Master of Fine Arts in Design

Sample Schedule

FULL-TIME STUDENT

This is set up for an odd-year fall and even-year spring: ‘23–24, ‘25–26, etc.

FIRST YEAR: 24 CREDITS

FALL SEMESTER: 9 credits

SPRING SEMESTER: 9 credits

SUMMER SEMESTER: 6 credits

3 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

Design Seminar 1 Core requirement

Research Strategies in Design Core requirement

Sustainable Design II: Global impact Focus Area

3 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

Visual Communication for Graduate Study Focus Area

Sustainable Design Practice Core requirement

Focus Area Independent Study

3 cr.

3 cr.

Graduate Design Studio Focus Area

Focus Elective Interdisciplinary course

We are using 9 credits as an average. full-time semester. Students can (and do) enroll in 12 credits.

This is set up for an even-year fall and odd-year spring: ‘24–25, ‘26–27, etc.

SECOND YEAR: 24 CREDITS

FALL SEMESTER: 9 credits

SPRING SEMESTER: 9 credits

SUMMER SEMESTER: 3 credits

3 cr.

3 cr.

3 cr.

History of Design Seminar Core requirement

Critical Issues in Design Education & Practice Core requirement

Focus Area Dual-listed course

CURRICULUM

The M.F.A. is a 60-credit, terminal degree. M.F.A. students take a 30-credit “core” curriculum of courses on advanced topics in Design theory, research, application, ethics,

3 cr.

3 cr.

Design Seminar II Core requirement

Focus Area Independent Study

3 cr.

3 cr.

Focus Elective Interdisciplinary course

Focus Area Dual-listed course

sustainability, and history. In addition, students take a set of courses (21 credits) in a focus area of their choosing. Students also take 9 credits of electives from available graduate courses across campus, including a large number in Studio Art.

3 cr.

Ethics in Design Core requirement

WINTERM: 3 credits

THIRD YEAR: 12 CREDITS

CORE COURSES 21 credits / evening classes 9 credits of Thesis FOCUS AREA (your “major”) 21 credits / very flexible 9 credits of Focus Electives (interdisciplinary)

30 cr.

FALL SEMESTER : 6 credits

SPRING SEMESTER : 6 credits

NOTE: There is no suggested schedule for part-time students. Part-time students sometimes take 3 credits per semester, and sometimes 6–9 credits. There are no restrictions regarding full-time vs. part-time enrollment.

3 cr.

Graduate Thesis in Design Core requirement

Graduate Thesis in Design Core requirement

3 cr.

Focus Elective Interdisciplinary course

Graduate Thesis in Design Core requirement

30 cr.

8