Master of Design: Public Art & Engagement Curriculum

Student holding scale model

The Master of Design in Public Art & Engagement emphasizes transdisciplinary creative research and practice.

The UMass Public Art & Engagement Program offers three degree options:

  1. A two-year Master of Design in Public Art & Engagement;
  2. A one-year (plus summer) Master of Design in Public Art & Engagement (for students entering with extensive background in art or art history);
  3. Master of Design in Public Art & Engagement and Master of Architecture Dual Degree, taking an additional semester or year following the Master of Architecture degree.

Master of Design in Public Art & Engagement, Two-Year Degree

History (6 credits/2 courses)

  • ARCH XXX History & Theory of Preservation
  • ARCH 630 Philosophy of Arch & Design
  • ART-HIST 627 Contemporary Art
  • ART-HIST 782 Museum Studies
  • LARP 661 Cultural Landscapes: Documentation, Values and Policy
  • LARP 663 Heritage Landscape Management
  • HIST 662 Museum and Historic Site
  • HIST 661 American Material Culture

Practice/Research (9 credits/3 courses)

  • ARCH XXX On Color
  • ARCH XXX Design for Climate Change
  • ARCH 670 Research Forum
  • ARTS-EXT 508 Creative Economy and Placemaking
  • ARTS-EXT 500 Arts Management
  • ARTS-EXT 511 Grant Writing for the Arts
  • ARTS-EXT 509 Greening Your Nonprofit Arts Organization
  • ART 689 Introduction to Visual Culture: Theory and Practice

Studio (12 credits/4 courses)

  • ARCH 530 Design Engagement
  • ARCH XXX Drawing the City
  • ARCH XXX Graphic Design
  • ARCH 500 Graduate Design Studio I
  • ARCH 501 Graduate Design Studio II
  • ARCH 600 Graduate Design Studio III
  • ART 560 Grad Sculpture/Installation
  • LANDARCH 592M Material Experiments in Landscape Architecture
  • LANDARCH 397B - Studio III Public Space Design Representation
  • LANDARCH 630 The Theory and Practice of Public Participation
  • LANDARCH 662 Cultural Heritage Policy and International Sustainability Practice
  • SUSTCOMM 394RI - Research Issues in Sustainable Community Development

Technology (6 credits/2 courses)

  • ARCH 540 Analysis & Representation I
  • ARCH 554 Digital Analysis & Representation II
  • ARCH 610 Material Research and Design

Capstone Project (9 credits)

  • ARCH 670 — Research Forum - 3 credits
  • ARCH XXX Capstone Project - 6 credits OR ARCH 699 Master of Architecture Thesis - 6 credits

Total 36 credits

To learn more, contact:

Sandy Litchfield, Program Advisor Sandy Litchfield, Program Advisor

Learn more

Graduate Studies in Architecture information.

Graduate Studies Graduate Studies Master of Architecture Master of Architecture Master of Design Master of Design Master of Design: Historic Preservation Master of Design: Historic Preservation Master of Design: Public Art & Engagement Master of Design: Public Art & Engagement MLA/MArch Dual Degree MLA/MArch Dual Degree MRP/MArch Dual Degree MRP/MArch Dual Degree Graduate Admissions Graduate Admissions