Master of Arts in Design

Building upon advanced design research practice, the program encourages you to consider a wide array of artifacts and scholarly approaches by providing opportunities and resources that inspire critical dialogues and collaborative scholarship with other KCAD graduate students.

Your experiences in the unique online course offerings within the Master of Arts in Design program are complemented by the ability to take elective seminar courses—both in-person (for those able to physically attend the KCAD campus) and online—from KCAD's other graduate programs. This flexible curriculum framework enables you to activate your specific interests and strengths while investigating transdisciplinary approaches to thinking, making, and learning.

In the Master of Arts in Design degree program, you’ll develop expertise in the application of historical, critical, and theoretical models and modes of praxis to a broad range of design projects. You’ll also become empowered to translate your understanding of design as a social and cultural force to situated practice within communities.

Ultimately, you’ll emerge as a creative, innovative, intellectually curious, and responsible leader capable of inspiring ethical engagement and responding mindfully to the social implications of design practice.

The Master of Arts in Design leverages KCAD’s rich history of leadership in arts and design education and expertise in design thinking and human-centered design to help you take the next giant leap forward in your professional design career.

Geared for the working design professional, the program’s flexible online curriculum allows you the freedom to expand your education and professional opportunity without pressing pause on your career or disrupting your work/life balance.

As a graduate of the Master of Arts in Design degree program, you’ll be prepared to meet the challenges pursuant to a successful career within the 21st century professional design world. You will leave the program poised to advance in your current position and in your career, and you’ll also be well positioned to pursue a doctoral degree.