Some of the top design institutions in the US offer a 1-2 year Master’s in Design degree. The goal of the course is to teach students the procedures and methods used in specific fields of Design. You can enroll in any US university that offers a master’s in Design if you have a bachelor’s degree in Design or a related field and a great portfolio. Student applications are evaluated based on their portfolios and creative intelligence.

The cost of the course ranges from 53,000 to 111,000 USD depending on whether it is offered as a Master of Professional Studies (MPS), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Master of Arts (MA), Master of Science (MS) in Design, or Master of Design (MDes). A student on a tight budget could find the price to be excessive. You can then apply for one of the many scholarships available to study in the US.

Highlight of Masters in Design in the USA

Why Study Masters in Design in the USA?

According to the QS Ranking of 2020, 24 design colleges in the USA are ranked among the top 100 art and design universities worldwide.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that between 2018 and 2028, art and design occupations will add around 96,800 new employment, growing by 3% overall.

Graphic designers and item displayers were the two occupations in the art and design sector with the highest employment rates, respectively, according to Statistica.

Types of Master’s in Design in the USA

Depending on their interests and desired job path, students who choose to study a Master’s of Design (MDes) in the United States can select from a wide choice of specialties. The table below lists a few of the specializations:

Best Universities for Masters in Design in the USA

Five of the top 10 design universities in the world are located in the United States, according to the QS Art and Design Rankings of 2020. The well-known institutions in this nation that provide a Master of Design are listed in the table below:

Course Curriculum Master’s in Design in the USA

The various academic programs offered by design colleges in the USA let students select the best path. There are numerous alternatives available with various degree types. Some of the design specialties and key courses covered throughout coursework while studying in the USA are listed below:

Admission Requirements & Eligibility Criteria for Master’s in Design in the USA

Eligibility Criteria

The following qualifications are necessary for admission to a graduate degree in Design:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Design or a closely related branch of study
• Strong excellence in the sphere of Design
• Experience working professionally in similar domains (varies with the university)
• English language proficiency is indicated by passing recognized tests, such as the IELTS, TOEFL, etc.

Requirements for Admission

The following table lists the prerequisites for the top universities in the USA that offer Master’s degrees in Design:

Documentation Needed for a Master’s in Design USA Admission

When submitting an application for a master’s degree in Design in the USA, international applicants must include the following documents:

• Academic records and diplomas that have been reviewed by NACES/WES or other evaluating organizations
• Submission of translations of non-English transcripts into English.
• Proof of test results is necessary to study in the USA.
• 250–500 word Statement of Purpose Professional CV/Resume
• Two to three letter(s) of recommendation
• When applying to a graphic design program or any other design program, a portfolio is required for the admission application.
• It may be provided as a comic book or DVD with 15–25 photos illustrating the fieldwork.
• Some colleges request the SlideRoom portfolio or provide connections to Vimeo.
• Interview

USA student visa

To study in the USA, you need an F-1 visa. Additionally, Optional Practical Training permits international students to remain in the nation for a year (OPT). The following are the requirements for applying for a visa:

• Passport with 6 months validity
• Form I-20
• Receipt for paying the application fee
• Original transcript of grades from previous coursework
• Evidence of having enough money to study and live in the United States for at least one year.

Master’s in Design in USA Admission Process

To continue with the Master’s in USA admissions process, you can do the following:

• Shortlist Universities

The first stage in applying to multiple US institutions is to narrow down the list of schools you’re interested in based on where you want to pursue your MS.

• Check Deadlines

Check the application dates for the specific courses you are applying for after you have narrowed down your pick of universities.

• Eligibility Criteria 

It’s crucial to review the eligibility requirements before moving on with the application process for an MS in the USA.

• Appear in Standardized Tests

As previously stated, you must have standardized test results to be admitted to an MS program in the United States.

• Arrange Application Process

The following documents could be included in a perfect application package.

1. SOP (Statement of purpose)

2. LOR (Letters of recommendation)

3. CV or Resume

4. Academic Transcripts

Apply

The next stage in the process of applying for an MS in the USA from India is to visit the official website of the universities that have been shortlisted and begin the application.

Look forward to receiving the letter of confirmation

You can check the status of your application on the university website.

Obtain a visa

Applying for a visa is the final stage in the Master’s degree application process in the USA.

Cost of Studying Masters in Design in the USA

The cost of studying abroad might be quite high. International students must therefore plan ahead and estimate their budget before arriving in the United States. These anticipated costs for a master’s in design program are covered in the following section.

Prior Arrival Cost

The pre-arrival expenditures include one-time costs such as application fees, IELTS/TOEFL, GRE, and other fees and payments for a student visa to the USA. The common pre-arrival expenses are shown in the following table:

Tuition Fees for Master’s in Design in the USA

The annual cost of tuition for a Master’s in the Design program at a top university in the USA ranges from 38,010 USD to 70,000 USD. The least expensive tuition is charged at Parsons School of Design, ranked first in the nation among design schools.

Cost of Living in the USA

The cost of living varies significantly depending on the city, the kind of American student housing, the style of living, etc. In New York, a single individual’s average monthly cost of living is USD 1,100, while it is USD 1,114 in San Francisco.

Scholarship & Financial Aid for Masters in Design in the USA

Students are given a variety of international scholarships to study in the USA to help with the costs. These are given out by the relevant universities, the government, and even a few private organizations.

The qualifications for and awards for design-specific scholarships are listed in the following table.

Career Opportunities after Masters in Design in USA

For graduates in Design, there are numerous work options in the USA. For example, graduates of graphic design programs can find employment as interior and landscape architects, industrial designers, and architects. Another well-liked vocational course is fashion design. Nearly 28% of fashion designers are wholesalers of clothing, accessories, and other things.

The median yearly pay for art and design professionals in the USA is shown in the table below: