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Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design

Dynamic hub for media, design, and the performing arts.
Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
Dean

Jason S. Schupbach

Academic staff
100 - 500
Students
1500
Locations
Philadelphia
Established
1891
Afiliations
NAICU, Space-grant
Address
3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Social Media

Summary
History
Courses
Global MBA rankings
Job integration rate
General information
Summary

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University in Philadelphia is a dynamic hub for creativity and innovation, offering comprehensive programs in media, design, and the performing arts. Established in 1891 and renamed in 2005 after a significant philanthropic gift, the college provides eighteen undergraduate majors and nine graduate programs, including degrees in Animation and Visual Effects, Architecture, Fashion Design, Digital Media, and Television and Media Management. 

 

Students benefit from Drexel's Co-op program, gaining real-world experience in their fields. The college's state-of-the-art facilities, housed in the award-winning URBN Center, include design studios, television and motion capture labs, a historic costume collection, and performance venues like the Mandell Theater. With a mission to foster creativity, collaboration, and community, the Antoinette Westphal College prepares students to lead in the evolving creative economy. 

History

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University in Philadelphia has a rich history that reflects the evolution of higher education in the United States. Established in 1891 as the Department of Domestic Economy within the Drexel Institute, the college initially focused on preparing women for careers in domestic sciences. Over time, the curriculum expanded to include home economics, dietetics, and child development.

 

In the mid-20th century, the college underwent significant transformations to adapt to the changing educational landscape. In 1967, the College of Home Economics launched an experimental curricular overhaul known as Pilot '71, which shifted the focus towards design and fine arts. By 1974, these changes culminated in the renaming of the college to the Nesbitt College of Design, Nutrition, Human Relations, and Home Economics, reflecting its broader academic scope and commitment to design education.  In 2001, the Nesbitt College was renamed the College of Media Arts and Design, signaling its expanded focus on media, arts, and design disciplines. This rebranding was part of Drexel University's strategic initiative to position itself at the forefront of interdisciplinary education in the creative fields. 
 

 

In 2005, the college was renamed the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design in honor of alumna Antoinette Passo Westphal, following one of the largest private donations to Drexel University at the time. This generous contribution enabled the college to further enhance its facilities and academic offerings, solidifying its reputation as a leading institution for creative education. Today, the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design continues to thrive as a dynamic community that seeks to make meaning in our world and transform it through the power of creative, entrepreneurial, and scholarly pursuits. With a mission to unlock the creativity of critical thinkers, makers, and creators, the college prepares students to connect ideas and solve real-world problems, thereby transforming careers and lives.

Courses

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design’s graduate degree programs prepare students to begin or enhance their career in the design, media, and arts and culture sectors.

 

Westphal College offers graduate degree programs in Arts Administration, Design, Fashion Design, Interior Architecture and Design, Digital Media, Television and Media Management and Urban Strategy. Westphal also offers four graduate minor programs and two certificate programs. All programs are distinctive in content and professionally oriented. These programs combine rigorous academics with creative exploration, cultural awareness, technical skills and professional practice, preparing students to lead in the creative economy.

 

With 12 nationally ranked programs, the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design prepares students to succeed in competitive art, design and media fields. Programs are largely studio-based with an emphasis on practical application of design and media-making skills, business acumen, and creative problem solving. And, the goal of the Fashion Design program is to integrate an understanding of art, craft, and design with the creation of clothing for the marketplace.

 

The Fashion Design undergraduate program is comprehensive in design, fashion and art history, business and technology and prepares students for careers in apparel design, knitwear design, textile design, costume design, product design, and technical design. Students have access to state-of-the-art studios and technology labs, including Shima Seiki knitwear studio for knitwear design, programming, and production. Hands-on visits to the Robert and Penny Fox Historic Costume Collection gallery, with a research and study area, provide a new level of design research integrated into coursework.

 

Notable Alumni: Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel, founder of the iconic luxury fashion brand Chanel, known for revolutionizing women’s fashion with her timeless designs; Tom Ford, former Creative Director of Gucci and founder of his own brand, recognized for his sleek, provocative style; and Donna Karan, founder of DKNY, celebrated for her practical and elegant designs. The college’s interdisciplinary approach has been instrumental in developing such versatile designers.

 

Global MBA rankings

Parent university Drexel is distinguished by its global rankings and recognitions, reflecting its commitment to academic excellence and innovation. 
 

In the 2023 U.S. News & World Report, Drexel is tied for 98th among national universities in the United States. It is also recognised as one of the "Most Innovative Schools," tied for 18th in this category, highlighting its forward-thinking approach to education. Additionally, Drexel ranks 95th in the "Best Value Schools" and is placed among the top performers in social mobility, tying for 273rd place. These rankings underscore Drexel's dedication to providing quality education while supporting students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.


The Wall Street Journal/College Pulse rankings for 2024 place Drexel 54th among 400 institutions in the United States, further affirming its status as a leading university. Drexel is also ranked 31st nationally and 6th in Pennsylvania, demonstrating its regional and national impact. Furthermore, the Department of Education's 2022 College Scorecard ranks Drexel among the top 40 comprehensive research universities in the United States, emphasising its significant contributions to research and innovation.


Globally, Drexel's reputation is solidified through its rankings in international assessments. According to the Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU), Drexel falls within the 401–500 range globally. The QS World University Rankings place Drexel within the 721–730 bracket, while the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings position the university in the 301–350 range. U.S. News & World Report ranks Drexel 428th globally, illustrating its competitive standing in the international academic arena.


In terms of specialised rankings, Drexel’s graduate schools also receive notable recognition. The university's engineering programmes are ranked 74th, while its law school is positioned at 93rd, and its medical school, focusing on both primary care and research, is ranked between 91 and 122. The nursing master’s programme is ranked 89th, highlighting Drexel’s strength in these critical fields.


Drexel’s business programmes have also earned accolades, with Bloomberg Businessweek ranking the undergraduate business programme 78th in the country in 2016, and Business Insider ranking its graduate business school 19th for networking in 2014. Furthermore, Forbes has recognised Drexel as one of the top 24 STEM universities in 2018, reinforcing its reputation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education.

Job integration rate

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design at Drexel University offers a robust cooperative education (co-op) program that significantly enhances students' career readiness. In the 2022–2023 academic year, 97% of Westphal students participated in co-op experiences, providing them with valuable real-world industry exposure. While 46% of these positions were paid, the program's emphasis on experiential learning equips students with practical skills and professional connections that are highly regarded by employers.
 

 

Graduates of the Westphal College demonstrate impressive employment outcomes. According to Drexel's One-Year-Out Alumni Survey, 94% of Westphal graduates from the class of 2022 were employed or enrolled in graduate or professional education. Notably, 92% of those employed full-time expressed satisfaction with their positions, and 100% reported contentment with the level of responsibility in their roles. These statistics underscore the effectiveness of Drexel's co-op program in preparing students for successful careers in the creative industries.

General information

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Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
Dean

Jason S. Schupbach

Academic staff
100 - 500
Students
1500
Locations
Philadelphia
Established
1891
Afiliations
NAICU, Space-grant
Address
3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
Social Media

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