The Bridge M.A. in Design focused on Health program offers UT undergraduates an exclusive opportunity to begin their master’s degree while completing their bachelor’s. This early-start option is designed for driven students eager to bridge the gap between undergraduate studies and graduate-level expertise, accelerating their journey toward becoming leaders in design and health innovation.

M.A. in Design focused on Health Program Overview

The UT Austin Master of Arts in Design focused on Health program is a unique, interdisciplinary graduate program that equips students to address complex healthcare challenges through patient-centered design thinking. By combining principles from design, technology, and healthcare, students learn to create innovative solutions that improve patient care and impact health systems and services. The curriculum integrates patient-centered design principles with cutting-edge ethnographic research, preparing graduates to lead in various healthcare settings, from hospitals and startups to public health and corporate organizations.

Why Choose the Bridge M.A. Program?

The Bridge M.A. program provides a unique path for undergraduates to get ahead in their education. By taking 6 credit hours of graduate coursework during the summer after your junior year, you can jumpstart your master's studies without delaying your academic progress. Along with provisional admission to the M.A. program, you'll gain access to invaluable resources, career services, and networking opportunities, all while still completing your bachelor’s degree.

Key Benefits

1. Early Graduate Coursework: Complete 6 credit hours of graduate courses during the summer following your junior year, giving you a head start on your master’s degree.
2. Provisional Admission: Secure provisional admission to the M.A. in Design focused on Health program as early as your junior year.
3. Career Services: Access career coaching, workshops, and networking events through SDCT’s career services to prepare for internships and post-graduate success.
4. Internship Opportunities: After completing your bachelor’s degree, pursue internships tailored to your career goals, supported by dedicated faculty and industry connections.
5. Networking: Join a community of fellow graduate students and connect with faculty, professionals, and the Design in Health Advisory Council for industry insights and future opportunities.

Eligibility

To apply for the Bridge M.A. in Design focused on Health program, you must be a UT junior with a strong interest in design for health, have excellent communication and collaboration skills, and submit required application materials by program deadline.

Application Process and Requirements

Interested students should apply in their junior year after fall grades are posted. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and students can typically expect a decision within 2-3 weeks. Provisional admission is granted based on academic merit, a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation.

Required Application Materials

• Academic Summary
• Resume or CV
• 2 letters of recommendation – Academic and Professional are both acceptable
• Statement of Purpose - "Share your motivations for pursuing graduate study focused on design in health. Please include how you envision integrating your academic, professional, and/or personal experiences with your graduate studies in design in health, emphasizing how this combination will enhance your ability to contribute to the field in the future."

The Statement of Purpose is a required item to apply to the program and should be no longer than two pages. This is your opportunity to describe your reasons for pursuing graduate study in Design focused on Health at The University of Texas at Austin. Applying to this program means you have an interest in health systems or the healthcare industry and design, even if you’re not exactly sure what part you want to explore in more depth. We’re curious to hear your story – both personal experiences that started you down this path along with academic and professional interests. Share with us how this program will help you achieve your goals in a career focused on health.

Your Bridge M.A. Journey

As a Bridge student, your journey begins with an intensive design workshop in July, followed by a focused, two-week course load in early August. These courses will count toward your M.A. in Design focused on Health degree, setting you up for success as you complete your undergraduate studies and prepare for formal admission into the graduate program.