M.A. in Design focused on Health

Logo and graphic element representing the M.A. in Design focused on Health program at UT Austin

M.A. in Design focused on Health

Reimagine Health Through Design

We believe in the power of design to solve the most challenging problems in health. The Design focused on Health Master’s program is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the College of Fine Art’s School of Design and Creative Technologies and Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin. 

In this rigorous 10-month graduate program, you’ll work side-by-side with a diverse group of individuals whose backgrounds may include healthcare, design, education, business, art, engineering, and UT Dell Medical students, passionate about solving complex health issues enabling all people to live well.  You’ll learn why human-centered design is a powerful tool for producing innovative solutions to immediate challenges in the health space, and equally, for imagining possible futures. The frameworks, research techniques, business acumen, and design methodologies you’ll acquire equip you with the skills to reinvent a sector facing unprecedented complexity.

Watch a recent info session

Get Your M.A. in Design

The next M.A. in Design focused on Health cohort begins August 2023.

Apply by the Round 3 (Final Domestic) Deadline: Monday, May 22, 2023

Apply Now

*Please note that you must select Summer as your semester of entry in order to find our program.

Dive Deeper Into the M.A.

students in scrubs in a M.A. in Design focused on Health partnership course with Dell Medical School at UT Austin

Innovative Curriculum

We partner with Dell Medical School to offer one of the only programs in the world where students train deeply in design to impact patient experiences, health services, and higher-quality care.

Kijana Knight-Torres headshot

Design in Health Advisory Council

Our council members are leaders in their fields who collaborate with us on curriculum and provide access to real-world learning experiences.

M.F.A. student in hijab asking a question during a Fall 2022 public lecture with designer George Aye

Frequently Asked Questions

Read our most frequently asked questions about the application process and getting your Master in Design focused on Health, all right here.

SDCT Industry Relations Manager Jamil Hooper presenting an award to Design in Health graduate Divya at 2022 Convocation

From Campus to Career

Design focused on Health students receive one-on-one career consulting, resume reviews, and interview training. Our dedicated Industry Relations team is ready to help jumpstart your professional network.


M.A. Faculty & Advisors

The graduate Design faculty are world-renowned design, medical, and health systems professionals with expertise in design research, system design, and design for social change.

  • Kate Canales

    Chair, Department of Design
    Professor of Practice, Design
    Fellow of Marguerite Fairchild Centennial Professorship
  • Gray Garmon

    Director, Center for Integrated Design
    Assistant Professor of Practice, Design
  • Tamie Glass

    Faculty Director, M.A. in Design focused on Health
    Associate Professor, Design
  • Vic Rodriguez Tang

    Assistant Professor of Practice, Design
    VCFA's Center for Arts + Social Justice Fellow
  • Byron Wilson

    Graduate Advisor, M.A. in Design focused on Health
    Associate Professor of Practice

Student Spotlight

2021 M.A. in Design graduate Jessica Murray describes her journey with Design in Health

Meet Jessica Murray, an inaugural graduate of the M.A. in Design focused on Health and a former design fellow at the Design Institute for Health.

Watch Jessica's Interview