This is a named option within the Human Ecology PhD.
Within the Design Studies Graduate Program, faculty and students investigate a wide range of subject matter and apply a variety of methods, with the common goal of understanding how design (broadly conceived) relates to, responds to, and affects our lives. The program’s graduate faculty is comprised of interdisciplinary scholars, designers, scientists, and artists who mentor and assist graduate students as they build individual programs of study. The Design Studies department offers a doctoral program with the aim of preparing students for professional design careers, specialized research, college teaching, museum or archival work, community engagement, and entrepreneurial endeavors.
Students enrolled in one of the Human Ecology PhD program named options have the opportunity to earn the Human Ecology MS: Human Ecology Research degree along the way to the PhD upon successful completion of coursework and research.
The graduate program in Design Studies is housed within the School of Human Ecology. The PhD program capitalizes on the many rich resources offered at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. As a public research university, UW–Madison is known for its high quality of research activity (ranked third in the nation) and comprehensive academic programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The university environment provides fertile ground for interdisciplinary research necessary for twenty-first-century students to prepare for work in a fast-evolving discipline with shifting boundaries and growing global connections. UW–Madison’s world-class faculty and staff offer innovative approaches to curriculum and research. The UW–Madison campus is home to 40 libraries, nearly 100 research centers, a state-of-the-art virtual reality facility, and the Chazen Museum of Art (one of the nation’s leading university art museums).
The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Design Studies is the highest degree in the field of design research and scholarship. The program is grounded in the production of original and rigorous research. Students are encouraged to shape their own approaches as they develop mastery of the research and communication skills necessary to complete their research agendas. Through a combination of core courses, concentrations, major specializations, and minor specializations, students acquire content knowledge, theoretical foundations, and methodological approaches needed for their work. The PhD culminates in the production of a doctoral dissertation that contributes to the knowledge base in the discipline of design. Graduates of the program have demonstrated their leadership in the field of design practice and education in the U.S. and internationally.
The PhD program currently offers three areas of concentration. Within each area, students are expected to build a self-directed but highly coherent curriculum in close consultation with a major faculty advisor. The tracks are:
Design History (DH Track)1
Design History seeks to understand design in its historical context, as both a process and a product. Our program defines design broadly to include architecture, interior design, industrial design, decorative arts, and other areas of material culture. The Design Studies department offers many opportunities for interdisciplinary study on the UW–Madison campus and has strong ties to other disciplines including art history and landscape architecture. Design History PhD students also have access to coursework and faculty members from allied programs, including the Material Culture Studies Certificate and the Buildings–Landscapes–Cultures Program (a collaborative research degree offered through UW–Madison and UW–Milwaukee).
- 1
These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Environmental Design Research (EDR Track)1
Environmental Design Research addresses the interaction between people and their built, natural, and/or virtual environments with a clear goal to create environments that are sustainable and responsive to human needs. The faculty and graduates of the program have pioneered studies in environment-behavior, evidence-based design, building evaluation, sustainability, aging and environment, children’s environment, environments for special population, and emerging technologies and applications of virtual reality.
While drawing from campus-wide resources, the faculty and students in EDR closely work with its allies within the School of Human Ecology, which include community psychologists, developmental psychologists, and scholars from consumer science. EDR students also have the opportunity to work with the Department of Planning and Landscape Architecture, and with the UW–Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning.
- 1
These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Textile Science (TS)1
Textile Science investigates the interaction of dyes and finishes with fibers, yarns, and fabrics. Faculty and students in this program focus on sustainability and work to develop chemicals and processes that are safer for the end-user, textile workers, and the environment. Students achieve this by developing and using chemicals, dyes, and finishes, and by reducing the amount of chemicals, water, and energy used in these processes. The DS Textile Lab offers equipment for textile quality control, dyeing, finishing, and plasma. The Materials Science Lab offers analytical equipment such as ESCA, an Atomic Force Microscope, an Electron Microscope, and FTIR. Depending on their research interests, students will have the opportunity to work with other UW–Madison departments including Chemistry, Material Science, Forestry, or Electrical and Computer Engineering.
