Futures and Design, MS
Quick facts
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
ASU is not currently accepting applications for this program
Degree description
The Master of Science program in futures and design combines future-focused theories and practices, including speculative design, science fiction and foresight studies, to investigate and craft alternative futures. You learn a range of future-oriented theories and methods used by organizations today and invent the theories and methods of tomorrow. You explore a variety of epistemological perspectives and experiential processes to systematically define complex problems and explore robust strategies of change. In doing so, you diversify your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Drawing from social theory, innovation studies and design science, the program develops your capacity to envision new futures across scales of complexity, including objects, platforms, services, organizations and systems. You work in transdisciplinary teams with professional partners from industry and the community to produce compelling visions of that future in diverse media.
The MS program in futures and design is offered by the transdisciplinary School of Innovation Futures. One of the benefits of this program is the opportunity to learn within the Media and Immersive eXperience Center, which offers emerging media technologies and collaborative engagement with the community.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
33 credit hours including the required applied project course (HSD 593)
Required Core (15 credit hours) Electives (9 credit hours) Other Requirements (3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information
HDA 581 Emerging Media Colloquium (3)
HSD 550 Prototyping Futures (3)
HSD 551 Future-Focused Research Methods (3)
HSD 552 Worldbuilding and Imagination (3)
HSD 555 Strategic Design Futures (3)
DSC 584 Internship (3)
DSC 590 Reading and Conference (3)
DSC 592 Research (3)
HDA 580 Practicum (3)
HSD 584 Internship (3)
HSD 590 Reading and Conference (3)
HSD 592 Research (3)
HSD 593 Applied Project (6)
Students take the one credit hour course HDA 581 Emerging Media Colloquium three times to attain a total of three credits for the course.
Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirement of both the Graduate College and the Rob Walton College of Global Futures. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field 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 a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Explore expanded study opportunities
Studying abroad is encouraged for graduate students. Nearly all of the Rob Walton College of Global Futures faculty-directed programs offer graduate credit. In addition, the Global Education Office offers more than 50 program opportunities, with programs on every continent.
Faculty-directed programs tend to be the best fit for graduate students; taking courses with ASU professors over the summer or during academic breaks offers students close mentorship and professional network growth in many fields of study while they earn ASU credit. Exchange program participation is also possible with careful planning.
Students can find programs specific to their interests on the Rob Walton College of Global Futures Study Abroad webpage, and additional opportunities and information on the ASU Global Education Office website. These sites also include additional information about applying for funding to support global travel.
Graduate students are also encouraged to apply for funding for international research, study and professional development through ASU's Lorraine W. Frank Office of National Scholarships Advisement.
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
There is an increasing demand for professionals who are trained in navigating uncertainty, design thinking and strategic coping with disruptive change --- key skills that graduates of this program are equipped with. In fact, one of the core methods covered in the program --- scenario planning --- was listed by Bain and Company as one of the top 25 management tools in 2023 (https://www.bain.com/insights/management-tools-scenario-and-contingency-planning/). Harvard Business School has identified anticipation as an essential skill of a strategic leader.
Some career examples include:
- director of futures strategy
- futurist
- global trends manager
- growth strategist
- ideation leader
- issues manager
- principal foresight researcher
- strategic planner
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Innovation Futures
|
MIX 309F
MIXStudents@asu.edu
480-965-4539
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
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. 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.
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.
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.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
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.
