All NSCAD campuses closed at noon, February 24, 2024 due to freezing rain. All campuses will reopen at 9 a.m. on February 25.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Design

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Design provides an introduction to interdisciplinary design. Comprised of 30 credits, the program is typically taken in the fall and winter semesters and includes a mix of studio credits, liberal arts and science courses. In keeping with the broad, interdisciplinary approach of NSCAD’s BDes and MDes programs, the certificate is intended as a generalist credential and is not specific to any one area of design.

Division: Craft/Foundation
Degree: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate
Program: Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Design

Program Length: 1 year (admission requirements)

Admission Deadline: March 1 (September start only)

The majority of students entering this program are international students. At program completion these students will:

  • Have an enhanced understanding of the current practice of design in Canada, North America and Europe.
  • Have a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities of designers and the importance of critical thought and discourse.
  • Have a clearer idea of what is expected from students in a Canadian university at a graduate level.
  • Have a better grasp of Canadian culture.
  • Be able to communicate more effectively in English.

Featured Courses

Introduction to Interdisciplinary Design

Introduction to Interdisciplinary Design: This course gives students a general introduction to the history, theory and methods of current design practice.

Intercultural Issues and Interdisciplinary Design

Intercultural Issues and Interdisciplinary Design: This is an advanced seminar investigation of recent developments in design in Europe and North America.

Intercultural Communication and Design

Intercultural Communication and Design: The global reach of design has created the expectation for designers to perform in collaborative, intercultural professional contexts. This course offers a critical exploration of intercultural competence as it intersects with semiotics, user-centered design, and the relationships between research and practice. Through course readings, hands-on projects and writing, language is reframed as a key tool for ideation, creation, and reflection.

Typography

This course focuses on specialized technical and aesthetic issues in Communication Design, emphasizing the inventive use of type and typography for interpreting text.

Please visit the Academic Calendar for a description of all courses available at NSCAD University.