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MBA or MS in Design Thinking & Innovation

The future you starts at JBU

Learn how to identify and solve problems quickly with creative solutions and strategies, and learn how to execute those strategies within an organization.

be inspired.

The future you starts at JBU.

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

In a time where understanding and adapting to the client's needs is vital to remaining relevant, companies are searching for innovative, strategic thinkers with an aptitude for design thinking. Design thinking is the study of customer needs and how to eliminate inefficiencies. They 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.

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)

What to expect as a DTI graduate student at JBU

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. 

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, Dean, College of Business | 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.

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."
Myriah Yam

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

John Brown University admits persons to its programs and activities without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, or gender. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, or gender in the administration of education policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, and other school-sponsored programs.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked regional university (U.S. News Best Colleges 2019), JBU enrolls more than 2,100 students from 38 states and 53 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers 41 majors, with top programs including engineering, nursing, family and human services, biology, graphic design and construction management.

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