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    Integrated Design and Computing: Doctoral | Atlanta

    Program Description

    The PhD in Integrated Design and Computing (IDC) is a doctoral program that brings together expertise from Georgia Tech’s School of Industrial Design and School of Interactive Computing. The program prepares scholars and research leaders to address complex societal and technological challenges through the integration of design-based inquiry and computational approaches. Students investigate responsible and sustainable systems across products, services, digital experiences, simulations, immersive environments, and emerging technologies. The curriculum combines design theory, research methods, computational modeling, artificial intelligence, prototyping, human-centered design, and interdisciplinary scholarship.


    Program Highlights:
    • Collaboration across the Colleges of Design and Computing
    • Research-intensive doctoral training
    • Human-centered and sustainability-focused research
    • Design and computation studio experiences
    • Strong industry and academic partnerships
    • Opportunities for careers in academia, industry, government, and research organizations

    Areas of Research

    Tracks
    1. Social Impact and Design Futures
    • Participatory and community-based design
    • Sustainable and responsible innovation
    • Design for social impact
    • Human-centered systems
    2. Computational Design
    • Computational modeling and simulation
    • Artificial intelligence and machine learning
    • Interactive and immersive experiences
    • Visualization and emerging technologies

    Application Requirements

    Who Should Apply?

    Applicants with undergraduate or master's degrees in design, computing, engineering, architecture, social sciences, or related fields who are interested in conducting research at the intersection of design and computing.
    • Three letters of Recommendation
    • Essay Questions
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
    • Portfolio
    • Writing Sample

    Institute Requirements

    Standardized Tests

    Test TypeScore RequirementsSubmitting Scores
    TOEFL iBT
    Prior to January 2026
    • 100 or higher Total score
    • 19 or higher Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking subsections
    • Institute Code: 5248
    • Department Code: 66
    • MyBest score is not accepted
    TOEFL iBT
    After January 2026
    • 4.5 or higher Total score
    • 4 or higher Listening, Reading, Writing sections
    • 3.5 or higher Speaking section
    • Institute Code: 5248
    • Department Code: Any
    • MyBest score is not accepted
    IELTS Academic
    • 7 or higher Overall band score
    • 6.5 or higher Listening, Reading, and Speaking
    • 5.5 or higher Writing
    • IELTS electronic score delivery service: Georgia Institute of Technology, "Graduate"
    GRE General Test
    • Institute Code: R5248
    • Department Code: 1203
    GMATNot Required
    To be considered official, test scores must be sent electronically directly from the testing agency.
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    Application Deadlines

    Start termDeadline date
    Fall 2027March 15, 2027
    All deadlines are 11:59 PM Eastern Time.

    Program Contact

    School of Industrial Design

    School Website: Industrial Design
    Email: tamika.blanks@design.gatech.edu
    Phone: 404.894.4874

    Costs & Funding