M.A. – Art Education

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester (Summer) = 6 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
MAE 601Advanced Curriculum Design3
MAE 701Artistic Research – The Teacher3

Second Semester(Fall) = 3 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
MAE 610Art of Reflective Teaching3

Third Semester (Winter) = 3 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
MAE 615Multimedia Apps for Teaching Art3

Second Year

Fourth Semester (Summer) = 6 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
MAE 730Immersive Reaserch in Art Ed3
MAE 702Artistic Research – The Researcher3

Fifth Semester (Fall) = 3 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
MAE 740Adv Assessment Practices in Art Ed3

Sixth Semester (Winter) = 3 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
MAE 745Design Thinking3

Third Year

Seventh Semester (Summer) = 6 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
MAE 750Contemporary Issues in Art & Design3
MAE 703Artistic Research – The Artist3

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits 30

Students enrolled in Graduate Level Programs must maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Post Degree Teaching Certification Program Requirements

Admission Policy

This program is geared toward students who have previously obtained their BFA in a studio major and wish to pursue Michigan K-12 teaching certification in the Visual Arts. Post-degree students at the College for Creative Studies (CCS) are considered Teaching Certification (TC) candidates. To be considered for admission, students must complete the following:

  1. Fill out the free online application for Post Degree Teacher Certification at www.ccsdetroit.edu by selecting the “Apply” button in the upper right corner.
    • Note- Graduates of CCS, a designated member of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design (AICAD) consortium, need only complete step 1.
  2. Submit transcripts from all previous colleges and universities attended to Admissions. Cumulative GPA from the student’s combined undergraduate studies experience (if multiple institutions attended) must be minimum 2.7
  3. Applicants to the TC program who completed their undergraduate studies outside of the (AICAD) consortium must submit a portfolio of work examples to slideroom for review and approval. Check here to see if your previous institution is an AICAD school.

Once Accepted

Upon admission to the TC program at CCS, the Chair of the Art Education Department will review the student’s transcripts for previously earned courses that meet the Michigan State entry level teaching and Visual Arts Education (LQ) endorsement standards. These required standards include successful completion of college-level courses in the following areas:

  • Social Science (two courses totaling 6 credit hours)
  • English (three courses totaling 9 credit hours)
  • Art History (four courses totaling 12 credit hours).
    • Requirements for Art history may be met by courses in aesthetics and/or art criticism. Of the 12 credits, a maximum of 6 credit hours may be applied from these alternate courses. Approval of aesthetics or art criticism for TC candidates will be determined by the Chair of the Art Education Department. Course descriptions or syllabi may be required for review and approval.

Additionally, course work must include successful completion of 26 hours of studio art or design, including:

  • 18 credit hours of Foundations and Studio Art
  • A minimum of 8 credit hours of advanced level art courses (300 level or above) in one studio area.

Application of course credit toward a TC Candidate’s program requirements is determined by grade and, for students who require a portfolio for admission (see item ‘3’ in admissions policy), a demonstrable proficiency in the skills, techniques, and outcomes in studio (i.e. visual arts) courses. Approval of studio coursework is at the discretion of the Chair of the Art Education Department.

  • Candidates who are unable to provide evidence of proficiency in studio course[s] may be required to successfully complete the designated equivalent course[s] at CCS

Once a new TC candidate has met the Art Education Department Chair, received their Plan of Work and wishes to proceed with registration, a $250 enrollment fee will be required to proceed with registration. Details on options for making this payment, along with a checklist of next steps, will be sent to admitted students in their Acceptance Package.

Completion of Program

To obtain their Visual Arts Education (LQ) teaching endorsement TC program candidates must:

  • Complete the Plan of Work as outlined by the Chair of the Art Education department, including 27 credits outlined in the CCS Art Education TC curriculum (see next page for general curriculum outline)
  • Complete 115 hours of Field Service and 20 hours of Service Learning project with Community Focus
  • Complete all Compliance Forms and register for a student MEA/AEM Membership (for student teaching). Upon successful completion of all Compliance forms/membership, Art Education course requirements and Field/Service Learning hours, students are eligible to apply for CCS graduation and receive a Diploma to verify completion of the CCS Art Education program requirements. Note: All students must satisfy the additional listed requirements and/or tests before official recommendations are provided for Teacher Certification.
  • Take and pass the Michigan Test for Teacher Certification (MTTC) Visual Arts Education Test (095) to receive LQ endorsement
  • Optional: Submit SAT, ACT, PRE, or MME test showing proficiency in reading, writing, and math
  • Optional: Adult and Child CPR/First Aid Certification

Curriculum Outline for Post-Degree Teaching Certification Program

Most students can complete the CCS Post Degree Teaching Certification program in three or four semesters depending on the number of undergraduate or studio courses required.

