design science phd

Doctor of Philosophy Admissions

How to apply to isd’s doctor of philosophy  in design science program.

The Design Science PhD program leverages our novel integrative culture to produce unique leaders in design research, practice, and teaching.

This degree is only available on-campus here in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Design Science is an interdisciplinary doctoral program. Design Science students must pursue an appropriate course of study with the right mix of disciplinary depth and interdisciplinary breadth. Each student defines a custom program of study tailored to their background and interests in consultation with faculty advisors and the program committee. An individual student’s curriculum is structured so that knowledge from at least two disciplines permeates their program of study. This is the guiding principle for the DESCI program requirements. This path integrates disciplines from top programs at the University of Michigan to balance rigorous coursework, trend-setting research and practica. Students are required to take a core set of classes that teaches them integrative design processes and research methods, and then deepen their knowledge in two or more disciplines by leveraging courses available across the university. Advised by two faculty in their respective fields, students integrate their disciplines through cutting-edge research to advance the field of design science in their dissertations. Students are expected to complete a one semester equivalent of practicum or internship with an industrial or academic partner to further deepen their learning experience. Our unique approach to integrating design across disciplines provides a culture of support to ensure graduates become “the leaders and best” in design science.

Prerequisites

There can be several degree paths that a student may follow applying for the doctoral program:

• A student with an MS/MA/MFA degree may be directly admitted to the DESCI PhD program.
• Alternatively, a student can apply to a separate discipline-based MS/MA/MFA program, and seek admission to the DESCI PhD program. After one semester of full time enrollment in the Master’s program, the student can apply for admission to the DESCI PhD program as a dual degree student.
• Finally, a student can apply for formal admission to the DESCI PhD program without a master’s degree, but must complete 24 credits of ‘master’s equivalent’ coursework in addition to the 24 required credits for the DESCI PhD Program. The choice of courses will be subject to approval by the Program Committee.

In all cases, DESCI students must have completed the Master’s degree by the time they reach doctoral candidacy in the program. A DESCI student is expected to have good mathematical and analytical skills to be able to conduct rigorous scientific research in design. A good minimal set of mathematical skills for all students are equivalent to the material covered in the following courses: Calculus 1, Calculus 2, and Introduction to Probability and Statistics.

Students admitted to the program must be paired with faculty advisors from two different disciplines. In this way, each student will have dual mentorship throughout their studies at University of Michigan. Identifying faculty advisors who are interested and available to work with a student is a critical part of the admissions process.

Apply Today

Applicants for the Design Science PhD program should use the application administered by the Rackham Graduate School.

Apply to ISD’s Doctor of Philosophy in Design Science

• [email protected]
• 1 (734) 647-7179
• 1075 Beal Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2112

Doctor of Design (DDes)

Professor Martin Bechthold advises students at Autodesk's BUILD Space in Boston.

The Doctor of Design (DDes) program at the Harvard Graduate School of Design is a leading doctoral degree program for highly creative and motivated professionals who wish to conduct rigorous, intensive design research.

The program is geared towards applied research that advances design related knowledge in a broad range of scales from product design to buildings and landscapes to urban design and regional planning. Common to the diverse range of DDes research investigations is the belief that design research makes essential contributions to understanding, analyzing and ultimately improving the built environment in our increasingly complex world.

DDes research is often multidisciplinary and encompasses a broad range and combination of theoretical, applied and technological topics that represent the cutting edge of applied design investigation. DDes research is intimately linked to ongoing investigations of the GSD’s research labs and programs that integrate many DDes students both intellectually and operationally as investigators in ongoing research projects.

Research topics are proposed during admission and are decided upon entry into the program. Student research should align with current faculty research interests, allowing for affiliations with faculty and, possibly, the research labs. Applicants are expected to clearly articulate their research topics in the application by submitting a concise and well-structured research proposal. Typical research areas include studies in urban design and theory, landscape urbanism, novel design techniques and technologies including material systems, design computation, and building technologies, planning and real estate studies, and theoretical investigations of emerging trends in digital design culture. Thesis topics investigate more specific issues within individual or combined research areas, and do not necessarily correspond to individual academic disciplines. Instead, they are often interdisciplinary in nature, involving faculty and resources from other graduate schools at Harvard and contribute to expanding the intellectual range of design research.

The DDes program is highly regarded internationally, and DDes alumni have become thought leaders in their respective fields. Their work promotes and advances improvements of the built and the natural environment worldwide. They hold prestigious positions in private practice, industry, government and academia.

