When you create something new—especially something as bold as a licensed design university for creative entrepreneurs—you’re bound to be misunderstood. And that’s okay. We welcome the chance to explain who we are, what we do, and why the University of Arts & Design (UAD) was built from the ground up to serve a unique kind of student: the modern creative.
There have been questions, some confusion, and even a few internet claims that UAD is a “scam.” While unfortunate, it’s not unexpected. The truth is, creating a licensed university is an extensive legal and educational undertaking, and most people don’t realize how it works behind the scenes. So we’d like to clear things up—transparently, respectfully, and thoroughly.
Why We Created the University of Arts & Design
The creative world is rapidly evolving. Designers are building businesses on Etsy, selling surface pattern designs, creating SVGs, teaching digital courses, illustrating books, launching their own journals, and more. Yet traditional art and design universities often fail to teach creatives how to actually make a living from their craft.
For years, we watched talented artists graduate with tens of thousands in student debt and no real idea how to build a profitable creative business. That gap inspired Dr. Carina Gardner to create Design Suite, a program that helps designers monetize their skills in real marketplaces. As that community grew, so did the need for something even more robust, credible, and transformational. That led to the formation of the University of Arts & Design: a legally recognized institution created to offer Master’s degrees, certificate programs, and design training rooted in real-world entrepreneurship.
What It Means to Be a Licensed Design University
Here’s where things often get misunderstood: UAD is not a “fly-by-night” online course or coaching program. We are a licensed private university, meaning we have gone through a formal, state-regulated approval process to offer legitimate degrees and vocational certificates.
What Licensure Includes:
- A comprehensive course catalog submitted for state review
- Formal business plans and ownership disclosures
- Financial oversight and tuition protections
- Academic program design reviewed for rigor and clarity
- Student complaint policies and appeal procedures
- Institutional mission, faculty requirements, and record-keeping compliance
We are licensed in the state of Utah and California, and currently exempt in 17 other states.
● Arizona
● California
● Colorado (master’s degree program only)
● Delaware (certificate program only)
● Florida
● Hawaii
● Idaho
● Kentucky
● Louisiana
● Maine
● Missouri
● Nebraska
● New Hampshire
● Ohio
● South Carolina
● Tennessee
● Utah
● Vermont
● Washington
As a new university, this is a work in progress. Please check back often to see if we have added new states. You can also follow us on instagram for updates: https://www.instagram.com/universityartsanddesign/
This licensure gives us the legal right to offer post-secondary education, including Master’s degrees and design certificate programs. These are not honorary certificates. They are structured, sequenced, skills-based programs that meet state regulatory guidelines.
Accreditation vs. Licensure: What’s the Difference?
A lot of the confusion online stems from not understanding the difference between licensure and accreditation.
- Licensure is required to operate a university in most states. It means you’ve been approved by a state educational oversight agency to provide degrees or certificates.
- Accreditation is optional, and involves a separate process with private, nonprofit agencies that review universities over the course of multiple years.
Every accredited university began first by becoming licensed. It is not possible to start with accreditation; it’s something that comes after a school has demonstrated consistent operation and program delivery.
Accreditation is a long and formal process that many new universities consider after becoming licensed.
In short: The University of Arts & Design is a fully licensed educational institution. Our degrees and programs are legally recognized in the states where we operate.
Our Degrees Are Different—And That’s the Point
As a licensed design university, our programs are specifically created for designers, creators, and entrepreneurs who want more than just technical skill. They want transformation. They want freedom. And they want to turn their creativity into a career.
What Makes UAD a Unique Licensed Design University:
- Launch-Based Thesis Model: Instead of writing a 100-page thesis, students launch a real creative business as part of their final project.
- Industry-Relevant Curriculum: We teach Illustrator, die cut design, surface pattern building, branding, marketing, shop creation, and more.
- Mentorship Over Memorization: Our programs are designed around applied practice, meetings, and business mentorship.
- Flexible Online Learning: Our programs are built for working adults, parents, and professionals—not 18-year-olds in dorm rooms.
We don’t believe in bloated theory. We believe in empowered, creative action. Our students aren’t just learning design—they’re building careers, products, and legacies.
Transparency Is Part of Our DNA
We get it: there are a lot of sketchy “certifications” and online courses out there. That’s exactly why we went through the long, rigorous, and expensive process of becoming a legally recognized university.
We publish an official course catalog, operate under state-mandated policies, and follow formal education law.
You can view our catalog here.
If you ever have a question, we invite you to reach out to our team. We believe in clarity, not gatekeeping.
Why Creating UAD Matters for the Future of Creative Education
We didn’t create UAD to be another art school. We created it because the old model isn’t working. Too many creatives are:
- Underpaid and undervalued
- Buried in student loans
- Unsure how to turn talent into income
UAD is different. We teach you how to build products, not just portfolios. We show you how to price, pitch, license, and launch.
We believe:
- Creatives deserve financial freedom
- Design is a skill and a business
- Education should lead to outcomes, not just debt
In Closing: Yes, We A Real Licensed Design University
The University of Arts & Design is real. We are licensed. We are operating legally in multiple U.S. states. And we are deeply committed to helping creatives rise.
We know it’s unusual to see a modern licensed design university built for digital creators. That’s exactly why we did it. And we’re proud to be leading a new movement in creative education.If you’d like to learn more, explore our University Catalog or contact our team at info@uad.education. We’re here to help you design your future—literally.
