Academics
• Students can pursue their design interests through a variety of program pathways. Below, you'll find information, resources, and support for prospective and current students pursuing our undergraduate design major through the School of Engineering.
Bachelor of Science at the d.school
Our design major is an engineering degree administered by the Stanford d.school. Every design student will take required classes in the following course categories:
SoE Breadth:
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Science
- Behavioral Sciences
- Additional SoE Math and Science
- Technology in Society
- Engineering Fundamentals
Design Depth:
- Design Core
- Methods Depth
- Domain Focus Area
- Capstone
Program Sheets
All students choose a Design Program Sheet that overlaps their matriculation. Program Sheets serve as a road map of requirements through degree progress and is a visual advising tool. They are based on Methods Depth, and class requirements vary slightly per Method. Students are expected to abide by all the notes and requirements outlined on their program sheet.
Understanding Our Requirements:
Besides information stated on Design Program Sheets, degree requirements can be found at the following sources:
- DESIGN-BS Bulletin Page
- Design Program (SoE Undergraduate Handbook Page)
- Approved SoE Engineering Breadth Courses
- My Academic Path (MAP)
Build your pathway
Students build a foundation in design and engineering and then chart a personal pathway through the degree.
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Get a taste of the Design major by taking Design 1, an exploratory design class, alongside other intro courses (see Prospective Students section).
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Fulfill the General Engineering Requirements by selecting courses from the list of options (see important links below). These courses provide a rich breadth and depth that are essential in supporting your work in the Design Core and in your Methods Depth classes, and equip you to be a designer strong in making abilities.
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Engage in our Design Core by taking all the required classes in this foundational upper-division sequence.
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Select a Methods Depth from the available options and choose specific courses within that depth.
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Choose a Domain Focus area based on your interests and preferences, selecting courses from the provided appendix of options.
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Culminate your academic journey by completing the Capstone, including the final projects.
Design Core
The Design Core represents the foundation of our academic program. Students will learn, work, collaborate, and cultivate design skills with their peers. Each core class has its own intentional learning outcomes and priorities. A key part of the core are the ethics and implications of our design work. There are nine required Design core classes in the design major:
- Introduction to Design (DESIGN 1)
- Visual Thinking (DESIGN 11)
- History and Ethics of Design (DESIGN 101)
- Introduction to Human Values in Design (DESIGN 121)
- Advanced Design: Needfinding (DESIGN 131)
- Product Design Methods (DESIGN 141)
- Business Design: Impact and Implications (DESIGN 151)
- Design Formation (DESIGN 160R)
- *Visual Expression Elective (See Program Sheets)
Method depths
Methods Depths are central to a student’s professional marketability. They allow students to have methods for analysis, describing phenomena, and design problem application. Students select one of the following three methods to pursue in the design major:
- Physical Form and Manufacturing
- Artificial Intelligence and Digital User Experience
- Human Behavior and Multi-stakeholder Research
Domain focus
Domains focus on application. If a Methods Depth is about the how, a Domain focus area is about the for what and for whom. Domain coursework provides a rich context for a student’s capstone project if they choose. Students select one of the following four domain focus areas in the design major:
- Designing for the Planet
- Designing for Biological Futures
- Designing for Social Impact
- Designing for Health
Capstone sequence
Capstone is the culminating experience where students engage in team focused project work within an opportunity space. These two classes are taken in the final two quarters of a student’s degree progress. There are two sequences to choose from:
- Advanced Design (DESIGN 161A and DESIGN 161B)
- Design Impact Studio (DESIGN 162A and DESIGN 162B)
Design declaration process for undergrads
See steps on our Design: Declaration Form
Declare “Design” in Axess
Review our SoE Design Undergraduate Handbook Page
Fill out a Design Program Sheet
Bring your paperwork to Office Hours
Email ugdesign-advising@stanford.edu if you need assistance
Important links for prospective undergrad design students
We are excited for your interest in declaring Design! We have a dedicated advising team eager to support Stanford undeclared students at whatever stage they are at in exploring our major. Below are some resources and advice to help you better understand our major.
Join Our Interest Listserv
Subscribe to our listserv. We send news and announcements to people interested in our program but not yet declared.
Enroll in an Introductory Design Class
Introduction to Design (DESIGN 1 or Visual Thinking (DESIGN 11) are great classes to learn more about our major. They are very popular, and are offered in multiple quarters during the academic year if you don’t get a spot in the quarter you originally intended. If you end up declaring Design, they also count towards the Design Core. The d.school also has elective classes and IntroSems which are great ways to explore different facets of design.
Fill out a Program Sheet
Design has Program Sheets that you will eventually need to fill out should you declare the major. Filling out a Program Sheet also helps you explore our requirements and the available pathways through design. Additionally, Program Sheets are needed for essential academic processes. Finally, they are a great advising tool to both give you and our program clarity in what you have taken and your plan in future quarters.
Chat with a Peer Advisor
We have four incredible student Peer Advisors! They are great for offering advice, reviewing Program Sheets, and answering questions about the Design student experience as declared students in our program. You can visit with them at drop-in Office Hours during the academic year.
Visit Us at Office Hours
Our entire advising team of Faculty Advisors, Peer Advisors, Student Services and members of the Academic Operations team hold regular office hours during the academic year. You can check out the Office Hours schedule to see their availability (Stanford login required).
Email Us Questions
You can send questions to our main advising account at during the academic year. Our Peer Advisors take the lead in managing the inbox during the academic year.
Refer to Sample 4-Year Plans
Refer to our Sample 4-year Plans for guidance on academic planning and scheduling. Declared students get priority into required core classes, and can even be automatically enrolled in core classes!
Attend an Info Session
We offer a “Discover the Major Night” every year in both fall and spring quarters. We will send communication out on these events closer to when they will happen.
Check Degree Progress
My Academic Path (MAP) is a new degree progress tool by Stanford to help you see real time information. For questions on the timing of declaring, graduating on time, or general student support you can also reach out to our Student Services Officer, Colton Brasel.
Refer to Our Program Requirements
You can find our main destination for program requirements on the DESIGN-BS Bulletin page. We also have our SoE Design Handbook page, Program Sheets, and Domain Appendix referenced frequently by students for program information. Finally, important stipulations on approved SoE breadth courses such as Math/Science/TiS/Engineering Fundamentals can be found on this Approved Courses page via the SoE Undergraduate Handbook Page.
Declare Design
Stanford advises that you declare no later than the end of your sophomore year. If you are ready to declare Design, you can see important information and process steps on our main Design: Declaration Form.
Stay Connected with Your University Advising Director
While our program focuses our advising efforts on major requirements, you may have questions related to general requirements or unique circumstances that overlap your experience in our major. When you declare with us you will get a Faculty Advisor, but your assigned UAD is still a great resource to connect with for additional academic advice as an undergraduate. See more about their availability and Scheduling a Meeting.
Important links for current undergrad design students