We invite you to review the program details at left. Please feel free to  contact us for more information.

Ali Malkawi Professor of Architectural Technology Director of the Doctor of Design Studies Program Founding Director of the Harvard Center for Green Buildings and Cities

 Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design

The research tradition within the Human Behavior and Design major is based on the social sciences, in particular environmental psychology and human factors and ergonomics. The underlying premise is that systematic, empirical research based in the social sciences, when combined with an understanding of design processes, can contribute to the planning, design, and management of environments that enhance individual and organizational effectiveness.

Program Focus

The Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design at Cornell University is a multidisciplinary program integrating the social sciences and design. Research focuses on environmental settings across a range of scales (from products to buildings to cities), that support safe, healthy and productive behaviors and foster sustainable design and lifestyles.

The program brings together faculty and students with expertise in the fields of interior, industrial and graphic design, architecture, art, design history, historic preservation, design with digital media, building technology, environmental psychology, human factors and ergonomics, economics, and facility planning and management to work on problems related to the interior environment.

The Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design rests on the following basic premises:

• Development of the knowledge base guiding the planning, design, and management of physical settings requires systematic, empirical research.
• The physical environment affects the realization of human and organizational potential including health, safety, comfort, productivity and satisfaction.
• The users of environments are diverse and have different needs. Individual characteristics such as culture, gender, stage in the life course, family structure, role or task affect environmental needs.
• Organizational culture, goals, and structure help shape building design and use.
• The planning, design, and management of good environments require consideration of all users.
• Understanding organizational and human needs is no less critical than understanding financial, technological and aesthetic factors influencing the planning, design, and management of our physical surroundings.
• Multidimensional spatial experiences are heightened through an understanding of design elements, such as circulation, materials, lighting and acoustics.
• Theory provides a foundation that both informs and is informed by research and practice.

The program draws its strength from faculty knowledge and research in the following four areas:

• Environmental Psychology
• Facility Planning and Management
• Human Factors and Ergonomics

Ph.D. Requirements

Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design curriculum requirements  and the graduate student handbook.

People who embrace thinking across disciplinary boundaries and who have a passion for teaching and scholarship are encouraged to apply. The strength of this unique new program is the integration of scientific and creative expertise within the same department. Applicants' prior disciplines might include (but are not limited to): social science, design, or engineering.

For more information, please contact the Graduate Field Assistant at [email protected] .

Applications are due November 1st . Applications are accepted for Fall Admission only.  

In addition to the online application via the Graduate School website , the following required documents must be submitted online:

• Academic Statement of Purpose (within 500 words)
• Personal Statement (limit 500 words)
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts
• Writing sample
• Curriculum vitae
• GRE general test (The desired combined score should be greater than or equal to 310—for the new scoring system effective November 2011—or, a combined score of 1200 for the old scoring system.)
• TOEFL - test for International students (DEA overall minimum: 105, plus Graduate School minimums must be met for each section: writing: 20; listening: 15; reading: 20; speaking: 22)
• OR IELTS - The Graduate School requires an overall band score of a 7.0 or higher on the IELTS

For additional information on how to apply, please visit Graduate School Admissions.

The intent of the Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design program is that all admitted students will be fully funded with tuition, fees, and a stipend for a period of four academic (9 months) years contingent upon satisfactory progress toward the degree.

Prospective Ph.D. Student Application Requirement FAQ

Contact the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) at  [email protected] .

First, you should read papers written by faculty with whom you might like to work to see if your interests align. Carefully review the websites and online materials provided by the program. In your application, describe your experience related to research, statistics, design, etc. Demonstrate your research experience. Describe you interests – possible dissertation research directions. Indicate your goals following the PhD. Request letters of recommendation from people who can speak to your research aptitude, commitment, preparedness, work ethic.

Yes, the Graduate School can help with this, but you must still adhere to our requirements and deadlines. 

No, we only have one admission cycle, applications are due in November for PhD; students start in the Fall semester of the following year.

All application materials are submitted online via the Graduate School’s application system (available on the web at: http://www.gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/applying/apply-now ). 

No, a portfolio is not required for the Ph.D. degree.

No, but scholarly writing sample submissions are preferred (ex: Master’s Thesis; Peer Review Journal Article; Senior Honors Project).

One writing sample is sufficient.

HCD provides four years of funding to Ph.D. students in HBD, as long as students’ progress and performance is satisfactory. This funding could take the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships, fellowships, or some combination and is typically for the nine-month academic year.

