The BA in Design Management aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to pursue careers as managers, executives, and owners of design entities. Students will have the opportunity to learn how to manage and lead design-oriented organizations with an emphasis on entrepreneurial thinking and leadership. The Design Management major combines theory and practice by providing students with a hands-on design agency practicum experience.

The full-time and adjunct faculty of more than 100 renowned academics and creative professionals integrate current industry practices into the classroom. With over 700 business and entrepreneurship students and a global network of alumni, the program has a major influence in the field of arts, entertainment, and media management worldwide.

As a result of successfully completing program requirements, students should be able to:

• understand how the design industry has evolved and be able to speculate on future trends;
• assess how various business models are structured for design-based freelancers, sole-proprietorships, small businesses, and large firms;
• examine the broad range of design disciplines and their relationship to one another; and
• apply fundamental project management-related career paths in the design industry and identify the skills, knowledge and experience necessary for success.

A grade of C or better is required in all major coursework.

For students who have earned a Bachelors degree previously, Columbia offers a Second Bachelor of Arts in Design Management.