The Design Leadership MA/MBA, in partnership with the Maryland Institute College of Art, empowers professionals who see design as a catalyst for strategic change. In just 2 to 2.5 years, 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 -
2 Years -
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 Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)
- Develop leadership and design-thinking skills taught by expert faculty to drive innovation across industries
- Join a collaborative, interdisciplinary cohort at the intersection of business, design, and strategy
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
Our Class of 2024 reported this average salary 90 days after graduation.
$
17
k
SIGNING BONUS
Our Class of 2024 Design Leadership MA/MBA graduates received signing bonuses when entering their new careers.
6.8
AVERAGE YEARS OF WORK EXPERIENCE
Incoming cohorts are diverse and experienced. The Class of 2024 was 73% female with an average of 6.8 years of full-time work experience
Admissions
The Design Leadership MA/MBA is for creative professionals who want to pair design thinking with advanced business strategy. We evaluate applicants based on their career goals, academic and/or professional background, and holistic application review.
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
- 1 essay
- 1 letter of recommendation
- 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 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 follow up with you on next steps.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
| Deadlines | Round 1 | Round 2 | Round 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate deadline | January 21, 2026 | February 18, 2026 | March 18, 2026 |
| Decision release | March 4, 2026 | April 1, 2026 | April 29, 2026 |
| Deposit Deadline | April 8, 2026 | May 6, 2026 | June 3, 2026 |
”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 two year, online program, you’ll gain a toolkit that blends creativity and analysis.
MA in Design Leadership
- Collaboration
- Creativity and Innovation
- 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
All students must earn 20 elective credits to graduate. You may earn up to three specializations using these elective credits, but you are not required to earn a specialization. You are welcome to take any elective courses you like. Specializations are simply a way to help organize your electives by content area. Elective courses may count toward more than one specialization, when applicable.
Your MBA should reflect your ambitions. With eight specializations, you can focus on an area that matters most to you. Or, combine them for maximum impact.
- 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 Flexible 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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