MFA IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
2023-2024 | Curriculum | 2-year program
MFA candidates with a BFA or BA in Graphic Design or an equivalent degree such as Visual Communications enroll in the two-year program. Since these students typically also have at least two years of professional experience in the field, the program is designed to offer an opportunity for a more sustained and intensive investigation of critical graphic design thinking and making.
The Graduate Studio sequence explores the range of skills and activities within the design process, from an initial visual/verbal response to content, to the narrative shaping and communication of messages. Students in both tracks meet in the Graduate Seminar sequence, which initially builds a sophisticated sense of context through discussion of design history and contemporary critical issues, and later helps develop individual approaches to the exploration, investigation and construction of a well-designed thesis proposal.
MFA FIRST YEAR | ||||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graduate Seminar I [b] | 3 | GD Studies or Open Elective [a] or Graduate Seminar | 3 | Graduate Seminar II [b] | 3 | |||
Graduate Studio I [c] | 6 | Graduate Studio II [e] | 6 | |||||
GD Studies or Open Electives [a] | 6 | GD Studies or Open Electives [a] | 6 or 3 | |||||
Graduate Seminar [c] | 3 or 0 | Graduate Seminar [c] | 0 or 3 | |||||
TOTAL credits | 15 | TOTAL credits | 3 | TOTAL credits | 15 | |||
MFA SECOND YEAR | ||||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||||
Graduate Thesis I [d] | 6 | Graduate Thesis Open Research [d] | 3 | Graduate Thesis II [d] | 9 | |||
GD Studies or Open Electives [a] | 9 or 6 | GD Studies or Open Electives [a] | 9 or 6 | |||||
Graduate Seminar [c] | 0 or 3 | Graduate Seminar [c] | 0 or 3 | |||||
TOTAL credits | 15 | TOTAL credits | 3 | TOTAL credits | 15 | |||
Total Credits: 66 | ||||||||
Notes:
[a] Graphic Design Studies (any course or independent study in graphic design) and Open Electives (any course in the major or non-major): 24-27 credits total (credits and subjects based on individual needs).
[b] Graduate Seminar I and II (GRAPH-321G, 322G): 6 credits total.
[c] Graduate Education Seminar (in Graduate Education: see listings for that subject): 3 credits minimum.
[d] Graduate Thesis I and II, and Grad Thesis Open Research (GRAPH-327G, 328G, W321): 18 credits total.
[e] Graduate Studio I and II (GRAPH-323G, 324G): 12 credits total.
Students entering the Graduate program in the Department of Graphic Design must participate in its required Academic Laptop Program, purchasing hardware, software, upgrades and insurance. Although participation is required, graduate students may request to be waived from the requirement. Laptop program waiver requests are considered on a case by case basis.