Summary
The Transportation Design BFA (catalog year 2026–27) at College for Creative Studies is a standard four‑year, full‑time program requiring 120–122 credits (121 typical) that combines 69 credits of major studio and technical courses (DTR series) with 15 credits of foundation studies, 33 credits of general education, and 3 open elective credits; the curriculum is organized into semester-by-semester studio, drawing, digital modeling, visual communication, design theory, materials/manufacturing, human factors, and history courses with departmental placement determining junior/senior studio tracks (interior, exterior, mobility, or vehicles), a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, and additional program details, approved course lists, and recommended sequences provided in the catalog and Self‑Service for degree planning.
Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Requirements
Catalog Year 26/27
Standard 4 Year Pathway (full-time status)
Total Credits 120-122
First Year
Second Year
Third Year
Fifth Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Based on department placement: DTR-331 Junior Interior Design Studio DTR-333 Junior Exterior Design Studio DTR-335 Junior Mobility Design Studio DTR-337 Junior Vehicles Design Studio | 3 |
| DTR-302 Visual Communication IV | 3 |
| DTR-304 Portfolio and Presentation Design | 3 |
| DTR-305 Vehicle Systems and Packaging | 3 |
| DTR-362 Digital Modeling III | 3 |
Sixth Semester = 16.5 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Based on department placement: DTR-332 Junior Interior Design Studio II DTR-334 Junior Exterior Design Studio II DTR-336 Junior Mobility Design Studio II DTR-338 Junior Vehicles Design Studio II | 3 |
| DTR-371 Materials and Manufacturing Processes | 3 |
| DTR-303 Visual Communication V | 1.5 |
| DTR-461 Digital Modeling IV | 3 |
| AHV-241 History of Modern Design (MR) | 3 |
| Choose one: AHV-203 or AHV-204 Global Art History I/II (CR) | 3 |
Fourth Year
Seventh Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Based on department placement: DTR-431 Senior Interior Design Studio DTR-433 Senior Exterior Design Studio DTR-435 Senior Mobility Design Studio DTR-437 Senior Vehicles Design Studio | 3 |
| DTR-403 Visual Communication VI | 3 |
| Product Design Major Elective | 3 |
| AHV 200-400 Art History & Visual Culture Course (CE) | 3 |
| General Education Elective 200-400 | 3 |
| Open Elective | 3 |
Eighth Semester = 15 Credit Hours
| Course Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| Based on department placement: DTR-432 Senior Interior Design Studio II DTR-434 Senior Exterior Design Studio II DTR-436 Senior Mobility Design Studio II DTR-438 Senior Vehicles Design Studio II | 3 |
| Humanities: Choose from approved list (CE) | 3 |
| Science Elective 200-400 (CE) | 3 |
| General Education Elective 200-400 | 3 |
| General Education Elective 200-400 | 3 |
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 Requirements | Total credits required | Requirement Details |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Experience | 1.0 | SLP-007 is waived for eligible transfer students with 12.0 (or more) college. |
| Foundations | 15.0 | Required for all majors. Successfully complete listed DFN Foundation courses for enrolled major; requirements may vary per major. |
| General Education | 33.0 | Liberal Arts courses required for all undergraduate majors; total credits may vary per program. |
| General Education Undergrad CORE Requirements (CR) | 12.0 | Successfully 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) | 3.0 | Successfully complete major specific Liberal Arts. Requirements vary per major. |
| General Education Undergrad CORE Electives (CE) | 9.0 | Successfully 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 Electives | 9.0 | Successfully 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 § | 69.0 | Studio and/or lecture courses specific to major focus. |
| Major Courses § | 69.0 | Successfully complete listed DTR courses in 4 year plan, by recommended sequence (based on prerequisites) |
| Major Electives | 0.0 | Non-required major courses with subject code DTR are considered major electives; exceptions require approval. |
| Open Electives | 3.0 | Successfully complete 100-400 level courses from any Undergraduate subject (Studio or Lecture). |
| Total Program Credits | 121.0 | Total 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.