This distinctive program draws on the city of Portland, the Pacific Northwest, and the Pacific Rim as living laboratories for students to examine issues such as resource depletion, climate change, urban/rural systems, food systems, and emerging technologies, while taking into account the needs and concerns of human and non-human stakeholders.

Social, economic, and environmental change are vital components of the program, and students pursue research and create work that directly addresses these issues. Students take advantage of new technologies and partner with communities and international knowledge networks.

The second year begins with further exploration of design through collaboration, while providing expanded studio time for further development of capstone projects. The second semester provides support and resources for the completion of the MFA capstone project and written thesis.

See more at the MFA in Collaborative Design and MA in Design Systems program site.