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-607 APPLIED MATERIALS & PROCESSES

In this course, students will increase their,experiential knowledge of industry standards,regarding engineered materials, manufacturing,processes, and relevant applications through a,series of local and regional field trips, guest,lectures, workshops, in-studio prototyping, and,self-led projects.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: CMD 604

DGR-620 GRADUATE RESEARCH METHODS

The Graduate Research Methods course equips,students with the knowledge and skills required to,undertake a range of advanced research methods,appropriate to practice and critical inquiry in,art and design. The course covers primary research,methods, including design ethnography, field,research, case studies, interviews, reflective,practice, and practice-based methods. The,knowledge acquired throughout the course will,support students in the formulation of,sophisticated, reflective and fully reference,proposals for research-led creative practice, and,a rigorously informed critical discourse.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: DGR 613 GRADUATE SEMINAR

GRD-608 CO-CREATION AND PARTICIPATORY DESIGN

Trends in the 21st Century have paved the way for,a participatory approach to design. New tools,such as open-source technology, the transparency,of internet media, and the ethos of,crowd-sourcing are now insisting on the,democratized creation of goods, services, and,experiences. The goal of this class is for,students to understand human-centered and,participatory methods of design-conducting,observational research, interviews and workshops,,undertaking internal and external research,activities, generating conceptual frameworks, and,formulating insights related to the synthesis of,the research data-while communicating findings,and concepts to project sponsors in a clear and,compelling manner.

Credits: 3

Prerequisites: