Industrial Design

The Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design is available at the following Alvernia University site:

• Reading

• A minimum of 123 credits are required for graduation.
• Credits earned for COM 100 and MAT 100 do not count toward the 123 credits required for graduation; however, COM 100 students may petition for elective credit.
• Where appropriate, courses required for the major can be used to satisfy General Education requirements. However, the credits earned for these courses are applied to either Gen Ed requirements or the major, not both.
• Paths of Knowledge coursework may count towards major or minor requirements, but may not fulfill a second Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration requirement.
• Students are expected to follow the catalog requirements for General Education, the major, and additional requirements.
• A minor or second major within the areas listed under Paths of Knowledge automatically fulfills that area of the Gen Ed requirements.

Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the Alvernia web portal or The Common Application. To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.

There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Alvernia’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.

All Alvernia students must successfully complete a minimum of 123 semester credits to receive a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree.

First Year Curriculum: Enduring Questions

• SEARCH Seminar-Enduring Questions or Honor Search-Enduring Questions (SRH 101 or HNR 160)
• COM 101 Composition & Research: Must earn a C or higher
• THE 105 Foundations of Theology
• PHI 105 Introduction to Philosophy (MET IN MAJOR)

Mid-Level Liberal Arts Exploration Credits

• Exploring the Natural World (6-8 credits)
  • Lab Science
  • Math
• Individuals & Communities (6 credits)
  • History or Political Science
  • PSY 101, HIS, POS, SOC, SSC, or ECON
• Culture & Language (9 credits)
  • Communication (Not COM 100 or 101)
  • World Language – 2 courses in sequence
• Creative Expressions (6 credits)
  • Literature (ENG) (Met in related area)
  • Art, Music, or Theatre (Met in related area)

Ethical Leaders and Followers Credits

• Theology or Philosophy (MET IN MAJOR)
• Theology or Philosophy (Ethics/Morality @ 200 level)

Paths of Knowledge may count towards minor or Related Requirements, but not Mid-Level Arts Exploration requirements. Choose one path.

PATH 1: Interdisciplinary Study (IS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level from the interdisciplinary minors of Women & Gender Studies, Digital Media, Community & Environmental Sustainability, Community Engagement, Cultural Studies, Leadership Studies or Pre-Law.

PATH 2: Multi-disciplinary Study (MS)

Three courses, at least two from Liberal Arts disciplines, not the major, at the 200-400 level employing multiple disciplinary perspectives to explore the Enduring Questions in one of the following themes: Cultural & Global Studies, Imagination & Creativity, Peace & Conflict, Poverty & Wealth or Sustainability, Science & Technology.

PATH 3: In-depth Disciplinary Study (DS)

Three courses at the 200-400 level in one Liberal Arts discipline other than one’s major, guided by common ideas and methods of inquiry. Students choose from Art, Biology, Chemistry, Communication, Computer Science, Economics, English, History, Mathematics, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Theology, Theatre or World Languages. This path may be used to give students a firm foundation in a discipline supporting their chosen major, or to pursue an interest in one of the Liberal Arts disciplines. 

Creative Core

• ART 103: Color and Design
• ART 115: Figure Drawing
• ART 251: 3-D Design
• ART 281: Graphic Design and Illustration
• THR 142: Creativity Workshop
• THR 244: Computer-Assisted Design
• THR 404: Arts Operations
   

Industrial Design

• ART 245: Wood Studio
• ART 246: Metal Studio
• ART 247: Plastic/Glass/Fiber Studio
• ID 210: Industrial Design Studio I
• ID 220: Rapid Visualization
• ID 230: Digital Production
• ID 310: Industrial Design Studio II
• ID 320: Industrial Design Studio III
• ID 330: Ergonomics
• ID 335: Furniture Design
• ID 340: Toy Design
• ID 345: Kitchen Product Design
• ID 410: Industrial Design Studio IV
• ID 420: Industrial Design Studio V
• IE 211: Modern Manufacturing

• Alvernia is an accredited institution and a member of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Cooperative Education

Industrial Design students can take advantage of cooperative work or internship opportunities. Cooperative work and internships allow students to apply their learning to real-world applications.
 

Study Abroad

As an Industrial Design student, you can take advantage of Alvernia’s many study-abroad options. To prepare for success in today’s global environment, you can see another culture first-hand.
 

Industry

Connect with area industry through Alvernia's award-winning O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship, which provides multiple opportunities for students to partner with area industries and technology professionals.

After earning the Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Design, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

• Multimedia Graphic Designer
• Product Designer
• Color Specialist
• CAD Designer
• Interior Designer
• Production Manager
• Industrial Engineer
• Procurement Manager
• Design Researcher

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in industrial design are projected to grow 2 percent from 2022 to 2032. The median salary is $75,910 in May 2022.