MPA Course | MPA Course | MPA Course | |
Estimated Costs
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition (2024-2025 rate) | $28,082 (per semester), $31,151 for English program per semester |
| Estimated costs and supplies | $850 (per semester) |
| Estimated living expenses (room & board) | $8,250 (per semester) |
| Estimated health insurance | $2,070 (per year) |
STEM Qualification
The MDes + MPA degree qualifies as a STEM degree which allows international students to apply for a 24-month extension to the typical 12-month optional practical training (OPT) period. This means students completing this degree may be eligible for up to three years of work in the US. Please see the US government’s website for more information.
Deadlines
Spring 2025 Admission
November 1, 2024 (final admission)
Fall 2025 Admission
January 17, 2025 (priority admission)
March 7, 2025 (final general admission)
Admission to the MDes program with the Foundation or English sequence is offered for the fall semester only.
Request More Info
Request More Information
Please complete the form to request more information or if you have additional questions regarding our application process or requirements.