Overview

We offer a Doctor of Design degree at the Carnegie Mellon University.

Features

The Doctor of Design (DDes) (formerly Doctor of Professional Practice) is a three-year program for mid-career professionals aspiring to solve advanced problems in the fields of architecture, engineering or construction. Modes of study include conference and video calls, web-based learning, field work, professional practice work, international exchange and institutional meetings and conferences.

Unlike academically founded graduate programs, the DDes is based on the assumption that mid-career professionals can develop doctoral-level research, building on their tacit knowledge acquired through years of professional practice. The cohorts in this program come from various AEC (Architecture–Engineering–Construction) fields, as well as from various states in the U.S. and nations of the world. The program is a collaborative effort with Université Paul Sabatier in Toulouse.

We seek self-motivated cohorts who thrive in multitasking situations and are able to manage concurrently the DDes program requirements and their full-time professional practice responsibilities. Thanks to a sophisticated distance-delivery system, the program accommodates participation both in residence (Pittsburgh) and remotely.

Programme Structure

Curriculum:

Research methods

Sustainability and building science

Computational design for building performance

BIM, computational design, and design thinking

Advanced construction

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-08-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-02-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

120

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TOEFL^® IBT

100

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IELTS

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Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Pittsburgh, United States

Disciplines

Design View 20 other PhDs in Design in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

100

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Applicants are required to pay the $75 application fee.

Submit a Personal Statement that describes why CMU is a good fit for you at this point in your career, what specific focus areas you may want to explore in the Graduate Program, and your aspirations and plans for the future after leaving CMU, including how you hope to position yourself in design, research, and/or practice.

Upload to your application, a 30-second introductory video that tells us something about you and your personal interests in architecture or the built environment.

Upload to your application as a PDF document, your resume/CV summarizing your education, employment experience, professional qualifications, and any noteworthy achievements.

Upload to SlideRoom a 25-30 page portfolio formatted in single spreads (landscape or portrait) and saved as a single PDF document

Upload a PDF document copy of your unofficial college transcript(s).

Standardized Test (GRE)

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

43000 USD / year

≈ 43000 USD / year
Out-of-State

43000 USD / year

≈ 43000 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

43000 USD / year

≈ 43000 USD / year

Living costs

Pittsburgh

United States

1148 - 1944 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find PhD's scholarship opportunities for Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Features

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Pittsburgh

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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