Curriculum
The custom-designed EDI program curriculum focuses on an integrated design process that blends analytical skills, intuition, and creative thinking to develop practical solutions. The 15-month program includes seven core courses open only to EDI students, six elective courses of the student's choosing, and a three-unit thesis project.
Core Courses
EDI core coursework provides students with a high-level understanding of the design process, research methodologies, and innovation strategy through team-based project work.
Guided by iterative prototyping and testing, students work in teams to define design problems and develop concepts for innovative products, interactions, services, and experiences.
All students take seven core courses:
- DSGN 401-1 Human-Centered Design Studio 1 (fall)
- DSGN 401-2 Human-Centered Design Studio 2 (winter)
- DSGN 401-3 Human-Centered Design Studio 3 (winter)
- DSGN 410-0 Design Research (fall)
- DSGN 420 Design Communication and Methods (fall)
- DSGN 450-0 Differentiation by Design (winter)
- DSGN 455 Design Strategy (spring)
- DSGN 499 Thesis (EDI1 spring 1 credit; EDI2 fall 2 credits)
Design Boot Camp
All incoming students must attend a pre-term workshop called Design Boot Camp. Typically held for in September before classes begin, Boot Camp is a set of intensive training sessions that
During Boot Camp, students work on a simple project that allows them to practice their newly acquired skills. Sessions are primarily devoted to instruction, so students are expected to work on their own time to complete the project within the given timeframe.
Summer Internship
During the summer between their third and fourth quarters, EDI students are encouraged to participate in one of several design-related summer internships. Internship opportunities vary and no student is guaranteed placement. For more information, contact Amy O'Keefe, associate director of the EDI program, at edi@northwestern.edu or 847-467-4275.
Grade and Residency Requirements
EDI students must make satisfactory academic progress as defined by The Graduate School to qualify for degree completion. In addition, every credit unit counted towards the master’s degree must receive a grade of "C" or better. Students must complete all degree requirements within six quarters of study in order to qualify for the master’s degree.
Students who do not meet satisfactory academic progress requirements will be placed on academic probation for one quarter. If after one quarter academic progress has not improved, students will be subject to exclusion from the degree.
