DESIGN-MS - Design (MS)
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Program Overview
Welcome to Design! The DESIGN-MS bulletin outlines 2026-2027 degree requirements for students pursuing the Master of Science degree (MS) from the School of Engineering. The master's degree is only offered to active students admitted through Graduate Admissions. The degree is administered by the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford (The Stanford d.school). 100% completion of all degree requirements within this engineering program, along with meeting Graduate Academic Progress, can lead to the conferral of the Master of Science in Design (DESIGN-MS).
Master of Science (MS) Design students (nicknamed Loftees) will develop a strong practice in human-centered design abilities, making, creativity, and applied project work in their chosen domain. The first year foregrounds a structured design practice that pushes to stretch intellectually and grow their skills as makers across mediums. Students will advance in focus through choosing one method and identify a domain focus. A Method will allow students to gain a depth of practice in a select set of mediums. The Domain area will allow exploring challenges in different disciplines where designers can have an impact, and where there are increasing academic and professional opportunities.
The degree prepares students for further study in design, design careers in public or private sector institutions, entrepreneurial endeavors, and even careers that may not yet exist.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
Project Based Design Work courses are taken early in your time with the program. They focus on project-based learning experiences.
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A) (DESIGN 301) and (DESIGN 341) are taken in the first quarter of graduate studies.
B) (DESIGN 341) is taken in spring quarter of your first year of graduate studies.
C) (DESIGN 231) is a prerequisite for (DESIGN 341).
Human Factors will help you explore the differentiation of design from other making professions. Graduate Design Research Techniques will draw from the philosophy of Bob McKim to emphasize the centrality of "need" through hands-on, design research challenges.
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A) (DESIGN 231) is taken in winter quarter of your first year of graduate studies. It serves as a prerequisite to (DESIGN 341).
These ethics-centric classes push you to wrestle with the ethical implications of your design work.
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A) (DATASCI 294D) is allowed but only if taken for a minimum of 3 units.
You will work on design projects in a team-based setting over your time in the program. Leadership challenges you to level-up from a participant to being an effective, thoughtful leader.
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Visualization courses push you to represent information visually and spatially in your storytelling.
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For Applied Design, you may take any graduate level, project-based elective design course taught at the d.school in winter or spring of the 2026-2027 academic year with prior permission from your advisor. Double-check your class selection with your advisor before enrolling. Lecture and panel-based classes do not qualify.
Courses under three units can not be used for this requirement. Most (but not all) d.school elective courses are appropriate for graduate students. Your advisor can be a great resource to talk out your selection and for guidance.
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For your thesis, you will scope and execute design work that integrates and draws upon what you have learned across your methods depth and domain focus area. You will take all three classes within the thesis sequence in their final year of graduate studies.
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A) (ME 203) must be taken in year one of graduate study.
B) It is recommended to take this class early, if space/enrollment allows, should it help you decide if Physical Making will be your Methods Depth.
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A) (ME 219), (ME 318), (ME 324), and (ME 325) are courses in high demand with limited capacity. Admission isn’t guaranteed and students should plan to be flexible and have backup options.
B) Note: Some of these classes may not be offered in a given academic year.
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A) (CS 106A), (CS 106B), or higher level CS class (by advisor’s permission) must be taken in year one of graduate study.
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This course should be taken in year one of graduate study.
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A Methods Depth lets you take classes across the university to sharpen making skills, abilities, and gain professional fluency. Units for each Method should range from 8-10 units. Within each method you will take three classes with a focus on foundational understanding and application. You should decide on your Method depth no later than Winter quarter of your first year of graduate studies. You must choose one of three Method Depths tracks listed below.
[1] Physical Design + Manufacturing — Methods range from classes on materials and mechanisms (to understand what is possible with physical design) to manufacturing processes and supply chain logistics (to understand how physical design is implemented).
[2] Emerging Technologies + Digital User Experience — Methods range from foundational programming methodologies and human-computer interaction classes to applied courses on digital prototyping, user experience design, and incorporating AI and data science.
[3] Human Behavior + Multi-stakeholder Research — Methods span qualitative and quantitative approaches to better understand people – who we are, what we do, and why we do it. Classes focus on communication, data science, and psychology to help understand how to design for the human experience.
Fulfill ANY of the following requirements:
A Domain Focus Area is a unique opportunity for you to immerse in a field that you are curious about or motivated by. You can apply their design abilities within a specific context, and emerge having a changed perspective. Domain courses give you a breadth and depth understanding of a context where design work might be applied.
To fulfill a Domain, you will identify the name of your focus and pursue a rigorous course load that is pre-planned and coordinated with your faculty advisor. Units are expected to be a minimum of 8 units, and all courses must have alignment with the scope of your Domain.
Note: After your Domain is defined and all classes coordinated with your faculty advisor, the Design Student Services Officer will setup your My Academic Path (MAP) page to account for those classes in the Domain section.