The Master of Science in Design + Innovation program is an interdisciplinary degree combining engineering, business, human ecology, user experience, and art. It is a collaboration between the College of Engineering, School of Human Ecology, School of Business, the Art Department within the School of Education, and the Information School in the College of Letters & Science. The degree will prepare students to solve complex problems by providing them with a robust set of design and innovation strategies from multiple perspectives. Graduates will be equipped to work across disciplines and innovate in their respective field. Coursework will include hands-on learning opportunities and is intended to be completed in 12 months.

The Master of Science in Design + Innovation program is not a STEM-OPT program, CIP code: 30.9999 Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. 

Admissions

Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.

Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.

Admissions Process

All application materials must be submitted online through the Graduate School’s application portal. Applications will open approximately one calendar year prior to the start of the program. Do NOT send any paper copies of documents by mail (email or paper mail) unless specifically requested to do so by the Graduate Admissions Team. Applications must be complete to be reviewed by the Graduate Admissions Team. 

1. Online application
2. Resume or Curriculum Vitae (CV)
3. Creative Brief: The creative brief is a multi-page document that conveys why you want to attend the Design + Innovation program, what you hope to achieve as a designer and examples of your work, so that we can understand the experience you bring with you and your potential as a student. 
   We recommend that you think of the creative brief as a design project. This document is like a short magazine, portfolio or booklet that gives us a chance to get to know you, why you want to join the program, how you have worked in the past and what you are dreaming of in the future. It consists of three parts, which you should compose as a single, multi-page PDF for upload. 
   The three parts are: a) Statement of Purpose, b) Design Prompt, and c) Work Samples.
    
   1. Statement of Purpose (max 500 words, or about 1 page): Tell us your design origin story. When and how did you first understand that design + innovation was the path for you? What motivates you to choose Design + Innovation? What is your “why”?

   2. Design Prompt (max 500 words, or about 1 page): If you could re-design anything (a process, place, brand, building, product, program, planet….) what would it be and why? What essential steps would you take to get this design project started?

   3. Work Samples (maximum 10 pages): What projects, collaborations, works of art, experiments or ideas are you the most proud of? Using a consistent design approach to all pages and an emphasis on visual representation of your work, show us 2-3 recent projects. We are interested in seeing your best work – whether that be design, research, art, collaborative, professional or team projects, experiments, prototypes, class projects, independent passions, installations, community work and more. There is no standard approach and your work samples will be uniquely yours.

      1. Here are a few file and format guidelines to help you achieve consistency and legibility in your creative brief. File requirements, denoted with an asterisk (*), and recommendations follow:

         • Format: PDF*

         • File size: 4MB max*

         • Pages: 15 max (including all parts of the creative brief, cover and table of contents)

         • Page layout: 12” x 18” or A3, two-page spreads should be combined into one page. 

         • Color format: RGB

         • Resolution: 150 dpi

         • Project info: Always note the date and context (professional, academic or personal). If you worked on a team, describe your role and contributions. If you include any images that are not your own original work, you must cite your sources.

   4. Note on links: We do not accept links to portfolio websites in lieu of an uploaded document, designed to the specifications above. If you include links to time-based media (such as video, performance or podcast work) within your creative brief, review is at the discretion of admissions committee members and may not be taken into consideration. It is in your best interest, therefore, to include all of your work in a visual or written format in the creative brief document.

   5. Resources for creative brief design:The UW-Madison DesignLab has many resources, including these design tips and tricks that will help you put your best foot forward. Don’t know how to start? Questions about how it’s going? Our enrollment coach (see contact box) is here to answer your questions and give feedback while you are developing your creative brief.

4. Unofficial transcripts: All applicants must upload a copy of their transcript from their undergraduate institution and other previous higher education institutions, including other graduate studies. An official transcript is not part of the online application process unless specifically requested in writing by the Admissions Team.
5. Two (2) letters of recommendation: Enter the recommender email contact information into the online application. Recommenders will receive an email with instructions for the survey and recommendation letter upload process. We do not accept recommendation letters via email, paper format, or online portfolios.
6. English Proficiency Scores:  See English Proficiency Test policy above.
7. Application Fee

8. Personal Interview (if necessary) - A personal interview with program staff (in the form of a telephone call or video chat) may be required.

