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 Why should I choose an M.A. in Whole Systems Design?
Antioch's program in Whole Systems Design prepares students to design creative alternatives to today's social, organizational and environmental issues. As a student in Whole Systems Design, you discover the systemic connections between seemingly disparate issues and identify their underlying common causes. Using this knowledge, you design elegant solutions that can be leveraged to resolve multiple related issues.
What is whole systems design?
Whole systems design integrates the academic disciplines of systemic thinking and design. This approach prepares students to go beyond narrow problem definitions and view complex real-world situations in terms of their contexts, interrelationships and dynamics. People who study whole systems design are able to think systemically, operate wholistically and design creatively.
Why should I choose this program over a more traditional one?
Students who choose the whole systems design program are self-directed learners who have a passion for going beyond superficial appearances to see the deep relationships between things that look as if they are separate. They are skilled at synthesizing and integrating different events, activities and phenomena. They also have the capacity to make meaningful distinctions and to set boundaries around systems. This degree program equips you to think differently about the world and your place in it.
In what career directions can my M.A. in Whole Systems Design take me?
An M.A. in Whole Systems Design can take you anywhere you want to go because it is a degree about thinking differently, rather than focusing on a particular discipline. The whole systems design approach can be applied to any situation and any profession.
With an M.A. in Whole Systems Design, you can have a career in education or teaching, management or administration, consulting or training, planning or architecture, science or engineering, politics or leadership, and many, many other exciting professions.
Is experience required in a profession related to the environment?
There is a requirement for at least two years of relevant work experience. However, this condition is broadly interpreted and students in the Whole Systems Design program come from a variety of backgrounds, including manufacturing, service, communications, high-tech, education, nonprofit, governmental and consulting organizations. The common thread among these students is their passion for imagining and creating new possibilities for the future.
What types of work do alumni do?
Not surprisingly, graduates of the Whole Systems Design program work in many different jobs and settings, such as executive director of the Washington State Arts Commission; manager for the U.S. Forest Service; co-founder and executive director of an international nonprofit agency; and an activist who works with indigenous people in South America to change mining practices that have threatened their health and land.
How long does it take to complete an M.A. in Whole Systems Design?
If you enroll as a full-time student, you can finish your degree in 21 months. If you enroll part time, you have up to six years to finish your degree. There is also a graduate certificate in Systems Thinking and Design that can take only nine months to complete.
Is there a thesis requirement?
There is no thesis requirement for the M.A. in Whole Systems Design but students may choose to write a thesis in their second year of study with their adviser's approval.
How much does it cost?
An M.S. in Management is an investment in your future. Costs are competitive with equivalent degrees at other private universities. See Typical Costs for more information. Most students receive financial aid. Antioch also offers graduate assistant and work study positions. Scholarships are available as well.
Can I work while I'm going to graduate school?
Yes, most of the students in the M.A. in Whole Systems Design program have full-time or part-time jobs. Class time is concentrated to accommodate busy schedules. All courses are offered one weekend a month (Friday through Monday). Between class meetings, students work online in a collaborative learning community.
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