Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Design

The Post-Baccalaureate Certcate in Design is a 30 credit program taken in the Fall and Winter semesters. It is composed of a mix of Studio (21 credits) and LAS (9 credits) courses. This program is not specc to any particular area of Design; it is meant to be a generalist design credential, in keeping with the broad, interdisciplinary approach in NSCADs BDES and MDES programs.

Qualed applicants will have at least a Bachelors degree in Design granted by a postsecondary institution in which the language of instruction may or may not be English, a letter of intent stating their commitment to advanced design studies, and a portfolio of visual work. The Certificate Program may be the recommended preparatory course of study for students wishing to apply to the MDes Program.

The majority of students entering this program are international students.
At program completion these students will:

• have an enhanced understanding of the current practice of design in Canada, North America and Europe
• have a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities of designers and the importance of critical thought and discourse
• have a clearer idea of what is expectedfrom students in a Canadian universityat a graduate level
• have a better grasp of Canadian culture
• be able to communicate more effectively in English

Please review the additional information for applicants from thePeople's Republic of China

Use this link for more information on admission requirements for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Design.

Students may apply for entry to the MDes Program after successful completion of the Certificate. Those students who successfully complete the PBAC program at NSCAD, but have not acheived the required GPA for entry to the MDes program, may be qualified to apply for admission to the BDes of BFA Degree program, These students could be eligible to transfer 60 credit hours from a combination of academic work done in the PBAC program and approved previous post-secondary education.

All degree students at NSCAD University must demonstrate the ability to write competently in English. Students meet this requirement by successfully completing FNDN 1800 Writing for the Arts, in the Foundation year. Students who attended another post-secondary institution before entering NSCAD may meet the writing requirement through transfer by demonstrating that they have previously completed studies in an English-speaking university program. Students must have studied at an English-speaking university and must have completed at least six credits of English courses or nine credits of liberal arts courses at a B- level or better to fulfill the requirement.

Students transferring from community colleges cannot meet the writing requirement through transfer except in circumstances where NSCAD University has a formal articulation or transfer agreements with a specific college in which meeting the writing requirement through transfer is provided for in the agreement. Students from other community colleges for which transfer is not possible, may register for a 2000-level liberal arts/art history course concurrently with FNDN 1800, but must successfully complete FNDN 1800 before taking other LAS/AHIS courses at NSCAD University or under NSCAD University auspices.