Funding

Graduate School Resources

Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.

Program Resources

Students enrolled in this program are not eligible to receive tuition remission from graduate assistantship appointments at this institution.

Additional Resources

Student Loans

Students who are US citizens or permanent residents may be eligible to receive some level of funding through the federal direct loan program. Private loans may also be available. Learn more about financial aid at the Financial Aid website. 

International Student Services Funding and Scholarships

For information on International Student Funding and Scholarships visit the International Student Services website.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Major Requirements

Mode of Instruction

 Mode of Instruction Definitions

Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.

Evening/Weekend: ​Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules.  Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.

Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.

Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats.  Contact the program for more specific information.

Online: These programs are offered 100% online.  Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

Required Courses 

¹

These specializations are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Specialization names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.

²

Course may be counted towards a specialization area only if it was not taken as a Core Requirement. Students may NOT double count this course for the Core Requirement and the Specialization.

Students in this program may not take courses outside the prescribed curriculum without faculty advisor and program director approval. Students in this program cannot enroll concurrently in other undergraduate or graduate degree programs.

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions

Students will not be permitted to transfer credits from previously earned graduate coursework.

Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison

• Undergraduate credits from UW-Madison: With advisor approval, students may transfer up to 7 credits numbered 300 or above toward the degree specialization areas (not the core degree requirements). These credits may be counted toward the minimum graduate coursework (50%) requirement if numbered 700 or above.  No credits may be counted toward the minimum graduate residence credit requirement.  Coursework earned ten or more years prior to admission is not allowed to satisfy requirements.
• Undergraduate credits from other institutions: Undergraduate credits from other institutions are not permitted to transfer in this program.

Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.

Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison

Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.

Probation

Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.

Advisor / Committee

All students will be assigned an advisor who assists them in planning a course sequence that meets degrees requirements and who will discuss career objectives with the students.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credits

Time Limits

Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting  
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
  • Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

Students should contact the department chair or program director with questions about grievances.

Other

1. Additional Prior Coursework Policy (this policy is in addition to the prior coursework policies listed above):
   1. Graduate Program Credits earned in other UW-Madison Graduate Programs: With advisor approval: a) Students with an earned UW-Madison master's degree may transfer up to 7 credits toward the MS in Design + Innovation program. b) Students without an earned master's degree, but who have completed master's credits, may transfer up to 12 credits in the MS in Design + Innovation program. c) Students with PhD credits or an earned PhD degree may transfer up to 12 credits in the MS in Design + Innovation program. (Refer to the Graduate School Time Limits policy)
2. Students are strongly discouraged to pursue positions as Project Assistants, Teaching Assistants or Research Assistants during their time in this program, as the rigor and accelerated nature of this program may not accommodate those work time commitments. Students in this program will not receive the tuition remission that is typically part of the compensation package for a graduate assistantship.

Professional Development

Graduate School Resources

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career. 

Program Resources

Please visit our 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.

People

MS Design + Innovation Staff

Trudy Watt, School of Human Ecology, Academic Director

Sara Hladilek, College of Engineering, Senior Student Services Coordinator

Lee DeBaillie, College of Engineering, Program Director

Anna Denucci, Division of Continuing Studies, Enrollment & Recruiting Coach

Coe Douglas, School of Human Ecology, Creative Lead

Affiliated Faculty and Staff

Carly Benish, College of Engineering, Shop Manager

Kristin R. Eschenfelder, Information School (iSchool), Professor and Director

Jenny Greiber, Information School (iSchool), Academic Program Manager, MS Information & Capstone Certificates

Taekyeom Lee, Art Department, Assistant Professor in Graphic Design

Matthew Mabee, College of Engineering, Shop Manager

Maggie Muldowney, College of Engineering, Operations Manager

Lennon P. Rodgers, College of Engineering, Director of Grainger Engineering Design Innovation Lab

Jung-hye Shin, School of Human Ecology, Department Chair and Professor of Design Studies and Interior Architecture Program Coordinator

John Surdyk, School of Business, Director of the Initiative for Studies in Transformational Entrepreneurship and Faculty Director of the Entrepreneurial Residential Learning Community

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Art and Design

Accreditation status: Not accredited. Planned 2025-2026