MS Futures and Design at Arizona State University

Programme overview

The Master of Science program in futures and design combines future-focused theories and practices, including speculative design, science fiction and foresight studies, to investigate and craft alternative futures. You learn a range of future-oriented theories and methods used by organizations today and invent the theories and methods of tomorrow. You explore a variety of epistemological perspectives and experiential processes to systematically define complex problems and explore robust strategies of change.

Faculty: Rob Walton College of Global Futures | Department: School of Innovation Futures | Duration: 33 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Tempe, AZ, United States

What you will study

33 credit hours including the required applied project course (HSD 593) Required Core (15 credit hours) HDA 581 Emerging Media Colloquium (3) HSD 550 Prototyping Futures (3) HSD 551 Future-Focused Research Methods (3) HSD 552 Worldbuilding and Imagination (3) HSD 555 Strategic Design Futures (3) Electives (9 credit hours) Other Requirements (3 credit hours) DSC 584 Internship (3) DSC 590 Reading and Conference (3) DSC 592 Research (3) HDA 580 Practicum (3) HSD 584 Internship (3) HSD 590 Reading and Conference (3) HSD 592 Research (3) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) HSD 593 Applied Project (6) Additional Curriculum Information Students take the one credit hour course HDA 581 Emerging Media Colloquium three times to attain a total of three credits for the course.

Career pathways

There is an increasing demand for professionals who are trained in navigating uncertainty, design thinking and strategic coping with disruptive change --- key skills that graduates of this program are equipped with.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirement of both the Graduate College and the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts personal statement professional resume three letters of recommendation proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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