Graphic Design (MFA) Curriculum
Course of Study
ArtCenter’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Graphic Design focuses on transmedia, craft, skill, leadership and strategic thought with a goal of practical professional improvement.
The typical length of study for the MFA in Graphic Design is two years: four full terms plus one summer term. Our two-year program consists of four full terms, a summer term reserved for studio-based independent study and an internship.
We offer a three-year program for incoming students who need additional design skills to complete the degree. This program features two additional terms of undergraduate courses tailored to meet the student’s individual needs. Once these two terms are completed, students enter the traditional MGx course track.
2-year (5 terms)
| TERM 1 - FALL | |
| Digital Basics: LinkedIn Learning 1.0 | 1 |
| Graduate Studio 3 | 6 |
| Graduate Typography 3 | 3 |
| Graduate Project Writing | 3 |
| Graduate Seminar 3 | 3 |
| Grad Studio Materials Lab OR Digital Basics: LinkedIn Learning 2.0 | 2 |
| TERM 2 - SPRING | |
| Design Research/Strategy | 3 |
| Mid-Level Thesis Review | 0 |
| Graduate Studio 4 | 6 |
| Graduate Typography 4 | 3 |
| Graduate Seminar 4 | 3 |
| Graduate Visual Interaction Design 1: Intro to UI OR Graduate Motion Design 1 OR Graduate Packaging Design 1 | 3 |
| TERM 3 - SUMMER (ACL) | |
| Graphic Design Internship OR Studio Independent Study OR Testlab Berlin | 6 |
| Graduate Forum 1 | 3 |
| TERM 4 - FALL | |
| Professional Leadership | 3 |
| Graduate Forum 2 | 6 |
| Advanced Graphic Studio Elective | 3 |
| Area-of-Emphasis Studio Elective | 6 |
| TERM 5 - SPRING | |
| Final Thesis Review | 0 |
| Graduate Thesis | 6 |
| Graduate Portfolio | 3 |
| Area-of-Emphasis Studio Elective | 6 |
| Completed Thesis | 0 |
| TOTAL | |
| Total Required Units | 75 |
3-year (7 terms)
| TERM 1 - FALL | |
| Digital Basics: LinkedIn Learning 1.0 | 1 |
| Graduate Studio 1 | 3 |
| Graduate Typography 1 | 3 |
| Graduate Motion Design 1 | 3 |
| Digital Basics: LinkedIn Learning 2.0 | 2 |
| Grad Studio Materials Lab | 2 |
| TERM 2 - SPRING | |
| Graduate Studio 2 | 3 |
| Graduate Typography 2 | 3 |
| Graduate Visual Interaction Design 1: Intro to UI | 3 |
| Graduate Packaging Design 1 | 3 |
| TERM 3 - FALL | |
| Graduate Studio 3 | 6 |
| Graduate Typography 3 | 3 |
| Graduate Project Writing | 3 |
| Graduate Seminar 3 | 3 |
| TERM 4 - SPRING | |
| Design Research/Strategy | 3 |
| Mid-level Thesis Review | 0 |
| Graduate Studio 4 | 6 |
| Graduate Typography 4 | 3 |
| Graduate Seminar 4 | 3 |
| TERM 5 - SUMMER (ACL) | |
| Graphic Design Internship OR Studio Independent Study OR Testlab Berlin | 6 |
| Graduate Forum 1 | 3 |
| TERM 6 - FALL | |
| Professional Leadership | 3 |
| Graduate Forum 2 | 3 |
| Advanced Graphic Studio Elective | 6 |
| TERM 7 - SPRING | |
| Final Thesis Review | 0 |
| Graduate Thesis | 6 |
| Graduate Portfolio | 3 |
| Completed Thesis | 0 |
| TOTAL | |
| Total Required Units | 86 |