Academics

The Academic Program

The Department offers degree programs in Graphic Design (BFA), Interior Design (BFA) and Design Studies (BFA). A minor in Architectural Lighting Design is also available. Students are challenged in an academic and artistically rigorous environment and mentored by faculty composed of design professionals.

Areas of Study

Design Foundations / Qualifying Examination

Our degree programs in Interior Design, Graphic Design, and Architectural Lighting Design are rigorous and competitive, consistent with most accredited design programs nationwide. For the right student, these programs offer exceptional learning opportunities and a deeply rewarding creative experience.

All students enter TCU’s Department of Design as Pre-Majors in their intended area of study:

The purpose of the Qualifying Examination is to assess each student’s aptitude, creative potential, and readiness to succeed in a competitive design field that demands strong technical skills, conceptual thinking, and creative problem-solving.

Unlike performance-based programs such as dance or music, students are not required to audition before admission to TCU. We begin with the assumption that most students have had little or no formal design training prior to entering college. This creates an equal opportunity for all students, regardless of background or access to prior design education to demonstrate their ability through our foundational courses.

All pre-majors complete a series of Design Foundation courses, which provide the skills, methods, and experiences necessary for evaluation in the Qualifying Examination. Students are assessed solely on their performance in these courses.

Qualifying Examination Criteria: Interior Design Pre-Majors

Students interested in pursuing a BFA in Interior Design (with an optional minor in Architectural Lighting Design), or a BS in Design Studies with a concentration in Architectural Lighting Design will first enroll as Interior Design Pre-Majors and complete the following foundation courses in their first semester:

Fall Semester

Intro to Creative Practices (CA/FAR Core Credit)
Drawing for Design
Two-Dimensional Design

At the end of the fall semester, students submit selected projects and a sketchbook from each course for evaluation. The Qualifying Examination Committee reviews the full body of work using a shared rubric that measures design aptitude, conceptual development, and craftsmanship across all courses.

Admission into the major is based on the results of the Qualifying Examination and the available resources and capacity within the Department of Design

Accepted students join their cohort in a lock-stepped sequence beginning the following spring semester. Students who do not qualify are advised individually and guided toward alternative majors that align with their strengths and interests.

Qualifying Examination Criteria: Graphic Design Pre-Majors

Students interested in pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design or a BS in Design Studies with a concentration in Graphic Design will first enroll as Graphic Design Pre-Majors and complete the following courses during their first year:

Fall Semester

Intro to Creative Practices (CA/FAR Core Credit)
Intro to Computer Graphics

Spring Semester

Drawing for Design
Two-Dimensional Design

At the end of the spring semester, students submit selected projects and a sketchbook representing their work from all four courses. The Qualifying Examination Committee evaluates the submissions using a shared rubric that considers the overall quality, growth, and consistency of work across the foundations sequence.

Admission into the major is based on the results of the Qualifying Examination and the available resources and capacity within the Department of Design.

Accepted students join their cohort in a lock-stepped sequence beginning of their second year. Students who do not qualify are advised individually and guided toward alternative majors that align with their strengths and interests.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of students are accepted into the program?

Acceptance is based on both the quality of student work and departmental capacity. Typically, the Department of Design admits one to two sections of new majors per year in both Graphic Design and Interior Design.

Each section generally includes 12–15 students, meaning approximately 24–30 students are accepted annually in each program. While there is no set quota, the percentage of students admitted each year depends on available resources and the total number of applicants.

How are students informed about the Qualifying Examination requirements?

Because the program is competitive, the Department of Design maintains multiple communication points to ensure transparency and student support. These include:

Pre-Major Orientation, introducing the Qualifying Examination process
Live online portal with submission guidelines and deadlines
Dedicated class sessions that prepare students for evaluation
Individual academic advising to discuss degree planning and alternative options

These touchpoints are designed to help students understand expectations early, plan their progress strategically, and approach the Qualifying Examination with confidence.

How do grades in the foundation courses affect the Qualifying Examination?

Grades and the Qualifying Examination are evaluated separately. It is possible for a student to earn strong grades in foundation courses but not qualify for admission to the major. This occurs for two main reasons:

Different Evaluation Criteria:
Course grades reflect performance on individual assignments, participation, attendance, and deadlines. The Qualifying Examination evaluates the collective body of work for design aptitude and potential for success in a professional context.
Student-Centered Foundation Design:
Foundation courses are designed so that students can maintain a healthy GPA, even if they do not qualify for the major. This ensures that all students can transition smoothly to alternative degree options without penalty.

Class Sizes

The department is small and selective by design. Lower-division classes are limited to 15 students, and advanced classes are often smaller. This intimate setting allows instructors and students to develop a rapport that not only enhances academic communication, but also contributes to long-term professional relationships and friendships.

Faculty

The department has twelve full-time faculty members, many of whom bring a wealth of experience from their professional design practices. The program is supplemented by architectural, design, advertising and illustration professionals from the Dallas-Fort Worth community. This combination provides the stability and academic professionalism of having a full-time staff, while offering a rich variety of perspective and “real-world” learning experiences offered by the part-time faculty.

Faculty Directory