Design Studies Undergraduate Education Director

Design Studies Undergraduate Education Director

Boston Architectural College - Boston, MA 02115

Position Type Full Time

School of Design Studies

Design Studies Undergraduate Education Director

The Boston Architectural College (BAC) was established in 1889 and has become a non-profit, tuition-based, accredited private school of spatial design offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs in architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture, and design studies. Students work, either in a professional position, in community service settings, or in a professionally mentored environment, at the same time they are engaged in course work.

Degree programs and individual courses are offered in person, online and in hybrid formats. Continuing education programs are also available.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Dean, School of Design Studies, the Design Studies Undergraduate Education Director is a key member of the Design Studies leadership team in a 12-month, full-time exempt administrative position. While this position works most closely with personnel in the School of Design Studies, the position requires collaboration broadly with other Deans, Education Directors, Academic Affairs personnel and personnel in the College's other departments to support the College's mission and goals.

Undergraduate Design Studies Degree Program Redevelopment

The School of Design Studies opened in 2004 offering a Bachelor of Design Studies (BDS) degree with concentrations in building technology and digital media. In subsequent years, the BDS was modified and concentrations and majors were added to meet changing student demographics and to maintain course offering and enrollment efficiency as part of the BAC's varied undergraduate programs. Enrollment in the Bachelor of Design Studies peaked at 90 students in 2013.

Subsequently enrollment declined and in fall 2022 the decision was made to suspend applications to the Bachelor of Design Studies program.

Bachelor of Design Studies Degree

During the first six to 12 months, the primary responsibility of this position will be to investigate how to revitalize and redevelop the Bachelor of Design Studies curriculum to attract and sustain student interest, enrollment and opportunities after graduation. As part of this responsibility, the DS Undergrad Director will be expected to:

• Investigate options for a flexible, career-oriented three-year and/or four-year undergraduate degree programs that will meet the current, competitive demands in the higher education market and meet New England Council of Higher Education (NECHE), MA Board of Higher Education accreditation standards, and other applicable requirements
• Coordinate this investigation with the curricula and requirements in existing degree programs in Design Studies (master's programs) and the degree programs (both bachelor and master) in the Architecture, Interior Architecture and Landscape Architecture Schools as well as the BAC unique Practice curriculum
• Prepare and present options for the Bachelor of Design Studies degree curriculum to the BAC's Academic Affairs personnel for review and feedback
• Prepare and present options for consideration and acceptance by the BAC's President and Cabinet and subsequently by NECHE and the MA Board of Higher Education

Sustainable Design Program

• Manage and revise as appropriate the existing Sustainable Design continuing education certificate program

Assuming acceptance of one or more BDS degree options, implement, lead and manage the BDS degree program as described below.

The current thinking regarding the appropriate direction of the redeveloped BDS program is that course(s) of study should be to prepare students for entry level employment in fields related to the built environment. Nevertheless, it will be the responsibility of the position to research, evaluate and eventually propose appropriate curricular path(s) for the degree program.

Critical Success Factors

• Strategic vision
• Ability to forge new ground, thinking creatively and innovatively in the face of new challenges
• Project management skills and outcomes oriented
• Ability to develop constructive and positive…