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Carnegie Mellon University School of Design Master of Arts in Design
Carnegie Mellon University School of Design

Carnegie Mellon University School of Design

Master of Arts in Design

Pittsburgh, USA

MA

English

Sep 2026

Key Summary

    About : The Master of Arts in Design offers a comprehensive program focused on enhancing creative and analytical skills. Students will engage in hands-on projects and theoretical studies while collaborating with industry professionals. The course is designed to foster innovative thinking in design and spans a period of one year full-time or two years part-time.
    Career Outcomes : Graduates may pursue careers in various creative fields such as graphic design, product development, or project management. They can also excel as design consultants or in roles that require a combination of design and business acumen.

For non-designers who want to cultivate design skills.

The MA is a one-year program that introduces you to fundamental principles, approaches, and tools that are essential to designing for interactions, including visual communication, prototyping, and human-centered practices. You will also learn about the culture and practice of design, but most importantly, you will learn to see and think design.

Whether you’re looking to take the first step in transitioning to design from another discipline or add a design complement to your existing professional profile, the MA degree has you covered.

The MA program enables you to study design fundamentals with some of the brightest thinkers and most talented practitioners in the field. You’ll learn timeless principles while gaining exposure to approaches, ideas, and methods at the forefront of design.

For some, this one-year program is a sufficient introduction to design that will inform and augment their skill set as they continue in a complementary career track. For others, this is the first step toward deeper studies that will ultimately lead to a rewarding career in design. You might go on to study in our MPS, MDes, or PhD program; continue a course of study in business, human-computer interaction, or entertainment technology; or return to work in your previous field with the advantage of design skills and perspectives.