Course NumberCourse NameCreditsField Experience Hours
DAE 200Education Foundations: History & Philosophy of Education315 General Ed Focus
DAE 250Human Development, Creativity & Visual Learning310 Special Ed Focus
DAE 315Elementary Art Teaching: Methods, Materials & Content Area Literacy330 k-5 Art Classroom
DAE 405Secondary Art Teaching: Methods, Materials & Content Area Literacy330 6-12 Art Classroom
DAE 407Reading and Language Arts Methods & Technology310 K-6 Reading Tutors
Service Learning Project in a supervised setting20 Community Focus
MEA/AEM Membership, Compliance Forms, and optional Adult and Child CPR & First Aid Training,
Final Semester
DAE 510Directed Teaching10
DAE 520Professional Seminar2
Pass the MTTC (LQ 095) Visual Arts Education exam for an LQ endorsement
Total Credits27115 Total Field
Experience Hours

Contact Information

Amy Ruopp (Chair, Art Education Department)
aruopp@collegeforcreativestudies.edu
313-664-7484

Carolyn Forgacs (Art Education Program Manager)
cforgacs@collegeforcreativestudies.edu
313-664-7419

Amber Thomas(Director of Transfer and Academic Partnerships)
ambert@collegeforcreativestudies.edu
313-664-7422

Tom Turoczi (Advisor for Teacher Certification candidates)
tturoczi@collegeforcreativestudies.edu
313-664-7832

Matthew Catanese (Financial Aid Director)
mcatanese@collegeforcreativestudies.edu
313-664-7497

M.F.A. – User Experience Design

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1*
IXD 601UX Design Studio I3
IXD 606UX Research (User Testing)3
IXD 621Human Factors3
IXD 625Sound Design for Interaction3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
IXD 602UX Design Studio II3
IXD 605User Interface Design3
IXD 636Artificial Intelligence3
DGR 620Graduate Research Methods3
— —Elective3

Second Year

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 711Thesis Project I6
IXD 701UX Design Studio III3
DGR 631Written Thesis3
IXD 715Metaverse Design3
Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 712Thesis Project II6
IXD 702UX Design Studio IV3
DGR 644Rapid Prototyping: PLA-Y3
— —Elective3

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits 30-31

Elective – Studio or Lecture course from the Graduate (or Undergraduate) level. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair. Additional permission may be required for confirmed UG credits.

Students enrolled in Graduate Level Programs must maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA.

M.A. – User Experience Design

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1*
IXD 601UX Design Studio I3
IXD 606UX Research (User Testing)3
IXD 621Human Factors3
IXD 625Sound Design for Interaction3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
IXD 602UX Design Studio II3
IXD 605User Interface Design3
IXD 636Artificial Intelligence3
— —Elective3
DGR 650Final Project3

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits 30-31

Elective – Studio or Lecture course from the Graduate (or Undergraduate) level. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair. Additional permission may be required for confirmed UG credits.

Students enrolled in Graduate Level Programs must maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA.

M.F.A. – Transportation Design (3YR)

Master of Fine Arts Three Year Degree Requirements

First Year

12-31 credit hours*

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1
GRT 519Graduate Foundation Studio I3
GRT 521Grad Foundation: Visual Communication I3
GRT 531Grad Foundation: Digital Modeling I3
— —Assigned Elective3
— —Assigned Elective3
†Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
GRT 520Graduate Foundation Studio II3
GRT 522Graduate Foundation: Visual Communication II3
GRT 532Graduate Foundation: Digital Modeling II3
— —Assigned Elective3
— —Assigned Elective3

*Year One is customized based on the Department Chair’s recommendation and Plan of Work

Second Year

Third Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
GRT 601Studio I: Exterior Messaging3
GRT 605Digital Viscom I3
GRT 607Analytical Drawing & Rendering I3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
GRT 609Transportation Design Seminar (7 WK -F1)1.5
GRT 6113D Rendering & Animation I (7 WK – F2)1.5

Fourth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
GRT 602Studio II: Interior Experience3
GRT 606Digital Viscom II3
GRT 608Analytical Drawing & Rendering II3
DGR 620Graduate Research Methods3
GRT 610Portfolio Development (7 WK – W1)1.5
GRT 6123D Rendering & Animation II (7 WK – W2)1.5

Third Year

Fifth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 711Thesis Project I6
DGR 631Written Thesis3
GRT 701Studio III: Strategic Branding3
DGR 775Graduate Studies Internship3*
— —Elective3*
*Choose One

Sixth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 712Thesis Project II6
GRT 702Studio IV: Professional Focus3
— —Elective3
— —Elective3

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 72/91

Assigned Elective – Studio or Lecture course assigned from a specific list of approved courses. Students are required to meet with their Graduate Department Chair for final confirmation of elective selection, prior to registration.

Elective – Studio or Lecture course from the Graduate (or Undergraduate) level. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair. Additional permission may be required for confirmed UG credits.

Students enrolled in Graduate Level Programs must maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA.

