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Overview

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Overview

The Master of Arts in Design focused on Health is a first-of-its-kind applied master's degree born from the radical collaboration between the College of Fine Art's School of Design and Creative Technologies and Dell Medical School. The MA in Design focused on Health will learn the design thinking process, sometimes known as humanteaches learners how to become a force of innovation by using person-centered design . This creative, collaborative approach to problem identification and solution generation involves deeply understanding users through in-person qualitative research; generating a large number of solutions through the ideation process; and producing, testing, and iterating solutions to the needs identified. Additionally, students will learn concrete skills in design, from visual design and physical prototyping to service and business design. They’ll also develop their skills in project management, navigating complex stakeholder relationships, communications and storytelling, and creating effective team dynamics and cultures.

Medical students with an existing creative streak will feel right at home in the Design in Health dual degree program, which will leverage both their creative and analytical minds; however, even students who have not traditionally identified as “creative” will find that the design process unlocks the creative potential which exists in everyone, but which is latent in many. Hospitals, health systems, and social service providers are increasingly turning toward design to drive innovations in the way we care for patients in inpatient, outpatient, and community settings. Design doesn’t just push health and healthcare to be more person-centered; it creates a consistent pipeline of innovations ripe for scaling and commercialization, and lends itself well to those with an entrepreneurial bent who are interested in the development of new products and services (though the design program will not focus extensively on the business aspects of commercialization). A background in design will also prepare future physician leaders to serve as a Chief Innovation Officer or Chief Design Officer at a hospital or healthcare system.

Curriculum

Students will take classes that will develop them into “T-shaped” professionals, with a deep understanding of both the provision of care and the design process, and a very broad set of skills, abilities, interests, and experiences that will help them innovate in need areas they identify during the course of their careers as physicians. The classes students will take are far outside the realm of what traditional physicians study, and include courses in the history of design, visual and narrative design, hands-on physical prototyping, service creation, and more.
Students completing their MA in Design focused on Health will not only receive their MA alongside their MD, but will use their project as the centerpiece of a portfolio, which will communicate to future employers the tangible work products of the MA and the individual skills that each student has developed. Additionally, alums will become part of a growing group of physicians and designers—including members of the Design Institute—that can lean on one another as they begin to practice design in medicine in their residencies and beyondmethodologies. MA students will learn design research methods to understand the needs of people seeking health, receiving care, and delivering care. Learners will develop ideation and creation skills to generate new approaches for better health and care systems. Graduate students focused on Design in Health will learn to prototype, test, and iterate solutions based on measuring impact and results that matter. These learners will know how to craft compelling and persuasive experiences, stories, and systems designed to share and widely distribute innovations across systems of health.

Degree Plan

The MA in Design focused on Health is delivered over three semesters beginning in early August. Initial instruction in design thinking, design research methods, prototyping, and visual communication will arm students with the necessary tools for field work and service design, ultimately advancing to systems design and a capstone studio practicum. Additional coursework addresses healthcare law and policy and the business value of design.

The MA in Design focused on Health consists of 40 credit hours. Dell Medical School students must complete 30 credit hours but can choose from 10 optional credits to tailor their education to their medical training and interests. The coursework is structured as follows:

• 6 hours of foundational coursework for design skills acquisition: These courses focus on building core competencies in design methodologies and practices.

• 18 hours of advanced coursework in design and health: This segment delves into complex health issues and emphasizes creating effective, human-centered solutions.

• 16 hours of integrated design in health courses: This coursework culminates in a team-based capstone project. The capstone projects, developed in collaboration with Dell Med, UT, and external stakeholders, are intended to have meaningful and practical impact. The capstone allows students the opportunity to focus on co-creating with a client facing a real-world health challenge.

Click here to view the MA in Design focused on Health curriculum.

Virtual Information

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Sessions

The MA in Design focused on Health program holds information sessions throughout the fall and spring semesters. Check the MA in Design focused on Health webpage for upcoming sessions or a recording of a previous session. 

Degree Format

The MA degree program is delivered in an in-person format beginning at the end of the summer. The program spans three semesters from early August through May. 

Degree Requirements

This program is only for third-year Dell Medical School students who are accepted into the MA dual degree program. The program begins in the summer semester (early August) and concludes in the spring (mid-May). The MA in Design focused on Health program is offered on a full-time, in-person basis. Classes are typically scheduled Monday through Thursday, with additional professional development opportunities on Fridays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., though some courses and events may be scheduled in the evenings and/or on Fridays. 

Prerequisites

To begin the MD/MA dual degree program, students must be in good academic standing at Dell Medical School.

Tuition and Fees

There are no additional tuition or fees associated with this dual degree. Students will continue paying their regular medical school tuition.

Application Instructions

This program is only for third-year Dell Medical School students who are accepted into the MA dual degree program. In In order to apply for the MD/MA dual degree program, students must be in good academic standing at Dell Medical School. 

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See the Graduation page for more information.

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