Annual admission to the Master of Design graduate program is on a competitive basis. On average, five percent of all applicants are admitted. Students who are admitted begin their studies during the autumn quarter of the UW academic year. There is no part-time enrollment option.
Eligibility
- Have completed a four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
- A 3.0 GPA for the last 90 quarter credit hours (or last 60 semester credit hours);
- The GRE is not required.
The ideal candidate should have:
- Completed a BA or BFA degree in Industrial/Product Design, Visual Communication/Graphic Design or Interaction Design. We may accept candidates with a degree in a related field (i.e Computer Science, Architecture, Engineering, or Marketing/Advertising/Public Relations/Communication) and;
- At least 1–2 years of experience in professional design practice. The program will consider students who have recently completed an undergraduate design program if they demonstrate substantial intellectual/form-giving capacity, and the ability to work and think beyond the basic tenets of an undergraduate program.
Application Process and Requirements
All application materials are submitted online. Application materials sent by mail will not be considered. The online application cycle opens November 15. If you have any questions while submitting your material for review, please write gradart@uw.edu.
Application Materials
- Application for Graduate Study at the University of Washington (online). To finalize your application, please submit the $90 application fee. Once finalized, you will no longer be able to update your online app, however the department can view your complete application and answer questions. Your application is not complete without the fee.
- Transcripts: Applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each institution from which they have obtained a degree. Applicants who are admitted to the program will be required to submit official transcripts prior to matriculation. Please ensure that the student name and school name appear and that the scan is legible. If you are scanning original transcripts, make sure the pages are oriented upright for screen viewing (vertical or landscape).
- 3-4 Letters of Recommendation: Applicants will be prompted to provide the name and email address of three (max. four) recommenders. The recommenders will be sent a link to the online evaluation form via email. Each letter of recommendation should be written by someone who is able to comment on your qualifications for graduate study. As part of the application process you will be given the opportunity to voluntarily waive your right to inspect the completed letters.
- English Proficiency test scores (for international students): Proficiency in English is required for graduate study at the University of Washington. Therefore, every applicant whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency. You can reference Graduate School Memo #8 and English Proficiency Tests comparison tables for information on the University’s policy. When requesting official TOEFL scores from ETS use institution code 4854 for the University of Washington. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. The application will also prompt you to self-report your test scores. If you have not yet taken the test, please enter the test date on the form. Official scores must be received by the application deadline.
- Statement of Purpose: This statement should clearly articulate your goals and the extent to which the UW MDes program can be expected to prepare you for those objectives. The statement should also describe your background, specifically in the field of design. This could include a description of your design process, your work experiences, your intentions in relation to the work you have submitted, and what you plan to focus on during your graduate study. You should also reference the particular area of design (industrial design, interaction design, or visual communication design) in which you are interested. Your statement of purpose should also include specific areas of interest or topics you might be interested in for your thesis project. Please organize your statement into three essays, answering the following questions:
- Why are you interested in doing a Master of Design? Why this year? Why at University of Washington, in the School of Art + Art History + Design?
- How has your background (professional experience and/or previous studies) sparked an interest in a master's degree? And, what are your career goals after graduation?
- What area(s) of design or specific topic(s) would you be interested in exploring during your two years of study in the MDes program? Do you have a unique passion or interest that connects to design in some way?
- Resume / Curriculum Vitae: Your resume/CV should summarize your educational background, including institutions and degrees earned. It should also include a summary of professional jobs and academic positions held (e.g. Teaching Assistantships), awards and fellowships, and any relevant publications or recognition. Please keep in mind that the design of your resume should also demonstrate your ability to handle typography, hierarchy and fundamental organizational principles.
- Portfolio: The portfolio should demonstrate your knowledge and abilities in the field of design. You will be prompted to upload your portfolio in the online graduate student application in PDF form (not to exceed 30 MB in size) or link to a portfolio website.
- If submitting a PDF portfolio, it should include up to 20 pages of your design work and a cover page. You may include web design, animation, or video content as part of your portfolio by inserting links to these sources within the document.
- If you prefer to submit a link to your online portfolio, you may upload a one-page PDF that includes your full name and the url. Please make sure that it will be clear to the faculty where they can find the portfolio on your site.
Application Deadline
The deadline for all applicants (U.S Citizen, Permanent Resident or International) to submit online applications with all the required materials is January 15, 11:50pm (PST). Late applications will not be accepted and incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Decision Timeline
Faculty typically makes admissions decisions in late February and early March. You will be notified of our decision via e-mail. Applicants can track whether application materials have been received by logging back into their UW Graduate School Application.
Graduate Aid
The School of Art + Art History + Design offers different types of recruitment packages – combinations of scholarships, fellowships, and teaching assistantships – to qualified students in the first year of study. Additional funding is awarded based on funding availability and other factors, including student evaluations and faculty approval.