Application Requirements
Each academic program at DSI has its own specific admission requirements. These carefully selected application materials enable our Admissions Committee to thoroughly assess your candidacy and determine your potential for success in your chosen program.
Requirements per Program
Admissions Requirements for All Programs
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Evidence of English Language proficiency
- Having earned a degree from a college or university where English was the primary language of instruction; or
- Providing an official transcript indicating completion of at least 30 semester credit hours with an average grade of “B” (3.00 on a 4.00-point scale) or higher at an accredited college or university where the language of instruction was English; or
- Providing a score report that shows having met the minimum score requirement on one of the following English proficiency qualification exams: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL*), Paper-based Test (PBT) score of 530 or TOEFL* Internet-based Test (iBT) score of 71, Duolingo English Test (DET) minimum score of 130.
Admissions Requirements for Professional Certificate
Transcript(s)
- Bachelor’s degree or higher diploma/transcript from an accredited institution or an equivalent degree from an accredited international institution; or
- Associate’s degree diploma/transcript from an accredited institution or an equivalent degree from an accredited international institution with one year of full-time work experience; the work experience can be in a wide range of areas and is not limited to the field of design.
resume
- Resume showing work experiences. A minimum of one year of full-time work experience is required for applicants with an Associate’s degree.
personal statement
- Personal Statement stating career objectives, prior experience, intention of study, and their relevance to the Professional Certificate’s area of intended concentration (Graphic & Visual Design, Fashion Design, or Interior Design).
portfolio
- Portfolio of professional work, not to exceed 2 pages.
Admissions Requirements for Master of Design
Transcript(s)
- Bachelor’s degree or higher diploma/transcript from an accredited institution or an equivalent degree from an accredited international institution.
resume
- Resume showing a minimum of one year of full-time work experience; the work experience can be in a wide range of areas and is not limited to the field of design.
personal statement
- Personal Statement stating career objectives, prior experience, intention of graduate study, and their relevance to the study program.
portfolio
- Portfolio of professional work, not to exceed 5 pages.
passport
- Evidence of a valid passport, or a statement of willingness to obtain a passport upon acceptance, for travel to the required on-site program residency.
Admissions Requirements for Doctor of Design
TranscriptS
- Bachelor’s degree diploma/transcript from an accredited institution or an equivalent degree from an accredited international institution.
- Master’s degree diploma/transcript from an accredited institution or an equivalent degree from an accredited international institution.
resume
- Resume showing a minimum of five years of full-time work experience; the work experience can be in a wide range of areas and is not limited to the field of design.
personal statement
- Personal Statement stating career objectives, prior experience, intention of graduate study, and their relevance to the study program.
research statement
- Research statement, not to exceed 750 words, that describes a preliminary research topic with a supporting bibliography.
letter of recommendation
- Evidence of a valid passport, or a statement of willingness to obtain a passport upon acceptance, for travel to the required on-site program residency.
letter of commitment
- A letter of commitment from a DSI faculty member who will serve as the chair of a supervising dissertation advisory committee.
passport
- Evidence of a valid passport, or a statement of willingness to obtain a passport upon acceptance, for travel to the required on-site program residencies.
