{"id":3239,"date":"2020-05-20T15:22:02","date_gmt":"2020-05-20T19:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/?page_id=3239"},"modified":"2025-06-27T13:54:46","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T17:54:46","slug":"doctor-of-design","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/","title":{"rendered":"Doctor of Design"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<p>Established in 2016-17, the professional Doctor of Design (DDes) program is an advanced degree program for established design&nbsp;practitioners, which complements the existing Ph.D. in Design. <\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-fancy-paragraph-fifty ncst-fancy-paragraph is-text wp-block-ncst-fancy-paragraph\">\n              <p class=\"fancy-paragraph__text fancy-paragraph-left\">\n          The purpose of the program is to pursue design research in support of those&nbsp;<strong>professions creating the artifacts, communications, environments, organizing structures, and systems of the future<\/strong>. \n        <\/p>\n      \n      \n<div class=\"ncst-accompaniment wp-block-ncst-fp-accompaniment\">\n    \n<aside class=\"floated-spotlight-aside-container\">\n  <div class=\"floated-spotlight-contents\">\n    <a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-fp-spotlight-card has-indigo-400-background-color with-cta\"\n    href=\"mailto:doctor-of-design@ncsu.edu\"\n  >\n  \n\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Got Questions?<\/h3>\n              \n\n      \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\"><span class=\"text\">Email the Doctor of Design program<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n          <\/div>\n  \n\n\n<p>This unique program offers DDes students the flexibility to continue working while completing program requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>DDes students conduct original investigations through design-based practices, cases,&nbsp;and methods.&nbsp;The program provides a forum for connecting design research to the needs of society, by promoting the application of new knowledge in design and addressing design impacts on larger systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While most of the program is completed online, attendance at one week-long in-residence session&nbsp;held each semester is <strong>mandatory<\/strong> (in person for Fall, virtually for Spring). At the time of admission, DDes students are expected to demonstrate mastery over their respective practices and to articulate a clear, compelling topic along with specific research questions.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-labeled-section wp-block-ncst-posts-feed ncst-featured-content is-card-style layout-three-column\">\n  <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__background\">\n    <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__container\">\n               <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__header\">\n                      <h2 class=\"ncst-labeled-section__heading\">News<\/h2>\n                                <a\n              href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/news\/\"\n              class=\"ncst-labeled-section__link\"\n                                          data-ua-cat=\"Featured Content Block\" data-ua-action=\"Label Link Click\" data-ua-label=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/news\/\"\n            >More Stories<\/a>\n                  <\/div>\n            <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__content\">\n        <a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card \"\n    href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/2025\/06\/10\/spring-2025-designlife-magazine\/\"\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-33314\"\n            alt=\"Designlife magazine cover 2025\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/dlm-feature-2-web.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n          \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n              <p class=\"content-card__meta\">\n                      <span class=\"content-card__date\">June 10, 2025<\/span>\n                            <\/p>\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Spring 2025 Designlife Magazine<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\"><span class=\"text\">The spring issue of Designlife magazine is here! Explore this issue for stories on the magazine&#8217;s new look and feel, the incredible work done by faculty, students and alumni and&hellip;<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card \"\n    href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/2025\/06\/10\/scaling-with-empathy-ai-solutions-for-urban-planning\/\"\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-33312\"\n            alt=\"Lee Cherry in 3D fabrication lab\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/06\/leecherry-3web.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n          \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n              <p class=\"content-card__meta\">\n                      <span class=\"content-card__date\">June 10, 2025<\/span>\n                            <\/p>\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Scaling with Empathy: AI Solutions for Urban Planning<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\"><span class=\"text\">As cities and towns incorporate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) into urban planning, Lee Cherry is asking an important question: how can they best ensure AI is used fairly and ethically?\nThe concept is at the heart of Cherry\u2019s research as he pursues his Doctor of Design from NC State\u2019s College of Design.