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Overview of the Master of Product Design and Development Management (mpd²) Program

The Master of Product Design and Development Management (mpd²) program at the Segal Design Institute, McCormick School of Engineering, offers a unique blend of product design, development, and management. This program is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in the field of product development.

Admissions

Requirements for Admission

Applicants to the mpd² program typically have an undergraduate degree in design, engineering, or a related discipline. However, the undergraduate degree is not as important as having some experience in the field, as applicants must have at least 3+ years of work experience related to product development. There is no GRE requirement. International students must submit their TOEFL scores with the code D223.

Application Process

After all parts of the application are submitted, a review committee evaluates each applicant. Once the review committee has made a decision, the applicant is contacted.

Application Period

The application period typically closes in late spring or early summer for the September class. The program does accept applications past that time frame, although the likelihood of being placed on a wait list increases significantly.

Portfolio Requirements

The portfolio should represent the applicant's interests, past experiences, approach to problem framing, and provide tangible demonstration of their capabilities as relates to product design, development, and/or business. Portfolio projects should focus on work completed in a business context, but the program is also interested in seeing personal work that may help communicate the applicant's creativity, leadership, or executional prowess.

Program Structure

Difference from an MBA

The mpd² program takes the traditional MBA and combines it with professional courses that are devoted to product design and development. The faculty have modified the standard MBA courses and specially designed them so that they focus on product development.

Master's Degree

The mpd² degree is a Master of Science in Product Design and Development Management from the McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science / Northwestern University.

Academic School Year

There is a program orientation in mid-September, and the first day of classes for new students is usually in the third week of September.

Classes Required for the Degree

The mpd² degree consists of 22 courses worth 0.50 credits and two one-credit courses. It is a two-year program for part-time students or a nine-month program for full-time students.

Class Duration

Most courses meet for five weeks, with the exception of MPD 445 Product Management and MPD 409 Business Model Design that meet for the full ten-week quarter. Part-time students generally take two courses at a time for a total of four courses per quarter.

Class Format

Although the courses include some lecture time, the classes are very interactive. Student involvement and participation are the norm, and break-out sessions are frequently held.

Grading

The program is a rigorous Northwestern University master's degree, and grading is taken very seriously. Faculty expectations for master's students are A's or B's. A "B" average is required for graduation from the program.

STEM/OPT Eligibility

The Master of Science in Product Design and Development Management is STEM eligible under CIP code #14.9999 and is eligible for OPT.

Credit Transfer

No, credit earned at another institution will not be applied toward the program's coursework requirements.

Student Life

Companies Represented

mpd² students come from a variety of companies, including:

• 3-2-1 Launch!
• 3Com Corporation
• Abbott Laboratories
• Alcoa Inc.
• Andrew Corporation
• Apple Inc.
• Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc.
• Arecibo Observatory
• Artisan Shop & Gallery
• Bang & Olufsen

Social Events

There will be a social dinner in the summer where everyone will get a chance to meet for the first time.

Study Time

Classes meet for a total of six hours every week. Students should plan on 10-12 hours of outside-of-class study time, which includes weekly team meetings and personal study time.

Class Schedule

A typical class day includes:

• 8 a.m. - 9 a.m.: Breakfast
• 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.: Class 1
• 10:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.: Break
• 10:45 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Class 1 continued
• 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.: Lunch
• 1 p.m. - 2:15 p.m.: Class 2
• 2:15 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: Break
• 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.: Class 2 continued

Tuition

Tuition Fees

Please refer to the provided link for information about tuition.

Additional Fees

Books, snacks, breakfast, lunches, and parking passes are supplied for the students. Students must pay for University-approved insurance (if they do not already have approved coverage) and for a monthly transit card.