The new MDes curriculum
Dean Denis Weil and Associate Dean Matt Mayfield discuss how ID is greeting changes in the design field with a new approach.
Read moreFounded on the belief that design connects and enhances every aspect of life, IIT Institute of Design (ID) is dedicated to preparing students to effectively address dynamic and complex business, civic, and social challenges with rigor, depth, and imagination.
The Master of Design (MDes) curriculum teaches students the real-world skills needed to integrate, interconnect, and innovate beyond traditional practices of design.
ID students are taught to shape compelling opportunities through actively developing insight from multiple perspectives, exploring options through aggressive prototyping and critique, and identifying valuable directions that prompt action and support resilient change. Students learn through hands-on projects and real-world challenges, both individually and in team collaborations.
The MDes degree qualifies as a STEM degree which allows international students to apply for a 24-month extension to the typical 12-month optional practical training (OPT) period. This means students completing this degree may be eligible for up to three years of work in the US. Please see the US government’s website for more information.
See the MDes curriculum overview or the full list of courses for more information.
Below are the main costs associated with the MDes program. Download the estimated cost spreadsheet and financial aid guide for a more detailed breakdown and links to financial aid resources.
Tuition (2021-2022 rate) | $24,501 | per semester |
Miscellaneous class costs and supplies | $650* | per semester |
Living expenses (estimated rental costs) | $6,750* | per semester |
Health insurance | $1,896* | per year |
*estimated
ID graduates have a greater than 90 percent placement rate and report high job satisfaction.
Our career services include structured programs like recruitID and careerID, as well as an active and engaged alumni network and robust events and programming, including our annual Design Intersections conference.
Our partnerships with organizations across Chicago and beyond give ID students a range of experience, building their resumes even before graduation.
ID graduates hold positions of influence in companies and design firms such as:
Amazon / Apple / BDC / Doblin / EY / Fjord / Google / IDEO / INSITUM / Logitech / McDonald’s / McKinsey / Motorola / Microsoft / Salesforce / SapientRazorfish / SC Johnson / Steelcase / Verizon
Organizations hire ID graduates for a wide range of roles:
Design Planner / Design Strategist / Senior Innovation Strategist / Director of Product Development / Director of Innovation Methods / Director of User Research / Brand Strategist / Director of Interaction Design / Senior Information Architect / Director of Strategy and New Business Development / Digital Enterprise Strategist / Director of Experience Design / Senior UX Researcher and Strategist
Click here for complete information on application requirements
Click here for complete information on application requirements.
Dean Denis Weil and Associate Dean Matt Mayfield discuss how ID is greeting changes in the design field with a new approach.
Read moreVisit our FAQ page for more information. If you have additional questions regarding our application process or requirements, please send an email to admissions@id.iit.edu or call us at 312-595-4900.
Visit the International Applicants page to view specific information for your situation.