College of Communication and InformationSchool of Visual Communication Design
www.kent.edu/vcd
Contact Information
Fully Offered
Admission Terms
Examples of Possible Careers*
- Art Director
- Brand Manager
- Creative Director
- Design Director
- Design Researcher
- Design Strategist
- Digital Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Illustrator
- Multimedia Designer
- Professor of Design
- Product Designer
- Senior Designer
- User Experience Designer
- Visual Designer
*Note
Source of occupation titles and labor data is 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.
Description
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. allows graduates to pursue careers in design education, but 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.
Accreditation
National Association of Schools of Art and Design
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)
- Portfolio1
- Three letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 587 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 94 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 82 MELAB score
- Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 65 PTE score
- Minimum 120 Duolingo English Test score
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Develop leadership abilities necessary for success in the design industry or higher education
- Develop skills for collaborative engagement with strategic partners, team members and peers
- Develop deeper awareness of issues related to the cognitive, social, theoretical, cultural, technological, educational and economic contexts of design
- Develop understanding of design’s use as a strategic tool and medium for business and social applications, through the integration of practice and research.
- Develop enhanced comprehension of design thinking, design process and metacognition
- Develop capabilities in the planning, application, and synthesis of field research methods and their use in design process