Inclusive Design OCAD University

Inclusive Design advances accessibility, and encompasses the full range of human diversity including ability, language, culture, gender and age. Inclusive Design recognizes that we aren't all the same. Design must be usable, flexible, and customizable among other qualities to be truly inclusive. From policies, customer service, infrastructure, technology, buildings to everyday products—we can design so that everyone can be accommodated and included.

This program is primarily delivered through an online technology and learning system. It is the only one of its kind in Canada. We offer you the opportunity to become uniquely qualified as a global leader in the growing field of inclusive design.

You will learn to think differently and aim to break through societal barriers to address the growing demand for access and inclusion.

The program benefits from accomplished faculty engaged with multi-disciplinary research and design practices, and you will bring valuable and diverse insights from your own educational and professional experiences, to both study and research projects.

You will explore equity and access issues through the lens of design thinking, leveraged by the application of inclusive digital technologies.

Entry requirements

The application process for admission into the Master of Design in Inclusive Design at OCAD U is highly competitive. Applicants must hold a BA, BDes, BComm, BEng, BSc, BFA or comparable honours degree/certification in a program that provides a foundational grounding in information and communication systems and practices (e.g., Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Studies, Culture and Technology or similar field) with an average of 75 per cent (B+) or better during the last two years of study, or must demonstrate exceptional experience/expertise as a practitioner in a relevant discipline. All applicants must demonstrate creative, technical and conceptual competence at a high level, as well as the clear potential for acquiring a sufficient level of expertise in the diverse disciplines relevant to this degree to create a truly innovative, germane and implementable project at the master's level.

For consideration by the admissions committee, and in addition to the basic application requirements outlined below, applicants need to complete and submit the following through the Graduate Application Portal:

• Statement of Intent: Applicants should provide further information about themselves by addressing the following questions in their Statement of Intent (maximum 1000 words): How does your academic background and/or professional experience relate to this program? What other unique perspectives do you bring that would contribute to the program's diverse learning community? What is your key area of intended research in the Inclusive Design program? How does your intended research align with the objectives of this program? How do you envision the Inclusive Design program contributing to your future?
• Samples of Work: The samples of work should include representative samples of relevant student or professional work produced in the last five years. Software, user-experience designs, analysis reports, proposal documents, web applications and websites, may be included.
• CV: Applicants should include an updated copy of their curriculum vitae.
• Program Specific Questions: Applicants will be asked to provide responses to a series of questions specific to the program.