Educational Programs

Design Studies

The BAC is accepting applications for Fall 2010 for all onsite degree programs. The fall semester begins on Monday, August 30 2010.

Design Studies Program

The Design Studies program affords a diverse population of students access to a design based, liberal arts education that will prepare them for a wide range of careers. A student who has earned the Bachelor of Design Studies degree will be an educated person with the ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and communicate effectively.

The Design Studies program is founded on three principles.

  • Students will develop design skills with the ability to think analytically and solve problems creatively. 
  • Students will explore the liberal arts to discover the diverse body of knowledge and ideas they need to mature as thoughtful and productive citizens.
  • Students will experience the workplace to understand how ideas are translated into reality.

All Design Studies students complete a foundation curriculum that includes design studios and required arts and science courses. Having successfully completed these foundation requirements, students then continue into their concentration curriculum that provides a wide range of courses and electives. This allows the student to pursue a course of study that is tailored to their own interests and career objectives.

Design Studies students may choose to concentrate in one of the following areas:

  • Architectural Technology
  • Design Computing
  • Design History, Theory and Criticism
  • Historic Preservation
  • Sustainable Design

Academic Sequence of Study and Concurrent Practice Curriculum

The Design Studies academic component is organized into two segments of approximately equal length:

  • In Segment I, students follow the BAC's design and liberal studies foundation curriculum consisting of design and visual studies, writing and analysis, math and physics, and history and theory of design.
  • In Segment II, students focus on their selected concentration of study. In addition, students continue their education in the liberal arts with studies in social and physical sciences, humanities, and an array of general elective courses of their choice.

Like all students at the BAC, Design Studies students follow what we call a "concurrent academic and practice curriculum." The BAC's concurrent curriculum allows students to pursue their classroom (academic) learning at the same time they are gaining workplace (practice) experience in their area of study.

The Design Studies practice component requires students to develop hands-on experience in their area of concentration. While most BAC students earn more than the minimum number of work hours required, Design Studies students must accumulate the equivalent of one and one third years of full-time work experience to earn the Bachelor of Design Studies degree. Learning in the Design Studies practice component stresses a board spectrum of skills including communication, design understanding, analytical ability, and technical competence.

The Bachelor of Design Studies can be completed in approximately 5½ years, depending upon the student’s academic status upon entering the program.

Accreditation
The BDS degree is fully accredited by the State of Massachusetts and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

For more information
To find out more about the Bachelor of Design Studies program at the BAC, please contact Richard Moyer in the Admissions Office at 617-585-0256. We also welcome you to visit the BAC Admissions Office to get additional information.