Course Descriptions

MFA in Design Thinking

ART/DSN 550 International Art History I (3 credits)

The first of two online courses, students will investigate key moments in history that affected art and design, focusing on prehistory through the Renaissance period.

ART/DSN 555 International Art History II (3 credits)

The second of two online courses, students will investigate key moments in history that affected art and design, focusing on the modern (post Renaissance period) era to the present day.

DSN 575 Design Theory and Research (3 credits)

In this course, students address the exploration of research versus information gathering in human behavior and design theories.

DSN 600 Advanced Studio I (3 credits)

An introduction to design thinking, problem seeking, brainstorming, and ideation techniques and strategies.

DSN 605 Advanced Studio II (3 credits)

This online studio will build on Advanced Studio I and continue with more in-depth design thinking, problem seeking, brainstorming and ideation techniques, and strategies. It will spend more time on the discovery and planning stages of the design process.

DSN 611 Special Topics in Design Thinking (3 credits)

Studies of current topics of interest in the area of design thinking with an emphasis on new developments, technology, and/or research. Must be repeated on a different topic for 3 additional credits.

DSN 640 Design Thinking (3 credits)

An introduction to creative cognition theories, creative intelligence testing, and the methodologies embedded in the design thinking process.

DSN 645 Team Wisdom (3 credits)

This course will provide students with an overview of team dynamics, team leadership techniques, team protocols, and the appropriate application of interdisciplinary teams.

DSN 670 Environment Behavior (3 credits)

This course will review theories on environment behavior, introduce observational strategies and meanings of relationships to the environment.

DSN 700 Advanced Studio III (3 credits)

This course will build on the previous studio and continue with more in-depth design thinking, problem seeking, brainstorming and ideation techniques and strategies. It will spend more time in the discovery and planning stages of the process and finish with evidence of innovative solutions to design challenges.

DSN 705 Advanced Studio IV (3 credits)

Building on earlier Advanced Design Studios, this online course will be the final interdisciplinary team studio and students will work to deliver comprehensive solutions for “clients” in emerging economies all over the world.

DSN 740 Design Management (3 credits)

This course will provide opportunities for studying design management strategies, professional ethics, target markets, and operational theories.

DSN 770 Research Methods (3 credits)

This course examines quantitative and qualitative research methods commonly used in the design professions.

DSN 790 Research Project/Thesis (3 credits)

Development of a graduate project, or thesis, to be arranged with the approval of the student’s thesis supervisor, advisor, and the dean of the Graduate College. See Graduate School’s requirements for a graduate project or thesis.  Must be repeated for 3 additional credits.

EDET619 Instructional Design (3 credits)

Provides students with initial skills and competencies in applying instructional design principles to teaching and learning problems. The student applies Instructional Design methodologies to critical components in instruction including content, learner characteristics and diversity in technology integration.