The MBA in Design Strategy program is looking for self-motivated students who are pioneers, interested in collaboration and meaningful change in the world. Applicants should have strong communication and collaboration skills as well as comfort with quantitative processes.

Additionally, students will be required to use computers throughout the program and should have proficiency with business software and using the Internet.

We do not require you to take the GMAT exam, but you will need to be proficient in business math skills (including higher algebra, but not calculus). If you’re worried about your math skills, we can help you assess your abilities and, if necessary, suggest courses to sharpen your skills.

January 5, 2010, was the fall 2010 application deadline.

Application Requirements

• Application ($70 nonrefundable fee required)
• Portfolio (optional)
• Personal essay & résumé
• Two letters of recommendation
• Official college transcripts

Application

Applicants must complete and submit the application online; hard-copy, or paper, applications are no longer accepted. Apply online now. All applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable $70 application fee. (Note: Due to the volume of applications received, CCA is unable to return any materials; please do not submit any original artworks or writings.)

Personal Essay & Résumé

Applicants can have a either a design or nondesign background and work experience in traditional business or nonprofit/NGO worlds.

A personal essay of 1,000 to 1,500 words describing your relevant design, business, or nonprofit organization experience and how it has shaped your current educational and career goals. Please explain what you seek to learn and achieve through this graduate program. In addition, please address the following questions:

• What examples can you give that will illustrate you have the ability to create imaginative yet practical solutions to real business problems?
• What issues should a business leader be curious about and how would you explore these issues?
• What changes are you making in your life to prepare for this program?
• Where do you see yourself in 5–10 years?
• How are you making change today?

While most recruiters advise people to reduce their resume to one page, in this case, we’re specifically looking for more information about your work experience than is common. Your two-to-four-page expanded résumé should detail specific challenges, contexts, responsibilities, achievements, and learning experiences resulting from the positions you've held and the projects on which you've worked.

Visit Graduate Admissions for general admissions procedures and requirements.

Portfolio (optional)

For MBA in Design Strategy applicants, the portfolio is optional. Applicants who submit a portfolio should keep in mind that, due to the volume of submissions received, we are unable to return portfolios. Applicants should not submit originals of any kind (images, artworks, writing samples, etc.). The lack of a portfolio will not reduce chances of acceptance for nondesigners.

The purpose of the portfolio is to communicate your thinking and design processes as well as need-finding and problem-solving processes. Showing finished work alone doesn’t illuminate these processes. More helpful to us is to show fewer projects, in more detail, that describe the challenge, context, learning, and iterations of prototypes during the project.

Applicants may submit a portfolio in the following ways:

• Provide a URL to an online portfolio. We suggest you do not password-protect the site. (As a precaution, you may also send the entire website on DVD).
• Send a CD-ROM or DVD (write your name, address, and telephone number in permanent marker on the jewel case and disc).
• Upload a PDF file with the rest of the application.

All submitted files should be Macintosh compatible. Portfolios may include still images, time-based media, interactive media, and should consist primarily of digital files. Digital files may be in any universal audio, video, graphic, web, or CAD format (e.g., JPG, AIFF, MOV, PDF). SWF format is preferable if submitting work in Flash. Slides are not accepted. Do not submit work for which your participation was in a production capacity only.

Please keep in mind once your portfolio has been uploaded and submitted to the college no further changes can be made. Portfolios are due January 5, 2010.

Transcripts

Official, sealed transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate studies must be sent directly from each college or university you have attended to the Enrollment Services Office—Graduate Admissions (address below and at right).

All admitted students must verify completion of a bachelor’s degree, including official notation of date of graduation, no later than July 1. Unofficial (unsealed) copies are not accepted.

For international applicants, all transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation of the original.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation are required from academic or professional sources. No personal recommendations, please. We highly recommend that you take advantage of our electronic recommendation process. This will ensure we receive your recommendations in a timely fashion, and it is convenient for your recommenders.

When submitting your electronic application, you can provide the email address for your recommenders. Your recommenders will receive the recommendation form electronically and then return it to CCA in a similar manner.

Interview (optional)

Applicants may be contacted to arrange an interview with the program coordinator or a faculty member within the applied-to graduate program.

We do recommend, when it is possible, to mail your portfolio, transcripts, and other supplemental documents together by the indicated deadline.

All documents and portfolio are due by January 5, 2010:

Application material should be mailed to:

California College of the Arts
Enrollment Services Office—Graduate Admissions
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco CA 94107-2247

Phone: 415.703.9523
Fax: 415.703.9539
graduateprograms@cca.edu

Graduate Design Strategy Merit Scholarships

The MBA in Design Strategy admissions committee selects a limited number of outstanding students for the prestigious graduate merit scholarship. Renewable awards in the graduate division for the 2008–9 academic year were $16,000.

Diversity Scholarships

The graduate division awards several entering students special diversity scholarships. Last year these renewable awards ranged from $10,000 to $22,000 per year.

Related Links

• MBA Design Strategy
• Graduate Studies
• Financial Aid
• Residency Calendar
• Tuition & Fees