The Multi-Disciplinary Design (MDD) program at the University of Utah has established a significant update to its B.S. Design degree, aimed at expanding access, increasing flexibility, and better serving the interests of design students. The new Design Studies emphasis, in conjunction with the existing Studio Practice pathway, enables students to pursue a design degree with fewer studio-intensive requirements and more opportunities to pursue minors in complementary fields, such as entrepreneurship.

Previously, the MDD program was only able to admit roughly 50% of its applicants annually due to studio space limitations. The new Design Studies pathway addresses this constraint by offering a curriculum focused on design management, development, and theory—areas that don’t require extensive studio time. This change broadens the scope of design education, enabling the program to accommodate more students.

Students admitted in Fall 2025 and beyond will benefit from coordinated advising and expanded options, while those already declared in the major will retain their current degree plans.

This update aligns with the University’s mission to promote student success and societal impact. By removing enrollment caps and supporting cross-disciplinary learning, the new emphasis promotes persistence and timely graduation.