Register Today for a DTX Course!
Written by Megan Krok
Looking to up your design game? Or maybe you’re just looking for a course to satisfy the General Education requirement for Social and Behavioral Science? Consider getting your certificate in Design Thinking through our various DTX courses in Fall 2025!
Design Thinking and X, or DTX, teaches students about human-centered design and how this can apply to any discipline of interest. DTX matters because it equips learners with the creative, interdisciplinary problem-solving skills that today’s world demands. Rooted in design thinking, DTX challenges students to approach real-world problems through empathy, experimentation, and collaboration—skills that are essential in industries ranging from tech and healthcare to public policy and education.
Students can choose from a variety of DTX courses for the Fall 2025 semester, including DTX 180 ‘Exercising Empathy,’ DTX 451 ‘Intro to Design Thinking,’ and DTX 495 Special Topics, including ‘Intro to Ethics in HCD,’ ‘Student-Centered App Design,’ and ‘Intro to UX Theory and Tools.’
For those looking to go the extra mile with their Design Thinking studies, consider receiving an interdisciplinary certificate. We offer multiple DTX certificates for different disciplines, including Social Design, Health Innovation, and Immersive Experience Design.
Still on the fence about registering? Hear from our Assistant Director of Academic Programs Amber Dewey Schultz.
What makes the DTX certification program unique compared to other innovation or design-related courses?
“ADS: The DTX certificates stand out because of their applied, interdisciplinary approach. Each pathway is grounded in human-centered design (HCD) as a core problem-solving method, but then branches into a unique context, either health innovation or immersive experience design. Students don’t just learn theory - they explore how HCD fits within these real-world fields. It all comes together in the final course, Innovation Studio, where students collaborate with a community or campus partner to solve a real challenge. It’s not just design thinking - it’s design doing.”
How do DTX courses prepare students for real-world challenges across industries?
“ADS: Human-centered design is a flexible, iterative process that helps people solve complex problems with empathy and creativity. That means it applies to every industry, from healthcare and technology to education, entertainment, and agriculture. DTX courses are intentionally hands-on, giving students the tools and confidence to approach challenges in any field. Students in Innovation Studio even get to practice this in a live setting, working with real clients to develop innovative solutions.”
Are employers actively looking for skills related to design thinking and interdisciplinary innovation?
“ADS: Absolutely. Human-centered design and interdisciplinary innovation are more than buzzwords - they’re essential skills in today’s workforce. Just search “human-centered design” on LinkedIn and you’ll see hundreds of jobs across industries. Employers are looking for people who can empathize, collaborate across disciplines, and creatively problem-solve. DTX students are ready to meet that demand.”
How does the "X" in DTX - representing interdisciplinary application - benefit students from non-design fields?
“ADS: We like to say that everyone is a designer. If you’ve ever planned a day, organized an event, or mapped out your future, you’ve practiced design. The “X” in DTX is what makes these courses truly special - it invites students from any major to apply their background to complex problems. In fact, the courses work best when we have a mix of lived experiences and perspectives. That diversity sparks collaboration and leads to stronger, more innovative ideas.”
Anything else students should know about our DTX courses?
“ADS: While taking a single DTX course is valuable, the magic really happens when you take more than one. Each course gives you a new lens through which to apply human-centered design, helping you grow your creative confidence and adaptability. By the time you complete the full certificate, you won’t just understand design - you’ll be a human-centered designer, ready to make meaningful change.”
For more information, check out our DTX page on the Siebel Center for Design website.
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This story was published Friday, May 2nd, 2025.