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What are the top graphic design MFA programs for 2024?
| Ranking | School | State |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island School of Design | Rhode Island |
| 2 | School of Visual Arts | New York |
| 3 | ArtCenter College of Design | California |
| 4 | Yale University | Connecticut |
| 5 | California Institute of the Arts | California |
| 6 | Savannah College of Art and Design | Georgia |
| 7 | Cranbrook Academy of Art | Michigan |
| 8 | Pratt Institute | New York |
| 9 | University of Texas at Austin | Texas |
| 10 | Maryland Institute College of Art | Maryland |
| 11 | School of the Art Institute of Chicago | Illinois |
| 12 | California College of the Arts | California |
| 13 | University of California, Los Angeles | California |
| 14 | University of Florida | Florida |
| 15 | Virginia Commonwealth University | Virginia |
| 16 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Illinois |
| 17 | Otis College of Art and Design | California |
| 18 | The Ohio State University | Ohio |
| 19 | Minneapolis College of Art and Design | Minnesota |
| 20 | University of Southern California | California |
| 21 | San Diego State University | California |
| 22 | Boston University | Massachusetts |
| 23 | Rochester Institute of Technology | New York |
| 24 | Full Sail University | Florida |
| 25 | Michigan State University | Michigan |
Below are the Top 25 Graphic Design schools and colleges in the US offering Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree programs for 2024. For an explanation of ranking criteria, click here.
1. Rhode Island School of Design, Providence, Rhode Island
The Graphic Design program at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) provides collaborative and individual spaces that allow students to create everything from traditional books to interactive texts, while learning about grids, systems, typography, and more. The school’s dedicated studios also provide access to screenprinting, bookbinding, and papermaking facilities, as well as printing and photographic resources for digital and traditional creations.
Serving approximately 150 BFA students and dozens of MFA students, the RISD Graphic Design program is one of the school’s largest departments.
The RISD Graphic Design MFA has a two-year track designed for students who have a BA of BFA in the field and related professional experience. The program also provides a three-year track for individuals with a fine arts, sciences, or liberal arts degree. Both tracks allow students to customize the curriculum through cross-disciplinary electives.
The two-year track has two sequences including Graduate Studio and Graduate Seminar. In the Graduate Studio sequence, students will explore the design process. During the Graduate Seminar sequence, students will explore design history and current critical issues. In this sequence students will also begin the process of developing their graduate thesis projects.
In the three-year track, students will begin the program with skills development in areas such as color, typography, image, theory, and design application. After the first year, three-year track students will begin working their way through the same curriculum as two-year students.
All RISD Graphic Design MFA students have individual workspaces in a large design studio in RISD's Center for Integrative Technologies (CIT), which also houses the graduate student gallery and several advanced degree programs. MFA students will have opportunities to interact with other graduate students in Digital + Media, Interior Architecture, Teaching + Learning in Art + Design, and Textiles,
Graduates of the Graphic Design programs at Rhode Island School of Design graduates enjoy a high employment rate. Around 96% of RISD alumni are employed one year after graduation, with 70% employed in positions directly related to their major. RISD Graphic Design alumni go on to become Senior Graphic Designers, Product Designers, Textile Designers, Packaging Designers, Art Directors, UX Designers, Brand Identity Designers, Industrial Designers, and Creative Designers.
2. School of Visual Arts, New York, New York
Serving approximately 730 students, Design is the third largest program at School of Visual Arts (SVA). The program has a multidisciplinary Design MFA program that provides access to the SVA Digital Imaging Center; internship opportunities at local and national companies; participation in the student-run Visual Arts Press; and private studios with 24-hour access for graduate students.
Design at SVA also provides opportunities to engage with guest lecturers; enter competitions covered by networks such as NBC and CNN; and participate in workshops and exhibitions. All students may also take advantage of the program's complimentary membership to The One Club for Creativity, which includes The Art Directors Club and Type Directors Club.
At the end of every academic year the Design Department also hosts an Industry Review Day for graduating seniors. Designers, creative directors, and editors are invited to meet and network with students. The event is held in-person and virtually.
The Design MFA at School of Visual Arts requires 60 credit hours. The curriculum emphasizes leadership and entrepreneurship, so students will explore areas such as advertising, business, networking, ethnography, promotion, marketing, intellectual property, research, publicity, and networking. The curriculum also explores branding, user experience, art book publishing, motion graphics, video, digital publishing, interaction, and new media directing.
Course examples for the program include Can Design Touch Someone’s Heart?; Design and Branding; The Joy of User Experience; Paul Rand Lecture Series; Intellectual Property and the Law; Logic and Type; Designing a Business; Telling Stories; Seminars I-II; Design in Context; Type for Masters; Design Decisions; and Interaction Aesthetics: Designing Digital Products for the 21st Century.
During the final year of the Design MFA program at SVA, students will complete a thesis across five courses. The final three courses highlight production; pitch and presentation; and the thesis video and media launch.
Graduates of the Design MFA program at SVA have gone on to launch more than 50 design studios around the world. Some program alumni have become partners in businesses and individual projects, while others work for corporations and non-profit organizations.
3. ArtCenter College of Design, Pasadena, California
ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter) houses a social innovation department known as Designmatters. Through this department, the school became the first design institution to be formally affiliated with the United Nations as a non-governmental organization (NGO). ArtCenter also houses the Graphic Design Department, which provides opportunities to study abroad in Berlin at the school’s satellite studio—ArtCenter Berlin. Organized like a creative agency, the studio features department led initiatives and transdisciplinary projects; sponsored studios and collaborations; and industry partnerships.
Within the department is a Graphic Design MFA (MGx) program with two-year and three-year options. The two-year option consists of 75 units completed across four full terms, plus one ArtCenter Lite (ACL) summer term. During the ACL, students will have the option to complete a design internship, studio independent study, or Testlab Berlin. Options are worth six credits each. All two-year students will also complete the Graduate Forum course, worth three credits.
Consisting of 86 units, the three-year MGx option is for students who need to develop additional design skills in order to be successful in the graduate program. This option consists of two additional terms. Upon successful completion of both terms, students may be admitted to the traditional graduate track.
Course examples across options include Digital Basics: LinkedIn Learning 1.0; Graduate Project Writing; Design Research/Strategy; Graduate Visual Interaction Design; Graduate Typography 3; Grad Studio Materials Lab; and Professional Leadership. MGx students will complete a Portfolio Lab, and a thesis project to graduate.
Students in all ArtCenter College of Design programs have the opportunity to intern, network, and interview with major companies and studios such as Amazon, Walt Disney Imagineering, Nike, Google, Blizzard Entertainment, IBM, Apple, Microsoft, Ford, Riot Games, Mattel, Warner Bros., BMW, DreamWorks, Meta, Netflix, Honda, and Chronicle Books.
ArtCenter Graphic Design alumni go on to establish careers in areas such as branding and corporate identity, visual interaction design, broadcast graphics, transmedia design, information architecture, printing and poster design, web design and development, app design, motion graphics, film title design, production management, package design, art direction, publication design, environmental graphic design, and exhibition design.
Many ArtCenter College of Design graduates have been hired at places such as Google, Meta, and IDEO. Some program alumni have also been hired to work with Local Projects—an exhibition and media design firm for public spaces and museums.
4. Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
Yale University (Yale) is home to the School of Art (SoA). Within the school is a Graphic Design MFA program that accepts just 12 students each year and up to six students into the preliminary-year program. This option is ideal for students with experience in an area outside of design. Consisting of 60 credit hours, the MFA consists of workshops, lectures, exhibitions, and presentations. Students also benefit from immersive studio work; individual sessions with editing and writing tutors; group thesis meetings; and access to more than 2,000 courses each year.
Examples of required courses for the program include Interactive Design and the Internet: Software for People; Critical and Professional Practice; Advanced Graphic Design: Ad Hoc Series and Systems; First-Year Graduate Studio: Graphic Design; Second-Year Graduate Studio: Graphic Design; Writing as Visual Practice; and Degree Presentation in Graphic Design.
All MFA students benefit from designated workspaces in the design studio loft; access to motion capture and VR tools at the Center for Collaborative Arts and Media; unlimited access to equipment such as the RISO Digital Duplicator, Vandercook presses, bookbinding materials, and wide format printers; opportunities to attend conferences and film festivals; and access to Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library; and
The Yale SoA Graphic Design MFA culminates with the completion of a thesis and a professional portfolio. The program takes two years to complete, full-time. Graduates are prepared to pursue design roles at advertising agencies, print and online publishing companies, public relations firms, computer systems design companies, design firms, web design studios, manufacturing companies, and marketing firms.
5. California Institute of the Arts, Valencia, California
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is home to the School of Art. Within the school is a Graphic Design program that focuses on small critique-based courses that encourage collaboration, discussions, and debates. Led by industry professionals with years of experience, courses and projects take place in residence in communal studios with 24-hour access. Students also have unlimited access to state-of-the-art facilities and labs; the opportunity to work with faculty mentors throughout the program; study abroad opportunities; and the option to complete an internship with a major design firm or studio.
The Graphic Design program at CalArts provides an MFA with an Integrated Media (IM) concentration. This option combines IM critiques and seminars with specialized coursework and elective courses across the Institute. Course examples for the program include Graphic Design Theory; Visual Literacy; and Typographics IA-IB. MFA students will also participate in two MFA Graphic Design Practicum workshops; Graduate Seminar I-II (Lecture); and Graduate Seminar I-II (Studio).
