{"id":2700,"date":"2020-05-20T15:18:40","date_gmt":"2020-05-20T19:18:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/?page_id=2700"},"modified":"2025-02-24T13:56:35","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T18:56:35","slug":"admissions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/phd-in-design\/admissions\/","title":{"rendered":"Ph.D. in Design Admissions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Criteria for Admission<\/h2>\n\n\n<aside class=\"wp-block-ncst-fact ncst-fact has-red-400-text-color\">\n  <div class=\"floated-fact-aside-contents\">\n    <a \n    wp-block-ncst-fact ncst-fact has-red-400-text-color\n    href=\"https:\/\/applygrad.ncsu.edu\/apply\/\"\n          >\n      <span class=\"ncst-icon\">\n      <svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M0 7.82391V24H24V7.82391H0ZM6 22.9439H1.44V18.8161H6.04688V22.9439H6ZM6 18.0469H1.44V13.9219H6.04688V18.0469H6ZM6 13.103H1.44V8.9761H6.04688V13.1039L6 13.103ZM11.52 22.9439H6.91219V18.8161H11.52V22.9439ZM11.52 18.0478H6.91219V13.9219H11.52V18.0478ZM11.52 13.1039H6.91219V8.9761H11.52V13.1039ZM17.04 22.9439H12.4322V18.8161H17.04V22.9439ZM17.04 18.0478H12.4322V13.9219H17.04V18.0478ZM17.04 13.1039H12.4322V8.9761H17.04V13.1039ZM22.56 22.9439H17.9531V18.8161H22.5609L22.56 22.9439ZM22.56 18.0478H17.9531V13.9219H22.5609L22.56 18.0478ZM22.56 13.1039H17.9531V8.9761H22.5609L22.56 13.1039Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M18.8639 3.26392V4.12782V4.56001H18.4322H16.9922H16.56V4.12782V3.26392H7.05609V4.12782V4.56001H6.62391H5.13609H4.70391V4.12782V3.26392H0V7.2961H24V3.26392H18.8639Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M6.62384 0H5.18384V4.03219H6.62384V0Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M18.4322 0H16.9922V4.03219H18.4322V0Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>\n\n    <\/span>\n              <h2 class=\"fact__heading\">Application Deadline  is January 15<\/h2>\n            <p class=\"fact__support\">\n              (Fall Admissions only, No Spring Admissions) \n          <\/p>\n        <p class=\"fact__cta\">\n      <span class=\"text\">Apply Now<\/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>\n    <\/p>\n    <\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/aside>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Success in a doctoral program, unlike performance in an undergraduate or even the professional master\u2019s program, is related directly to the student\u2019s ability to pose challenging questions that drive independent research and collaboration with faculty; engagement with issues and contexts for design larger and more complex than those represented by immediate assignments; and the ability to organize thought through writing. The application package should be convincing in demonstrating these attributes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Application Elements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Academic Transcripts (both Undergraduate &amp; Graduate): Minimum GPA of 3.0\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Applicants must hold a Master\u2019s degree.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>For International students only:<\/strong> English language proficiency shown through completion of one of the following testing methods:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>TOEFL<\/strong> &#8212; at least 80 on the Internet-based Test (iBT) with minimum scores of:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Listening: 18<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reading: 18<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Writing: 18<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Speaking: 18 &#8211; for admission, 23 &#8211; for TA appointment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>IELTS<\/strong> &#8212; at least a 6.5 overall band score with minimum scores of:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Listening: 6.5<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reading: 6.5<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Writing: 6.5<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Speaking: 6.5 \u2013 for admission, 7.0 \u2013 for TA appointment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Duolingo<\/strong> &#8212; a total score of 110 or better with minimum sub scores of:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Literacy: 110<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Comprehension: 110<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conversation: 110 &#8211; for admission, 125 for TA appointment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Production: 110 &#8211; for admission, 125 for TA appointment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><em>English proficiency test scores must be no older than two years (24 months) prior to the beginning of the requested entry term.<\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>GRE scores are not required<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These documents are reviewed initially by the Graduate School and, when all records have been received, are forwarded to the College of Design for consideration by the PhD faculty. Students not meeting minimal thresholds, as&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.ncsu.edu\/graduate\/graduate-handbook\/admissions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">published by the Graduate School<\/a>, will be denied admission. Incomplete applications will not be acted upon with regard to admission.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Statement of Purpose (SoP) and Research Interest Area(s)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Statement of Purpose should include the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An indication of your&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/phd-in-design\/research\/#areas\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/phd-in-design\/research\/#areas\">interest area(s) of research<\/a>&nbsp;in the first line of your statement,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The PhD&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/group\/academics\/phd-design\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">faculty member(s)<\/a>&nbsp;who you want to work with<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The purpose and plan of your study, including, but not limited to reasons for pursuing PhD degree at NC&nbsp;State, research background\/experiences, research topics you are interested in, and career goals\/vision.