Creative Leadership and Design, MS
The Master of Science in Creative Leadership & Design is an 18 to 24-month or accelerated (12-month, 4+1 program) graduate program for early to mid-career design professionals seeking education to advance their careers in creative direction and design management or gain knowledge to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities in the fields of graphic, advertising, UX, digital, product, lighting, interior, fashion, and other design.
For admission consideration, students must submit a graduate program application packet. The application process is selective; only students with an outstanding record and strong recommendations will be considered.
Admission to the 12-Month Accelerated Program
Students planning to apply for the accelerated, 4+1 program should seek advising as soon as possible, preferably at the end of their sophomore or beginning of their junior year of study. Students may apply for admission into the accelerated master’s after earning 60 hours of undergraduate coursework. Students must have completed 60 hours of undergraduate credit toward a bachelor’s degree in an area associated with design or creativity.
If admitted, students will complete a 30-hour graduate degree plan. Students will complete up to 9 hours of graduate coursework (three graduate courses) during the last year of undergraduate study. Those 9 hours may also fulfill requirements for the BFA in Graphic Design, the BS in Design Studies, or as general electives toward a bachelor’s degree in an area associated with design or creativity.
Candidates must work with the graduate adviser to determine how the courses will apply to the MS degree. During the semester prior to graduation from their program of study, students should seek advising from the director of graduate studies to plan for the final two semesters of graduate coursework.
At the end of a student’s fourth year, assuming all other graduation requirements are met, the student earns the baccalaureate degree (in Graphic Design or Design Studies.
During the fifth year, students must take an additional 21 hours to complete the Accelerated MS in Creative Leadership degree including 6 hours in Design Project.
Admission to the 18 to 24 Month Program
Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree in an area associated with design or creativity with a GPA of 3.0 or better. If admitted, students will complete a 30-hour graduate degree plan over 18 to 24 months
Program Requirements
12-Month Accelerated Program
Summer (Undergraduate) | ||
The Business of Design | 3 | |
Fall (Undergraduate) | ||
Design, Creativity, and Innovation | 3 | |
Spring (Undergraduate) | ||
Design Entrepreneurship | 3 | |
Fall (Graduate) | ||
Venture Ideas | 3 | |
Design Project I | 3 | |
Creative Direction and Leadership | 3 | |
Spring (Graduate) | ||
New Venture Planning | 3 | |
Funding Entrepreneurial Ventures | 3 | |
Design Project II | 3 | |
Client Service and Project Management | 3 |
18-Month Program
Fall | ||
Design, Creativity, and Innovation | 3 | |
Venture Ideas | 3 | |
Creative Direction and Leadership | 3 | |
Spring | ||
Design Entrepreneurship | 3 | |
New Venture Planning | 3 | |
Funding Entrepreneurial Ventures | 3 | |
Summer | ||
The Business of Design | 3 | |
Fall | ||
Design Project I | 3 | |
Design Project II | 3 | |
Client Service and Project Management | 3 |
24-Month Program
Fall | ||
Design, Creativity, and Innovation | 3 | |
Venture Ideas | 3 | |
Spring | ||
Design Entrepreneurship | 3 | |
New Venture Planning | 3 | |
Summer | ||
The Business of Design | 3 | |
Fall | ||
Design Project I | 3 | |
Creative Direction and Leadership | 3 | |
Client Service and Project Management | 3 | |
Spring | ||
Funding Entrepreneurial Ventures | 3 | |
Design Project II | 3 |