Graduates of the Graphic Design program at CalArts are prepared to pursue positions at design studios, advertising agencies, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, government agencies, museums, and in-house design departments across industries.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as Google, ArtCenter College of Design (ArtCenter), Walt Disney Imagineering, Whitney Museum of Art, Meta, North Carolina State University College of Design, Evernote, M+ Works, Kookmin University (Seoul South Korea), Museum of Arts and Design, SMOG Design, and California College of the Arts (CCA).
6. Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, Georgia
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has a Graphic Design program that provides the opportunity to collaborate with Fortune 500 companies such as Disney and BMW through the university’s in-house design studio SCADpro. Graphic Design students also have opportunities to study abroad for a quarter at SCAD’s Lacoste, France campus. During this experience students will take field trips to historic sites and museums, interact with visiting artists, and exhibit their work at a local gallery or museum.
Each year, Savannah College of Art and Design welcomes visiting artists and other professionals that provide workshops, panel discussions, master classes, and individual critiques. Examples of recent guests include Google's UX visual design team, Coca-Cola senior creative director Henry Kim, FontLab CEO Thomas Phinney, Grammy Award-winning graphic designer Stefan Sagmeister, and Pentagram partner DJ Stout.
The Graphic Design program at Savannah College of Art and Design provides an MFA in Graphic Design and Visual Experience. This option is available at the Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia campuses and through SCADnow Online.
All students benefit from courses taught by industry professionals from companies such as Google, Hasbro, and Airbnb; access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities; mentoring by top professionals in the design industry; and access to events such as SCADstyle, which attracts the biggest names in global art, modern design, and fashion.
All SCAD Graphic Design programs provide the opportunity to add a minor to enhance the degree. Examples include Advertising Copywriting; Mobile and Interactive Design; User Experience Design; and Advertising and Branding. Students may also add the Digital Publishing Certificate.
MFA students will compete the required graduate internship and three thesis courses including Graphic Design and Visual Experience MFA Thesis I: Research and Discovery; Graphic Design and Visual Experience MFA Thesis II: Synthesis and Insight; and Graphic Design and Visual Experience MFA Thesis III: Validation and Execution.
Graduates of the Graphic Design programs at Savannah College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue titles such as Art Director, UX/UI Designer, Graphic Designer, Brand Designer, Mobile App Designer, Publication Designer, Digital Designer, Creative Director, and Interactive Designer.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, Disney, Google, Riot Games, IBM, Ralph Lauren, Apple, Verizon, Meta, Under Armour, Live Nation, Airbnb, Hulu, Reddit, and Hulu. SCAD alumni have gone on to launch their own design studios, while others have established successful freelance careers.
7. Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
The Graphic Design Department at Cranbrook Academy of Art (Cranbrook) has an MFA program that emphasizes critical studies, writing, theory, criticism, and critiques. Consisting primarily of collaborative studio work and mentoring, the program provides 24/7 access to studio spaces for working on projects and displaying works, and access to state-of-the-art labs such as the Print Lab and the Central Media Lab.
Students in the program also benefit from interactions with visiting artists; the annual one-month long book design studio featuring hands-on workshops led by the Designer-in-Residence; weekly gatherings with peers to collaborate, write, and critique; and Cranbrook’s professional practices program, which consists of additional workshops, discussions, and seminars related to applying for jobs, local tours, and more.
The culminating event for graduating students is the MFA Thesis Book and Graduate Degree Exhibition (GDE). Attended by journalists, visiting critics, collectors, and the Cranbrook community, the GDE is held in the Eliel Saarinen-designed Cranbrook Art Museum and in several locations across the museum campus.
Graduates of the Graphic Design MFA program at Cranbrook Academy of Art are prepared to pursue advanced design roles and leadership positions across industries. Examples include Art Director, Senior Designer, Chief Designer, Consultant, Design Manager, Creative Director, Design Researcher, and Professor.
8. Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York
Established in 2014, the School of Design (SoD) at Pratt Institute (Pratt) houses the Communications Design MFA program. Students in this al all SoD programs have access to the Design studio—a creative space and community for collaboration and design exploration; access to hands-on, immersive maker spaces and production labs; internship opportunities at a field related professional site; and participation in more than 20 study abroad experiences such as faculty led summer excursions, fall and spring break travel, and custom semester programs. Tokyo, Florence, Copenhagen, London, Berlin, Glasgow, and Milan are just a few past destinations.
The Communications Design MFA at Pratt Institute consists of 60 credit hours completed over two years. Taught by renowned professionals in the field, courses for the program include (but are not limited to) Graduate Studio: Visual Language A and B; Design Writing; Graduate Studio: Technology A and B; Origins of Contemporary Communication Design; Graduate Studio: Transformation Design A and B; and Cross-Disciplinary Studio.
Students in this graduate program will attend seminars and complete a thesis project and exhibition across five courses. Graduates are prepared for academic careers, and leadership positions in areas such as print and digital media, data visualization, user experience design, identity systems and branding, environmental design, typography, information design, social media, design strategy, and interaction design.
