Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Science in Design + Innovation

The Master of Science in Design + Innovation (MD+I) program at the University of WisconsinMadison is a unique, interdisciplinary degree that equips students with the skills and perspectives to address complex challenges through innovative solutions. This program is a collaboration between five UWMadison schools and colleges: Engineering, Human Ecology, Business, Art Department, and the iSchool. The MD+I program integrates diverse disciplines into a one-year intensive curriculum.

Program Description

The MD+I program aims to cultivate designers equipped with the skills and mindsets necessary to address complex, real-world problems. It prioritizes inclusive design, ensuring that diverse perspectives are integral to the design process, and promotes socially engaged innovation that aligns with the Wisconsin Ideaextending the benefits of the university's work to the broader community. The program emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world impact, teaching students to navigate complex systems and design life-centered solutions that benefit both human and more-than-human stakeholders.

Admissions

• Graduate Admissions Requirements:
  • Fall Deadline: February 1
  • Spring Deadline: This program does not admit in the spring.
  • Summer Deadline: This program does not admit in the summer.
  • GRE (Graduate Record Examinations): Not required.
  • English Proficiency Test: Refer to the Graduate School's policy.
  • Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT): Not applicable.
  • Letters of Recommendation Required: 2
• Admissions Process:
  1. Online application
  2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  3. Creative Brief: A multi-page document that includes a Statement of Purpose, Design Prompt, and Work Samples.
     • Statement of Purpose: Tell us your design origin story (max 500 words).
     • Design Prompt: If you could re-design anything, what would it be and why? (max 500 words).
     • Work Samples: Show us 2-3 recent projects (maximum 10 pages).
  4. Unofficial transcripts
  5. Two letters of recommendation
  6. English Proficiency Scores (if applicable)
  7. Application Fee
  8. Personal Interview (if necessary)

Funding

• Graduate School Resources: The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees. Resources to help afford graduate study include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid.
• Program Resources: Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments.
• Additional Resources:
  • Office of Student Financial Aid
  • International Student Services Funding and Scholarships

Requirements

• Mode of Instruction: Face to Face, Accelerated
• Curricular Requirements:
  • Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
  • Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 16 credits
  • Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
  • Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
• Required Courses:
  • Core Courses:
    • DS 641: Advanced Design Thinking for Transformation
    • INTEREGR 477: Tools for Prototyping and Manufacturing
    • INTER-HE 940: Collaborative Capstone I
    • INTEREGR 941: Collaborative Capstone II
    • One of the following: L I S 707, DS 620
    • One of the following: OTM 701, OTM 760, MARKETNG 737, M H R 715, M H R 734
  • Specializations (complete one):
    • Product Design
    • UI/UX Design
    • Communication Design
    • Design Strategy

Policies

• Prior Coursework:
  • Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: Not permitted.
  • Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: Limited transfer credits allowed with advisor approval.
• Probation: Refer to the Graduate School's policy.
• Advisor / Committee: All students will be assigned an advisor.
• Credits Per Term Allowed: 15 credit maximum.
• Time Limits: Refer to the Graduate School's policy.
• Grievances and Appeals: Follow the Graduate School's procedures.

Professional Development

• Graduate School Resources: Take advantage of professional development resources.
• Program Resources: Visit the program website for more information.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate creative, independent problem-solving skills and entrepreneurial thinking.
2. Apply design tools and strategies on interdisciplinary teams and projects.
3. Communicate effectively both visually and orally.
4. Implement an iterative design thinking process.
5. Demonstrate a hands-on, iterative process that includes making, creating, and designing.
6. Gain depth in a field of study that can be applied in a social, global, and design context.
7. Apply principles of ethical and professional conduct in a field experience.

Accreditation

The program is not accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, but accreditation is planned.