Application Deadline for Summer Term: April 24; Fall Term: August 8th; Spring Term: January 3
The M.P.S. in Data Analytics and Visualization prepares people from a wide range of professional/educational backgrounds to bring together data and design to visually communicate insights and stories, and supports both recent graduates and experienced professionals who seek to advance their education. Competitive applicants have experience with data, programming languages, and/or visual/graphic design. Because the program is cohort-based, applicants should be prepared to commit to a continuous, 15-month learning experience.
Application Requirements & Procedures for the M.P.S. in Data Analytics and Visualization (MPS)
- Graduate Admission Application Form: completed and submitted online via SlideRoom.
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume: The CV/Resume should provide the admissions committee with information about any experiences or skills you have supporting your candidacy for a data analytics and visualization graduate program. In particular, please list any skills related to software/programs, coding languages, data analytics, or visualization platforms.
- M.P.S. in Data Analytics and Visualization Statement of Purpose (500 to 700 words): Please submit a written statement describing your interest in graduate study in MICA’s Data Analytics and Visualization (Online M.P.S.) program, and why now is the right time for you to pursue it. In particular, please explain what skills/experiences have prepared you for a degree with a focus in both data and design.
If there is an element of your CV/resume or transcript that would benefit from additional context, please share how that factor would be mitigated during your time in this program; for instance, if you had a low GPA during your undergraduate degree, what makes you feel confident in greater academic success moving forward? - Transcripts: An official transcript from the institution that granted your most recent degree will be required of admitted students in order to matriculate. At the application review stage, though, a transcript (either unofficial or official) from EACH institution where you have earned credit is required to enable the admissions committee to effectively assess the candidate’s academic history and preparedness for this program. Our holistic review process, designed to accommodate all learners, including those whose focus may have changed since college, relies more on the individual courses taken than a single metric such as GPA.
- Samples of Data Visualizations: Please provide at least 3 (no more than 5) samples of data visualizations. They do not need to be sophisticated or demonstrate advanced design or data analysis skills; any charts and graphs will help the admissions committee evaluate your candidacy. Please include 1-2 sentences on your role in creating each visualization– cleaning the data, analyzing the data, design, etc. If you don’t yet have any samples of data visualizations to share, it may be helpful to test out the waters by exploring the resources below and completing one of the challenges listed:
- $75 Application Fee: Payable via credit card during the application submission stage online.
- Additional Requirements for International Applicants: International candidates whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in both written and spoken English. Additionally, certified translations of all transcripts and school documentation must be provided. For additional information on international applicant requirements, please visit Information for International Graduate Applicants.
Application Deadline for Summer Term: April 24; Fall Term: August 8th; Spring Term: January 3
The M.P.S. in UX Design invites both recent graduates and experienced professionals who seek to advance their education to apply. Ideal candidates have an undergraduate degree or a robust professional background in a visual art/design discipline coupled with a strong interest in designing for users and leveraging their technical skills and creative abilities to increase their competitive advantage in the field of user experience design.
Application Requirements & Procedures for the M.P.S. in UX
- Graduate Admission Application Form: completed and submitted online via SlideRoom.
- Curriculum Vitae/Resume: The CV/Resume should provide the admissions committee with information about any experiences or skills you have supporting your candidacy for a user experience design graduate program. In particular, please list any skills related to software/programs, coding languages, or research methodologies.
- M.P.S. in UX Statement of Purpose (500 to 700 words): Please submit a written statement describing your interest in graduate study with MICA’s UX (Online M.P.S.) program, and why now is the right time for you to undertake graduate study. What skills from your background have prepared you for this degree? In particular, please share what appeals to you about the field of user experience, as well as what you hope to gain from this degree.
If there is an element of your CV/resume or transcript that would benefit from additional context, please share how that factor would be mitigated during your time in this program; for instance, if you had a low GPA during your undergraduate degree, what makes you feel confident in greater academic success moving forward? - Transcripts: An official transcript from the institution that granted your most recent degree will be required of admitted students in order to matriculate. At the application review stage, though, a transcript (either unofficial or official) from EACH institution where you have earned credit is required to enable the admissions committee to effectively assess the candidate’s academic history and preparedness for this program. Our holistic review process, designed to accommodate all learners, including those whose focus may have changed since college, relies more on the individual courses taken than a single metric such as GPA.
- Portfolio and Portfolio Narrative*: Candidates may submit 3-5 portfolio pieces demonstrating skills relevant to user experience research or design; please also include 1-2 sentences for each piece providing context about how it supports your candidacy for the User Experience Design (Online M.P.S.) program. Pieces such as wireframes, pitch decks, research plans, survey design, case studies, personas, etc., are particularly helpful, but feel free to submit other pieces contextualized within the field.
Note: Candidates can only upload portfolio files (PDF, JPEG, PNG, etc.); there is no option to include Figma links or clickable prototypes. - $75 Application Fee: Payable via credit card during the application submission stage online.
- Additional Requirements for International Applicants: International candidates whose primary language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in both written and spoken English. Additionally, certified translations of all transcripts and school documentation must be provided. For additional information on international applicant requirements, please visit Information for International Graduate Applicants.
*THE PORTFOLIO IS AN OPTIONAL, BUT IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE APPLICATION PACKAGE. WE ADMIT STUDENTS FROM A WIDE RANGE OF ACADEMIC AND PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUNDS, AND UTILIZE THE PORTFOLIO TO ASSESS THE APPLICANT’S ABILITY TO CREATE, SOLVE, AND PRODUCE. OFTEN, AN EXCEPTIONAL PORTFOLIO CAN OFFSET A LOWER G.P.A. OR LESS WORK EXPERIENCE. PLEASE NOTE WE DO NOT HAVE A SPECIFIC PORTFOLIO FORMAT IN MIND, AND ENCOURAGE APPLICANTS TO SUBMIT ANY AND ALL DELIVERABLES THAT DEMONSTRATE CREATIVITY, PROBLEM-SOLVING APTITUDE AND ATTENTION TO DETAIL IN A USER EXPERIENCE CONTEXT. THOSE WITHOUT A PORTFOLIO ARE STILL ENCOURAGED TO APPLY, AS A LARGE PORTION OF THE CURRICULUM IS DEDICATED TO BUILDING OR ENHANCING EACH STUDENT’S PORTFOLIO.
