Delivery of this program is 100 percent online: no campus visits are required. An optional on-campus workshop is available each summer during the last week of June (Sunday through Friday), where students may present their research line of inquiry and obtain feedback.
Successful completion requires a minimum of 30 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree, 15 of which must be at the 8000 to 9000 level.
You also may add a concentration in design research to your course work if you require applied research skills to produce evidence-based design decisions or want to utilize design thinking for creative problem-solving. The design research concentration will not appear on your transcript or diploma, however.
The chart below shows when the courses are traditionally offered. Courses are 3 credit hours each, unless stated otherwise. The University reserves the right to change or cancel courses as needed.
The creative project-based MA plan of study is preparation for advanced careers in the design professions and higher education. The non-thesis MA project is an in-depth investigation of a design problem culminating in a design solution or visual research presentation.
Prior to acceptance into the program, you may enroll in up to 12 credit hours as a nondegree-seeking (in some cases, post-baccalaureate) student. Enrollment does not guarantee acceptance. Learn more about nondegree-seeking university student admissions.
States require that the University of Missouri-Columbia be authorized to deliver university-level distance/online education to their residents. Each state handles this process differently.
Please see our state authorization page for more information.
Students residing in all states are eligible to enroll in this program.
