In a complex global economy characterized by rapidly evolving standards for the production and management of information, services, and experiences, leaders must exhibit flexibility and a capacity for innovation. Academically rigorous and industry focused, the new Master of Science in Strategic Design and Management program will prepare students to confidently create, manage, and lead design process–driven organizations.
This new master's in design and management, launching in fall 2012, responds to the major restructuring of developed and emerging economies worldwide. Unlike traditional master's degrees in design and management, the MS in Strategic Design and Management incorporates design thinking, service design, and sustainability frameworks. As a design and management graduate student, you will focus on the evolving global economy and be exposed to sophisticated real-world perspectives on operations, sustainability, management, leadership, entrepreneurship, design innovation, and design research.
A 36-credit program, Strategic Design and Management is divided into two broad sections, each characterized by a distinct pedagogy: online coursework in business, management, and leadership and design-centered studio work that combines classes on campus in New York City's Greenwich Village with online instruction.
Coursework includes academic classes and workshops incorporating cutting-edge analyses of the digital information-based economy, which will help students develop new business models and organizational designs for the creative industries. Many classes will be structured to replicate real-world industry situations. These classes will provide hands-on experience in designing, managing, and improving design-intensive and creative firms—and help students develop their capacity to inspire and lead creative teams.
Based in New York City—a global design center and the world's financial capital—this graduate program is well suited for early- to mid-career professionals and recent graduates seeking to complement their design and business skills with professional application. This emphasis affords students exposure to new industry contexts and practices, both within and outside of design-intensive industries.
The program's connections with industry are matched by its place in the intellectual community of Parsons and other divisions of The New School. Housed in Parsons' School of Design Strategies, the program is part of a leading urban university known for its strengths in design thinking, organizational management, nonprofit management, sustainability management, leadership, and entrepreneurship.
Part of the MS curriculum is available as an 18-credit online Graduate Certificate in Design Business. Students must complete six strategic design management, leadership, and innovation courses to qualify for the certificate.
