May 7, 2025
New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD) and St. Thomas University (STU) are proud to announce a new academic partnership designed to support students in the creative arts. Through STU’s Interdisciplinary Major in Humanities, NBCCD students now have the opportunity to pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree without leaving Fredericton.
The new Interdisciplinary Major in Humanities is designed to build on the strengths of a hands-on, creative education from NBCCD, giving students the opportunity to deepen their academic knowledge in areas such as Communications and Public Policy, Digital Media and Creative Arts, History, English, and Human Rights. The program bridges the studio-intensive learning of NBCCD with the critical inquiry and academic rigor of a liberal arts education at STU.
“Earning a Bachelor of Arts in addition to an NBCCD Diploma is the best of both worlds. The transition from hands-on creative training to academic study will broaden and deepen each student’s skills, knowledge, and experiences — our classroom and campus experiences are among the best in Canada,” said St. Thomas President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Nauman Farooqi.
NBCCD and St. Thomas University sign a diploma-to-degree partnership. L to R: STU Director of Special Projects and Associate Registrar Kate Crawford, STU Dean of Humanities Dr. André Loiselle, STU VP Academic & Research Dr. Kim Fenwick, STU President and Vice Chancellor Dr. M. Nauman Farooqi, NBCCD Director Jared Peters, NBCCD Academic Dean Anna Mathis, NBCCD Associate Dean Yalda Bozorg, NBCCD Manager of Student Services Camila Vásquez.
A Natural Partnership
STU and NBCCD share a vision of student-centered learning and creative problem solving. NBCCD offers certificates and diplomas in fine craft and design. With a focus on entrepreneurship, mentorship, and studio-based training, it prepares approximately 260 students annually for sustainable, creative careers in fields ranging from fashion and pottery to 3D and graphic design.
“This partnership with STU gives our students a new and unique pathway to success. It’s an opportunity for students to apply and build on their creative and intellectual explorations, to generate new ideas, and to drive critical engagement with our changing world—without having to move cities,” said NBCCD Director Jared Peters.
Graduates from NBCCD have gone on to showcase work at prestigious international events such as New York and Paris Fashion Weeks, and have made an impact in film, graphic design, 3D art, and more.
“The combination of NBCCD’s design-focused training and STU’s humanities curriculum opens expanded possibilities for our students—whether in the workforce or in further graduate studies,” added Peters. “Through critical design and thoughtful material engagement, NBCCD learners creatively engage with the urgent demands and concerns of the contemporary moment. This is a fitting foundation for STU’s strong commitment to a modern liberal arts education that contributes to personal and career fulfillment.”
This shared emphasis on creativity, critical engagement, and social impact makes the partnership between STU and NBCCD both timely and transformative for students and the broader community.
“STU and NBCCD are both distinct, student-focused learning communities that have an impact far beyond their size,” said Farooqi. “Greater cooperation between our institutions will benefit students by expanding educational opportunities and benefit the city as we seek to attract and retain young people to Fredericton.”
About the Interdisciplinary Major in Humanities
The Interdisciplinary Major in Humanities is intended primarily for those who have completed a diploma at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design but is open to any college graduate who has received 60 credit hours in transfer credits, allowing them to complete a Bachelor of Arts by completing 60 credit hours at St. Thomas.
In addition to required Humanities courses, students will take upper-level courses from a selection of disciplines: Communications and Public Policy, Digital Media and Creative Arts, Fine Arts, Great Books, History, Human Rights, Journalism, Native Studies, Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Romance Languages. The program structure is designed to allow students to complete the program in four semesters or two years.
“The skills acquired through this new major will improve each student’s critical thinking and adaptability, equipping them with the tools they need to innovate and navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing economy. It will help graduates enter the workplace immediately and is also a strong foundation for those who are interested in post-graduate studies,” said Farooqi.
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New Brunswick College of Craft & Design
Located in historic downtown Fredericton, New Brunswick College of Craft and Design (NBCCD) empowers learners to build sustainable, creative careers rooted in community, curiosity, and craftsmanship. NBCCD offers a unique blend of hands-on studio training, technical proficiency, and artistic entrepreneurship—dedicating 10% of its programming to creative business skills. With more hands-on material course time per credit hour than any two- or four-year art school in Canada or the U.S., NBCCD graduates are well prepared to contribute meaningfully to Canada’s $58-billion creative cultural industry. The college continues to position New Brunswick as a hub for design innovation and artistic excellence.
Founded in 1910, St. Thomas is a primarily undergraduate university that prioritizes teaching and learning so that each student is prepared for personal and career fulfillment. With an enrolment of 1,600 students, STU offers Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Education, and a Master of Social Work in addition to distinctive program opportunities like the Bachelor of Arts (Aviation Stream), a Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey Bachelor of Social Work, and a Bachelor of Applied Arts. Professors are distinguished scholars, authors, and commentators, and provide an outstanding education to their students. The university holds Canada Research Chairs as well as a Health Research Chair. St. Thomas is committed to becoming the leading choice for students seeking a holistic university student experience.
CONTACTS
For more information, please contact STU’s Jeffrey Carleton, carleton@stu.ca, and NBCCD’s Kaylee Moore, kaylee.moore@gnb.ca.
At NBCCD, we believe in nurturing creativity, innovation, and strong business skills, ensuring that our graduates are not just skilled artisans but also savvy entrepreneurs, ready to make their mark in the ever-evolving world of craft and design.