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Masters of Design (MDES)

Division: Design
Degree: Master of Design
Program: Master of Design

Program Length: 60-credits or four semesters (see Degree Requirements)

Campus: Fountain Campus

MDes students pursue practice-led design research, explorations of process, applications of theory and scholarly writing. In a series of studio and theory courses and in their thesis projects, students are encouraged to look beyond the conventional strategies to formulate new and critical responses to social design opportunities.

Given the interdisciplinary nature of the program, the MDes welcomes students with diverse academic and cultural backgrounds.

Up to 15 credits at the graduate-level from other recognized post-secondary institutions may be accepted for transfer credit, subject to the approval of the program director.

Program Requirements

Full-time Study

Semester 1: Fall (16 credits)
MDES 6005 Intensive Workshop: Topic 1 (1 credit)
MDES 6510 Projects Studio 1 (6 credits)
MDES 6051 Studio Workshop: Topic 1 (3 credits)
MDES 6210 Design Seminar: Topic 1 (3 credits)
MDES 6150 Design History (3 credits)
Semester 2: Winter (16 credits)
MDES 6006 Intensive Workshop: Topic 2 (1 credit)
MDES 6520 Projects Studio 2 (6 credits)
MDES 6061 Studio Workshop: Topic 2 (3 credits)
MDES 6220 Design Seminar: Theory (3 credits)
MDES 6120 Design Research (3 credits)
Semester 3: Summer (optional credits)
Students may undertake optional off-campus, exchange, or independent study
Semester 4: Fall (16 credits)
MDES 6007 Intensive Workshop: Topic 3 (1 credit)
MDES 6530 Projects Studio 3 (6 credits)
MDES 6071 Studio Workshop: Topic 3 (3 credits)
MDES 6230 Design Seminar: Topic 2 (3 credits)
MDES 6550 Degree Project Preparation (3 credits)
Semester 5: Winter (12 credits)
MDES 6560 Degree Project (Directed Studio) (12 credits)

Part-time Study

Semester 1: Fall (6 credits)
MDES 6005 Studio Workshop: Topic (3 credits)
MDES 6210 Design Seminar: Topic (3 credits)
Semester 2: Winter (3 credits)
MDES 6220 Design Seminar: Theory (3 credits)
Semester 3: Summer (optional credits)
Semester 4: Fall (6 credits)
MDES 6007 Studio Workshop: Topic (3 credits)
MDES 6150 Design History (3 credits)
Semester 5: Winter (3 credits)
MDES 6120 Design Research (3 credits)
Semester 6: Summer (optional credits)
Semester 7: Fall (3 credits)
MDES 6560 Degree Project (Directed Studio) (12 credits)
Semester 8: Winter (12 credits)
MDES 6560 Degree Project (Directed Studio) (12 credits)

Students may fulfill some graduation requirements by co-sitting with an undergraduate class and meeting enhanced learning objectives equivalent to graduate level studies. This arrangement requires the cooperation and agreement of the instructor to serve as the research supervisor and the approval of the graduate program director. A Graduate Independent Research Form is required, which is available from the Office of Student Experience.

Full-time and part-time students may also complete some requirements at another, approved institution. Full-time students may attend courses elsewhere as an exchange student during the first winter, summer or second fall semesters.

The MDes program course offerings will include 3-credit independent study graduate courses, as well as experiential learning opportunities.

An MDes student who does not complete their program degree requirements in the required residency period must apply for an extension. Extensions are not normally granted, except in extraordinary circumstances clearly beyond the student’s control. If an extension is granted, an activation fee will be charged for each semester until the student finishes their degree. Extensions are not normally granted for periods longer then than one semester.

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

Final Research Project

All students in the MDes program are required to submit and present a final project. The written component of the final project does not normally exceed 50 pages. The term Final Degree Project is used to emphasize that the student’s research and theoretical work are grounded in and concomitant to design practice, and that design thinking may manifest itself in visual, synthetic forms of expression. Therefore, the final project is an amalgam of the results of practice and the written word.

Please visit the Academic Calendar for project proposal and timeline, submission and extensions.

Faculty

Faculty members are accomplished artists, scholars, educators and leaders in their craft. Rudi Meyer is the Director of the Master of Design program. For a list of full faculty, click the button below.

Rudi Meyer
Director