Graduate Program

The Master of Industrial Design degree program was approved by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, in December 2010.

Application Deadlines
Please submit your application by March 15 for anticipated entry in the fall. View application requirements.

Graduate Tracks
This two-year, studio-based graduate program consists of three different tracks:

• Research
  The research track will focus on the creation and application of new knowledge through research and culminate in a thesis.
• Business
  The business track will specialize in commercial issues of management and product development and culminate in a final project.
• Condensed
  Mid-career professionals may apply for advanced standing in the program and follow a condensed track with special emphasis on a final project tailored to build on their existing experience and help them transition into a design management career.

The program is designed to offer the most relevant mix of skills and experience, including directed research programs, internships, international travel and industry-sponsored coursework. Download program details, including credit requirements (PDF)

Those who do not have an undergraduate degree or background in industrial design may need to complete additional graduate-level courses to earn the Master of Industrial Design. Specific requirements will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Contact department chair David Ringholz for more information.

Topic Areas
Alternative business models
Design management
Design thinking
Eco-design
Entrepreneurship
Experience/interaction design
Extended manufacturer responsibility
International vendor management
Product innovation and development
Renewables and biopolymers
Social responsibility
Supply chain and logistics

Application Requirements
Anyone applying to the Master of Industrial Design graduate program must meet the following requirements.

1. ISU Graduate College Application
   US citizen
   International
   
2. Test Scores
   GRE: Required for all applicants; will be used for ranking applications. Our GRE/GMAT department code is 2407; institution code is 6306.
   TOEFL: Required for international applicants; minimum score is 587/677 (PBT), 240/300 (CBT) or 95/120 (iBT). Our TOEFL department code is 15; institution code is 6306.
3. Curriculum Vitae
   Please outline your educational and professional background, and design-related experiences and activities.
4. Portfolio
   Portfolios are required from prospective students with design backgrounds. Only electronic portfolios will be accepted (NO hard-copy portfolios). Please send your electronic application on a CD with 20-25 images of the final work, sketches and process work (not to exceed 2MB each, or 30MB total).
5. Letters of Recommendation
   Three letters of recommendation are required from academic or professional sources. No personal recommendations, please.
6. Interview
   Applicants who are selected for the second round of evaluation will be required to schedule an over-the-phone or in-person interview with the director or a full-time faculty member of the program. International students should make themselves available via Skype at a mutually agreed-upon time.

All materials must be available on the deadline date or you may not be considered for admission. It is your responsibility to make sure all of your materials are on file with the Industrial Design Program.

Application Submission
Send your portfolio CD, CV, and letters of recommendation to the Graduate Coordinator, Industrial Design Program, 146 College of Design, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011. Transcripts and university graduate application should be sent directly to Graduate Admissions, Enrollment Services Center, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-2011, or apply online.

More Information
For more information on this degree program, contact:
Jamie Horwitz, Director of Graduate Education

For application information and other questions, contact:
Mona Pett, Graduate Secretary