Design (MFA)
Master's
Northeastern's MFA in Design prepares you to use design principles and research to create solutions to real-world challenges. The theory and execution-based curriculum is centered in creative and critical practice.
Program overview
Build your research-driven design practice
Design is a powerful force—touching all types of societal challenges. Northeastern’s Master of Fine Arts in Design is a terminal degree rooted in critical and creative inquiry, offering students from all backgrounds an interdisciplinary, solutions-agnostic design education.
Throughout the two-year program, you’ll combine in-depth design theory with real-world practice and cutting-edge technologies, mastering design process and research, human-centered design, experience design, information design, interaction design, human-computer interaction, systems thinking, speculative design, and social design—preparing you to build your thesis.
As a graduate, you’ll be prepared to work in design agencies, research firms, and varied private and public companies and institutions.
Design is a powerful force—touching all types of societal challenges. Northeastern’s Master of Fine Arts in Design is a terminal degree rooted in critical and creative inquiry, offering students from all backgrounds an interdisciplinary, solutions-agnostic design education.
Throughout the two-year program, you’ll combine in-depth design theory with real-world practice and cutting-edge technologies, mastering design process and research, human-centered design, experience design, information design, interaction design, human-computer interaction, systems thinking, speculative design, and social design—preparing you to build your thesis.
As a graduate, you’ll be prepared to work in design agencies, research firms, and varied private and public companies and institutions.
- Engage in a flexible curriculum that allows you to focus your degree and prepare for your thesis with research, theory, and technical electives.
- Master topics including systems thinking, speculative design, social design, and human-computer interaction.
- Complete a thesis project in which you will initiate, scope, develop, and defend compelling original research and/or design work that reveals a new understanding of a topic or challenge.
- Learn from faculty with expertise in civic design, data visualization, human-computer interaction, UX design, healthcare design, service design, speculative practice, as well as design ethics and philosophy.
- Gain a pathway to apply for our PhD in Interdisciplinary Design and Media.
Industries where our graduates work as designers include:
- Technology companies
- Healthcare organizations
- Finance companies
- Educational organizations
- Media companies
- Public service
- Creative industries
- Design agencies and consulting
- Exhibition and museum design
- Startups
- Research institutes
Our program prepares you for careers such as:
- Experience designer
- UX designer
- Service designer
- Data visualization designer
- Data information designer
- Data visualization engineer
- Design educator
- Design researcher
- Design strategist
- Design manager
- Product manager
Admissions
Apply to the program
A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.
A graduate degree or certificate from Northeastern can accelerate your career through rigorous academic coursework and real-world professional experience in your area of interest. Apply to take your career to the next level.
Fall Term
| Priority deadline for scholarship consideration: | February 1 |
| Final deadline for international applicants out-of-country: | June 15 |
| Final deadline for international applicants in-country: | July 1 |
| Final deadline for domestic applicants: | August 1 |
Application form
Application fee
Resumé
Personal statement
Transcripts from all institutions attended
The Foreign Credential Evaluation (FCE) is a required assessment of all transcripts and documents from non-U.S. accredited post-secondary education institutions. (Review the FCE requirements by country.)
Three letters of recommendation
Portfolio
MFA Statement
TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo exam scores for international applicants
Program objectives
Prepare for success
Build a proficiency in design concepts and practice to solve challenges across disciplines and industries.
Master quantitative and qualitative design research methods and experimentation for design projects. Analyze and synthesize varied data to inform decisions throughout the design process.
Critically analyze data from multiple sources, case studies, and scenarios. Demonstrate the theoretical and practical value of “thinking in systems” and the power of abstraction.
Combine a working knowledge of analytical methods and personal practice with design principles to translate ideas into solutions. Learn to evaluate the quality of design projects.
Use visual languages, formats, and prototypes to build compelling arguments. Scope, develop, and defend original design work that reveals understanding of a subject.
Connect with us
Want more information?
We’re here to answer your questions about this program, the application process, and more. Complete the form below to receive additional program details and speak with a member of our enrollment team.
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Cost of attendance
Tuition and financial aid
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$126,600Tuition in USD
Estimated Total Tuition
This is an estimate based on the tuition rates for Academic Year 2026-2027 and does not include any fees or other expenses. Some courses and labs have tuition rates that may increase or decrease total tuition. Tuition and fees are subject to revision by the president and Board of Trustees at any time. Select programs at select campuses offer additional scholarships of up to 25% off the listed price for domestic students studying on campus. For more detailed information, please visit Student Financial Services.
For students interested in pursuing financial assistance or educational loans, additional educational costs, known as Cost of Attendance (COA) components, can be included in the calculation of aid and loan eligibility. Components may include food, housing, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, personal expenses, and the cost of obtaining a first professional licensure. You can find comprehensive details on the Student Financial Services website. Please keep in mind that COA can vary significantly depending on academic program, enrollment intensity, and individual circumstances.
There are many ways to pay for your education, including scholarships, financial aid, and more. Connect with a financial counselor to learn about your options and make your dream a reality.
Visit tuition & financial aidAdmitted, full-time master’s students are automatically considered for CAMD scholarship funding as part of the graduate program application review.
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