Pratt Institute alumni have been hired at major companies, studios, and organizations such as Apple, Google, Ogilvy, HBO, Penguin Random House, DreamWorks Animation, Hasbro, IBM, Warner Music Group, Peacock, Carhartt, Inc., Dior, RGA, Gensler, Memorial Sloan Kettering, NYC Department of Transportation, Perkins Eastman, Wolff-Olins, Partners & Partners (P&P), HOK Group, and 2x4.
9. University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
The College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) houses the School of Design and Creative Technologies. Within the School is the Design Department. Housed in the Doty Fine Arts Building (DFA) and the Art Building (ART), the Design Department provides a Design MFA program, that provides 24/7 access to shared studio spaces; design, materials, digital fabrication, and computer labs; the Wood Shop; a Visual Arts Center; The Foundry; a Fine Arts Library; and the Harry Ransom Center.
All UT Austin design students benefit from courses taught by industry professionals; opportunities to engage in experiential learning through the school’s internship and study abroad programs; and the option to take courses through The Center for Integrated Design (The Center), which has partnerships with companies and organizations such as IBM, McKinsey & Company, the Austin Arts Commission, Logitech, the Office of Sustainability, Planet Texas 2050, EcoRise, and agrodesign.
At all degree levels, design students will explore graphic, industrial, and interaction design. All coursework is project-based and industry-oriented, with the opportunity to create a specialization by selecting courses from five formal areas. This includes Graphic Design, Design History, Interaction Design, Design Research, and Industrial Design.
The Design MFA program at UT Austin culminates with a thesis project that will be presented at the MFA Exhibition. Graduates have gone on to become Graphic Designers, Project Managers, Book Designers, Design Strategists, UI/UX Designers, Interaction Designers, Product Designers, Brand Designers, Visual Designers, Creative Directors, Industrial Designers, Freelance Designers, and Entrepreneurs.
Program alumni have been hired by major companies, organizations, and studios such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Razorfish, Deloitte, Meta, The New York Times, H-E-B Digital, Publicis Sapient, Serenity Forge, Droga5, Double A Labs, Gensler, and frog design (part of Capgemini Invent).
10. Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, Maryland
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) has a Graphic Design MFA (GD MFA) program.
The graduate programs at Maryland Institute of College and Art (MICA) serve more than 300 students from nearly every state and 20 countries. Housed in a loft-style studio space with dedicated computers and workspaces, the college’s 60 credit hour Graphic Design MFA (GD MFA) features studio courses, seminars, and independent work. Elective options exploring topics such as print, digital media, and video allow students to create an area of specialization. Course examples include Advanced Publication Design; Visiting Designers I-II; Design Studio I-IV; Visiting Thesis Critics; and Thesis Writing.
Other program features include courses taught by industry professionals; participation in seminars; and internship opportunities. The GD MFA program culminates with a thesis and exhibition.
Graduates of this two-year, full-time program are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries. MICA alumni have been hired at places such as Google, Adobe, Morehouse College, Netflix, and Under Armour. Program alumni have also presented their work at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA), The Smithsonian Institution (Smithsonian), and The Whitney Museum of American Art (The Whitney).
11. School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has a flexible Studio MFA that allows students to design their own plan of study. Students may also add a Graphic Design certificate. Housed in the Continuing Studies Department, the certificate includes courses such as Introduction to Graphic Design; Color Theory; and Digital Design: Adobe Photoshop.
In addition to the opportunity to customize the plan of study, the 60 credit hour Studio MFA allows students to explore other SAIC departments such as Film, Video, New Media, and Animation (FVNMA); Designed Objects; Intermedia; Writing; Architecture; Photography; and Interior Architecture. Course examples for the program include Type and Image in Motion; Advanced Typography; Package Design; Letterpress Bookworks; Electronic Publications; Image Studio; 4D Design: Manipulating Media; and Envisioning Information.
A major component of the SAIC Studio MFA is the opportunity to complete a graduate project every semester. MFA students will work one-on-one with artists, writers, and other academics from different SAIC departments. Graduate seminars, such as Form-Configuration-Content and Narrative Architectures, are also part of the program.
All SAIC students benefit from courses taught by practicing designers; technical advising; and the VCD Departments visiting designer lecture series Exploratory Languages. This annual event features some of the world’s foremost designers and design educators.
Students in all SAIC Design programs may also join the VCD AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) Chapter, which hosts local visiting designers, the annual Town Hall AIGA event, a biannual portfolio preparation seminar, and tours of Chicago studios. The VCD Department also provides the opportunity to participate in juror-led student workshops, and jurors’ lectures through the Chicago International Poster Biennial (CIPB).
The Studio MFA at SAIC culminates with a thesis, portfolio, and exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue creative roles across industries. Program alumni are employed at museums, advertising agencies, marketing firms, non-profit organizations, and major companies and studios across the U.S. and around the world.
