The Jackson College of Graduate Studies at University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) and the School of Design offer an Illustration MFA Program consisting of 60 credit hours of study. This competitive program is designed for students interested in Illustration for commercial application or teaching Illustration. The program also explores storytelling and advanced practice in branding, marketing, and business.
Course examples for the program include Graduate Illustration I-IV, History of Illustration, Business of Illustration, Design Theory, ClockTower Studio, Contemporary Illustration Practice, Criticism Seminar, and Teaching Practicum Design. In the final year of the program, students will complete the Portfolio Development, Thesis Development, and Thesis Exhibition courses.
Graduates of the UCO Illustration MFA Program are prepared to for positions such as Art Director, Print Designer, Advertising Designer, Creative Director, Package Designer, and Web Designer, among others.
University of Central Oklahoma does not have an undergraduate Illustration option. However, through design electives and the required Professional Preparation courses (18 credit hours), Design BFA (Major Graphic Design) students can develop solid skills in Illustration.
Housed in the School of Design, the Design BFA Program with a Graphic Design Major requires 124 credit hours or study, with 80 in the Major. Course options include Illustration I-III, Sequential Illustration, Environmental Illustration, History of Illustration, Design Foundations I-IV, Bookmaking & Prototyping, Character Design, Advertising Design, Advanced Bookmaking, and Design Entrepreneurship. Opportunities include Advanced Portfolio Development, the Study Tour in Design, and an Internship.
The School of Design is housed in the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) and it is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Design graduates have career opportunities in all industries that utilize Illustration. Entertainment, Print, Web Design, Advertising, and Package Design are just a few.
University of Central Oklahoma is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). In addition to the main campus in Edmond, Oklahoma and the Academy of Contemporary Music at the University of Central Oklahoma in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, UCO has downtown locations at Carnegie Center and Santa Fe Plaza. Founded in 1890 as the Territorial Normal School, University of Central Oklahoma is home to 15,000 students served by 450 full-time faculty and 500 adjunct faculty. Around 119 undergraduate areas of study are available along with and 80 graduate programs.