Today those considering a master design degree program are confronted with an embarrassment of riches. In the past two decades, the number and variety of these programs offered by great institutions big and small have proliferated to an amazing degree.
That’s a good thing, but the decision on which program to choose has become a serious challenge. Two different programs which seem similar on the outside can be as different as apples and oranges. To make choosing even more challenging, master design degree providers all promise professional competence, but the difference in cost, accreditation, length of study, purpose, method of delivery, type of institution and more are vast.
Furthermore, sometimes the title of a program does not fully describe a meaningful difference about the substance of what is being offered. Here are some tips on how to select the best design school.
The Mission Statement: An Important Clue
A school’s mission statement may be aspirational, but it represents what success looks like to those who wrote it. That gives you a clue about what they intend to do for you and your career. Ask yourself if the statement describes goals that are consistent with your own aspirations? Do their definitions match your personal goals? If you resonate with their mission statement, you’re off to a good start.
Study The Curriculum
This is where the rubber hits the road because the curriculum is specifically what you will be studying. Do you see courses that are geared towards your discipline, goals and specifically what you want to learn? The curriculum is the meat of the program.
Talk To Recent Alumni
There’s nothing like a direct word-of-mouth testimonial to find out what a master of design program truly did for a real person in real life. Find someone who has completed the course you are considering and ask them if they would recommend the same for you.