12. California College of the Arts, San Francisco, California
California College of the Arts (CCA) has a Design MFA program with three concentrations—Graphic Design, Interaction Design, and Industrial Design—and two options including the two-year program and three-year program. The two-year option is designed for students with experience in one or more areas of design. The three-year option is for students with an undergraduate degree in an unrelated area. The first year of the three-year program allows students to develop design skills in preparation for the traditional two-year curriculum.
Students in all concentrations and options have access to a variety of course options including Design in Context Seminar; Digital Electronics; The Studio 2: IxD; Contemporary Design; Mechatronics; Hybrid Business Models; Interactive Media; Typography; and Professional Practice. The program culminates with the thesis project and exhibition.
Other program features include 24/7 access to the Hybrid Lab and Rapid Prototyping Studio; a lecture series that explores all disciplines; access to an extensive Materials Library; a yearly retreat at Headlands Center for the Arts; intensive workshops with visiting designers; and exhibitions for studio and end-of-year work.
This terminal degree program requires 90 units of study and a thesis to graduate. Program alumni are prepared to pursue leadership roles such as Senior Graphic Designer, Project Manager, Art Director, Senior Product Designer, Managing UI/UX Designer, Research and Development Technologist, Managing Curator, Entrepreneur, and Educator.
Graduates of the Design MFA program at California College of the Arts have worked with or been hired at places such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Apple, The New York Times, Google, IDEO, Headlands Center for the Arts, Adobe, and Meta. Graduates have also launched their own design firms and companies. Examples include BackerKit, Sensoree, and Gold Collective.
13. University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
The School of the Arts and Architecture at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) houses the Department of Design Media Arts (DMA). Within the department is a multidisciplinary Media Arts MFA program that explores narrative, visual communication, network media game design, and video. Courses for the program are taught as studios, typically with no more than 22 students.
All UCLA DMA Media Arts students have access to a number of labs, spaces, and other facilities. Examples include the Experimental Digital Arts (EDA) Space; New Wight Gallery; the UCLA Game Lab; Media Arts Research Space (MARS); the Shoot Room; Fabrication and Electronics Labs; DMA Graduate Student Gallery; Audio and Video Labs; the Print Lab; Broad Art Center; the Arts Library; DMA Labs; and the Art-Sci Center + Lab.
Media Arts MFA students will participate in seminars, group critiques, and research projects, while developing skills through one-on-one mentoring. Course examples for the program include Virtuality; Programming Media; Contemporary Topics in Media Arts; TA Training; Creating Context and Collaborative Practice; and Graduate Seminar.
The Media Arts MFA program at UCLA culminates with a thesis project to be presented at the UCLA MFA Exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions in areas such as graphic design, book art and publishing, content strategy, branding and packaging, multimedia design, advertising and marketing, motion art and design, UI/UX design, presentation design, art or design direction, media art, web design, exhibition design, and graphic art.
UCLA alumni are routinely hired at places such as Apple, Walt Disney Company, Google, Bloomberg, Amazon, Deloitte, KPMG, the County of Los Angeles, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Microsoft, NBCUniversal, Getty, Mattel, Oracle, Kaiser Permanente, Cisco Systems, Target Corporation, SpaceX, Accenture, and Teach for America.
14. University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida
Established in 1925, the College of the Arts at University of Florida (UF) houses four schools; two centers, and the Digital Worlds Institute. Accreditations include the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD); the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM); the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST); and the National Association of Schools of Dance (NASD).
Among the schools in the College of the Arts is the School of Art + Art History, which provides opportunities for all students to work with clients on real-world projects. The school also provides access to state-of-the-art studios and labs; internship opportunities; and study abroad experiences in places such as France, China, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Brazil, the UK, and Spain.
For students seeking a graduate graphic design program, the UF School of Art + Art History has a Graphic Design/Design and Visual Communications (MxD) MFA.
This 60 credit hour, terminal degree program launched more than 20 years ago. Design-centered, and interdisciplinary, the program consists of studios, workshops, seminars, and practicums. In addition to opportunities to develop entrepreneurial, teaching, and other skills through electives, the program allows experimentation, collaboration, and field experiences.
Elective examples for the MxD MFA include Methods of Research in Art Education; Global Entrepreneurship; Seminar in Museum Studies; Creativity in Entrepreneurship; Arts, Advocacy and Public Policy; Teaching Art in Higher Education; Creativity and Health: Foundations of the Arts in Medicine; and Creativity in Entrepreneurship. The UF MxD MFA culminates with a thesis or creative project.
Graduates of the Graphic Design program at University of Florida are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of design across industries. Some program alumni have gone on to teach or launch their own studios, while others have been hired at companies, studios, and organizations such as Walt Disney Imagineering, Apple, Google, Microsoft, IBM, L’Oréal, Verizon, Twitter/X, R/GA, West Elm, IDEO, Fossil, Viacom, JetBlue, Kate Spade, Facebook/Meta, and the Miami Heat.
