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).
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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.
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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.
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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 | Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment. 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 |
Human Ecology Admissions Information.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
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 masters or doctoral research or final MFA project with conference travel scholarships and graduate research scholarships. See the School of Human Ecology Enrollment Policy on Funding Eligibility and view current funding opportunities on our program website for more information.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, 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 | Qualifying Research Project: The Qualifying Research Project (3 credits) is part of the Core Course requirements for every PhD student, and must be completed prior to preliminary exams. The Qualifying Research Project provides students with an opportunity to conduct independent research in their pathway in preparation for their dissertation. While limited in scope, the project should be comparable to the final dissertation in terms of its intellectual tone and quality. The project could be a self-contained research paper that could later be incorporated into one of chapters in the final dissertation, building theoretical model for the dissertation, or proposal and conduct of pilot study for their final dissertation. Students are encouraged to disseminate the project broadly, in the format of conference papers or published journal articles in their respective fields. The Qualifying Research Project may be based on work completed as part of any UW graduate seminar. Students often enroll in an independent study with their major advisor to complete this project. The project must be submitted and approved by the student’s major advisor. The project must receive a passing grade to sit for the preliminary examination. Preliminary Examination: All PhD students sit for a preliminary examination after satisfactorily completing coursework and the Qualifying Research Project. The exam is intended to demonstrate the students’ broad knowledge in the field of design, and specialized expertise in both a major and a minor area. Students must pass the preliminary examination before submitting a dissertation proposal, and before advancing to dissertator status. Research and Thesis: Students with dissertator status are expected to enroll for 3 credits directly related to dissertation research or production. These credits are generally research and thesis credits, independent studies, or required seminars; they must be in coursework numbered 300 or above. Three credits is the minimum credit load per semester for dissertators during each of the fall and spring semesters; this is considered a full time load. Dissertators must register for 3 credits each semester until the PhD thesis is filed. |
| Language Requirements | Foreign language proficiency may be required for students in the Design History pathway; if their major or minor areas or dissertation requires work in a language other than English. Students in Environmental Research Design pathway may be required to fulfill the foreign language requirement if the student’s research involves the use of a language other than English. Competency may be acquired independently or through structured coursework and is assessed through examination. Exams must be taken before students advance to dissertator status. |
| 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)
- Environmental Research Design (EDR)
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 | ||
| Students must complete the following courses. | ||
| INTER-HE 801 | Special Topics in Human Ecology (Professional Development Seminar) | 1 |
| INTER-HE 792 | Theories and Perspectives in Human Ecology | 2 |
| Core Courses | 15 | |
| Students must complete 15 credits from the following courses, including DS 920. | ||
| Seminar in Design Studies | ||
| Design Studies Seminar | ||
| Students must select one of the following seminar courses based on their selected pathway. | ||
| Person and Environment Interactions (Environmental Research Design Pathway) | ||
| Seminar in Design Studies (Topic: Seminar in Design History; Design History Pathway) | ||
| Research Design and Methods | ||
| Students must select one of the following courses in this category based on their pathway. | ||
Design History Pathway: Students must select a Methods for Design History course chosen in consultation with faculty advisor (Dimensions in Material Culture, Architectural History or Art History) | ||
| Practical Research Design and Methods of Empirical Inquiry (Environmental Research Design Pathway) | ||
| Graduate Student Instructor Course | ||
| Students must select a course that focuses on teaching, learning and instructional pedagogy chosen in consultation with faculty advisor. | ||
| Pathway (Design History or Environmental Research Design) | 15 | |
| Students must complete 15 credits of coursework in their pathway chosen in consultation with faculty advisor. | ||
| Breadth | 9 | |
| Research and Thesis | 6 | |
| Students must enroll in one of the following courses or other graduate seminar as determined in consultation with faculty advisor. | ||
| Research and Thesis | ||
or DS 999 | Independent Study | |
| Electives | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 51 | |
Core Courses
The Core Course curriculum offers an opportunity for all students to establish a foundational knowledge of theories, research methods, and seminars relevant to design research. The curriculum includes specialized training in instruction and pedagogy. This is a requisite for graduate teaching assistant duties (often a source of doctoral funding), and useful for students who wish to pursue academic careers. The curriculum also includes an independent study that facilitates the production of the Qualifying Research Project.
Pathways
Coursework in the major area serves as a foundation for the preliminary exam and dissertation. Students are encouraged to take courses offered inside and outside the Design Studies department to develop an interdisciplinary framework for their doctoral research. Students may also benefit from courses offered through the Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) traveling scholar program, the academic consortium of twelve major teaching and research universities in the Midwest designed to share specialized courses and resources.
Students are expected to develop a strong foundation in research methods based on their selected pathway:
- Design History Pathway: Complete at least one advanced methods courses in applicable areas, such as art history or material culture.
- Environmental Research Design Pathway: Encouraged to complete advanced research methods courses (e.g., advanced qualitative/quantitative, ethnography, GIS) and advanced statistics courses as their dissertation topic requires.
Breadth
Students may fulfill the breadth requirement with the Virtual Reality (VR) Technology Focused minor offered by the Design Studies program. Students in the Design History and Environmental Research Design pathways may pursue this minor. Contact the program for more information.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. 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 credits
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
- Dean of Students Office (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- 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 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 the program Events Calendar for the most up-to-date information on professional development opportunities.
People
Human Ecology Directory: listing of all faculty, staff, and graduate students; searchable by association, department, and name
Department of Civil Society & Community Studies (Civil Society & Community Research: CSCR graduate program)
Department of Consumer Science (Consumer Behavior & Family Economics: CBFE graduate program)
Department of Design Studies (Design Studies: DS graduate programs)
Department of Human Development & Family Studies (Human Development & Family Studies: HDFS graduate program)