MA-Design

Program Contacts

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 teaches learners how to become a force of innovation by using person-centered design methodologies. 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 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 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

In order to apply for the MD/MA dual degree program, students must be in good academic standing at Dell Medical School. 

Please navigate to the MA in Design focused on Health webpage and follow the application instructions listed there. Please be sure to select "summer" as your semester of entry in ApplyTexas to locate the correct graduate Design program.

Orientation

Program orientation and a 2-week Summer Studio will begin the first week in August.

Graduation

See the Graduation page for more information.