Graduates who have gone on to teach have been hired at places such as UF, University of Colorado–Boulder Northern Alabama University, Auburn University, Ball State University, University at Buffalo, University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Illinois State University.
15. Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, Virginia
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is home to the School of the Arts (VCUarts). Within the school is the Department of Graphic Design, which provides an MFA in Design/Visual Communications accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Students in this program have access to labs and design studios such as the Creative Print Bureau (CPB) and middle Of broad (mOb). CPB is a student and staff operated lab that provides print production services and learning opportunities through workshops, demos, and self-service machines. Students may participate in print production projects for various local businesses.
The experimental design lab mOb brings together the departments of graphic, fashion, and interior design. Designers from all departments work with faculty mentors on projects for companies across the state. Students may also participate in community and government projects. Past projects have included a reimagined Monument Avenue in Richmond; signage for the James River Park System; and the development of bridge concepts for Interstate 95.
The 60 credit hour Design/Visual Communications MFA at Virginia Commonwealth University is a design and research degree that culminates in a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation. MFA students will complete several workshops and seminars; research/individual study; and an Internship or Teaching Practicum. Optional study abroad programs for a semester, summer or several weeks are also available.
Graduates of the VCUarts Design/Visual Communications MFA program are prepared to pursue leadership roles in all areas of design. Graduates may also pursue positions in art and design education and research. Possible job titles include Senior Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Critical Analyst (Publishing), Public Art Director, Program Manager (Non-Profit), Design Strategist, Art Educator, Media Production Manager, Identity and Branding Design Manager, and Information Architect.
16. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Urbana
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) houses the College of Fine and Applied Arts, home to the School of Art and Design. Within the school is an Art and Design MFA with several areas of concentration. Ideal options for design students include Design for Responsible Innovation (formerly Graphic Design) and Interdisciplinary Studio-New Media.
Students in both areas will explore digital interaction, information design, visual narrative, data visualization, systems thinking, and responsible practices in print media. Course examples include Ethics of a Designer in the Global Economy; Design for Responsible Innovation Research Impact; and MFA Design for Responsible Innovation Studio.
The Art and Design MFA program at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign culminates with a written thesis and participation in the graduation exhibition. Graduates are prepared to pursue advanced roles in all areas of design. Program alumni can also pursue teaching or research positions or launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
17. Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, California
Otis College of Art and Design (Otis College or Otis) has a Graphic Design MFA program that features an accelerated curriculum spanning four consecutive semesters completed over 14 months. The program, which typically begins in the summer semester, consists of studio projects, workshops led by visiting artists and designers, round table discussions, and courses in history and design theory. Course examples for the program include Contemporary Graphic Design Issues, Models of Practice, Seminar Studio I-IV, and Entrepreneurship.
Graduates of the Graphic Design MFA program at Otis College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue leadership roles in fields such as advertising, publishing, branding, environmental graphics, entertainment, packaging, emerging technologies, user interface/user experience (UI/UX), and interactive design.
Program alumni have been hired at places such as Conde Nast Publications, Young & Rubicam, Disney Consumer Products, Amazon, GUESS, Google, the WB Network, Apple, Capitol Records, Metro, Hallmark, Anthropologie, Ogilvy Worldwide, Museum of Art (LACMA), Deutsch Inc., Southern California Institute of Architecture (SciArc), Los Angeles County, Gehry Partners, and Interscope Records.
18. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
The College of Arts and Sciences at The Ohio State University (OSU) is home to the Department of Art, which houses an interdisciplinary Visual Arts MFA. This three-year, 66 credit hour program provides 24/7 access to private and semi-private studios, state-of-the-art facilities and exhibition spaces, and the Wexner Center for the Arts—a renowned contemporary art center located on the OSU campus.
MFA students also benefit from access to the Fine Arts and Cartoon Libraries; the OSU-run Urban Arts Space located in downtown Columbus; and interactions with visiting artists, critics, and curators.
Students in this full-time program may specialize in a variety of design disciplines through electives and other coursework. The OSU Visual Arts MFA program culminates with the MFA Thesis Exhibition held at the Urban Arts Space. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles across all areas of design.
19. Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Graphic Design Department at Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) houses an interdisciplinary MFA that emphasizes critiques and collaborative projects; hands-on training through internships and client projects; and study abroad experiences in places such Italy, England, Japan, Ireland, and Germany. This 60 credit hour program also provides opportunities to pursue creative work in one or more areas.
Examples include graphic design, sound art, interactive media, animation, drawing and painting, book design, installation, comic arts, illustration, digital media, public arts, textiles and fiber arts, performance, social practice, and sculpture.
