Product Design

Summary

The Product Design BFA (catalog year 2026–2027) is a standard four-year, 120–122 credit undergraduate program that combines foundations, studio product-design courses, technical skills (3D modeling, materials/processes, human factors), design research and professional development with 39 credits of general education; the curriculum is laid out semester-by-semester (first through eighth) with required DPR/DFN courses, major electives, open electives, and core liberal-arts components, a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, and notes that timelines may vary based on transfer credits or course sequencing—students should confirm progress via Self-Service for full course descriptions and approved elective lists.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Requirements


Catalog Year 26/27

Standard 4 Year Pathway (full-time status)

Total Credits 120-122


First Year

First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  SLP-007 CCS First Year Experience *1
  DFN-101 Drawing I: Rapid Concepts3
  DFN-118 3D Design – Forms & Space3
  DFN-132 Process & Making3
  DPR-125 Introduction to Product Design3
  AHV-100 Introduction to Material Culture (CR)3

Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DFN-112 Drawing II: Style & Skill3
  DFN-119 Digital Techniques3
  DPR-126 Product Design I3
  DPR-161 3D Modeling & Rendering I3
  WRT-101 Composition I (CR)3

Second Year

Third Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DPR-205 Information Design: 2D Layout3
  DPR-213 Visual Communication for Product Designers3
  DPR-225 Product Design II3
  WRT-102 Composition II (CR)3
  AHV-241 History of Modern Design (MR)3

Fourth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DPR-214 Advanced Visual Communication3
  DPR-220 Design Research3
  DPR-226 Product Design III3
  DPR-270 Sustainable Design Strategies3
  Choose one: AHV-203 or AHV-204 Global Art History I/II (CR)3

Third Year

Fifth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DPR-325 Advanced Product Design I3
  DPR-333 Presentation Techniques3
  DPR-361 3D Modeling & Rendering II3
  DPR-371 Materials & Processes3
  Open Elective3

Sixth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DPR-326 Advanced Product Design II3
  DPR-357 Human Factors3
  Science Elective 200-400 (CE)3
  General Education Elective 200-4003
  Open Elective3

Fourth Year

Seventh Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DPR-425 Professional Development Studio I3
  Product Design Major Elective3
  BUS-213 Business Practices (CE)3
  Humanities: Choose from approved list (CE)3
  General Education Elective 200-4003

Eighth Semester = 15 Credit Hours

Course RequirementCredits
  DPR-426 Professional Development Studio II3
  Product Design Major Elective3
  AHV 200-400 Art History & Visual Culture Course (CE)3
  General Education Elective 200-4003
  General Education Elective 200-4003

Additional ”Program & Credit Requirement Details” attached; includes ”approved course lists” and ”recommended courses (RC)” for any requirements with noted selections. Enrolled students should view Self-Service (My Progress/Plan & Schedule) for complete program information; see catalog for additional course details and descriptions.

This plan is provided for use as a guide only and is based on full-time status with successful completion of credits outlined per semester. Degree Timelines and requirements may vary based on actual program, credits completed per semester and/or catalog year. Students are responsible for confirming completion of all requirements before graduating (use program/student resources to support degree progression). Minimum Cumulative GPA of 2.0 required.


Program & Credit Requirement Details

Degree RequirementsTotal credits requiredRequirement Details
  First Year Experience1.0SLP-007 is waived for eligible transfer students with 12.0 (or more) college.
  Foundations15.0Required for all majors. Successfully complete listed DFN Foundation courses for enrolled major; requirements may vary per major.
  General Education39.0Liberal Arts courses required for all undergraduate majors; total credits may vary per program.
  General Education Undergrad CORE Requirements (CR)12.0Successfully complete WRT & AHV core general education prerequisites requirements (Composition pathways may vary based on completed assessments, test scores or transfer credits).
  General Education MAJOR Requirements (MR)6.0Successfully complete major specific Liberal Arts. Requirements vary per major.
  General Education Undergrad CORE Electives (CE)9.0Successfully complete core general education electives required for all UG majors (Science, Humanities, Art History & Visual Culture) as outlined on 4 year pathway/degree requirements:
3.0 cr. Science: Successfully complete one course from the SCI subject; 200-400 level
3.0 cr. Humanities Option: Successfully complete one of the following approved courses: LIT 239, LIT 203, DHS 201, DSS 215, DSS 240 or DPL 201
3.0 cr. Art History & Visual Culture: Successfully complete course from AHV subject, 200-400 level
  General Education Electives12.0Successfully complete any non-required 200-400 level Liberal Arts course from subject codes: AHV, BUS, DHS, DPL, DSS, SCI, WRT, LIT
(Total Gen.Ed Elective credits vary per major).
  Major §60.0Studio and/or lecture courses specific to major focus.
  Major Courses §54.0Successfully complete listed DPR courses in 4 year plan, by recommended sequence (based on prerequisites)
  Major Electives6.0Non-required major courses with subject code DPR are considered major electives; exceptions require approval.
  Open Electives6.0Successfully complete 100-400 level courses from any Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture).
Total Program Credits121.0Total credits required 120 – 122
Undergraduate Bachelor of Fine Arts program, GPA minimum requirement = 2.0

Footnotes

* ELS 101 Composition I for Multilingual Students 4.0 cr.
† WRT 101/102 Self Placement Survey available.
‡ Based on SLP 007 (1.0 cr.) and ELS 101 (4.0 cr.)
§ Remaining Major course sequence impacts timeline to degree completion.