Design for Social Impact Certificate
This program is available at the following locations:
- Corvallis
- Ecampus
In pursuing the Design for Social Impact (DSI) Certificate, students discover the power of collaboration through multidisciplinary projects and a supportive community, learning to leverage communication skills, holistic problem solving, and human centered design to tackle complex problems effectively. Whether you're passionate about sustainability, social justice, technological innovation in the arts, or transdisciplinary design, our program empowers you to pursue your interests and drive meaningful change. At the heart of the DSI program are hands-on project experiences that bridge theory with practice. Collaborating with real clients from OSU, local communities, non-profit organizations, the arts sector, and industry partners, students design solutions of tangible value. These projects not only enrich learning but also contribute meaningfully to society. Students learn to navigate ambiguity and complexity, emerging as confident innovators prepared to make a difference in their communities and beyond. Recognizing that innovation thrives in flexibility, our curriculum is adaptable to the evolving needs of our students and society. No matter your academic background, the DSI certificate program welcomes you, ensuring that every student has the opportunity to contribute their unique perspective and skills.
Certificate Code: C400
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Apply sound design principles across disciplinary definitions and perspectives to translate knowledge into action for the greater good.
- Use design thinking to make informed assessments of alternative solutions to complex problems.
- Build and lead inclusive and collaborate teams that incorporate multidisciplinary perspectives, provide accountable leadership and build effective solutions utilizing a variety of skills and approaches.
- Integrate social justice and responsibility perspectives in the design of solutions that will positively impact society.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills in developing, evaluating and presenting innovative solutions that engage with diverse audiences.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core | ||
| ANTH 201/HEST 201 | INNOVATION FOR SOCIAL IMPACT | 3 |
| or ART 367 | *HISTORY OF DESIGN | |
| DSGN 341 | DESIGN THINKING AND PROCESS INNOVATION | 3-4 |
| or ENGR 102 | DESIGN ENGINEERING AND PROBLEM SOLVING | |
| or ME 382 | INTRODUCTION TO DESIGN | |
| Select one course from the following: | 3-4 | |
| *FOOD JUSTICE | ||
| *PURPOSE, STRUCTURE, AND FUNCTION OF EDUCATION IN A DEMOCRACY | ||
| *SOCIAL JUSTICE,CIVIL RIGHTS & MULTICULTURALISM IN EDUCATION | ||
| *ARTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE | ||
| *CLIMATE JUSTICE | ||
| *SOCIAL CHANGE AND AMERICAN POPULAR MUSIC | ||
| *INTRODUCTION TO DISABILITY STUDIES | ||
| *SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND ISSUES | ||
| *SUSTAINABILITY, JUSTICE, AND ENGAGEMENT | ||
| Select one course from the following with advisor approval: 1 | 2-4 | |
| SONIC ARTS | ||
| OFF THE SCREEN - VIDEO INSTALLATION ART | ||
| SENSOR TECHNOLOGIES AND THE ARTS | ||
| DESIGN RESEARCH | ||
| SERVICE DESIGN INNOVATION | ||
| MATERIALITY AND MAKING FIELD PROJECT | ||
| MULTIDISCIPLINARY DESIGN FOR SOCIAL IMPACT | ||
| ^ENGINEERING CAPSTONE DESIGN 1 | ||
| ^ENGINEERING CAPSTONE DESIGN 2 | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select 12-16 elective credits in one of the following focus areas: 2 | 12-16 | |
Design for Sustainability | ||
Design for Technological Innovation in the Arts | ||
Design for Social Change | ||
Entrepreneurial Design in Society | ||
| Total Credits | 27 | |
- 1
With advisor approval, the selected course should have a Design and Social Impact relevant project
- 2
Any 400-level course in the Required Core can be used as an elective in a Focus Area if not already used to meet the core requirement
Focus Areas
Design for Sustainability
Combines the tools and principles of design with engineering and business practices of interest for creating a more sustainable and equitable world.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 352/ENGR 352 | *CREATIVE COLLABORATION: DESIGNING AND BUILDING | 3 |
| BA 260 | FOUNDATIONS OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET | 4 |
| BA 314 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OPERATIONS | 4 |
| CCE 422 | GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS | 3 |
| DSGN 121 | COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN | 3 |
| ENGR 248 | ENGINEERING GRAPHICS AND 3-D MODELING | 3 |
| ENGR 350 | *SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING | 3 |
| FES 445 | ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION | 4 |
| GEOG 300 | *SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE COMMON GOOD | 3 |
| SOC 381 | SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF SUSTAINABILITY | 4 |
| SOC 480 | *ENVIRONMENTAL SOCIOLOGY | 4 |
| SUS 304 | *SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT | 4 |
| SUS 350 | *SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES | 4 |
| WR 462 | ^ENVIRONMENTAL WRITING | 4 |
| WSE 111 | WOOD INNOVATIONS FOR SUSTAINABILITY | 2 |
| WSE 210 | *BIOLOGY, STRUCTURE, AND UTILIZATION OF WOODY PLANTS | 4 |
