Visual Communication Design - M.F.A.

Ready to take on leadership roles in the design industry? The M.F.A. degree in Visual Communication Design focuses on field research methods, design thinking and social innovation, augmented by a practical university teaching experience. As a graduate, you'll be able to pursue careers in design education, but you'll also stand out in the industry for your ability to solve problems from a research-based design perspective.

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Program Information for Visual Communication Design - M.F.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

As a terminal degree, the Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication Design serves students with a strong undergraduate and/or professional experience in design who wish to advance into leadership roles. Classes have been developed to create an educational experience in design highlighted by field research methods, design thinking, and social innovation, augmented by practical university teaching experience.

The M.F.A. degree allows graduates to pursue careers in design education; they also stand out in the industry for their ability to solve problems from a research-based design perspective. The program offers individualized plans of study, experiential learning, design history and research. Interdisciplinary study is encouraged.

Admissions for Visual Communication Design - M.F.A.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Undergraduate degree in design or closely related program
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate major GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement (starting with spring 2026 admission term, statement is no longer required)
  • Autobiographical statement (250 words) (starting with spring 2026 admission term, statement is no longer required)
  • Statement of intent is required starting with spring 2026 admission term addressing the following items:
    • Prior educational and work experiences
    • Future career objectives
    • Reasons for pursuing graduate study
    • Relevance of the above three items to this M.F.A. degree
  • Portfolio1
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score
1

For applicants without a visual communication design undergraduate degree, a portfolio may be defined as any creative, problem-solving endeavor. It may include drawing, painting, illustration, photography, web related solutions, interactions, writing or other types of solutions not listed here.

2

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Application deadline: March 1
  • Spring Semester
    • Application deadline: October 1

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Develop leadership abilities necessary for success in the design industry or higher education.
  2. Develop skills for collaborative engagement with strategic partners, team members and peers.
  3. Develop deeper awareness of issues related to the cognitive, social, theoretical, cultural, technological, educational and economic contexts of design.
  4. Develop understanding of design’s use as a strategic tool and medium for business and social applications, through the integration of practice and research.
  5. Develop enhanced comprehension of design thinking, design process and metacognition.
  6. Develop capabilities in the planning, application and synthesis of field research methods and their use in design process.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
UX 60501INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE 3
VCD 60020GRADUATE STUDIO IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN 3
VCD 60091GRADUATE SEMINAR IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN 3
VCD 60094PROFESSIONAL AND TEACHING DEVELOPMENT 3
VCD 60171CRITICAL PRACTICES IN DESIGN RESEARCH 3
VCD 60191ADVANCED RESEARCH 3
VCD 60200DESIGN THEORY I: CULTURE, COMMUNITIES AND CONTEXT 3
VCD 61099GRADUATE PORTFOLIO/GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION 11
Major Elective, choose from the following:3
VCD 60096
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION
Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT) Graduate Course (60000 level)
User Experience (UX) Graduate Course (60000 level)
Personal Focus Electives, choose from the following: 229
Illustration
VCD 52002
EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION
VCD 52003
ADVERTISING ILLUSTRATION
VCD 52005
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: THE HUMAN FIGURE
VCD 52006
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENTS
VCD 52007
GRAPHIC NARRATIVE
Motion and Interaction Design
EMAT 51000
RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN
VCD 53007
INFORMATION DESIGN
VCD 53101
INTERACTION DESIGN II
VCD 54006
MOTION DESIGN I
Typography, Identity and Environmental Graphic Design
VCD 53002
TYPOGRAPHY II
VCD 53003
IDENTITY SYSTEMS
VCD 53005
INTEGRATED BRAND DESIGN
VCD 53006
BRAND EXPERIENCES
VCD 53060
TYPEFACE DESIGN
VCD 56003
EXPERIMENTAL TYPOGRAPHY
Other Topics
VCD 50053
GLYPHIX RESEARCH LABORATORY
VCD 53051
TYPE HIGH PRESS
Other courses with advisor approval
Culminating Requirement
VCD 69199M.F.A. THESIS I 36
Minimum Total Credit Hours:60
1

Successful completion of VCD 61099 is a requirement in every School of Visual Communication Design graduate program for both M.A. and M.F.A. degrees after either the first semester or 12 credit hours of course completion.

2

The Personal Focus Electives are grouped according to general interest areas; however, students are not limited to one interest area. Students may take electives from other programs in consultation with their academic advisor and/or thesis advisor.

