DESIGN-MS - Design (MS)
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Program Overview
The DESIGN-MS bulletin page outlines all 2025-2026 degree requirements for students pursuing a Master of Science (MS) in Design from the School of Engineering. This master's degree is only offered to active students admitted into this program via Graduate Admissions. The degree is administered by the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford (the Stanford d.school).
Master of Science (MS) Design students 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 students to stretch intellectually and grow their skills as makers across mediums. Students will advance in focus through choosing one method and identifying 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.
Completion of all requirements within this masters engineering program leads to conferring the Master of Science degree in Design (DESIGN-MS). This 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.
Academic Progress:
Track real time degree progress as a masters student using My Academic Path (MAP).
Familiarize yourself with university requirements for Graduate Academic Progress.
Support is offered by our MS program advisors during the academic year in Office Hours.
Follow key academic dates and deadlines on the Academic Calendar 2025-2026.
Enrollment and Classes:
Plan classes, calculate units, and mark requirements by filling out a Design Program Sheet.
Browse for classes and their descriptions during the academic year on Navigator.
Enroll in classes through Stanford’s new Navigate Enrollment.
Petition requests need written pre-approval via our Design: Petition form.
Admissions Information
Admissions information posted through Grad Admissions and our d.school Admissions page.
View our public webpages on the d.school website in the Graduate Degree section.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
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- 1048342
- 2211894
- 1020931
- 2235451
- 2248421
- 2078711
- 2159261
- 2134461
- 2197651
- 2263481
- 2072332
- 2189732
- 2152784
- 2151002
A) DATASCI 294D is allowed but only if taken for a minimum of 3 units.
- 2027762
- 2136873
- 2260751
- 2183002
- 2128133
- 2094051
- 2258491
- 2186991
- 2084421
- 2103571
- 1045731
- 1045771
- 1010731
- 2194821
- 2188201
- 1059441
- 2255172
- 2246451
- 2245631
- 2248671
- 2186941
- 2095313
For Applied Design, students may take any graduate level, project-based elective design course taught at the d.school in winter or spring of the 2025-2026 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.
- 2012103
- 2079131
- 2263551
- 2222661
- 2267012
- 2245631
- 2248481
- 2255121
- 2259362
- 2254711
- 2183002
- 2248591
- 2255131
- 2245871
- 2254721
- 1048972
- 2128133
- 2106362
For their Capstone, students will scope and execute design work that integrates and draws upon what they’ve learned across their methods depth and domain focus area. Students will take all three classes within the Capstone sequence in their final year of graduate studies.
- 1051082
- 2034752
- 1048902
A Domain Focus Area is a unique opportunity for students to immerse in a field that they are curious about or motivated by. They can apply their design abilities within a specific context, and emerge having a changed perspective. Domain courses give students 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 need alignment with the scope of your Domain.
- 1050941
- 2069441
- 1051121
- 2048211
- 2176001
- 1048951
- 1049201
- 2166971
- 2237361
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) ME 203 must be taken in year one of graduate study.
- 1056441
- 1056451
- 2266611
- 2222771
- 2215993
- 2181542
- 1129752
- 2127631
- 2149051
- 1057361
- 2215291
- 2205711
- 2046501
- 2222401
- 2212611
- 2084012
- 2136071
- 2241461
A) CS 106A, CS 106B, or higher level CS class (by advisor’s permission) must be taken in year one of graduate study.
- 1128832
- 1240621
- 2086642
- 1253961
- 2012081
- 2174092
- 2172402
- 2041792
- 2188201
- 2205711
- 2046501
- 2176841
- 2186121
- 2216111
- 2168272
- 2162041
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- 1244742
A) STATS 110, STATS 191, PSYCH 238, PSYCH 215, or COMM 206 must be taken in year one of graduate study
A Methods Depth lets students 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. Students should decide on their Method depth no later than Winter quarter of their first year of graduate studies. Students 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: