MASTER OF SCIENCE IN DESIGN

ADMISSIONS

This section has been developed to assist you with the admissions process. Here you will find information related to:

• Admission, Selection and Language Requirements
• Application Deadlines
• Application Procedures and Requirements
• Financial Aid

A. Admission Requirements

Applicants to the MSD program must hold a baccalaureate degree in graphic design, industrial design, interior design or a related design discipline. When applying for admission, applicants must declare one of seven concentrations:  Industrial Design; Interior Design; Visual Communication Design; Arts, Media and Engineering; Healthcare and Healing Environments; Interaction Design; or New Product Innovation (further information can be found on the program description Web site).

B. Application Deadline

The fall 2010 application deadline for the MSD program is December 15, 2009.  The MSD only admits students for the fall semester.

C. Application Procedures and Requirements

The application procedure is a two step process.

1. There is one application to the MSD program. Applicants apply to the MSD program through the Graduate College and electronically upload the majority of the application materials (outlined below) with the online application.
2. Applicants then submit their portfolio directly to the MSD program.

Application Requirements

• A baccalaureate grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale is required for application.
  
• Minimum TOEFL score of 100 on internet-based test, 600 on paper-based test, or 250 on computer-based test is required of international students whose native language is not English.
  
• A GRE score is not required; students may submit a GRE score if they wish, however it will not be considered in the application process or decision.
  
• A completed and submitted online application.
  
• A paid application fee.

Submission of the following materials is required for consideration into the MSD.  Materials 1  through 3 must be uploaded with your online application.  Upload instructions follow at the end of the materials listing:

1. A statement of intent form (maximum 600 words), which must include the following points:
   
   
   • Specify intended concentration: Industrial Design; Interior Design; Visual Communication Design; Arts, Media and Engineering; Healthcare and Healing Environments; Interaction Design; or New Product Innovation.
     
     
   • Discuss proposed research topic. What will be your research focus? Why is this research important to you, the design community, and the general population?
     
     
   • Specify a proposed faculty advisor for intended research. Faculty biographies can be found on the website at design.asu.edu/msd/faculty.shtml.
     
     
   • Discuss personal academic background and professional experience that has prepared you for or will support your proposed research topic.*
     
     
2. Three letters of recommendation from persons who are qualified to comment on your potential in the selected concentration. Students will provide the names and contact information of three referees at the time of their on line application.  Referees will receive an email with a link to the on line letter of recommendation to complete.  Applicants are able to see which referees have already completed their recommendation by logging into the MyASU system and viewing their "To Do" list.  Once a referee has submitted the letter of recommendation, the referee's name will be removed from the "To Do" list.  All letters must be in English. It is the applicant's responsibility that the referee submits the recommendation on time. *
   
3. A current resume is required.*
   
   
4. A portfolio is required.  Portfolios may be either electronic on a CD or a hard copy in the format of an 8.5" x 11" portfolio.  The portfolio should include documenting papers and imaginative projects that support the intended concentration and demonstrate drawing, rendering, graphic, and modeling skills.**
   
   The portfolio is not returned, however may be claimed in person within one year of submission after July 1 in CDN 162. Unclaimed portfolios are retained for only one year. The MSD program assumes no liability for lost or damaged materials.
   
   
5. Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate College.***
   
6. Official TOEFL or IELTS test scores, if applicable, must be sent directly to the Graduate College. This requirement is only for International Students.***
   
   

IMPORTANT NOTE: Instructions for submission of materials

* Items 1 through 3 are required to be uploaded at the time of application.  In order to upload files, they must meet the following specifications:

• File must be formatted as Text (*.txt), Rich Text (*.rtf), Adobe PDF (*.pdf), or Microsoft Word (*.doc).
• File size must be limited to 1MB.
• File name must be comprised of 50 or less letters and numbers only, with no special characters (e.g. MyResume.doc).

** The portfolio (item 4 above) must be sent to the MSD program address. DO NOT send the portfolio to the Graduate College. If these materials are sent to any other area other than the MSD program, they will not be reviewed and your application will be denied. 

MSD Program

School of Design Innovation

Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts
Arizona State University

Attn: Dr. Yee
PO BOX 872105
Tempe, AZ 85287-2105

For overnight delivery, please use the following address:

MSD Program

School of Design Innovation

Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts

Arizona State University

Attn: Dr. Yee

810 S. Forest Mall

Tempe, AZ 85287

*** All official transcripts and test scores (items 5 and 6 respectively) must be sent directly from the institution to the Graduate College.  For additional information on the Graduate College requirements, please see their website by clicking here.

International students may be required to submit additional documents to the Graduate College. Please click here to view additional International Applicant requirements.

C. Teaching and Graduate Assistants and Financial Aid

All interested applicants can apply for a TA position.   

It is important to note that all international teaching or graduate assistants whose primary language is not English are required to be certified in their English language abilities. Those individuals whose official mother tongue is not English, or are from a country whose official native language is not English, will be required to submit a SPEAK test score, which is administered at ASU.  For this group, no Personnel Action form (PAF) will be signed until this examination has been successfully completed.

The International Teaching Assistant Program (ITA) will certify all international teaching assistants (TAs) who take the SPEAK test. International students whose primary language is other than English will not be permitted to serve as TAs unless they have AECP certification. Information about  AECP certification can be found online at http://www.asu.edu/aecp/ITAinfo/.  You will need to have this certification on order to receive a TA appointment in the School of Design Innovation.

• The TSE is administered by TOEFL/TSE Services, (PO Box 6151, Princeton, NJ, 08541-6151, USA) and can be taken in your home country (or U.S.). Ask to have the score sent directly to the MSD Program at the above address.
  
  
• The SPEAK test is the local version of the TSE, authorized by Educational Testing Services (ETS) and administered on campus through the American English and Culture Center (AECP) at ASU. It is an oral proficiency exam.
  
  

Additional Financial Aid information can be found on the Graduate College website or through the Financial Aid office.

D. Application Deadlines

Primary consideration is given to completed applications received by the deadline. Applications for assistantships and scholarships normally are considered at the same time, but positions will not be filled until July.

The Graduate College and the MSD program must receive all materials by December 15 to be considered for the following fall semester.  Late applications will not be accepted or considered.

E. Selection Procedures and Notifications

The faculty evaluates the applications and supporting materials and recommends to the Graduate College whether the applicant should be granted regular or provisional admission or if admission should be denied. If admission is provisional, the Graduate College specifies in its letter of admission the provisions to be met to gain regular status. Applicants can log into the MyASU system in order to view admission decisions and the admission decision letter.  If admission is granted, the MSD program informs the applicants of the procedures for enrollment.

F. Foreign Language Requirements
None.