The Design Leadership MA/MBA, in partnership with the Maryland Institute College of Art, empowers professionals to drive innovation across industries with leadership and design-thinking pathways. You’ll master creative storytelling, sharpen your business skills, and lead with vision across industries, bridging human-centered design, business strategy, and leadership.
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Design Leadership MA/MBA
Where business meets design
Details
-
Fall Term -
Part-time -
Online -
24-30 Months -
60 Credits -
$130,180**See full costs details. All students are considered for scholarships.
Benefits & Highlights
- Earn two powerful degrees from Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and the Maryland Institute College of Art
- Join a collaborative, interdisciplinary cohort
- Pick the pace that works for you with standard and accelerated pathways
Who Should Apply
Creative professionals who want to pair design thinking with advanced business strategy.
Connect with a recruiter
Our recruiters are here to help you with the application process, questions about the curriculum, or how the Design Leadership MA/MBA fits your career goals.
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A dual degree built for the future of business
The Design Leadership MA/MBA combines the strengths of two top institutions to prepare leaders who turn creativity into a competitive edge. Graduates step into senior roles that demand both analytical rigor and design-driven insight.
$
117
k
AVERAGE BASE SALARY
Reported by graduating classes of 2021-25
$
15
k
SIGNING BONUS
Reported by graduating classes of 2021-25
85%
PROMOTED DURING PROGRAM
According to survey responses from graduating classes of 2021-25
Admissions
We evaluate applicants based on their career goals, academic and/or professional backgrounds, and potential to make an impact.
We know your MBA is a big financial commitment. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarships to support your journey. Carey Business School’s scholarships recognize the achievement and promise of our prospective MBA students. Our scholarships support our commitment to diversity and inclusion by amplifying the presence of diverse voices and opinions in the classroom.
- Completed online application
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
- Résumé or CV
- One essay
- One letter of recommendation
- One interview (if invited). Interviews are granted on an invitation-only basis after the initial evaluation of a submitted application
- Official transcripts
- Optional GMAT/GRE score
- $100 application fee
Applications can be submitted through the Johns Hopkins University-wide platform. Select Carey Business School as your preferred school and choose the upcoming fall term you are applying to, then upload all required materials. As soon as our team has received your completed application, we will review your file and reach out with next steps.
Application deadlines
Design Leadership MA/MBA
| Application round | Candidate deadline | Decision release | Deposit deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Round 1 | January 20, 2027 | March 3, 2027 | April 7, 2027 |
| Round 2 | February 17, 2027 | March 31, 2027 | May 5, 2027 |
| Round 3 | March 17, 2027 | April 28, 2027 | June 2, 2027 |
| Round 4 | April 14, 2027 | Rolling | June 2, 2027 |
”I chose Carey Business School's Design Leadership MA/MBA for its unique curriculum and flexibility to amplify my growth and design career."
Andrew
Hinton
Managing Partner and CEO
GL Capital
Curriculum
MBA courses build strengths in leadership, finance, and strategy. MICA’s coursework focuses on creativity, innovation, and prototyping. Together, they develop leaders who can analyze complex challenges, generate creative solutions, and guide cross-functional teams to success.
Core Curriculum
REQUIRED COURSES
In this online program, you’ll gain a toolkit that blends creativity and analysis.
MA in Design Leadership
- Collaboration
- Cultural Relevance and Awareness
- Forecasting and Realization
- Foundations of Design Leadership
- Intersections of Business and Design I & II
- Prototyping
- Sustainability and Social Responsiveness
- The Competitive Advantage I & II
MBA
- Accounting and Financial Reporting
- Business Analytics
- Business Communication
- Business Microeconomics
- Corporate Finance
- Leadership and Organizational Behavior
- Marketing Management
- Negotiation
- Operations Management
- Statistical Analysis
- Strategic Management
Customize Your Experience
ELECTIVES
All students must earn 14 MBA elective credits to graduate. Elective courses may be used to complete a specialization, but this is not required. You are welcome to take any elective courses you like. They may count toward more than one specialization, when applicable.
Specializations
Your MBA should reflect your ambitions. With eight specializations, you can focus on the area that matters most to you. Or, combine courses from multiple disciplines for maximum impact. Specializations are simply a way to help organize your electives by content area.
- Artificial Intelligence for Business
- Business Analytics and Risk Management
- Entrepreneurship
- Finance
- Health Care Management
- Leadership
- Marketing
- Real Estate
Beyond the classroom
Apply what you learn in real time
Consulting projects, case competitions, and global experiences
Your MBA isn’t just about coursework. Consulting projects, fieldwork, Global Immersions, and competitions will take you into the real world to solve real business challenges.
A network that works for you
260,000+ Johns Hopkins alumni worldwide
When you join the Design Leadership MA/MBA, you join the broader Johns Hopkins community. That means a global network, mentorship, and connections across industries that support your career long after graduation.
Happening at Carey
Connect with a Carey ambassador
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