PhD Design at University of Minnesota Twin Cities

Programme overview

The Design PhD program focuses on the study of relationships between humans and their designed environments. This focus is based on the assumption that design and analysis of environments contributes to the improvement of the human condition. The program addresses theory, research, and application, using a shared disciplinary base from the arts and social and behavioral sciences.

Faculty: College of Design | Duration: 4 years / 34 major credits + 24 thesis credits | Study mode: full-time | Location: Minneapolis, MN, United States

What you will study

Required components: Apparel Studies, Architecture, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Product Design, Common Core, Statistics Course, Related Field or Minor Courses. Students may be required to complete additional credits upon recommendation of their committee.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Apparel Studies Track: An undergraduate degree in the area of clothing textiles (e.g., retail merchandising; clothing design) is preferred. Graphic Design track: an undergraduate or graduate degree in graphic design or a related field is preferred. Alternatively, applicants must have completed at least 12 semester credits of relevant design coursework or a minimum of 3 years of professional design experience. Interior Design Track: an undergraduate or graduate degree in interior design or architecture is required; experience in interior design practice is preferred. For Architecture track: a professional M.Arch degree is required. Eligibility requirements vary by track. Requirements by track are available below, as well as on the design graduate program website: https://design.umn.edu/ Minimum undergraduate GPA 3.0. Admission tests: GRE. Minimum English proficiency for international applicants: TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.5.

Duration: 4 years / 34 major credits + 24 thesis credits

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