School of Design and Creative Technologies at The University of Texas at Au

The School of Design and Creative Technologies (SDCT) is the newest and fastest-growing program at the University of Texas at Austin. SDCT, a part of the prestigious College of Fine Arts, runs a specialized design curriculum worthy of its place in one of the world’s largest and most renowned research institutions. Our students are uniquely positioned to benefit from all that UT Austin offers as they learn critical design skills.

Our Department of Design offers undergraduate and graduate degrees alongside robust design courses open to all UT students. Nestled within a large university, we are a vibrant school where individual faculty and students know one another well and everyone participates in building a community based on creative collaboration.

Undergraduate Design Degrees

Our B.A. and B.F.A. degrees offer a comprehensive educational journey that equips students with the tools to tackle real-world challenges across various domains. Through a blend of coursework and mentorship from faculty, students study graphic design, industrial design, interaction design, design research and strategy, and design history. Design courses address issues ranging from health and sustainability to social justice and technology. The program cultivates creative confidence and urges students to explore open-ended solutions beyond the obvious.

Undergraduate students progress through a meticulously structured degree program, from foundational sequences to specialized electives such as Branding for Social Justice and Retro Futures. In the first two years, emphasis is placed on mastering design fundamentals like typography, sketching, form-giving, and design history. As students advance, they delve deeper into specialized areas of interest — from letterpress printing to health care systems — using design as their toolset.

Graduate Design Programs

At the graduate level, our M.F.A. in Design offers a dynamic, 21-month journey for ambitious designers seeking to tackle the complex challenges of the 21st century. This program, led by award-winning design practitioners and scholars, emphasizes studio-based learning, critical inquiry and advanced fabrication skills. Our M.F.A. program boasts small cohorts, which allows students to work closely with faculty mentors to tailor their education to align with their career aspirations. As they develop an expansive thesis project, students receive focused training in research, theory, criticism and design pedagogy.

In partnership with UT’s Dell Medical School, our M.A. in Design focused on health is a first-of-its-kind training ground for innovators who strive to make changes within our healthcare system. On an accelerated 10-month timeline, students use design tools to address complex health issues, envisioning transformative solutions for the future of healthcare delivery.

The Center for Integrated Design

The Center for Integrated Design (CID) connects students from all majors across the University of Texas at Austin. CID offers collaborative, design-based learning experiences, where students integrate design skills into the context of their major area of study. Students enrolled in CID courses work alongside a diverse group of peers and expert design faculty members to explore design as a powerful, effective methodology for solving real-world challenges. They learn to frame problems, study human behavior and apply insights that positively impact their chosen industry and the world.

Career Support

Our industry relations team facilitates connections with professionals in the field, jumpstarting students’ professional networks and opening doors to diverse career opportunities. All students are offered career development opportunities with one-on-one consulting, resume reviews and interview training. Recent graduates of our programs have gone on to work with some of the most renowned design teams in the U.S., from The New York Times to Microsoft and from GSD&M to frog.

At the University of Texas at Austin, we believe in the power of design to drive positive change, and SDCT is at the forefront of this transformative journey. Through a blend of innovative curriculum, expert mentorship and real-world experience, we empower our students to become skilled designers and visionary leaders who will shape the future of design and beyond.