No, it is not necessary to have an MS or MA before beginning the PhD.  The strongest applicants are those who have a foundation in research (e.g., have completed a research thesis (undergrad or graduate), have participated in a lab as a research assistant, have perhaps taken a social science research methods class).

For the PhD in Human Behavior and Design, a background in both design and research is preferred, but students may come from a variety of disciplines.

Yes, HOWEVER, if substantial progress has not been made on their Master’s, then it’s a long shot. Applicants should be told the following two things: 1. Their Ph.D. work will take 4 years to complete, and 2. Lack of substantial progress on their Master’s Thesis will be viewed as a liability.

Yes. Note that GRE scores must be less than five years old. See the language proficiency requirement here . 

No. Academic letters of recommendation are valuable and somewhat preferable; however recommendations should be from people who can best assess the qualities, characteristics, and capabilities of the applicant. 

Cornell’s institutional test code for ETS is 2098. DEA’s department code is 4499.

D+EA recommends a combined verbal/quantitative GRE score of 310 (new scoring system effective November 2011) or a combined score of 1200 (old scoring) but this is not an absolute cutoff. Candidates with strong applications, but scores below this level, may be considered. You may submit scores to D+EA more than once if you re-take the test. Your scores may not be older than 5 years. Please plan to take the GRE in time to submit your scores by the application due date. 

No, the GR’s can't be waived.

Yes, GREs can be retaken, but scores must be submitted by the application deadline. 

We strongly encourage you to take the GRE and TOEFL/IELTS tests early enough in advance that your scores will be received by our application due date. We may allow some latitude, however. If your official scores have not arrived by the due date, but your unofficial scores have, we may hold your application if approved by the DGS. Your scores are automatically reported to Cornell by the testing service (ETS) as soon as they are ready, and the Graduate Field Assistant will automatically add them to your packet.

Please see the graduate school's website .

D+EA recommends a GPA of 3.0 (minimum), but this is not an absolute cutoff.

The online application requires you to upload an unofficial copy of each official transcript from each college or university previously attended. To prepare your transcripts, follow the steps below:

Admitted students who accept the admission offer are required to submit an official  transcript prior to matriculation.  For more information visit:  https://gradschool.cornell.edu/admissions/prepare/transcripts/

It is advised that you periodically check your application on line to see if your application is complete, especially if you are waiting for letters of recommendation to be uploaded. D+EA’s Graduate Field Assistant may, as a courtesy, send you a reminder if you have missing information when the committee begins to review applications. If you have questions, please contact D+EA’s Graduate Field Assistant at [email protected] .

Yes, we allow deferments up to one year, but this must be decided when responding to the department’s offer.  To request a deferral, by the "reply by" date (typically April 15) an applicant must first accept the offer of admission and then request (and provide a reason for) the deferral.  Applicants cannot defer admission after declining our offer; instead the applicant must re-apply.

Yes, but this is on a case-by-case basis, and the D+EA Graduate Faculty will make decisions as to what is allowed or not allowed. Typically, you will need to provide a syllabus for your prior course(s).

 If you would like to schedule a visit, you should first make an appointment with D+EA’s DGS. If you would like to meet with other D+EA Faculty, you could also schedule meetings with them while you are on campus. Many students also enjoy taking a walking tour of campus while they are here: http://www.cornell.edu/visiting/ithaca/walking_tours.cfm .    Other useful links include the campus map  and the Visit Ithaca web site: http://www.visitithaca.com/

Ph.D. Program FAQ

Our Ph.D. students often find jobs in academia but some choose to pursue jobs in industry (e.g. Apple, Google) or as design researchers/environmental psychologists within large architecture firms.

Yes, The Graduate School regularly collects and shares information on graduate student experiences and outcomes to support prospective applicants in their decision-making process. For more information please see their metrics and outcomes data .

No, D+EA does not offer online classes for the Ph.D. program.

Yes, the Ph.D. program is STEM certified.

The first two years are dedicated primarily to course work (in your major field and two minor fields).  At the end of year 2, PhD students complete qualifying exams (“A Exam”).  Arrangements for you’re A-Exam are made with your dissertation committee. A dissertation is required.  Years 3 and 4 focus primarily on research and the completion of the dissertation.  The “B Exam” is the dissertation defense. 

Four years.

Yes, PhD students are expected to be on campus for the 4-year PhD degree. For more information please see: https://living.cornell.edu/live/wheretolive/housingoptions/index.cfm  

This depends on what sort of funding is awarded to the doctoral student. In most cases, Ph.D. students will be asked to function as a teaching assistant for at least part of their time in D+EA.