Program Overview

Master of Design

About

The Master of Design program is a post-professional degree that provides a cross-disciplinary, innovation-focused, and research-driven educational experience that is responsive to current and projected modes within the professional design practices. The focus on Health and Wellbeing is explored within environments for children, adults, professional, and senior populations. Student education is enhanced by collaborations with clinical healthcare and social science practitioners, and the ability work with real-life users of the designed environment.

Projects are structured to include all design practices including but not limited to Architecture and Landscape Architecture, and Graphic, Industrial, Interior, and Furniture Design. With an emphasis on adult learning methods and independent exploration of idea, the program is well suited early or mid-career professionals' seeking specialization within the areas of design that are responsive to issues of human health and wellbeing.

Available Options

• 4 + 2 Year Track
• 4 + 3 Year Track

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please refer to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze specific health conditions to identify ways that the designed environment can help to prevent the onset of a condition, support rehabilitate strategies, or accommodate a new normal.
2. Explore the application of theoretical concepts as applied to a specific condition within the designed environment.
3. Cultivate an appreciation for the design thinking process when addressing specific issues or concern.
4. Develop a product and aggregate design ideation intended to support a person’s physical and social rehabilitation strategies.
5. Assume a leadership role within an interdisciplinary design team focused on specific health goals and outcomes.
6. Demonstrate proficiency with written, in-person, and synchronous and asynchronous virtual communicate forms.

Career Possibilities

Preventive and personal health maintenance and public health are expected to be one of the fastest growing industries in the next decade. The designed environment will at the fore front of preventative health concerns. Additionally, the Millennial generation is assuming important roles in society. This generation understands health as an integrated outcome from actions relating to the body, mind and environment. Graduates of the program will well positioned to fill the current health and wellbeing void within the design industry either as a design practitioner, design educator, or design consultant.

Requirements

Master of Design (ON HOLD)

Plan Description

This post-professional degree leads to a Master of Design (M.Des.) with a concentration in Health and Wellbeing. The program provides an interdisciplinary and research/innovation-driven educational experience that is responsive to current and projected modes of professional practice that focus on human health and wellbeing. Their educational experience enables them to effectively participate in the integrated design and project delivery processes of environments that are increasingly being considered as one of at least three modalities - pharmacologic, behavioral, and environmental - for improving the quality of human life and health. They are also prepared to practice in a variety of related positions within the broader healthcare industry.

Plan Admission Requirements

• Overall minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 (B average) in undergraduate work. Applicants with a GPA below 3.0 but not less than 2.75 may be admitted as provisional students.
• A Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA), National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB), or Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (LAAB) accredited degree if applying into the 4 + 2 Year Program. Applicants holding other accredited degrees recognized by UNLV may be admitted into the 4+3 Year Program.
• Submission of a portfolio of design work if applying into the 4 + 2 Year Program.
• Three letters of recommendation from former instructors and/or employers that speak to the applicant's potential as a graduate student.
• A statement of the student's professional goals and reasons for seeking admission into the program (200 words maximum).
• International applicants whose native language is not English must show competency in the English language. A satisfactory score (minimum 550 on the written version or 213 on the computerized version) on the "Test of English as a Foreign Language" (TOEFL) or comparable evidence of competency in English must be submitted as part of their application.
• All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Plan Requirements

• See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1 Requirements: 4 + 2 Year Track

• Total Credits Required: 48
• Course Requirements:
  • Required Courses – Credits: 30
    • AAI 650 - Designed Environment and Human Behavior
    • AAI 723 - Interior Construction Documents and Specifications
    • HID 653 - Built Environment and Human Health
    • HID 773 - Healthcare Design I.
    • HID 774 - Healthcare Design II.
    • HID 775 - Healthcare Design III.
    • HID 776 - Design Thesis Research
  • Directed Elective Courses – Credits: 12
  • Thesis – Credits: 6
    • HID 777 - Design Thesis

Subplan 2 Requirements: 4 + 3 Year Track

• Total Credits Required: 72
• Course Requirements:
  • Required Courses – Credits: 54
    • AAI 632 - Interior Architectural Systems
    • AAI 650 - Designed Environment and Human Behavior
    • AAI 654 - History of Architectural Interiors
    • AAI 691 - Professional Practice
    • AAI 723 - Interior Construction Documents and Specifications
    • ABS 621 - Construction Technologies
    • HID 653 - Built Environment and Human Health
    • HID 673 - Design Communication I.
    • HID 674 - Design Communication II.
    • HID 773 - Healthcare Design I.
    • HID 774 - Healthcare Design II.
    • HID 775 - Healthcare Design III.
    • HID 776 - Design Thesis Research
  • Directed Elective Courses – Credits: 12
  • Professional Internship – Credits: 0
    • HID 700 - Professional Internship
  • Thesis – Credits: 6
    • HID 777 - Design Thesis

Degree Requirements

• Maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0 or above each semester enrolled.
• Receive a grade of B (3.0) or above (or satisfactory, where applicable) in all courses. If less than a B (or unsatisfactory) is earned, the course may be repeated. The student must be in good standing to repeat a course, and any course may be repeated only once.
• Complete a minimum of six semester hours in each calendar year. The total number of credits required for graduation may vary as transfer credits may be applied towards graduation.

Graduation Requirements

• The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing degree requirements.
• The student must submit and successfully present and defend an evidence-based and research-informed thesis design project by the posted deadline. The presentation must be advertised and is open to the public.
• Unanimous approval by the thesis examination committee of the defense is required for graduation.
• The student must submit a bound copy of his/her thesis to the student's Thesis Advisory Committee chair and to the Architecture Studies Library. The school reserves the right to retain any or all student projects for the program's future use and exhibition.
• The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted thesis to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.

Documents/Downloads

• Master of Design
  • Plans of Study: NA
  • Syllabi: AAI 632, HID 653
  • Degree Worksheets: NA
  • Careers: NA
  • Graduate Handbooks: Program Handbook
  • Additional Downloads: NA
  • Related Links: Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, American Academy of Healthcare Interior Designers (AAHID), American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), International Interior Design Association (IIDA)
• 4 + 2 Year Track
  • Plans of Study:
  • Syllabi: NA
  • Degree Worksheets: NA
  • Careers: NA
  • Graduate Handbooks: NA
  • Additional Downloads: NA
  • Related Links: NA
• 4 + 3 Year Track
  • Plans of Study:
  • Syllabi: NA
  • Degree Worksheets: NA
  • Careers: NA
  • Graduate Handbooks: NA
  • Additional Downloads: NA
  • Related Links: NA

Contacts

• Graduate Coordinator: Grant Mosey, Assistant Professor
• School of Architecture: The School of Architecture provides professional and continuing education in the design professions of architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, and design. Along with addressing the theoretical and practical aspects of general design education, our school focuses on the important design issues facing Las Vegas, the state of Nevada, and the Southwest.
• College of Fine Arts: The College of Fine Arts provides an academic experience that heightens awareness of the physical, intellectual, and cultural world. We diligently prepare students for professional employment and/or post-graduate study in their artistic area.