3

The thesis is a significant project or body of work done independently of other coursework. Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to conduct research or produce an original project in a discriminating and disciplined manner. The thesis topic should be one that will further the student’s knowledge and ability in the specialty by demonstrating skill as a researcher or professional designer/illustrator. The outcome should be an effort that serves as a foundation for the pursuit of independent work when the graduate program is completed. At this stage, students are expected to work in close consultation with their thesis advisor.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • The Master of Fine Arts program requires the successful completion of 60 credit hours of graduate credit and a thesis.
  • The final examination is at the completion of the studio or research thesis. The final examination is the presentation and defense of the thesis and is also an examination of the graduate student’s general comprehension of visual communication design. Graduate students are expected to follow the university schedule of deadlines for taking the final examination and presenting thesis materials.
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Accreditation for Visual Communication Design - M.F.A.

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Art and Design

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Visual Communication Design - M.F.A.

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.

Visual Communication Design - M.A.

From print design and illustration to web design, 3-D design, motion graphics, interactive design, corporate identity, information architecture, interaction design and information graphics, the M.A. in Visual Communication Design offers individualized plans of study to help you enter the evolving design industry and become influential in social media, branding, digital media and other professional capacities.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Information
Schedule a Visit
Find All Majors

Program Information for Visual Communication Design - M.A.

Program Description

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Visual Communication Design is recommended for students who already hold an undergraduate degree and are looking to enter the design industry or related fields and wish to advance their studio skills in print design, illustration, web design, 3-D design, motion graphics, interactive design, corporate identity, information architecture, interaction design or information graphics. The program offers individualized plans of study, experiential learning, design history and research. Interdisciplinary study is encouraged.

Admissions for Visual Communication Design - M.A.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Undergraduate degree in design or closely related program
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate major GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Résumé
  • Goal statement
  • Autobiographical statement (250 words)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:1
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Application deadline: March 1

Applications submitted after this deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Develop a body of creative work at a level appropriate for a graduate designer, illustrator and/or photographer.
  2. Develop aesthetic, technical and professional skills necessary for success in design industry.
  3. Develop skills for collaborative engagement with strategic partners, team members and peers.
  4. Develop deeper awareness of issues related to the cultural, technological and economic contexts of design.
  5. Develop enhanced comprehension of design thinking and design process
  6. Develop understanding of design’s use as both a tactical and strategic tool for business and social applications.

Coursework

On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
UX 60501INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE 3
VCD 60011TYPOGRAPHIC STRUCTURES AND SYSTEMS 3
VCD 60012CONCEPT DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION 3
VCD 60091GRADUATE SEMINAR IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN 3
VCD 61099GRADUATE PORTFOLIO/GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION 11
Major Electives, choose from the following: 215
Illustration
VCD 52002
EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION
VCD 52003
ADVERTISING ILLUSTRATION
VCD 52005
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: THE HUMAN FIGURE
VCD 52006
CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENTS
VCD 52007
GRAPHIC NARRATIVE
Motion and Interaction Design
EMAT 51000
RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN
VCD 53007
INFORMATION DESIGN
VCD 53101
INTERACTION DESIGN II
VCD 54006
MOTION DESIGN I
Typography, Identity and Environmental Graphic Design
VCD 53002
TYPOGRAPHY II
VCD 53003
IDENTITY SYSTEMS
VCD 53005
INTEGRATED BRAND DESIGN
VCD 53006
BRAND EXPERIENCES
VCD 53060
TYPEFACE DESIGN
VCD 56003
EXPERIMENTAL TYPOGRAPHY
Other Topics
VCD 50053
GLYPHIX RESEARCH LABORATORY
VCD 53051
TYPE HIGH PRESS
Other courses with advisor approval
Culminating Requirement
VCD 60099MASTER OF ARTS PROJECT GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION 33
Minimum Total Credit Hours:31
1

Successful completion of VCD 61099 is a requirement in every School of Visual Communication Design graduate program for both M.A. and M.F.A. degrees after either the first semester or 12 credit hours of course completion.

2

Major electives are shown grouped according to general interest areas; however, students are not limited to one interest area. Students may take electives from other programs in consultation with their academic advisor. Students may also register for independent investigations with graduate faculty, as appropriate.

3

VCD 60099 is a visual project exhibition and formal presentation. The project topic should be one that will further the student’s knowledge and ability by demonstrating skill as a professional designer/illustrator. At this stage, students work in close consultation with their project advisor.

Graduation Requirements
Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery

Program Delivery

  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Accreditation for Visual Communication Design - M.A.

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Art and Design

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Visual Communication Design - M.A.

Graphic designers

-3.8%

decline

281,500

number of jobs

$53,380

potential earnings

Fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators

1.0%

slower than the average

28,300

number of jobs

$52,340

potential earnings

Additional Careers
  • Digital Designer
  • Multimedia Designer
  • Product Designer
  • User Experience Designer
  • Visual Designer
Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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