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Healthcare and Healing Environments, MSD

Healthcare and Healing Environments, MSD

Academic programs / Graduate degrees / Healthcare and Healing Environments, MSD

Environment, Healing, Healthcare, Research, design

ASU is not currently accepting applications for this program.


Program description
Degree awarded: MSD  Design (Design of Healthcare and Healing Environments)

The MSD program with a concentration in design of health care and healing environments is focused on the science and experiences behind the built environment's real and perceived impacts on health and wellness. To this end, the program emphasizes the intersection and integration of evidence-based research and practice, transdisciplinary studies, best practices, and innovation in supporting and advancing the design of healthy environments, products and processes. Students explore and synthesize principles from a variety of disciplines that include innovation, architecture, design, communication, human behavior, policy, quality and performance improvement, among others, to arrive at a thorough understanding of the critical issues facing the health care industry.

Students in this concentration have opportunities to:

  • be mentored by local health care design consultants
  • communicate with forward-thinking health care research centers
  • engage directly with real clients
  • interact with prominent health care organizations
  • participate in industry conferences
  • team with nursing and health innovation faculty and students

At a glance
Degree requirements

36 credit hours and a thesis, or
36 credit hours including the required applied project course (DSC 593)

Students may choose to complete the graduate work by way of a thesis or an applied project. A master's degree thesis is a scholarly endeavor that demonstrates the ability of the author to do supervised research and intellectual writing. The applied project is somewhat different. It includes a project and a written document and is a scholarly endeavor that demonstrates the ability of the designer to do supervised research and present substantial evidence of the ability to apply research creatively to a design situation.

Admission requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts.

Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in graphic design, industrial design, interior design or a related design discipline from a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or they must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

  1. graduate admission application and application fee
  2. official transcripts
  3. portfolio
  4. letter of intent
  5. contact information for three references
  6. proof of English proficiency

Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. The minimum score for admission to the program is 80 on the TOEFL iBT®. Other information for international applicants can be found on the admission services website.

When applying for admission, applicants must declare one of seven focus areas:

  • arts, media and engineering
  • design of health care and healing environments
  • industrial design
  • interaction design
  • interior design
  • new product innovation
  • visual communication design

The portfolio, letter of intent and contact information for three references must be submitted to SlideRoom (https://asuherberger.slideroom.com/#/Login). The Design School requires that these be submitted in addition to application materials required by ASU Admission Services.

Admission to the program is selective. Admission cannot be deferred; students must enroll in the semester for which they are admitted, otherwise they must go through the entire application process again for the year for which they are applying.

A personal interview is not required; however, a candidate wishing to visit the school is welcome and should make arrangements by contacting the department.

Teaching or Research Assistantships
Applicants who wish to be considered for teaching or research assistantships should submit an additional statement outlining areas in which they feel competent to serve as a teaching or research assistant. All interested applicants can apply for a teaching assistantship position online. The link to the application is provided on the MSD website.

All international teaching or graduate assistants whose primary language is not English are required to be certified in their English language abilities. Those individuals whose native language is not English will be required to submit a Speaking Proficiency English Assessment Kit score, which is administered at ASU. Students also have the option of completing the Test of Spoken English, administered directly by the Educational Testing Service. For this group, no personnel action form will be signed until this examination has been successfully completed.

Tuition information
When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.
Program learning outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

  • Engage in scholarly field inquiry involving the language and research of healthcare and wellness design.
  • Disseminate the results of their thesis or applied research in a public forum.
  • Compose a research proposal that embodies methodologies suitable to the research questions identified.
Contact information

The Design School | CDN 162
designgrad@asu.edu
480-965-3536

What are accelerated programs?
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.

3 year programs

These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.

Accelerated master's

These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).

Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
What are concurrent programs?
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
What are joint programs?
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.

What constitutes a new program?
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the “New Programs” option.
What are online programs?
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
What is WRGP (Western Regional Graduate Program)?
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.

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