M.F.A. – Transportation Design

Master of Fine Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1*
GRT 601Studio I: Exterior Messaging3
GRT 605Digital Viscom I3
GRT 607Analytical Drawing & Rendering I3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
GRT 609Transportation Design Seminar (7 WK -F1)1.5
GRT 6113D Rendering & Animation I (7 WK – F2)1.5
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
GRT 602Studio II: Interior Experience3
GRT 606Digital Viscom II3
GRT 608Analytical Drawing & Rendering II3
DGR 620Graduate Research Methods3
DGR 650Final Project3
GRT 610Portfolio Development (7 WK – W1)1.5
GRT 6123D Rendering & Animation II (7 WK – W2)1.5

Second Year

Third Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 711Thesis Project I6
DGR 631Written Thesis3
GRT 701Studio III: Strategic Branding3
DGR 775Graduate Studies Internship3*
— —Elective3*
*Choose one

Fourth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 712Thesis Project II6
GRT 702Studio IV: Professional Focus3
— —Elective3
— —Elective3

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 60/61

Assigned Elective – Studio or Lecture course assigned from a specific list of approved courses. Students are required to meet with their Graduate Department Chair for final confirmation of elective selection, prior to registration.

Elective – Studio or Lecture course from the Graduate (or Undergraduate) level. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair. Additional permission may be required for confirmed UG credits.

Students enrolled in Graduate Level Programs must maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA.

M.A. – Transportation Design (2YR)

Master of Arts Two Year Degree Requirements

First Year

12-31 credit hours*

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1†
GRT 519Graduate Foundation Studio I3
GRT 521Grad Foundation: Visual Communication I3
GRT 531Grad Foundation: Digital Modeling I3
— —Assigned Elective3
— —Assigned Elective3
†Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
GRT 520Graduate Foundation Studio II3
GRT 522Graduate Foundation: Visual Communication II3
GRT 532Graduate Foundation: Digital Modeling II3
— —Assigned Elective3
— —Assigned Elective3

*Year One is customized based on the Department Chair’s recommendation and Plan of Work

Third Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
GRT 601Studio I: Exterior Messaging3
GRT 605Digital Viscom I3
GRT 607Analytical Drawing & Rendering I3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
GRT 609Transportation Design Seminar (7 WK -F1)1.5
GRT 6113D Rendering & Animation I (7 WK – F2)1.5
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Fourth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
GRT 606Digital Viscom II3
GRT 608Analytical Drawing & Rendering II3
DGR 620Graduate Research Methods3
DGR 650Final Project3
GRT 610Portfolio Development (7 WK – W1)1.5
GRT 6123D Rendering & Animation II (7 WK – W2)1.5

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 42/61

Assigned Elective – Studio or Lecture course assigned from a specific list of approved courses. Students are required to meet with their Graduate Department Chair for final confirmation of elective selection, prior to registration.

Elective – Studio or Lecture course from the Graduate (or Undergraduate) level. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair. Additional permission may be required for confirmed UG credits.

Students enrolled in Graduate Level Programs must maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA.

M.A. – Transportation Design

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1*
GRT 601Studio I: Exterior Messaging3
GRT 605Digital Viscom I3
GRT 607Analytical Drawing & Rendering I3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
GRT 609Transportation Design Seminar (7 WK -F1)1.5
GRT 6113D Rendering & Animation I (7 WK – F2)1.5
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
GRT 606Digital Viscom II3
GRT 608Analytical Drawing & Rendering II3
DGR 620Graduate Research Methods3
DGR 650Final Project3
GRT 610Portfolio Development (7 WK – W1)1.5
GRT 6123D Rendering & Animation II (7 WK – W2)1.5

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 30/31

Elective – Studio or Lecture course from the Graduate (or Undergraduate) level. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair. Additional permission may be required for confirmed UG credits.

Students enrolled in Graduate Level Programs must maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA.

M.F.A. – Interdisciplinary Design Studies

Master of Fine Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1*
GID 601Interdisciplinary Studio I3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
DGR 635Design Thinking3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Graduate Course Option3
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
GID 602Interdisciplinary Studio II3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Elective3
DGR 620Graduate Research Methods3
Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 711Thesis Project I6
DGR 631Written Thesis3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Graduate Course Option3
Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 712Thesis Project II6
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Elective3
— —Elective3

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 60/61

Graduate Course Option – Interdisciplinary Design Studies (IDS) students will work with their Graduate Department Chair to determine course selections for this requirement and develop a plan of work for their program. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair.

Elective – Studio or Lecture course from the Graduate (or Undergraduate) level. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair. Additional permission may be required for confirmed UG credits.

Students enrolled in Graduate Level Programs must maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA.

M.A. – Interdisciplinary Design Studies

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1*
GID 601Interdisciplinary Studio I3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Graduate Course Option3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
DGR 635Design Thinking3
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
GID 602Interdisciplinary Studio II3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Graduate Course Option3
— —Elective3
DGR 650Final Project3

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 30/31

Graduate Course Option – Interdisciplinary Design Studies (IDS) students will work with their Graduate Department Chair to determine course selections for this requirement and develop a plan of work for their program. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair.

Elective – Studio or Lecture course from the Graduate (or Undergraduate) level. Must be approved prior to registration by the Graduate Department Chair. Additional permission may be required for confirmed UG credits.

Students enrolled in Graduate Level Programs must maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA.