Design Studies (DSGN) at University of Arkansas

The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design offers a Master of Design Studies (M.Des.). The goal is to provide a nationally-recognized, interdisciplinary design program that meets the needs of Arkansas, the region, and nation. The Master of Design Studies degree is recognized as multidisciplinary degrees that explores emerging concerns that are universal to the human-environmental design disciplines.

The program offers three areas of concentration:

Integrated Wood Design: This post-professional graduate degree provides advanced study investigating the design potential of wood products, fabrication methods, and constructed environments. The one-year, three-semester program is grounded in design’s contribution to economic success. The studio-centered program provides immersive experiences, integrating distinctive course offerings across disciplinary boundaries while prompting students to engage complex, problem-solving scenarios. Utilizing strengths across the University of Arkansas campus, this program combines course offerings with a professional residency to immerse students in these dynamic fields.

Resiliency Design: This post-professional graduate degree is focused on community and landscape resiliency determined by critical factors including water, mobility, food, housing, aging, and public health. The one-year, three-semester program provides advanced study of pressing public-interest civic issues by combining design, research, and expanded modes of professional engagement. The University of Arkansas Community Design Center is one of the few university-based teaching offices in design programs nationally. This unique program will prepare graduates to engage interdisciplinary urban design challenges through service learning and public outreach in collaboration with a professional staff. Utilizing strengths across the University of Arkansas campus, this program combines course offerings with a professional residency to immerse students in these dynamic fields. 

Retail and Hospitality Design: This post-professional graduate degree provides advanced study of strategic thinking and design methods relative to the hospitality and retail environments. The one-year, three-semester program is grounded in design’s contribution to economic success. Business strategies are integrated with innovative problem solving to craft unique experiences within these specialized settings. Proximity to international business enterprises and strategic relationships with global design firms enables graduates to integrate environmental, cultural, and social discourse to deliver comprehensive approaches to complex design scenarios. Utilizing strengths across the University of Arkansas campus, this program combines course offerings with a professional residency to immerse students in these dynamic fields.