Design Research
Major: Design Research
Degree Awarded: Master of Science in Design Research (MsDes)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Total Credit Hours: 46.0
Co-op Option: None
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 50.0499
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 04.0401
About the Program
The Design Research program creates an arena for advanced students to explore and enhance their skills in areas that include technology, environmental design and health, including community-based design. Driven by the interdisciplinary nature of design, the program addresses the future in response to the emerging and complex designed environment. Designers operate in a world of increasing intricacy; this degree gives candidates a greater depth of knowledge and experience in topics relevant to present and future challenges in design. In this self-defined and flexible MS in Design Research program, students have the option to study full- or part-time, meaning that students can work a full-time job while pursuing their graduate degree. This program is unique in that it gives students the ability to chart their own customized pathways to consider multidisciplinary problems beyond the scope of traditional boundaries of individual design disciplines. Our flexible approach allows students to collaborate locally and regionally with research labs and organizations, such as the Department of Public Health, to build connections that will drive professional success.
The program includes making, research, fabrication, collaboration, and human-centered design thinking. The MS in Design Research program is part of the nationally ranked Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, housed in award-winning, technologically enhanced facilities, and taught by faculty who have worked at the top of their fields. Situated in the Department of Architecture, Design & Urbanism, the program benefits from its associations with faculty and students in the Interior Architecture & Design and Urban Strategy graduate programs.
The program focuses on providing a forum for students to pursue paths of inquiry and investigation within design, technology, social impact, community, environmental design, and health. This flexible program operates with a core curriculum that is built on, and augmented by, a customized set of electives and the second year thesis sequence. The curriculum, though self-directed, is grounded in research, studio class work, philosophy, theory, and iterative making. Through deep cross-collaboration, our students create cutting-edge solutions and speculative environments to study culture and human-centered design.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate baccalaureate degree in or related to design.
Additional Information
For more information, visit the Graduate Admissions webpage.
Degree Requirements
| Core Requirements | ||
| ARTH 530 | History of Modern Design | 3.0 |
| or VSST 501 | Contemporary Art Issues | |
| DSRE 620 | Design Problem Solving | 3.0 |
| DSRE 625 | Technologies of Making | 3.0 |
| DSRE 630 | Data Visualization for Design Professionals | 3.0 |
| DSRE 635 | Translational Design Research | 3.0 |
| DSRE 641 | Contemporary Design Theory | 3.0 |
| DSRE 645 | Design Research Thesis Proposal | 3.0 |
| DSRE 650 | Thesis Research and Practicum | 1.0 |
| DSRE 750 | Thesis in Design Research I | 3.0 |
| DSRE 760 | Thesis in Design Research II | 3.0 |
| DSRE 770 | Thesis in Design Research III | 3.0 |
| Electives * | 15.0 | |
| Total Credits | 46.0 | |
| * | Select 15.0 credits from 500-600 level courses, including I599, I699, T580, T680, in DIGM, FASH, IDM, RMER, CRTV, EPI, PBHL, INFO, ENVS, AS-I, ENTP |
Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | Summer | Credits |
| ARTH 530 or VSST 501 | 3.0 | DSRE 630 | 3.0 | DSRE 641 | 3.0 | DSRE 650 | 1.0 |
| DSRE 620 | 3.0 | DSRE 635 | 3.0 | DSRE 645 | 3.0 | ||
| DSRE 625 | 3.0 | Elective | 3.0 | Elective | 3.0 | ||
| 9 | 9 | 9 | 1 | ||||
| Second Year | |||||||
| Fall | Credits | Winter | Credits | Spring | Credits | ||
| DSRE 750 | 3.0 | DSRE 760 | 3.0 | DSRE 770 | 3.0 | ||
| Electives | 6.0 | Elective | 3.0 | ||||
| 9 | 6 | 3 | |||||
| Total Credits 46 | |||||||
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Note: Some terms are less than the 4.5-credit minimum required (considered half-time status) of graduate programs to be considered financial aid eligible. As a result, aid will not be disbursed to students these terms.
