Graphic Design M.F.A. Curriculum
The first and second years of the M.F.A. are devoted to studio research, seminars, art history, elective coursework, plus a professional experience in design. The third year is an intensive commitment to research in preparation for the thesis presentation that results in a comprehensive written document along with a complementary exhibition.
Credit-Hour Requirement
The graduate program leading to the M.F.A. degree in graphic design requires the completion of at least 90 semester hours of graduate study.
- 28 credits in studio courses within the major
- 12 credits of additional studio, these must not be drawn from the major
- 6 credits in seminars, (3-credit seminar in area + 3-credit School of Art teaching seminar)
- 12 credits of art history/academic studies (including AH 5101 and AH 5902 "theory” course)
- 7 credits of discretionary electives, (electives are selected in consultation with faculty, 4 credits written thesis is requested of all graphic design M.F.A. students)
- 65 Subtotal minimum course credit requirements
- 25 studio thesis
- 90 Total: The specifics for these categories are outlined in the Graduate Guide for your entering semester.
Each course will research various design paradigms. Depending on the faculty, exploration can be done through a rebuilding of pragmatic processes or theoretical and critical analysis of design thinking.
Timeline of Deadlines
First Year
School of Art + Design Orientation (estimated 1 week before classes begin)
Fall Semester
- Meetings with committee members
- Progress Review (approximately on week 11)
Spring Semester
- Meetings with committee members
- Internship Proposal
- Candidacy Review (approximately on week 11)
- Internship Contract
Second Year
Fall Semester
- Internship
- Internship Reports (approximately week 14-15)
Spring Semester
- Meetings with committee members
- Unofficial Thesis Presentation
- Thesis Proposal
Third Year
Fall Semester
- Meetings with Committee Members
Spring Semester
- Thesis Exhibition and Defense (approximately week 14)
Suggested M.F.A. Curriculum
First Year
Fall Semester
- Fixed Graphic Design Required Course (28 credits studio in major, 25 credits thesis)
- ART 5510 - Graphic Design I (3 - 5 credit hours): Research of various design paradigms will be explored through a rebuilding of pragmatic processes to an end that assists all students to reach an industry standard of research, skills, and exploration process.
- Outside Studio Electives (12 credits at least)
- ART 5530 Letterpress Bookmaking and ART 5540 Typography and Image are classified as studio electives (3 - 9 credit hours each)
- Seminars (6 credits at least)
- ART 6500 (3 credit hours) - Graphic Design seminar only offered every other year
- Outside Seminars Electives (3 credit hours) - This course is not classified as a seminar elective
- Art History (3 credit hours each)
- AH 5101 Contemporary Art History and AH 5902 Contemporary Art Theory Criticism are required
- Discretionary electives (7 credits at least)
- Teaching Seminar (3 credit hours) - required for TAs
Spring Semester
- Fixed Graphic Design Required Course (28 credits studio in major, 25 credits thesis)
- ART 5520 - Graphic Design II (3 - 5 credit hours): Research of various design paradigms will be explored through a rebuilding of pragmatic processes to an end that assists all students to reach an industry standard of research, skills, and exploration process. Includes research to identify a site for the research to be conducted during ART 6510.
- Outside Studio Electives (12 credits at least)
- ART 5530 Letterpress Bookmaking and ART 5540 Typography and Image are classified as studio electives (3 - 9 credit hours each)
- Seminars (6 credits at least)
- ART 6500 - Graphic Design seminar only offered every other year
- Outside Seminars Electives (3 credit hours) - This course is not classified as a seminar elective
- Art History (3 credit hours each)
- AH 5101 Contemporary Art History and AH 5902 Contemporary Art Theory Criticism are required
- Discretionary electives (7 credits at least)
- Electives are selected in consultation with faculty. Courses outside the major may require permissions from the instructor of record.
Second Year
Fall Semester
- Fixed Graphic Design Required Course (28 credits studio in major, 25 credits thesis)
- ART 6510 - Graphic Fellowship (4 - 9 credit hours): Participation in a design internship/assistantship with a recognized designer or design firm, or a study abroad experience related to the field of research chosen and approved by the student’s committee.
- Outside Studio Electives (12 credits at least)
- ART 5530 Letterpress Bookmaking and ART 5540 Typography and Image are classified as studio electives (3 - 9 credit hours each)
- Seminars (6 credits at least)
- ART 6500 - Graphic Design seminar only offered every other year: Lectures, discussions, field trips, and media presentations dealing with contemporary issues of critical discourse in design and the related social dynamic. Seminar content will vary depending on the professor of record. Seminar content will vary.
- Outside Seminars Electives (3 credit hours) - This course is not classified as a seminar elective
- Art History (3 credit hours each)
- AH 5101 Contemporary Art History and AH 5902 Contemporary Art Theory Criticism are required
- Discretionary electives (7 credits at least)
- Electives are selected in consultation with faculty. Courses outside the major may require permissions from the instructor of record.
Spring Semester
- Fixed Graphic Design Required Course (28 credits studio in major, 25 credits thesis)
- ART 6520 - Graphic Design III (4 - 9 credit hours): Continued research of various design paradigms will be explored through the rebuilding of the pragmatic design processes. A comparative analysis process will prepare students for the thesis and third year of visual research. The design thesis proposal will be presented for approval.
- ART 6510 Graphic Design Fellowship (4 - 9 credit hours): Participation in a design internship/assistantship with a recognized designer or design firm, or a study abroad experience related to the field of research chosen and approved by the student’s committee.
- Outside Studio Electives (12 credits at least)
- Art 5530 Letterpress Bookmaking and ART 5540 Typography and Image are classified as studio electives (3 - 9 credit hours each)
- Seminars (6 credits at least)
- Art 6500 - Graphic Design seminar only offered every other year
- Outside Seminars Electives (3 credit hours) - This course is not classified as a seminar elective
- Art History (3 credit hours each)
- AH 5101 Contemporary Art History and AH 5902 Contemporary Art Theory Criticism are required
- Discretionary electives (7 credits at least)
- Electives are selected in consultation with faculty. Courses outside the major may require permissions from the instructor of record.
Third Year
Fall Semester
- Fixed Graphic Design Required Course (28 credits studio in major, 25 credits thesis)
- ART 7950 - MFA Studio Thesis (3 - 15 credit hours)
- Outside Studio Electives (12 credits at least)
- Art 5530 Letterpress Bookmaking and ART 5540 Typography and Image are classified as studio electives (3 - 9 credit hours each)
- Discretionary electives (7 credits at least)
- Electives are selected in consultation with faculty. Courses outside the major may require permissions from the instructor of record.
Spring Semester
- Fixed Graphic Design Required Course (28 credits studio in major, 25 credits thesis)
- ART 7950 - MFA Studio Thesis (3 - 15 credit hours)
- Outside Studio Electives (12 credits at least)
- Art 5530 Letterpress Bookmaking and ART 5540 Typography and Image are classified as studio electives (3 - 9 credit hours each)
- Discretionary electives (7 credits at least)
- Electives are selected in consultation with faculty. Courses outside the major may require permissions from the instructor of record.