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Statement of Purpose should show that the applicant:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Has carefully chosen NC&nbsp;State University on the basis of specific faculty or areas of research in which the school has expertise;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Has a clear idea of the research interests that he\/she wishes to pursue;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recognizes the distinction between professional studio-based master\u2019s study and doctoral research in design;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can document past performance that is preparatory to the pursuit of a doctoral degree;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Demonstrates a history of commitment commensurate with the rigor of doctoral study; and<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provides convincing evidence of the ability to write and work independently and collaboratively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Information from the student:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Information supplied by the applicant is the means through which the PhD faculty determine a student\u2019s research intent, readiness for advanced academic work, and the likelihood of success. Information provided by the student should include a written statement describing the fit between the student\u2019s research goals and one or more of the published Research Interest Areas in College of Design literature and this site.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Three letters of recommendation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Letters of recommendation both confirm and support the student\u2019s academic record and provide explanations when the record contains inconsistencies or represents an atypical background. Three letters are required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Portfolio and\/or research publications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Applicants are&nbsp;<strong>required<\/strong>&nbsp;to submit a portfolio and\/or research publication for review within the online application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Got Questions?<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"has-custombg-two-background-color wp-block-ncst-contact-section\">\n    <h4>Contact Us<\/h4>\n    <div class=\"contact-card-wrapper\">\n      \n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-single-contact-card contact-card-item\"><div class=\"single-card-heading\"><span class=\"ncst-icon\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 512 512\" size=\"75\"><path d=\"M295.58 382.33v9.36h-78.17v-9.36H8.6v31.59h494.8v-31.59zM408.65 171.79v-21.06H198.1v42.099999999999994h210.55zM103.35 150.73h63.17v63.17h-63.17zM408.65 277.06V256H198.1v42.11h210.55zM103.35 245.48h63.17v63.17h-63.17z\"><\/path><path d=\"M461.29 98.08H50.71l-.04 273.72h410.62zM441.6 352.25H70.37V117.63H441.6z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span><h5>Newton D&#8217;Souza, PhD<br>Director of Doctoral Programs<\/h5><\/div><div class=\"single-card-content\"><p>phd-in-design@ncsu.edu<\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-ncst-single-contact-card contact-card-item\"><div class=\"single-card-heading\"><h5><\/h5><\/div><div class=\"single-card-content\"><p><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Criteria for Admission Success in a doctoral program, unlike performance in an undergraduate or even the professional master\u2019s program, is related directly to the student\u2019s ability to pose challenging questions that drive independent research and collaboration with faculty; engagement with issues and contexts for design larger and more complex than those represented by immediate assignments;&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":1,"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\":\"Apply Now\",\"ctaURL\":\"https:\/\/applygrad.ncsu.edu\/apply\/\",\"imageID\":23251,\"imageURL\":\"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/phd-in-design\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/13\/2020\/10\/2019-3mt-participants-web-e1603127110850.jpg\",\"pageIntro\":\"For students seeking to advance knowledge in design through in-depth research and scholarship with the aim of improving the human condition, the College of Design offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Design.\",\"useCTA\":true,\"boxPosition\":\"left\",\"ctaNum\":\"one\",\"imageAlt\":\"10 finalists for 3MT\",\"focalPoint\":{\"x\":0.5,\"y\":0.06}}","ncst_content_audit_freq":"","ncst_content_audit_date":"","ncst_content_audit_display":false,"ncst_backToTopFlag":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2700","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/phd-in-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2700","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/phd-in-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/phd-in-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/phd-in-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/phd-in-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2700"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/phd-in-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2700\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23766,"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/phd-in-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2700\/revisions\/23766"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.ncsu.edu\/phd-in-design\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2700"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}