MFA in Visual Communication Design

The MFA in Visual Communication Design is a 60-hour terminal degree. You can concentrate in one discipline under the umbrella of visual communication design, such as web design or illustration, or build an interdisciplinary program of study. The program combines research and studio work, ends in a professional portfolio and a thesis exhibition, and prepares graduates to teach at the university level. It can be completed in three years.

Visual communication design includes graphic design for print and web, typography, art direction, motion and interactive design, illustration, and photomedia. Scholarships and teaching assistant positions are available to qualified applicants.

Program flowHow the program runs, stage by stage

Arrows follow the sequence described in the JSU Graduate Catalog.

FIRST FALLStart the core

• ART 6100 Contemporary Media Communication Studio
• ART 6701 Design Research Readings and Seminar

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FIRST SPRINGContinue the core

• ART 6101 Traditional Communication Studio
• ART 6700 Graduate History of Graphic Design

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Studio electives, academic courses, and electives27 hours of studio electives, one more art academic course, and 12 hours of electives. See the table below.

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AFTER THE FIRST 30 HOURSCandidacy ReviewThe MFA Committee evaluates your work before you continue past 30 semester hours.

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ART 6980 Design Studio Exhibition ResearchRequires Candidacy Review and approval of your Thesis Exhibition Proposal. You begin planning and research for the thesis exhibition and paper.

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FINAL SEMESTERART 6981 Design Studio Exhibition Research IIPrerequisite: ART 6980 Design Studio Exhibition Research. You produce and complete the MFA Thesis Exhibition and Paper. Pass/fail.

RequirementsThe hours, from required studio to art electives

Requirement	Hours
Required studio: ART 6100 Contemporary Media Communication Studio, ART 6101 Traditional Communication Studio, ART 6980 Design Studio Exhibition Research, ART 6981 Design Studio Exhibition Research II	12
Studio electives, including 6000-level special topics	27
Art academic: ART 6700 Graduate History of Graphic Design, ART 6701 Design Research Readings and Seminar, and one of ART 6702 Design Education Pedagogy Andragogy, 6720, 6750, 6870, or 6788	9
Art electives at the 6000 level	6
Non-art graduate electives, approved during advising	6
Total	60

At least 39 hours must be studio, and at least 30 of those in visual communication design studios. You need a 3.00 GPA overall. All MFA candidates present their work in a public exhibition.

Studio electivesWhat counts toward your studio electives

• ART 6190 Advanced Contemporary Media/Communication Studio (prerequisite: ART 6100 Contemporary Media Communication Studio)
• ART 6500 Design Studio (repeatable up to 18 hours)
• ART 6501 Graduate Typography Design Studio
• ART 6502 Graduate Screen Printing Design Studio
• ART 6503 Graduate Interactive Design Studio
• ART 6520 Visiting Designer Artist Project
• ART 6588 Special Topics in Graphic Design (permission of instructor)
• ART 6950 Graduate Internship in Visual Communication Design (permission of MFA Coordinator)
• ART 6879 Graduate Independent Study

How to apply

New to the department? Foundations explains the courses everyone takes first and how Portfolio Review works.

• Deadlines: October 1 for spring admission. February 1 for fall and summer admission. Later applications may be considered if space allows, with preference for full-time students.
• Application: the JSU Graduate Application and a $35 nonrefundable fee.
• Transcripts: official transcripts from an institutionally accredited institution.
• Statement of purpose.
• Portfolio: 20 examples of current work in visual communication design, as a single PDF with titles, dates, media, and short project descriptions. Show that you can use industry-standard layout, illustration, and image-editing software.

You need an undergraduate major in art, graphic design, or the equivalent, and at least a 3.00 GPA over your last 60 semester hours. Faculty may identify coursework to make up before you start, which doesn’t count toward the degree.

Questions: MFA Program Coordinator Sarah Ellis, scellis [at] jsu.edu.

Source: JSU Graduate Catalog 2026-2027, Visual Communication Design (Master of Fine Arts).

MFA on the blog

Student work

A few pieces from recent MFA in Visual Communication Design courses. Click any image to see it full size.