Course Overview!

Auburn University's Master of Industrial Design (MID) program is a NASAD-accredited graduate degree focusing on advanced design principles and practices. The program prepares students for professional careers in various design fields. Students can choose between a thesis or non-thesis option. The curriculum includes core courses covering design history, portfolio development, design orientation, and computer-aided design. Students also undertake an industry practicum, gaining real-world experience through collaboration with industry partners. The program culminates in either a thesis project or a comprehensive portfolio demonstrating advanced design skills and expertise. The program strongly emphasizes practical application and professional development, equipping graduates to excel in the competitive design industry. The program is designed to nurture creativity, problem-solving skills, and collaboration, offering students a comprehensive and rigorous educational experience.

Course Structure

The MID program offers both thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option requires a minimum of 35 credit hours, including a thesis (4-6 credits), core courses (17 credits), and electives based on student interest. The non-thesis option requires 40 credit hours, including core courses and additional electives. Core courses include History of Industrial Design II, Portfolio, Design Orientation, and Computer/Industrial Design. An industry practicum (5 credits) is mandatory for both options. Students can choose electives from a range of 6000-8999 level courses, allowing for specialization within their chosen area of interest. The maximum number of graduate credits allowed per semester is 12 (9 for full-time students). All thesis and non-thesis documentation must be submitted a semester prior to the intended graduation semester.