How to apply: Design Leadership MA/MBA

Begin and manage your application by creating your username and password on the Johns Hopkins University-wide platform.

• Choose “Carey Business School” as your school of choice.
• You are able to begin your application, save it, and return to finish it at a later time by logging in at your convenience.
• Your application will not be evaluated until you submit it and all supporting materials are received.
• Use Google Chrome for the best user experience while completing your application.

All official documents for the Design Leadership MA/MBA that need to be mailed (transcripts, credential evaluations, and official test scores) should be sent to:

Office of Admissions
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
100 International Drive
Baltimore, MD 21202

We understand the challenges some applicants are facing in completing their applications. As such, we will work with you individually to ensure your application is complete. Please reach out to an admissions officer for assistance. 

Summer 2025 Application Deadlines

The Design Leadership MA/MBA requires applicants to upload two unique essays through the Carey Business School online application:

• A. Why are you a strong candidate for the Design Leadership MBA/MA degree program? What makes this degree a good fit for you? How will you make a unique contribution to the Carey Business School and MICA communities? (500 words)
• Please answer either essay question B1 or B2. (500 words)
  • B1. Describe your most significant success or failure. Please include the situation, attributions related to it and what you learned from it.
  • B2. Describe a time your ethics were challenged. How did you address the situation and what did you learn?

Be sure your statements capture who you are, what you believe, and what you aspire to do. In addition:

• Use a 12-point font and double space your document
• Indicate which question you are answering at the beginning of each essay
• Do not mail paper copies of your essay to Admissions
• Upload all required essays
• Essays should be 300-500 words

You will also have the optional opportunity to provide any additional clarifying information that you wish to share with the Admissions committee regarding your academic record, personal history, or professional attributes.

READ: Choosing a strong reference for your graduate business school application

Official transcripts from all U.S. schools must be sent electronically. All U.S. transcripts must be from an accredited institution recognized by the Department of Education. Please visit your school’s website to request an official transcript be sent electronically to carey.admissions.transcripts@jhu.edu.

We require transcripts from all institutions where you have attempted more than 15 credits. Final transcripts must show the degrees you have earned. Your admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges/universities attended.

If your school does not participate in an electronic transcript submission system, send official sealed transcripts to the address below:

Office of Admissions
Johns Hopkins Carey Business School
100 International Drive
Baltimore, MD 21202

We require a resume or a CV. Please be sure to have your resume or CV fully updated, and include both the months and years of your various work experiences as strong career experience is preferred.

Who should write your letter of recommendation? We suggest someone who knows you personally and who can speak directly about your strengths and experience. Do not focus on the person in your company at the highest level.

Be sure that you have been in their class, have reported to them directly, and/or you have shared your interest in graduate school with them.

• Please use your recommender’s work email address rather than a personal account like Gmail, which will be more closely monitored in our credential verification process.
• Recommendations from relatives and friends are strongly discouraged.
• One recommendation is required. We will read up to two.

Applicants to the Design Leadership MA/MBA program are not required to take the GMAT or the GRE. However, if you would like to submit a GMAT or GRE test score to enrich your application, you are welcome to do so within the application. We accept scores from both the GMAT and the GRE that are up to five years old and do not have a preference for either test. Be sure to do your research on which exam is best for you. Have your scores sent directly to Carey Business School.

Johns Hopkins Carey Business School Codes:
- GMAT - KGB-B0-98
- GRE – 0834

For more information, use the links below.

• Information on registering and sending GMAT scores
• Information on registering and sending GRE scores

A $100 nonrefundable application fee is due when you submit your online application.

Please review the application requirements for international applicants here:

https://carey.jhu.edu/admissions/international-applicants