Master of Design (M.Des.)/Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.) at Illinois Institute of Technology
Study Design (M.Des.)/Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.) at Illinois Institute of Technology, a Master degree offered at its main campus in Chicago, United States of America. This Full Time program is delivered on campus in English and takes approximately 2 years to complete. Students benefit from a structured learning experience designed to build both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The next intake is scheduled for August 22, 2027.
About Master of Design (M.Des.)/Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.)
The Master of Design and Master of Public Policy and Administration (M.Des. and M.P.P.A.) dual-degree program—the first of its kind in the nation—prepares students to effectively address dynamic and complex civic and social challenges with rigor, depth, and imagination.
Students pursue two graduate degrees, one with the Institute of Design (ID) and one with Stuart School of Business, as they learn to move fluidly between strategic thinking and creative doing and to leverage the strengths of both.
Through the M.P.P.A. programs applied approach, students develop their knowledge and skills in public and nonprofit management, analytics, policy analysis, strategic planning, and effective implementation strategies in the civic space.
At ID, students acquire emerging design competencies suited for work in the the public sector, including:
- Embracing Complexity: Understanding and articulating the context and systems surrounding a problem, creating a shared view of a challenge, converging on an approach, and activating a set of interventions
- Cultivating Possibilities: Unlocking collective creativity, considering diverse interests, and building understanding—all while activating new ways for communities to come together and envision a path to an intelligent future
- Driving Impactful Change: Making an evidence-based case for action and policy change; successfully moving stakeholders to action with data-driven insights and prototyping skills
In hands-on projects and internships in the global city of Chicago, collaborations in Illinois Techs inspiring and supportive community, and their individual work, students in the M.Des. and M.P.P.A. program apply design methods, theory, and knowledge to real-world challenges and opportunities, transforming ideas into realities in the civic and nonprofit sectors.
Producing sharp insights, tangible options, and actionable directives, they graduate able to substantially impact their colleagues and constituencies and to be leaders in their field.
Disciplines
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Design (M.Des.)/Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.) at Illinois Institute of Technology
Entry Requirements
Students must apply and be accepted to both programs: Master of Design (M.Des.) and Master of Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.). Admission to all degree programs at Illinois Tech is highly competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Test scores and grade-point average are just two of several important factors considered.
- Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited educational institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, have a strong record of academic achievement, and be highly recommended
- Applicants from countries whose native language is not English must submit test scores for TOEFL (100 minimum) or IELTS (7.5 minimum)
- Portfolios are required for applicants who possess undergraduate design degrees. Applicants without design degrees are encouraged to apply to the M.Des. program. Regardless of previous degrees, students may be required to complete prerequisite design courses before starting their M.Des. coursework
English Requirements
- PTEMin 48
- IELTSMin 6
- TOEFLMin 71
English Program Requirements
International students who fit into any of the following categories will be considered to have met the requirement:
- Residents of a country where English is the only official language and who is a native English speaker
- Graduates of U.S. high schools
- Completed the equivalent of Iowa State’s English 150 or 250 with a grade of B or better at an accredited U.S. 2 year or 4 year college or university.
CONDITIONAL ADMISSION
If you meet all admission requirements but do not meet our English proficiency requirements, Iowa State offers conditional admission to attend our Intensive English and Orientation Program (IEOP). If you would like to enroll in IEOP, on the application choose "I would like to enroll in Iowa State’s IEOP program before I begin the academic study.”
Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Design (M.Des.)/Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.)
Institute of Design graduates have a greater than 90 percent placement rate and report high job satisfaction. ID career services include structured programs like recruitID and careerID, as well as an active and engaged alumni network and robust events and programming, such as the annual Design Intersections conference. Partnerships with organizations across Chicago and beyond give ID students a range of experience, building their resumes even before graduation.
The Stuart School of Business offers a dedicated Career Management Center (CMC) exclusively for its students, hosting onsite recruiting events, résumé reviews, mock interviews, information sessions, and networking events. The CMC, along with Stuart faculty and alumni, have developed strong networks to help students secure internships at a wide range of governmental agencies, organizations, and companies in the Chicago area.
ID graduates hold positions of influence in companies and design firms such as Amazon, Apple, BCG, Doblin, EY, Fjord, Google, IDEO, INSITUM, Logitech, McDonalds, McKinsey, Motorola, Microsoft, Salesforce, SapientRazorfish, SC Johnson, Steelcase, and Verizon.
Stuart M.P.P.A. graduates lead in organizations such as the American Cancer Society, City of Chicago, Chicago Police Department, Chicago Transit Authority, Chinese American Service League, Federal Aviation Administration, Lincoln Park Zoo, Metra, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, and the State of Illinois.
Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Design (M.Des.)/Public Policy and Administration (M.P.P.A.) at Illinois Institute of Technology
United States of America, Chicago