Program History
The Design Science Program at the University of Michigan was founded on the belief that addressing today’s most complex challenges requires more than single-discipline thinking—it requires the integration of diverse perspectives, methods, and ways of knowing. Rooted in this vision, the program was established to formalize and elevate design as a rigorous, research-driven, and interdisciplinary scientific discipline.
PhD Program Origins
The Design Science PhD program was launched in 2006, making it one of the first doctoral programs of its kind in the United States. It was created through a collaborative effort by faculty across engineering, architecture, business, information, medicine, and the arts—who saw a growing need for scholars trained not only to solve problems, but to advance the science of how we design solutions.
Since its inception, the PhD program has supported students in developing deep expertise in at least two disciplines, while contributing new knowledge to design theory, methods, and processes. Graduates of the program have gone on to make impact in academia, research labs, global nonprofits, government, and industry, leading in areas such as health innovation, sustainable systems, mobility, and human-centered technologies.
Growth of the MS Program
In response to rising interest from professionals and students seeking to apply design science to real-world practice, the program launched a Master of Science (MS) in Design Science in 2017. The MS program offers a flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum that enables students to tailor their learning through two areas of specialization, culminating in a hands-on capstone experience. Students apply their design training in a variety of settings—from startups and research labs to nonprofits and global companies.
Together, the MS and PhD programs have created a growing, dynamic community of students and alumni who are committed to using design science to address challenges across domains—shaping products, systems, and services that are not only innovative, but inclusive and impactful.