<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card \"\n    href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/2025\/05\/09\/congratulations-spring-2025-graduates\/\"\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img decoding=\"async\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-33302\"\n            alt=\"College of Design Spring 2025 graduates\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2025\/05\/cod-grads-spring-2025web.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n          \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n              <p class=\"content-card__meta\">\n                      <span class=\"content-card__date\">May 09, 2025<\/span>\n                            <\/p>\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Congratulations, Spring 2025 Graduates!<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\"><span class=\"text\">The College of Design is proud to celebrate the graduates of the spring 2025 class.<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-light\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-light\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n\t      \t    \n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"has-gray-600-background-color wp-block-ncst-big-fact\">\n  <div class=\"big-fact__container\">\n    <h2 class=\"big-fact__heading\">Only Blended Learning DDes Program<\/h2>\n    <p class=\"big-fact__support\">Our program is the only DDes program in the country that offers blended learning (online + on campus) in design research aimed at applications in practice.<\/p>\n    \n\n\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Applications are now being accepted<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Review of applications begins on <strong>March 1st<\/strong>. Priority will be given to applications received by March 1st, although we will consider completed applications on a rolling basis until May 30th.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about DDes admission, please visit our admission page by clicking <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/admissions\/graduate-admissions\/doctor-of-design\/\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"has-aqua-400-background-color wp-block-ncst-contact-section\">\n    <h4>Contact Us<\/h4>\n    <div class=\"contact-card-wrapper\">\n      \n<div class=\"contact-card-item wp-block-ncst-single-contact-card\">\n    <div class=\"single-card-heading\">\n      <span class=\"ncst-icon\">\n        <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M13.8553 17.9217V18.3604H10.191V17.9217H0.403076V19.4025H23.5968V17.9217H13.8553Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M19.1554 8.05268V8.05174V7.06549H9.28589V8.05174V8.05268V9.03893H19.1554V8.05268Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M7.80558 7.06549H4.84448V10.0266H7.80558V7.06549Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M19.1554 12.9872V12.9867V12H9.28589V12.9867V12.9872V13.9739H19.1554V12.9872Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M7.80558 11.5069H4.84448V14.468H7.80558V11.5069Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M21.6231 4.59747H2.37712L2.37524 17.4281H21.6231V4.59747ZM20.7001 16.5117H3.29868V5.51388H20.7001V16.5117Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n      <\/span>\n      <h5>Questions?<\/h5>\n    <\/div>\n    <div class=\"single-card-content\">\n      <p>Please contact\u00a0the Doctor of Design program at <a href=\"mailto:doctor-of-design@ncsu.edu\">doctor-of-design@ncsu.edu<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n    <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Student Testimonials<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"ncst-labeled-section wp-block-ncst-featured-content ncst-featured-content is-card-style layout-three-column alignwide\">\n  <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__background\">\n    <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__container\">\n             <div class=\"ncst-labeled-section__content\">\n        \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-featured-content\"><a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image with-cta\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/people\/kevin-fitzgerald\/\"\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-32714\"\n            alt=\"Kevin Fitzgerald\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-01.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-01.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-01-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-01-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-01-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Kevin Fitzgerald<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">The DDes program has provided the opportunity and community support to add design scholarship to my skill set and incorporate design in projects that frame and address complex and adaptive social problems. I use design in all phases of my consulting practice, particularly when the challenges involve multiple stakeholders. Design helps get the parties on the same page which is essential to articulate a more consensual path for moving forward. <br><br>The design and research methods, studied at the doctoral level through the Doctor of Design (DDes) program, have added new insights to the public administration skills that I bring to my projects. I see these problems with fresh eyes and that has made an incredible improvement in how I approach my work. I am thrilled to be a part of this community of scholars, and would recommend that any interested student talk with Director M. Elen Deming, the faculty and the students.