- 1
These tracks are internal to the program and represent different pathways a student can follow to earn this degree. Track names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
Admissions
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | December 1 |
| Spring Deadline | The program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | The program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241. |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
The Human Ecology Graduate Program reviews applications once per year after the admissions deadline. The faculty admissions committee reviews all complete applications using holistic admissions criteria. Those selected for an interview will be contacted by email. All admitted students will be invited to attend the Human Ecology Graduate Programs Admitted Student Visit Day held each spring. For more information on the specifics on the timeline, process, and application materials, please see the Human Ecology Admissions Information website.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
The Bursar’s Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Resources
Funding opportunities for Human Ecology graduate students are available and made possible, in large part, by generous donations to SoHE. Every year, these funds are used to fund teaching or project assistantships, award academic excellence scholarships, and provide students doing their master's or doctoral research or final MFA project with conference travel scholarships and graduate research scholarships. See more funding information for the School of Human Ecology on our program website and enrollment requirements for funding eligibility in our handbook.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Named Option Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 51 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 32 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 26 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.30 GPA required. |
| Other Grade Requirements | n/a |
| Assessments and Examinations | Doctoral students are required to take a comprehensive preliminary/oral examination after they have cleared their record of all Incomplete and In Progress grades (other than research and thesis). Deposit of the doctoral dissertation in the Graduate School is required. |
| Language Requirements | Contact the program for information on any language requirements. |
| Graduate School Breadth Requirement | All doctoral students are required to complete a doctoral minor or graduate/professional certificate. Refer to the Graduate School: Breadth Requirement in Doctoral Training policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1200. |
Required Courses
Students choose a pathway:
- Design History (DH)
- Design Research (DR)
These pathways are internal to the program and represent different curricular paths a student can follow to earn this degree. Pathway names do not appear in the Graduate School admissions application, and they will not appear on the transcript.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Human Ecology Core | ||
| INTER-HE 801 | Special Topics in Human Ecology (Professional Development Seminar) | 1 |
| INTER-HE 792 | Theories and Perspectives in Human Ecology | 2 |
| Core Courses | ||
| Complete 3 credits of the following: | 3 | |
| Seminar in Design Studies (Design Research and Design History each have their own section) | ||
| Graduate Seminar | ||
| Complete 3 credits of the following in consultation with the faculty advisor. | 3 | |
| Environments of Crisis & Design (Design Research) | ||
| Culture and Built Environment (Design Research) | ||
| Dimensions of Material Culture | ||
| Design Research Methods | ||
| Complete 3 credits of the following in consultation with the faculty advisor. | 3 | |
| Research Methods in Design (Design Research ) | ||
| Causal Models in Household and Consumer Research (Design Research) | ||
| Quantitative Design and Methods (Design Research) | ||
| Qualitative Design and Methods (Design Research) | ||
| Research Methods and Research Design in Cultural Anthropology (Design History) | ||
| Historiography, Theory and Methods in Visual Culture (Design History) | ||
| Historical and Cultural Methods in Environmental Research (Design History) | ||
| Graduate Student Instructor Course | ||
| Complete 2 credits of the following that focus on teaching, learning, and instructional technology in consultation with the faculty advisor. | 2 | |
| Research Mentor Training Practicum | ||
| Expeditions in Evidence-based Teaching and Learning | ||
| Capstone Seminar in Teaching and Learning | ||
| Evaluating and Supporting Quality Classroom Teaching | ||
| Introduction to Higher and Post-Secondary Education | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Qualifying Research Project | ||
| Complete 3 credits from following: | 3 | |
| Independent Study | ||
| Breadth | 9 | |
| Research and Thesis | ||
| Complete 10 credits from following: | 10 | |
| Research and Thesis | ||
or DS 999 | Independent Study | |
| Major Area of Specialization | ||
| Students must select 15 credits in consultation with the faculty advisor. These can be from Design Studies or other departments across campus. Design Research may consider Statistics, Computer Sciences, Educational Psychology, Human Development Family Studies, Landscape Architecture, Nursing, Psychology, Public Health, Urban Regional Planning and relevant area studies programs. Design History may select Anthropology, Art History, Environmental Studies, Gender Women's Studies, History, History of Science, Library Information Science, Landscape Architecture, Urban Regional Planning and any relevant area studies. | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 51 | |
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously. Note some policies redirect to entries in the official UW-Madison Policy Library. Programs may set more stringent policies than the Graduate School. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Named Option-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions
With program approval, students are allowed to transfer up to 18 credits of graduate coursework taken at other institutions or as a UW–Madison Special student. Prior coursework taken at other institutions may not be used to satisfy the minimum graduate residence credit requirement. Credits earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree are not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison
With program approval, students are allowed to transfer a maximum of 9 University Special student credits in coursework numbered 300 or above. These credits are not allowed to satisfy the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken in coursework numbered 700 or above or are taken to meet the requirements of a capstone certificate and has the "Grad 50%" attribute. Credits earned ten or more years prior to admission to a doctoral degree are not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Probation
Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.
Advisor / Committee
Refer to the Graduate School: Advisor and Graduate School: Committees (Doctoral/Master’s/MFA) policies.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credit maximum. Refer to the Graduate School: Maximum Credit Loads and Overload Requests policy.
Time Limits
Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
The School of Human Ecology Graduate Program Handbook outlines the conduct expectations and grievance process.
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
Other
n/a
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Program Resources
The School of Human Ecology Graduate Program values the professional development of graduate students and provides financial awards to those who are invited to present at professional conferences/exhibits. The purpose of the support is to encourage participation in professional development, scholarly research, and/or creative endeavor and to help cover expenses not covered by other sources. Students may receive a maximum award of $650 for travel ($750 for international travel) to support conference participation in a single academic year. Students are encouraged to seek conference and travel funding from the Graduate School as a first step and apply for supplemental funds through SoHE as needed.
In addition, each academic department within the School of Human Ecology may offer additional professional development grant opportunities. See Programming and the Events Calendar for the most up-to-date information on professional development opportunities.