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.

M.F.A. – Color & Materials Design

Master of Fine Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1*
CMD 601Studio I: CMD Experience3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
CMD 604Trend Research Methods3
CMD 605Color Lab: Theory & Science3
CMD 609Digital Visualization for Color & Materials Design3
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
CMD 602Studio II: CMD Brand Narratives3
CMD 606Material Lab: Crafted Science3
DGR 620Graduate Research Methods3
DGR 721Professional Practice3
DGR 775Graduate Studies Internship3*
—–Assigned Elective3*
*Choose one of the indicated courses.

Second Year

Third Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 711Thesis Project I6
CMD 701Studio III: CMD Impact3
CMD 607Applied Material and Processes3
DGR 631Written Thesis3

Fourth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 712Thesis Project II6
CMD 702Studio IV: CMF 3603
CMD 790Color & Materials Independent Study3*
—–Assigned Elective3*
DGR 775Graduate Studies Internship3†
—–Assigned Elective3†
*Choose one of the indicated courses.
†Choose one of the indicated courses.

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 30/31

Assigned Electives – 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.

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

M.A. – Color & Materials Design

Master of Arts Degree Requirements

First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
DGR 601Graduate Communication1*
CMD 601Studio I: CMD Experience3
DGR 613Graduate Seminar3
CMD 604Trend Research Methods3
CMD 605Color Lab: Theory & Science3
CMD 609Digital Visualization for Color & Materials Design3
*Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course #Course TitleCredits
CMD 602Studio II: CMD Brand Narratives3
CMD 606Material Lab: Crafted Science3
DGR 620Graduate Research Methods3
DGR 650Final Project
DGR 775Graduate Studies Internship3*
—–Assigned Elective3*
*Choose one of the indicated courses.

Catalog Year 24/25

Total Credits: 30/31

Assigned Electives – 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.

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

GID-601 INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIO I

This is the first of two studio courses on the MA,and MFA Interdisciplinary Studies,programs. These studio courses enable students to,explore modes of interdisciplinary,and collaborative practice. Building on,multidisciplinary experiences and technical,knowledge from option courses, or in other,programs of study, students will explore and,develop frameworks for anti-siloed practices that,extend laterally across numerous disciplines, and,when possible, outside of art and design.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

GID-602 INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIO II

This is the second of two studio courses on the MA,and MFA Interdisciplinary Studies,programs. These studio courses enable students to,explore modes of interdisciplinary,and collaborative practice. Building on,multidisciplinary experiences and technical,knowledge from option courses, or in other,programs of study, students will explore and,develop frameworks for anti-siloed practices that,extend laterally across numerous disciplines, and,when possible, outside of art and design.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: GID 601

CMD-622 ADVANCED FOOTWEAR DESIGN

Within this course, students engage with advanced,techniques in crafting luxury footwear, fostering,an inclusive environment with a curriculum that,includes advanced patternmaking, cutting, sewing,,and the creation of varied footwear styles,,including pumps, boots, sandals, and sneaker,constructions. The final outcome will result in,students producing a footwear collection,,developing a deep understanding of diverse color,and finish strategies for materials and hardware,,and reflecting on a spectrum of cultural,influences. Students are trained on various,industrial machines and how to make sole and heel,components with leather, including high-heel,attachment techniques. This inclusive approach,nurtures skills in CMF design while acknowledging,and valuing diverse perspectives, cultural,influences, and material choices in the field of,footwear design.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CMD-621

DGR-644 RAPID PROTOTYPING: PLA-Y

In this course, students will acquire a working,knowledge of the main 3D printing methods using a,range of basic equipment and PLA Filament. ,Turning ideas into objects and swatches, students,will become familiar with the software and related,tools that are used for prototyping with 3D,printers. Students will explore producing their,own 3D filament, with a focus on creating,sustainable and environmentally friendly material,options.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

GRT-520 GRADUATE FOUNDATION STUDIO II

The graduate first-year transportation design,experience is divided into two semester-length,studios: one interior-focused, one,exterior-focused. Students taking an,interior-focused studio in the fall semester will,then take an exterior focused studio in the winter,semester, and vice versa. In both interior and,exterior studios, students will be encouraged to,pursue a user-center design approach. Incoming,graduate transportation design students will be,introduced to rendering and modeling techniques,integral to the transportation design process.,Course content may be reinforced through field,trips to local design studios and factories.,Students prepare a comprehensive presentation at,the end of semester which includes critical,self-assessment and reflection of their,developmental strengths and needs.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites:

GRT-701 STUDIO III: STRATEGIC BRANDING

This course will focus on the examination of brand,identity and competitive market analysis to,further the development of an original vehicle,concept. Target user research will be conducted,to assess specific needs and wants as well as to,establish contextual scenarios that will help,inform design criteria. This studio’s project,brief can be either interior or exterior focused,and students are encouraged to tailor this choice,towards the specialty they hope to pursue,professionally. This course will result in a,final exterior or interior design executed as a,technical digital 3D model data set capable of,further engineering assessment fabrication and/or,animation.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: GRT 602