Segal Design Certificate
The Segal Design Certificate is a set of courses and projects that build design knowledge and skills and is available to any undergraduate at Northwestern interested in gaining a competitive edge in their professional career.
Working in team-based, cross-disciplinary settings, students pursuing the certificate focus on innovative design processes to solve real problems for real clients. Each student produces a design portfolio that demonstrates their experience and accomplishments.
Who Should Enroll?
Any Northwestern undergraduate interested in augmenting his or her education with a strong understanding of innovative design processes can pursue the Segal Design Certificate.
To learn more, download this overview of the Segal Design Certificate for interested Northwestern students and their advisors.
Curriculum & Requirements
Certificate students must take the following:
- Prerequisite (one unit) DSGN 106-1 Design Thinking and Communication, OR DSGN 208 Design Thinking and Doing
- A required two-quarter design sequence: DSGN 380-1, 2; DSGN 382-1, 2; or DSGN 384-1, 2. Note: In spring quarter 2023, there will be a pilot of a new, two-unit intensive course, DSGN 395 Digital Product Development, that can be counted by petition to fulfill the design sequence requirement. It is expected that this will become a regular offering.
- DSGN 370 Portfolio Development and Presentation
- Three approved electives
Students must also complete their baccalaureate degree from Northwestern to receive the certificate.
Learn more about curriculum and requirements
Advising
The certificate is highly customizable, and we advise students on an individual basis. Advising is by appointment. Students within McCormick should contact Stacy Benjamin. Students outside McCormick should contact John Anderson.
How to Enroll
During their sophomore or junior year, interested students can use the McCormick Advising System (MAS) to declare the Segal Design Certificate. Any Northwestern student can log in to MAS with their NU netid and password.
Receiving the Certificate
Progress towards the certificate is managed in MAS as part of your graduation audit. Students can monitor their progress online. Students receiving a degree outside of McCormick may still need a petition form for their degree program.
Contact Us
For more information about the Segal Design Certificate program, please email Stacy Benjamin (for students within McCormick) and email John Anderson (for students outside McCormick).
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