Summary
The College for Creative Studies’ 2026–2027 catalog entry for the M.A. in Transportation Design (2YR) describes a two-year, 30–31 credit program organized across four semesters, with the first year customized based on the Department Chair’s recommendation and a typical first-year structure of Graduate Communication plus foundation coursework in studio practice, visual communication, and digital modeling, along with two assigned electives. In the second year, students complete specialized studio and visualization courses including Exterior Messaging, Digital Viscom I & II, Analytical Drawing & Rendering I & II, 3D Rendering & Animation I & II, Graduate Research Methods, a Graduate Seminar, Transportation Design Seminar components, Portfolio Development, and a Final Project. The plan also notes that assigned electives must be confirmed with the graduate department chair before registration, students must maintain a required 3.0 cumulative GPA, and at least one communication requirement is contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam.
Master of Arts Degree Requirements
Catalog Year 26/27
12-31 credit hours †
First Year
First Semester = 15-16 Credit Hours
| Earned | Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| DGR 601 * | Graduate Communication | 1 | |
| GRT 519E / GRT 519I | Graduate Foundation Studio I | 3 | |
| GRT 521 | Grad Foundation: Visual Communication I | 3 | |
| GRT 531 | Grad Foundation: Digital Modeling I | 3 | |
| — — | Assigned Elective | 3 | |
| — — | Assigned Elective | 3 |
Second Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Earned | Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRT 520E / GRT 520I | Graduate Foundation Studio II | 3 | |
| GRT 522 | Graduate Foundation: Visual Communication II | 3 | |
| GRT 532 | Graduate Foundation: Digital Modeling II | 3 | |
| — — | Assigned Elective | 3 | |
| — — | Assigned Elective | 3 |
Second Year
Third Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Earned | Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRT 601 | Studio I: Exterior Messaging | 3 | |
| GRT 605 | Digital Viscom I | 3 | |
| GRT 607 | Analytical Drawing & Rendering I | 3 | |
| DGR 613 | Graduate Seminar | 3 | |
| 7 WK -F1 | GRT 609 | Transportation Design Seminar | 1.5 |
| 7 WK -F2 | GRT 611 | 3D Rendering & Animation I | 1.5 |
Fourth Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Earned | Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRT 606 | Digital Viscom II | 3 | |
| GRT 608 | Analytical Drawing & Rendering II | 3 | |
| DGR 620 | Graduate Research Methods | 3 | |
| DGR 650 | Final Project | 3 | |
| 7 WK -F1 | GRT 610 | Portfolio Development | 1.5 |
| 7 WK -F2 | GRT 612 | 3D Rendering & Animation II | 1.5 |
Additional Information
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.
GPA Requirement
Students enrolled in graduate level programs must maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA.
Footnotes
* Contingent upon the English Proficiency Exam.
† Year One is customized based on the Department Chair’s recommendation and Plan of Work.