| WSE 321 | WOOD CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| WSE 322 | PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF WOOD | 4 |
| WSE 324 | PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF WOOD PRACTICUM | 4 |
Design for Technological Innovation in the Arts
Aimed at motivated makers who use technology in combination with engineering, design and arts-skills to create and construct innovative solutions for live performances, cultural events or visual exhibitions. Delivers an applied learning experience that embraces open experimentation in order to cultivate creative designers and makers who are able to collaborate and to apply value across disciplines.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 121 | DIGITAL CORE STUDIO | 4 |
| ART 117 | 3-D CORE STUDIO | 4 |
| ART 222 | INTRODUCTION TO TIME-BASED ART | 4 |
| ART 291 | SCULPTURE I | 4 |
| ART 349/NMC 349 | VIDEO ART | 4 |
| ART 352/ENGR 352 | *CREATIVE COLLABORATION: DESIGNING AND BUILDING | 3 |
| ART 391 | SCULPTURE II | 4 |
| DSGN 121 | COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN | 3 |
| ENGR 248 | ENGINEERING GRAPHICS AND 3-D MODELING | 3 |
| MUS 111 | THE FUNDAMENTALS OF MUSIC TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| MUS 112 | INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL AUDIO | 3 |
| MUS 190 | APPLIED MUSICIANSHIP: BEGINNER BEAT MAKING (DAW) | 2 |
| MUS 313 | SOUND SYNTHESIS | 3 |
| MUS 451 | INTRODUCTION TO ARTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
| MUS 493 | BASIC RECORDING TECHNIQUES | 3 |
| NMC 240 | SURVEY OF SOCIAL MEDIA | 3 |
| NMC 260 | NEW MEDIA FUTURES | 3 |
| NMC 330 | THE MEANING OF VIDEO GAMES | 3 |
| NMC 351 | NEW MEDIA VISUALIZATION | 4 |
| NMC 394 | INTERACTIVE DESIGN AND USER EXPERIENCE | 3 |
| TA 242 | VISUAL PRINCIPLES OF THEATRE | 3 |
| TA 244 | SCENE CRAFTS | 3 |
| TA 245 | STAGE LIGHTING | 3 |
| TA 346 | SCENE AND STAGE DESIGN | 3 |
| TA 451 | INTRODUCTION TO ARTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
| WR 250 | *PODCAST STORYTELLING | 3 |
Design for Social Change
Intended for students who are passionate about applying principles of design for social change that is responsive to the needs of individuals, communities and society at large.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 373/ES 373/WGSS 373 | APPROACHES TO SOCIAL JUSTICE | 3 |
| ANTH 482 | *ANTHROPOLOGY OF INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT | 4 |
| BA 354 | ^MANAGING ETHICS AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY | 4 |
| ENGR 350 | *SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING | 3 |
| H 225 | +*SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH | 4 |
| HEST 310 | *INTRO TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY-BASED DESIGN | 3 |
| HEST 320 | *ENGINEERING FOR GLOBAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS | 3 |
| HEST 412 | MULTIDISCIPLINARY CASE STUDIES IN HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| NMC 394 | INTERACTIVE DESIGN AND USER EXPERIENCE | 3 |
| PHL 275 | *INTRODUCTION TO DISABILITY STUDIES | 4 |
| PSY 446 | PSYCHOLOGY OF HUMAN COMPUTER INTERACTION | 4 |
| SUS 350 | *SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES | 4 |
| WGSS 320 | *GENDER AND TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| WGSS 340 | *GENDER AND SCIENCE | 3 |
Entrepreneurial Design in Society
For students who desire to deepen their skills and perspective in thinking like creative, entrepreneurial problem solvers beyond the typical ‘silos’ of academic disciplines. Students will learn to draw on skills and practices from and across multiple disciplines to ask deep questions, challenge every answer and deliver bold solutions that result in impact for the greater good.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 352/ENGR 352 | *CREATIVE COLLABORATION: DESIGNING AND BUILDING | 3 |
| ART 451/MUS 451/TA 451 | INTRODUCTION TO ARTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
| BA 260 | FOUNDATIONS OF THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET | 4 |
| BA 314 | SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS OPERATIONS | 4 |
| BA 354 | ^MANAGING ETHICS AND CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY | 4 |
| BA 361 | IDEATION AND CREATIVE THINKING | 4 |
| BA 362 | SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND SOCIAL INITIATIVES | 4 |
| BA 363 | INNOVATION MANAGEMENT | 4 |
| BA 367 | LAUNCH ACADEMY | 3 |
| BA 368 | ADVANCED LAUNCH ACADEMY | 1-3 |
| DSGN 121 | COMPUTER AIDED DESIGN | 3 |
| ENGR 248 | ENGINEERING GRAPHICS AND 3-D MODELING | 3 |
| ENGR 350 | *SUSTAINABLE ENGINEERING | 3 |
| HEST 310 | *INTRO TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY-BASED DESIGN | 3 |
| HEST 320 | *ENGINEERING FOR GLOBAL HEALTH SOLUTIONS | 3 |
| HEST 412 | MULTIDISCIPLINARY CASE STUDIES IN HUMANITARIAN ENGINEERING, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| PHL 275 | *INTRODUCTION TO DISABILITY STUDIES | 4 |
| WGSS 320 | *GENDER AND TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| WGSS 340 | *GENDER AND SCIENCE | 3 |
- *
Baccalaureate Core Course (BCC)
- ^
Writing Intensive Course (WIC)
- +
Core Education course. Applies only to students admitted to an OSU undergraduate degree from Summer 2025 onwards
Certificate Code: C400