Social Impact track
The Social Impact track of the Creative Technology & Design master’s program prepares students to leverage technology to create equity in access and to support underserved communities in the US and around the world.
Learning in the Social Impact program prepares students to apply information and communication technologies (ICT) to address social issues for impact. The most effective and culturally appropriate solutions balance technology and societal need; through a project-based curriculum, students learn to critically evaluate and apply both.
All students in the Social Impact track share a common passion for tackling some of the world’s most complex problems. Many focus on development issues domestically or abroad; these include accessibility, education, climate change, global health, and policy. Students choose their own path by selecting from a diverse and challenging array of technical focus and critical perspective elective courses.
A diverse student cohort is one of the program’s greatest strengths. A broad mix of talent leads to more thoughtful and thorough development projects and solutions.
A hallmark of the program is the final field-based practicum. Students spend a full semester with non-governmental organizations, development agencies, foundations and technology companies applying thoughtful, real-world interventions that have a social impact. This experience positions them well for careers in the field, sometimes with the same organization.
Construct your own focus area within the Social Impact program, drawing on the diverse resources of the ATLAS Institute and the broader University of Colorado Boulder campus. The following paths are popular within the Social Impact track, but they are certainly not prescriptive: Accessibility, Climate & Energy, Policy, and Entrepreneurship, or join one of ATLAS Institute's Labs or Studios.
GRE: ATLAS does not require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for applications to the Master's program.
International Applicants: All ATLAS degree programs have been assigned the US State Department's CIP code 15.0000, Engineering Technology, General. It is classified as a STEM-OPT eligible degree.
