MA: Strategic Communication Design

Our Unique CMCI Studio Learning Environment

The MSCD is based in the state-of-the-art CMCI Studio in downtown Boulder. This unique and flexible space provides a bridge between industry and academia, and empowers MSCD students to work on projects in collaboration with others or individually.

Our graduates have worked for: Google, Apple, Uber, Meta, Twitter, Dropbox, Airbnb, Pinterest, Saatchi & Saatchi, Spotify, Logitech, RG/A, HP, Strava, Sony, Kodak, Salesforce, Adobe, Comcast and Time Warner, among others.

50% of our alumni have held, or currently hold, a position in management with direct reports.
Check out a series of interviews with our alumni →

Curriculum and Requirements

The MSCD takes one full academic calendar year to complete. To graduate, students must successfully complete 39 credits of required courses over three consecutive semesters.

As part of the program, students will create an original body of portfolio work. The portfolio must pass a final critique by our board of industry professionals prior to graduation. Documentation of approval of final portfolio projects must be on file to be eligible for degree conferral.

As a professional master’s program, attendance is mandatory for every scheduled class meeting, along with the completion of every project on deadline.

A complete list of required courses for the program is available through CU Boulder’s university catalog.

Application Review Process

Our rolling admissions process provides applicants with a fast turnaround time from the point of completed application submission to notice of acceptance. Once a complete application has been submitted, you can expect an admissions decision within two weeks.

How to Apply

All MSCD applicants are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, and to have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75. Special accommodations may be made for applicants with ancillary degrees like pre-law or business.

Required forms that should be linked to the application are as follows:

Personal statement
In no more than 1,500 words, please supply long-form answers to the following questions:
- What attracts you to the MSCD program; why are you a good fit for it, and what do you hope to get out of it?
- What particular experiences—personal or professional—have prepared you for work in design?
- What do you envision as the most compelling opportunities for you as a designer and future leader?
If you have a design portfolio, include a link to it in your personal statement. If you do not have a portfolio, include some examples of your creative potential. Examples to demonstrate your creative abilities might be photographs, painting, drawing, digital designs, curation of creative events/exhibitions, etc.
Two letters of recommendation
These need to come from professionals and/or professors. Personal recommendations are not accepted.
Unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended.
We expect applicants to have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75; the average among successful applicants is 3.45 (on a 4.0 scale).
Writing sample
Submit a sample of your writing that you feel is exemplary and representative of your writing abilities.
International students may also need to submit official scores from a test of English proficiency. Applicants should have at a minimum:
- a TOEFL score of 75 (internet-based),
- an IELTS score of 6.0, or
- a Duolingo score of 100.
- Please refer to the graduate school webpage for CU’s English proficiency policy.
A nonrefundable application fee of $60 ($80 for international students)

Learn from industry insiders

Our faculty make this program special. Your classes are taught by experts who bring decades of experience to discussions and projects. Faculty share both their networks and their insights, giving you real-world perspectives that will prove invaluable throughout your career.

In addition to starting their own design studios and consultancies, our instructors bring experience from Apple, Adobe, Microsoft, Facebook, Target and BMW.

Meet the faculty

Frequently Asked Questions

Rather than a single deadline, we accept applications on a rolling basis, which allows us to admit students as they apply. Since you get your admissions decision earlier, you can plan accordingly.

Enrollment varies depending on the quality of applicants, but we accept no more than 24 students each year. It is important that we keep our student-teacher ratio to no more than 12:1.

All classes take place in our ultramodern CMCI Studio facility in downtown Boulder. Students can access to the studio from 6 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., which includes showers, lockers and a bike room for secure storage.

Because the MSCD is an intensive one-year program, students are strongly recommended not to enroll while working full time. Exceptions for CU staff, student-athletes and military students may be considered. If you are interested in the program and have an extenuating circumstance, please contact the MSCD director.

Contact

If you have any further questions or are experiencing any difficulties in relation to your application, contact the Graduate Program Manager. If your concerns persist, you can directly email Parisa Tashakori, the director of the MSCD.

MA: Strategic Communication Design

You are here

Start here. Change everything.

In this section: APRD

Our Unique CMCI Studio Learning Environment

Curriculum and Requirements

Application Review Process

How to Apply

Required forms that should be linked to the application are as follows:

Learn from industry insiders

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact

Search

MA: Strategic Communication Design

You are here

Start here. Change everything.

In this section: APRD

Our Unique CMCI Studio Learning Environment

Curriculum and Requirements

Application Review Process

How to Apply

Required forms that should be linked to the application are as follows:

Learn from industry insiders

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact