How long will it take to earn my master’s degree in design thinking?
Students who enroll full-time in the design thinking program will typically complete
their degree in two years. Students enrolled part-time will complete their degree
in four years.
Does the program require me to come on campus?
The program is a 100% online graduate program. There is no residency requirement and
students need not ever set foot on the Radford University campus.
What does it mean when you say the MFA is a terminal degree program?
A terminal degree is the highest academic degree in any field of study. An M.F.A.
can be compared to a Ph.D. or doctorate and those who hold an M.F.A. are qualified
to teach at the collegiate level.
Will I have time to work a full-time job and enroll in this program?
Yes! We have found that students who work a full-time job can often enroll full time
in the program. If your job is particularly demanding, you have more than one job,
or you have many family demands on your time, you may wish to enroll part-time in
the program.
My employer offers a tuition reimbursement program – does the master’s degree in design
thinking program qualify?
Contact your human resources office for specifics, but many students participate in
their employers’ tuition reimbursement program. In fact, many employers encourage
their staff to enroll in 100% online programs because the curriculum doesn’t require
classroom attendance that might conflict with regular working hours.
Are there any specific technology requirements for the program?
Because the program is offered 100% online, reliable Internet access is required.
Beyond that, your personal computer will be your most important technology tool. Therefore,
we have established minimum standards for your computer. We recommend the Lenovo T520
laptop, but any personal computer that has the following specifications will meet
the program requirements:
- 8GB Memory
- 500GB hard drive
- Graphics: NVIDIA N12P-NS1 1GB Optimus
- Wireless 802.11b/g/n
- 9-cell battery
- Microsoft Office
Is financial aid available?
Yes, for those who qualify. For information related to tuition and financial aid,
refer to the Financial Aid Office.
Are there particular class times when I must be online or may I work on my own schedule?
Design Thinking is asynchronous meaning you can set your own schedule! Professors
may require that work be completed within set deadlines but there are no scheduled
class meetings. It should be noted, however, that the very nature of design thinking
warrants teamwork and collaboration. You will be required to coordinate and schedule
meeting times with team members to collaborate and work on projects.
How will a master’s degree in design thinking benefit my career?
As a design thinker you are empowered with strategies to solve complex problems with
empathy and creativity. These skills are highly valued in today’s market. Additionally,
because you are an online student, you will develop collaborative communication skills
that will enable you to lead domestic and international multi-disciplinary teams to
the development of innovative solutions. Regardless of the discipline, a degree in
design thinking catapults graduates to the top of their field!
I have never taken a course online. What can I expect?
There are three major differences between courses offered on-ground and those offered
online:
- Communication is one of the most significant differences. Instead of meeting face-to-face,
you will interact with professors and peers via e-mail, web-conferencing, instant
messaging and the telephone.
- The delivery of lecture material is also vastly different. Radford University uses
the Design to Learn (D2L) platform to host and manage course materials. Online lectures
differ from the traditional on-ground delivery. Lectures are posted to D2L and may
include audio and/or video presentations. Additionally, students may also be required
to participate in webinars or link to view various online videos.
- The final major difference between modes of delivery is class participation. A critical
component to the online environment, students should expect to engage in discussion
boards, blogs, assignments, projects, and exams.
Because the program in Design Thinking is asynchronous (meaning far less supervision
than a traditional class), students must be self-motivated and disciplined. It is
important to set a schedule (and stick to it!), have the appropriate hardware and
software and become familiar with D2L.
How much time should I expect to spend on coursework?
Online class expectations mirror the rigor of an on-ground course. Each class may
have different expectations but at minimum, students should expect to spend 3 hours
outside of class each week for every credit earned in class (e.g. for a 3 credit course
you can expect to spend a minimum 9 hours outside of class and 3 hours in class each
week).
What does Art-Design Thinking mean?
Our program offers an M.F.A. in Arts-Fine Arts with a concentration in Design Thinking.
