Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Design program with a concentration in design of healthcare and healing environments is focused on the science and experiences behind the built environment's real and perceived impacts on health and wellness.

Program Description

The program emphasizes the intersection and integration of evidence-based research and practice, transdisciplinary studies, best practices, and innovation in supporting and advancing the design of healthy environments, products, and processes. Students explore and synthesize principles from a variety of disciplines that include innovation, architecture, design, communication, human behavior, policy, quality, and performance improvement, among others, to arrive at a thorough understanding of the critical issues facing the healthcare industry.

Program Opportunities

Students in this concentration have opportunities to:

• be mentored by local healthcare design consultants
• communicate with forward-thinking healthcare research centers
• engage directly with real clients
• interact with prominent healthcare organizations
• participate in industry conferences
• team with nursing and health innovation faculty members and students

At a Glance

• College/school: Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
• Location: Tempe
• STEM-OPT extension eligible: No

Degree Requirements

36 credit hours and a thesis, or
36 credit hours including the required applied project course (DSC 593)

Admission Requirements

• General university admission requirements: All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
• Applicant requirements:
  • Earned a bachelor's or master's degree in graphic design, industrial design, interior design, or a related design discipline from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
• Application materials:
  • Graduate admission application and application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Portfolio
  • Letter of intent
  • Contact information for three references
  • Proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

• Engage in scholarly field inquiry involving the language and research of healthcare and wellness design.
• Disseminate the results of their thesis or applied research in a public forum.
• Compose a research proposal that embodies methodologies suitable to the research questions identified.