Take a human-centered approach to graduate study.
The Master of Science in Engineering Design Innovation (EDI) program is an 18-month, full-time design innovation graduate program that teaches students from a variety of backgrounds how to address complex design problems using an equity-centered approach to human-centered design. While solving the needs of real people, EDI students are deeply immersed in design thinking — an innovative process of user observation, visualization, rapid prototyping, and iteration. You'll graduate ready to lead cross-functional teams and design groundbreaking new products and services.
EDI students practice user observation, ideation, rapid prototyping, and iteration in a project-based studio environment. They work with multiple stakeholders, students, faculty, industry partners, and practicing professionals to tackle real problems in context.
EDI students have a passion for design. They come from undergraduate programs in engineering, STEM, and related disciplines. The program thrives on its history of rich student diversity.
The EDI program's curriculum includes:
A highly-engaged studio culture is central to how EDI students learn and live during the program.
Thanks to an intentionally small cohort size, EDI students are able to work closely with dedicated faculty members and dynamic industry partners. In this collaborative atmosphere, EDI students gain knowledge and support from one another as well.
The EDI student experience is diverse, both inside and outside the classroom. Explore what makes our program unique.
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Camp EDI is a pre-term orientation workshop designed to familiarize new students with the people, resources, tools, and activities that will define the EDI Experience.
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Electives allow you to deepen your focus in your Areas of Interest as you journey through the EDI program. They also provide opportunities to work with other Northwestern graduate students in areas such as design, communications, and management.
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Thesis projects allow students to apply methods learned in courses on an extended timeline toward a topic of their choosing. Students work with industry mentors to determine appropriate project topics and scopes and meet weekly to discuss their progress.
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Learn about Northwestern's design ecology, the studio culture of the EDI program, and how you'll define your areas of interest during the program.
As part of Northwestern's robust design ecology, EDI students benefit from engagement with students and faculty within the Segal Design Institute and across campus. Resources at Northwestern include the Farley Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and The Garage
