MFA: Design Research and Development (DRD)

The Design Research and Development track is for persons with academic backgrounds in all fields of design. Professional practice experience is also useful, but is not required. Students in our program are encouraged to think critically about design problems and processes, to compare and test methods, and to seek discoveries through the analysis and synthesis of cross-disciplinary approaches and the application of design thinking. Because the program is intentionally multidisciplinary and process-oriented, courses in this degree may also be of interest to persons who are incorporating design thinking into the processes of other disciplines, which generates a diverse atmosphere. Research topics are encouraged in alignment with the expertise of the core faculty in order to maximize the potential for student participation in funded projects and other active theoretical or practical investigations. Areas of investigation generally fall into one of three categories: Research for design practices; Research about design practices; Design practices as research.

Students in this track are required to complete 60 credit hours of study to receive a MFA degree in Design. The program takes three years to complete, and only under exceptional circumstances is the track completed in less time. The curriculum includes a core of seminar and studio courses and independent thesis-related studies and open electives in the themes of studio/lab, history/theory, and collaborative/interdisciplinary activity. Students work closely with a three-person thesis committee to develop their thesis topics and the vehicles best used for their development.