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MBA or M.S. Design Thinking and Innovation

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Why get your graduate degree in design thinking & innovation at JBU?

In a time where understanding and adapting to the client's needs are vital to remaining relevant, companies are searching for innovative, strategic thinkers with the ability to study customer needs, eliminate inefficiencies, provide solutions to complex problems and manage teams of diverse people.  A master's degree in design thinking and innovation from JBU will equip you to meet that need by providing you with tools and methods used to identify and solve problems quickly using creative solutions and strategies.  JBU offers both an MBA and MS in Design Thinking an innovation. Descriptions of both are below.

Enjoy a flexible format

Complete your coursework on your schedule 100% online. Every class offers a zoom component with the opportunity to interact with your professor and classmates.

Get certified

During your DTI coursework, you'll earn IBM Enterprise Design Thinking certification at the practitioner and co-creator levels.

Learn to lead

You'll learn various leadership styles and figure out what works best for you and how to lean into it. 

MBA vs. MS: What's the difference?

The Master of Business Administration (MBA) in design thinking & innovation (DTI) is largely quantitative and contains the foundational disciplines of business, while the Master of Science (MS) in design thinking & innovation is a broad degree that focuses more on the people side of this concentration than the different organizational areas. For more details, view the degree requirements for both programs below.

MBA:

  • 36-45 total credit hours, depending on undergraduate coursework.
    • 24 credit hours of MBA core requirements
    • 12 credit hours for DTI concentration
  • Students typically graduate within 2 years.

For more information, click below:

M.B.A., Design Thinking and Innovation Concentration (36 hours)

M.B.A., Design Thinking and Innovation Concentration (45 hours)

M.S.:

  • 30 total credit hours
    • 18 credit hours of M.S. core requirements
    • 12 credit hours for DTI concentration
  • Can be completed in less than 2 years.

For more information, click below:

M.S., Design Thinking and Innovation (30 hours)

Study customer needs and how to eliminate inefficiencies.

People need solutions to complex problems within their organizations, and a master's degree in design thinking and innovation from JBU will equip you to meet that need.

What to expect as a DTI graduate student at JBU

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Learn from experts

Learn from men and women with extensive academic training and real-world experience at companies like Walmart, Procter & Gamble, Saatchi and Saatchi X, Li & Fung, and ServiceMaster.

They will teach you design thinking techniques, give you experience using them, and help you develop real projects using design thinking methodologies. 

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Apply coursework to your career

With hands-on projects in every class, you'll likely find yourself using real-life examples from your life to complete projects and write papers. The knowledge you gain will be immediately applicable as you continue your journey of personal growth.

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Broad application

The design thinking and innovation skills you learn at JBU can be applied in a variety of fields and types of jobs. Whether you're designing software, creating new products or refining business processes, your new skills will help you stand out in your field.

Featured Faculty

Dr. Ryan Ladner, Vice President of Enrollment | Associate Professor of Marketing

Before his role at JBU, Dr. Ladner was a District Sales Leader in the Frito-Lay division of PepsiCo North America. After leaving PepsiCo, he served in various roles in higher education including Director of Enrollment and Assistant Professor of Business at Bryan College and Assistant Professor of Marketing at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

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Next steps

Choosing a graduate program is a big deal, and our staff and faculty are committed to making this process easy for you.

Admission

Our admissions team is here to navigate the application process, so you have all the information to be confident in your decision.

Financial aid

You deserve a transparent, helpful financial aid experience. We'll work with you to ensure you're taking advantage of all of your financial aid opportunities.

Start classes

Most JBU graduate classes happen in 8-week blocks (counseling and education have some 16-week classes). Online and face-to-face class options provide flexibility for your busy schedule. Talk to an admissions counselor for more details on classes in your program.

Why JBU?

See what our alumni have to say...

Myriah Yam

Customer Experience Designer, Arvest Bank

"Everything I learned through the design thinking program directly applies to everything I'm doing. ... I am constantly using the tools I learned."
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Julie Gumm

Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, JBU

"Whether leading my team well, creating efficiencies and improving systems or applying design thinking principles to significant projects, I call on the skills and theories I learned in this program every day. I'm a better leader because of JBU."
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John Brown University

2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500 jbuinfo@jbu.edu

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John Brown University

2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761

479-524-9500 jbuinfo@jbu.edu

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JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.

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