MCAD MFA students also benefit from one-on-one work with a mentor (the core of the MCAD MFA curriculum); independent and collaborative studios; and participation in opportunities in the Twin Cities’ creative community including art centers, fundraisers, nonprofit organizations, and galleries.
Graduates of the Design programs at Minneapolis College of Art and Design are prepared to pursue titles such as Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Brand and Logo Designer, Editorial Illustrator, User-Experience (UX) Designer, Art Director, Production Artist, Front-End Developer, Exhibiting Artist, Web Designer, Arts Educator, and Arts Administrator.
MCAD alumni can be found at design firms, advertising agencies, publishing companies, large corporations, museums, government agencies, small businesses, production studios, and start-ups. Some graduates have launched their own design studios or freelance businesses.
20. University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
First organized in 1883, and founded in 1895, the Gayle Garner Roski School of Art and Design at University of Southern California (USC) is one of Southern California’s oldest art and design schools. School highlights include an experimental and collaborative approach to learning; hands-on studio courses; coveted internships at places such as DreamWorks, Lego, National Geographic, and MTV; skills-based workshops in 2D and 3D design media; seminars; and international design study tours in places such as London, South Africa, Italy, and Australia.
Within the USC Roski School of Design is a Design MFA and a BFA/MFA Design progressive degree designed for exceptional students in the junior year of the school’s Design BFA program. This dual degree program can be completed in less time than taking the BFA and MFA programs separately. The BFA/MFA also allows students to skip the formal graduate application.
The Design MFA at University of Southern California is a studio-based program that requires a minimum of 56 units of study. This includes 26 elective units. Eighteen elective units must be from USC Roski School of Art and Design, and eight can be from any department or and school outside Roski.
Elective examples include Directed Research; Design Studio Co-Lab; Field Internship Experience; Design Pedagogy; and International Design Study Tour. Examples of required courses for the program include Contemporary Issues in Design; Design Theory; Individual Studies; Designers in Residence Forum; and Advancement (workshop).
The culminating experience for the USC Roski Design MFA program is the Master’s Thesis, completed across three courses totaling four units.
In addition to all USC Roski has to offer, Design MFA students benefit from partnerships with organizations such as the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). The school also provides opportunities to participate in seminars, discussions, and events featuring leaders in the design industry.
Graduates of the Roski School of Art and Design at University of Southern California have been hired at hundreds of major companies, studios, and organizations. Examples include Marvel Studios, L’Oreal, DreamWorks Animation, Vogue, BCBGMAXAZRIA, Conde Nast, Disney Interactive, Skechers, MTV Networks, J. Crew, Harper’s Bazaar Magazine, Cisco, American Apparel, NBCUniversal, DirectTV, 20th Century Studios, Fandango, Mattel, American Express, Beats, PETA, Paramount Pictures, Macy’s, E! Entertainment, and Oliver Peoples.
21. San Diego State University, San Diego, California
San Diego State University (San Diego State or SDSU) is home the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA), which houses seven schools, three departments, 15 interdisciplinary centers and institutes, and over 40 student clubs. Serving more than 5,000 students, the PFSA provides professional internship opportunities, and optional international experiences for students across all departments and schools.
Among the PFSA’s seven schools is the School of Art and Design, which has an Applied Arts and Sciences MFA program with the option to add a Graphic Design emphasis. Course examples include Graphic Design I-IV; Expressive Typography; Experiential Graphic Design; Packaging Design; Typography I-IV; Screenprinting Studio; History of Graphic Design; Artists and Designers in Real Time; Drawing I-II; and Two-Dimensional Design.
In addition to a variety of courses, MFA students have access to state-of-the art facilities such as seven Mac Computer Labs; the Computing Labs for Digital Imaging, Interactive Media, and Video; Intaglio and Relief Printmaking Studios; Printmaking, Letterpress, and Book Arts Studios; and the Screen Printing Studio. SDSU Graphic Design students also benefit from the Art and Design School’s visiting lecture series; access to local galleries and museums; interaction with visual and performing arts organizations; and AIGA membership.
Graduates of the San Diego State University MFA program are prepared to pursue leadership and other roles such as Packing Designer, Lead Graphic Designer, Brand Designer, Graphic Illustrator, Creative Director, Print Production Artist, Multimedia Designer, Technical Illustrator, Layout/Production Artist, Logo Designer, Book Artist, and Art Director.
22. Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
The College of Fine Arts at Boston University (BU) is home to the School of Visual Arts. Established in 1954, the school houses the Graphic Design MFA and state-of-the-art facilities such as Media Center, Computer Labs, and Darkrooms; the Engineering Production Innovation Center (EPIC); and the Visual Arts Resource Library.
As part of the School of Visual Arts, Graphic Design students also benefit from seminars, professional internship opportunities, and visiting artists and designers. In addition, all SVA programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Other program benefits include partnerships with area design studios and businesses that lead to internships and employment; participation in a two-week design intensive in Amsterdam; and a two-week Printmaking workshop at the Franz Masareel Centrum in Kasterlee, Belgium.
Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Studio Arts program in Venice, Italy, which consists of 16-18 credit hours in graphic design, drawing, painting, printmaking, art history, and sculpture. Courses are held at Boston University’s Venice Center, with some electives provided off-site at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia.
Consisting of 60 credit hours, the Graphic Design MFA program at BU provides 24/7 access to individual private studios. Of the 60 required credit hours for the program, 32 are in graduate graphic design courses. Other requirements include Graphic Design Theory I-II; Graduate Typography; and History of Graphic Design. Twelve required elective credits allow students to explore additional areas within and outside of design.
Through BU’s partnership with AIGA Boston, MFA students have opportunities to network with industry leaders through visits to local studios and campus events. The program culminates with a thesis and exhibition.
Graduates of the Graphic Design program are prepared to pursue leadership roles across industries. Program alumni have worked with companies such as Converse, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO), and Free People. Some program alumni have also gone on to launch their own design studios or freelance businesses.
23. Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York
The College of Art and Design at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) houses the School of Design and the Visual Communication Design (VCD) MFA. This STEM-designated, cross-disciplinary program explores graphic design, 3D digital design, interactive design, UI/UX design, and motion design. Consisting of 60 credit hours, the VCD MFA also allows students to customize a large portion of the curriculum with coursework from other programs and departments.
Course examples for the program include Real Time Design; Digital Media Integration; Design Practice I-II; Branding and Identity Design; Information Design; Programming for Designers; Character Design and Rigging; 3D Particles and Dynamics; UX Design Strategies; 3D Modeling and Motion; and Project Design and Implementation.
The VCD MFA program provides access to cooperative education and internship opportunities, as well as workshops, state-of-the art production facilities and studio spaces, and networking through RIT’s Creative Industry Day. In addition, each year, Graphic Design at RIT hosts multiple workshops that encourage collaboration and community engagement. Examples include PUSH and EUREKA! PUSH is a multi-day event led by industry designers.
EUREKA allows students to work in multilevel, interdisciplinary teams to complete a project. Students will also work with stakeholders and community organizations on projects that will be presented to a panel of experts. The winning project will move forward to implementation.
The RIT VCD MFA program culminates with two thesis courses: Thesis Research and Planning and Thesis: Implementation and Evaluation. Graduates are prepared to pursue design roles across industries.
With a 100% outcome rate, graduates of the Rochester Institute of Technology VCD MFA have gone on to become Senior Graphic or Visual Designers, Product Designers, Creative Directors, Motion Graphic Designers, User Experience Researchers, Cinematographers, User Interface (UI) Designers, Game Producers, and User Experience (UX) Designers.
School of Design alumni have been hired at places such as Walt Disney Company, ESPN, Adobe, Vogue Italia, Apple, Fisher-Price, Sesame Street, Sports Illustrated, and the NHL.
24. Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Full Sail University (Full Sail) has a Media Design MFA program that can be completed 100% online. The program explores team dynamics, client communications, research methods, and motivational theories. Course examples for the program include Measuring Design Effectiveness; Brand Development; Defining Client Needs; Design Research; Effective Copywriting; Multi-Platform Delivery; Organizational Structures; and Design Integration.
In the last two months of the program, Design MFA students will complete the Professional Practice course and Thesis: Presentation of Design Solution.
The Full Sail Media Design MFA program takes just 12 months to complete, full-time. Graduates are prepared for teaching positions at top universities, and advanced roles at companies, studios, and organizations. Program alumni are also prepared to launch their own studios or freelance businesses.
25. Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
Michigan State University (MSU) houses the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), home to the Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD). Within the department is a Create Your Own Pathway MFA. Students in this program may select courses from any area of interest to build a focus area. This includes Graphic Design.
In addition to selected courses, MFA students will take studios and seminars such as Integration in Studio Art; Theory and Writing for Artists; History of Art; Exploration and Research in Studio Art; and Professional Practice. Students will also participate in five formal Graduate Critiques worth one credit each.
Other program benefits include dedicated studios; opportunities for external study; individual studio visits with approximately 45 visiting artists throughout the degree; internships; and study abroad experiences. The MSU MFA is also 100% fully funded, meaning every student receives a full tuition waiver and generous stipend.
In the last year of the MFA program at Michigan State University, students will complete a final research project (thesis). Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles at major design studios, advertising agencies, non-profit organizations, retail giants, corporations (in-house design teams), museums, and academic institutions.
MSU AAHD alumni hold titles such as Senior Graphic Designer, Communications Coordinator, Senior User Experience Designer, Art Director, Media Manager, Creative Producer, and Senior Web Designer, at places such as Leo Burnett, Domino’s, General Motors, Quicken Loans, Shift Digital, Campbell Ewald, and TechSmith Corporation.