UTexas

Suggested Arrangement of Courses, Design (BFA)

RequirementsHours
1st Semester
DES 304Design Studio I (Major)3
Lower-division DES course (Major)3
Lower-division DES course (Major)3
RHE 306Rhetoric and Writing (Core) 0103
UGS 302First-Year Signature Course (Core) 0903
or UGS 303 First-Year Signature Course
2nd Semester
DES 305Design Studio II (Major)3
DES 308Introduction to Design Theory and Criticism (Major)3
ARH 303Survey of Renaissance through Modern Art (Major) 0503
Mathematics (Core) 0203
Social and Behavioral Sciences (Core) 0803
3rd Semester
DES 131Portfolio and Performance Review (Major)1
DES 321Images in Communication (Major)3
DES 325Typography I (Major)3
DES 326Objects and Spaces (Major)3
GOV 310LAmerican and Texas Government (Core) 0703
Natural Science and Technology, Part I (Core) 0303
4th Semester
DES 334Introduction to Interaction Design (Major)3
DES 336History of Design (Major)3
or DES 337 Topics in Design History
DES or supportive course (Major)3
GOV 312LIssues and Policies in American Government (Core) 0703
Natural Science and Technology, Part I (Core) 0303
5th Semester
Upper-division DES course (Major)3
ARH or DES course in history/theory/criticism (Major)3
DES or supportive course (Major)3
E 316LBritish Literature (Core) 0103
or E 316M American Literature
or E 316N World Literature
or E 316P Masterworks of Literature
Natural Science and Technology, Part II (Core) 0933
6th Semester
DES 360Design Internship (Major)3
Upper-division DES course (Major)3
DES or supportive course (Major)3
DES or supportive course (Major)3
U.S. History (Core) 0603
7th Semester
DES 374Capstone Design Project (Major)3
DES or supportive courses (Major)3
U.S. History (Core) 0603
Communication (Core)3
Free elective (Elective)2
8th Semester
DES 375Capstone Design Exhibition (Major)3
Free electives (Elective)12
Total Hours120

Four-year degree suggestion (for planning purposes only). 

Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor.

Course categories: Core, General Education, Major, Elective, Opportunity

Core Component Areas010 Communication; 020 Mathematics; 030 Natural Science and Technology, Part I; 040 Humanities; 050 Visual and Performing Arts; 060 U.S. History; 070 American and Texas Government; 080 Social and Behavioral Sciences; 090 First-Year Signature Course; 093 Natural Science and Technology, Part II

Undergraduate Degree Program listing 

Effective April 2025, UT Austin no longer requires Skills and Experience flags.