Visual Communication Design - M.F.A.
School of Visual Communication Design
241 Taylor Hall
Kent Campus
330-672-7856
vcd@kent.edu
www.kent.edu/vcd
Description
The Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication Design is a terminal degree and recommended for students with undergraduate degrees in design or related fields who wish to enter a career in higher education instruction as well as to advance their studio skills in one or more of the following: print design, illustration, web design, 3-D design, motion graphics, interactive design, corporate identity, information architecture, interaction design or information graphics. The degree program offers graduate teaching and research assistantships, individual plans of study, experiential learning, design history and research. Interdisciplinary study is encouraged.
Fully Offered At:
- Kent Campus
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
Admission Requirements
- Official transcript(s)
- Undergraduate degree in design or closely related program
- Minimum 3.0 major GPA (4.0 scale)
- Three letters of recommendation
- Goal statement
- Résumé
- Autobiographical statement (250 words)
- Portfolio (presented online and consisting of 10-15 samples of personal or professional work that are clearly identified with appropriate background information)1
English Language Proficiency Requirements for International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 587 TOEFL score (94 on the Internet-based version), minimum 82 MELAB score, minimum 7.0 IELTS score or minimum 65 PTE Academic score. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website. Effective spring 2018.
The school faculty review applicants twice a year. Applications must be received by March 1 for fall admission, or by October 1 for spring admission. For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies website.
| 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. |
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Develop a body of creative work at a level appropriate for a graduate designer/illustrator/photographer.
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
[CI-MFA-VCD]
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Major Requirements | ||
| VCD 60009 | CANDIDACY REVIEW/GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION 1 | 1 |
| VCD 60020 | GRADUATE STUDIO IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN | 3 |
| VCD 60091 | GRADUATE SEMINAR IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN | 3 |
| VCD 60094 | COLLEGE TEACHING IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN | 3 |
| VCD 69199 | M.F.A. THESIS I 2 | 6 |
| Personal Focus | 44 | |
| Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 60 | |
| 1 | Successful completion of VCD 60009 is a requirement in every School of Visual Communication Design graduate program for both M.A. and M.F.A. students after the first semester or 12 credit hours of course completion. Successful completion of the examination designates the student as a candidate for the degree. |
| 2 | 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
- The Master of Fine Arts program requires the successful completion of 60 credit hours of graduate credit and requires 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.