MBA in Design Strategy: How to Apply
The MBA in Design Strategy program is looking for self-motivated students who are pioneers, interested in collaboration and meaningful change in the business world. Applicants should have strong communication skills and quantitative skills.
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 15, 2009 is the fall 2009 application deadline.
Note: the fall 2009 graduate application is now available (top right).
Application Requirements:
- Application ($50 nonrefundable fee required)
- Portfolio
- 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 $50 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 who have a design background
A personal essay of 1,000 to 1,500 words describing your relevant design and business 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 that you have the ability to create imaginative yet practical solutions to real business problems?
- What issues do you think a business leader should 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?
An optional digital portfolio (CD-ROM, DVD, website) of your professional work. All projects should clearly describe elements of the stated problem, the design process, the finished solution, and applicable outcomes. Due to the volume of submissions received, we are unable to return portfolios. Applicants, therefore, should not submit their only copies of files, artwork, or writing.
Applicants who have a more traditional business background
A personal essay of 1,000 to 1,500 words describing your business experience and how it has shaped your current educational and career goals. In addition, please address the following questions:
- What examples can you give that will illustrate that you have the ability to create imaginative yet practical solutions to real business problems?
- What issues do you think a business leader should 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?
An optional expanded resume, detailing specific responsibilities, achievements, and learning experiences resulting from the positions you've held and the projects you've worked on.
Applicants who have experience in the nonprofit and NGO worlds
A personal essay of 1,000 to 1,500 words describing your relevant work experience and how it has shaped your current educational and career goals. In addition, please address the following questions:
- What examples can you give that will illustrate that you have the ability to create imaginative yet practical solutions to real business problems?
- What issues do you think a business leader should 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?"
An optional expanded resume, detailing specific responsibilities, achievements, and learning experiences resulting from the positions you've held and the projects you've worked on.
Visit Graduate Admissions for general admissions procedures and requirements.
Portfolio
Due to the volume of submissions received, we are unable to return portfolios. Applicants should not submit originals of image files, artworks, or writing samples.
The portfolio may include still images, time-based media, interactive media, or other creative visual pieces. Applicants are encouraged to include examples of personal work, in addition to academic and professional work.
Your portfolio should consist primarily of digital files, ideally 20 to 30 images submitted on CD or DVD (or presented from a website). Note: all submitted files should be Macintosh compatible. 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.
Write your name, address, and telephone number in permanent marker on the jewel case and the disk. If you are submitting a URL, please include the entire website on DVD (as a precaution). Slides are not accepted.
Do not submit work for which your participation was in a production capacity only. All portfolios should be accompanied by a hard-copy descriptive list that identifies each piece by number, title, dimensions, completion date, and any other relevant information.
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 that 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 electronically to CCA.
Interview
Applicants may be contacted to arrange an interview with the graduate Curatorial Practice Program coordinator or a faculty member.
An important note for international applicants to the MBA in Design Strategy program: Due to its low residency format, we are currently unable to issue I-20s to international applicants for the MBA in Design Strategy program at this time. If you are already in the United States on an H visa (employer sponsored), you will be eligible to enroll in the program. However, we will not admit international applicants in need of an I-20.
We do recommend, when it is possible, to mail your portfolio, transcripts, and other supplemental documents together by the deadline date.
All documents and portfolio are due by January 15, 2009:
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 2008-09 academic year were $16,000.
Diversity Scholarships: the graduate division awards several entering students special diversity scholarships. Last year these renewable awards ranged from $8,000 to $20,000 per year.
Information Night
Friday, Oct. 17, 2008: RSVP encouraged.
Apply Online
Application materials should be mailed to:
CCA
Office of Enrollment Services – Graduate Admissions
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
Related Links
MBA Design Strategy
Graduate Studies
Financial Aid
Residency Calendar
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