Program Overview 

Program Coordinator Aaron Nelson, (845) 257-7887, nelsona@newpaltz.edu
Program ID 240M
Credits 120 UG + 36 GR
Program Length MA can be completed in three semesters if studying part-time, program must be completed in 7 years
Modality In-person
Full-time/Part-time Full-time or Part-time
Transfer Credits 6
Capstone Thesis or Project

Program Description 

This accelerated plan of study provides a pathway to earning two powerful credentials, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree and a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Digital Design & Fabrication. This Bachelor's/Master's program is designed to enable New Paltz students with a minor in Digital Design & Fabrication to begin taking graduate courses during the senior year, earning up to 12 graduate credits by the time they complete their bachelor’s degree. They are then able to complete the graduate degree requirements by enrolling in 18 credits during the subsequent fall and spring terms.

How does it work? 

QUALIFY for early admission by minoring in Digital Design & Fabrication as an undergraduate. 

CONTACT Professor Aaron Nelson to express interest in and learn more about the program.

APPLY online to the Bachelor's/Master's program in Digital Design & Fabrication during the junior year.

UPLOAD a personal statement explaining interest in the 4+1 program, contact information for two references, an unofficial transcript, and a portfolio including at least 15 images. 

GET AHEAD by completing twelve credits of graduate course work during the senior year and enjoy a tuition savings of $175/credit. 

COMPLETE the remaining 18 credits of the MA degree program in just one year. 

Apply to a SUNY New Paltz graduate programAdmission Requirements

  • Admission Essay describing interest in the BA/BS + MA program
  • Successful completion bachelor’s degree including the DDF minor with a 3.0 GPA
  • Contact information for two references
  • Portfolio including samples of completed work. When uploading your portfolio, include a minimum of 15 images.

Please note that we require a minimum of 10 individual works or projects; additional detail photographs and installation documentation can be included. You may either upload videos or include external links to videos as part of your portfolio. Each work sample must be labeled with the title of work, medium, size, and date. Images can be labeled and ordered as they are uploaded. For good image quality and fast upload, we recommend jpeg images no larger than 1280 x 1280 pixels @ 72 ppi.

Sample Plan of Study for Students Minoring in Digital Design & Fabrication.

Senior Year - Fall (6 Credits)
DDF502Introduction to Computation for Media3
DDF705Advanced 3D Printing3
Senior Year - Spring (6 Credits)
DDF560Introduction to Designing with Microprocessors3
DDF Elective 13
Graduate - Term One (9 Credits)
DDF5553D Computational Design3
DDF Elective3
Capstone 13
Graduate - Term Two (9 Credits)
ARH526Studies in the History of Design 3
DDF701Advanced Computer Aided Design3
Capstone 23
Graduate - Term Three (6 Credits)
DDF510Computer Aided design 1 (or DDF Elective if student took DDF205 as an undergrad )3
DDF512Computer Aided Design 2 (or DDF Elective if student took DDF210 as an undergraduate)3
Possible Elective 2
Total Credits36
1

Students may take either an undergraduate DDF elective, or opt to take a fourth graduate DDF course.

2

Only needed if the student did not take a fourth graduate DDF course in their senior year.

Academic Standing Requirements for Bachelor's/Master's Students

A cumulative GPA of less than 3.0 in graduate-level courses taken in the undergraduate portion of a 4+1 program precludes the student’s good standing.  Students with GPA of 2.75 to 2.99 strongly advised to reconsider continuing into GR program.  Students below 2.75 may not continue and will be de-matriculated from GR program. 

Undergraduate Program Learning Outcomes

Graduate Program Learning Objectives

MA in Digital Design & Fabrication

  • Expand knowledge of diverse histories and contemporary practices in studio art, design, and art education 

  • Demonstrate—in written, visual, and oral forms—an understanding of a work of art or design, in terms of its social, political, cultural, aesthetic and historical context 

  • Develop and articulate self-reflective practices as artists, designers, teachers, and citizens 

  • Create collaboration and engagement with local and global art, design, and learning communities 

  • Build professional networks to support lifelong learning and sustainable practices