Admissions process:
The NC State University Graduate School and the College of Design process the submitted application materials. Applications are then reviewed by the PhD in Design faculty for recommendations to the Graduate School regarding admission actions. The final decision to admit an applicant resides with the Graduate School, which sends the formal letters of admission and posts admissions outcomes on the web. Decisions regarding assistantships are made in separate reviews and letters of notification. No special application is necessary.

      Brooks Hall

Criteria for admission:
Success in a doctoral program, unlike performance in an undergraduate or even the professional master's program, is related directly to the student's ability to pose challenging questions that drive independent research and collaboration with faculty; engagement with issues and contexts for design larger and more complex than those represented by immediate assignments; and the ability to organize thoughts through writing. The application package should be convincing in demonstrating these attributes.

1. Letters of recommendation
Letters of recommendations both confirm and support the student's academic record and provide explanations when the record contains inconsistencies or represents an atypical background. Three letters are required.

2. Academic transcripts, GRE scores, and TOEFL scores (international students only).
These documents are reviewed initially by the Graduate School and, when all records have been received, are forwarded to the College of Design for consideration by the PhD faculty. Students not meeting minimal thresholds, as published by the Graduate School, will be denied admission. Incomplete applications will not be acted upon with regard to admission.

3. Information from the student
Information supplied by the applicant is the means through which the PhD faculty determine a student's research intent, readiness for advanced academic work, and likelihood of success. Information provided by the student should include a written statement describing the fit between the student's research goals and one or more of the published Research Interest Areas in College of Design literature and this site.

The applicant's statement of intent should show that the applicant:

• Has carefully chosen NC State University on the basis of specific faculty or areas of research in which the school has expertise;
• Has a clear idea of the design research interests that he/she wishes to pursue;
• Recognizes the distinction between professional studio-based master's study and doctoral research in design;
• Can document past performance that is preparatory to the pursuit of a doctoral degree;
• Demonstrates a history of commitment commensurate with the rigor of doctoral study; and
• Provides convincing evidence of the ability to write and work independently.

Recommended evidence and written discussion that supports the student's statement of intent may include, but is not limited to:

• Reflection and research done in academic coursework or professional practice;
• Publications;
• Critical analysis of recent readings; and
• Breadth and depth of reading and/or research beyond required study.

Design samples submitted for review should be selected for quality of investigation, not quantity of experience. If relevant, they may be discussed with respect to future research.

4. Faculty mentoring
The final criterion for admission is the thoughtful consideration by the PhD in Design faculty regarding their willingness to mentor a particular student. The individual mentoring of doctoral students is key to success; the program will accept only those applicants for whom specific faculty express a research affinity and for whose focus of study there is sufficient coursework. Applicants are encouraged to contact faculty by email for preliminary conversations regarding research interests or the program director, who will direct inquiries to the appropriate professor.

Submission of Applications
Application deadline: January 5 (international student applications have an earlier deadline; consult the Graduate School for dates). Applications received after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Online applications may be submitted at:
www2.acs.ncsu.edu/grad/applygrad.htm

Components of the submission:

1. Application form and fee
2. Two official academic transcripts
3. GRE scores
4. TOEFL scores (international applicants only)
5. Residency statement (US citizens only)

Mail items 1-5 to:
Graduate School Admissions
North Carolina State University
Box 7102 Peele Hall
Raleigh, NC 27695-7102

6. Three letters of reference
7. College of Design Personal Data Form
8. Portfolio

Mail items 6-8 to:
PhD in Design Program
North Carolina State University
Box 7701 Brooks Hall, Pullen Road
Raleigh, NC 27695-7701

The College of Design highly recommends an interview in advance of the application deadline. Applicants interested in arranging an interview should telephone or email the PhD in Design program director at: 919-515-8310 or art_rice@ncsu.edu.



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