
Illinois Institute of Technology offers the PhD of Design (Ph.D.) as a full-time degree delivered on campus at its main campus in Chicago, United States of America. Taught in English and completed over 5 years, the program equips students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for design (ph.d.) and related professional fields. The next available intake begins on August 22, 2027.
About Design (Ph.D.)
IIT Institute of Design's Doctor of Philosophy in Design is a top-rated graduate program for those seeking to teach or conduct fundamental research in the field of human-centered design. The first in the United States to offer a Ph.D. in design—and the only design school in the country devoted completely to graduate students—IIT Institute of Design (ID) has been instrumental in determining designs future and demonstrating its significant role in cultures, organizations, and nations.
IDs Ph.D. alumni have gone on to lead noted design programs at universities all over the world and practice at global corporations. By pursuing rigorous research in specialized areas, our candidates directly participate in some of todays most exciting design-focused work.
The research component of the program grows as the student progresses. A dissertation created from this work should make a substantial and original contribution to design knowledge.
Disciplines
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Design (Ph.D.) at Illinois Institute of Technology
Entry Requirements
Applicants must have a graduate degree with a minimum of 32 credit hours and are required to submit three letters of recommendation, a portfolio, statement of interest, and a resume or curriculum vitae. There is no minimum work experience requirement, although two to four years of professional experience is preferred. ID considers full-time internships, volunteer work, and freelance projects as formal work experience. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for any applicant with an undergraduate degree from an institution where the primary language of instruction is not English. A GRE orGMAT score is also required.
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 Design (Ph.D.)
IIT Institute of Design Ph.D. alumni have gone on to lead noted design programs at universities all over the world and practice at global corporations, including:
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
- Intel
- KAIST
- McDonalds Corporation
- Motorola
- Parsons School for Design
- Steelcase
Tuition and Fee Information for Design (Ph.D.) at Illinois Institute of Technology
United States of America, Chicago