<\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\"><span class=\"text\">See Kevin&#8217;s bio<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image with-cta\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/people\/joseph-joe-m-moore-ii\/\"\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-32716\"\n            alt=\"Joe Moore\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-03.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-03.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-03-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-03-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-03-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Joe Moore<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">In short, my work through the DDes program has allowed me to champion budgets, projects, and programs to re-design the downtown of Zebulon. Without the program, I would not have the skills or research to back-up the budgets I\u2019m requesting. <br><br>This program, by virtue of its setup, faculty and staff, offers things that place it at an advantage over other more established programs. They sympathize with the realities of a practicing professional.<\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\"><span class=\"text\">See Joe&#8217;s bio<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n\n\n<a\n    class=\"ncst-content-card wp-block-ncst-content-card with-image with-cta\"\n    href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/people\/meghan-bausone\/\"\n  >\n  \n\n          <div class=\"content-card__image-container\">\n        <div class=\"content-card__image-background\">\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1500\" height=\"844\"\n            class=\"content-card__image wp-image-32717\"\n            alt=\"Meghan Bausone\"\n            src=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-02-1.jpg\"\n            style=\"aspect-ratio: 16\/9; object-fit: cover; \"\n srcset=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-02-1.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-02-1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-02-1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2023\/02\/testimonials-02-1-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px\" \/>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n    \n    <div class=\"content-card__text-container\">\n      \n                        <h3 class=\"content-card__headline\">Meghan Bausone<\/h3>\n              \n\n              \n\t      \t        <p class=\"content-card__teaser\">Since graduating with my master&#8217;s degree in user experience design from Kent State in 2018, I\u2019ve had the opportunity to apply my skills professionally; however, I soon began missing the opportunity that academia allowed me to openly explore the bigger picture of design. I didn\u2019t think I would have the time to dedicate to a Ph.D. program since I work full-time, so I searched for alternatives \u2013 that\u2019s when I found the DDes program. <br><br>The DDes program has completely reshaped my understanding of design and its applications. During my first week, I was already grappling with the question: what is design? What makes someone a designer? I had to form new definitions for concepts I took for granted that I knew and had never considered. The program has pushed my boundaries, and for that, I can see my professional work through broader and more comprehensive lenses.<\/p>\n\t      \t    \n              <p class=\"content-card__cta\"><span class=\"text\">See Meghan&#8217;s bio<\/span><span class=\"arrow-indicator\"><svg class=\"wolficon wolficon-arrow-right-bold\" role=\"img\"  aria-hidden=\"true\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<use xlink:href=\"#wolficon-arrow-right-bold\">\n\t\t<\/svg><\/span><\/p>\n          <\/div>\n\n  <\/a>\n<\/div>\n\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Established in 2016-17, the professional Doctor of Design (DDes) program is an advanced degree program for established design&nbsp;practitioners, which complements the existing Ph.D. in Design. This unique program offers DDes students the flexibility to continue working while completing program requirements. DDes students conduct original investigations through design-based practices, cases,&nbsp;and methods.&nbsp;The program provides a forum for&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"source":"","ncst_custom_author":"","ncst_show_custom_author":false,"ncst_dynamicHeaderBlockName":"ncst\/split-header","ncst_dynamicHeaderData":"{\"backgroundColor\":\"red_400\",\"cta\":\"Make a gift on March 26\",\"ctaURL\":\"https%3A%2F%2Fgo.ncsu.edu%2Fncovryx\",\"imageID\":26956,\"imageURL\":\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2022\/08\/2022_Fall_DDes_Immersion_Week-3.jpg\",\"pageIntro\":\"The goal of the Doctor of Design program is to create new knowledge and promote its application in the professional design community and society at large.<br><a href=\\\"https:\/\/web.archive.org\/web\/20250207160933\/https:\/\/applygrad.ncsu.edu\/apply\/\\\"><\/a>\",\"useCTA\":false,\"boxPosition\":\"left\",\"ctaNum\":\"one\",\"imageAlt\":\"DDes cohort in the free expression tunnel\",\"focalPoint\":{\"x\":0,\"y\":0.48}}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3239","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3239"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3239\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33325,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3239\/revisions\/33325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/doctor-of-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}