Online Courses

The School of Planning, Design and Construction offers several online courses that are available to current MSU students, as well as those interested in Lifelong Education. Most courses are available during the summer semester, although non-credit courses are available year-round.

For questions, please contact the SPDC Student Services Office at (517) 432-3393 or email Jill Selke at selkejil@msu.edu.

IDES 140: Design for Living

Course emphasis is placed on general design appreciation. Explore universal principles of design from an experiential perspective.
IDES 240: Computer-Aided Design for Designers

Emphasis placed on learning how to use AutoCAD software (not design skills) to produce 2-dimensional drawings, templates, layouts and simple 3-dimensional models.
NCI Charrette System Non-Credit Course

This online non-credit course provides an in-depth working knowledge of the National Charrette Institute's Charrette System with an emphasis on collaboration by design, along with advanced collaborative innovation processes. The primary purpose of the course is to learn how to assess any design project, and determine the right type of charrette and its associated scope and budget.
PDC 120: Planning and Design Digital Graphics

This is an introductory course to design and present digital images in various forms using Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and SketchUp (3D models).
PDC 491: Special Topics: Collaboration by Design

This course will provide an in-depth working knowledge of the National Charrette Institute's Charrette System with an emphasis on design thinking, along with advanced collaborative innovation processes.
PDC 491: Special Topics: Data Management

This course offers an introduction to data management for planning, design and construction.
PDC 491: Special Topics: Mega Event Planning - The Olympics, World Cup and World Fairs

This class will explore the many dimensions of major sporting and cultural events, such as the Olympics, World Cup, Super Bowl and World`s Fairs.
UP 100: The City

This course covers evolution, character, dimensions and elements of cities.
UP 201: The Role of Planning in Urban and Regional Development

This course covers urban planning concepts, contemporary urban issues, historical contexts, and the politics and theory of planning.
UP 400: Special Topics: Sustainable City Development

This class explores the connection between federal, state and local polices in the practice of sustainable city development and redevelopment.