M.Ed. in Special Education
Mississippi College, located in Clinton, Mississippi, offers a comprehensive Master of ...
M.F.A. in Graphic Design
Clinton, Mississippi
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The MFA in Graphic Design at Mississippi College is structured to deepen students' visual communication skills and creative problem-solving abilities. As a terminal degree, it is particularly suited for those who wish to pursue a career as a professional graphic designer at an advanced level, an art director, or a college-level educator. The program extends beyond the practical application of software, delving into the aesthetics, history, and theoretical underpinnings of graphic design. Students engage in intensive studio work, critical analysis, and research, culminating in a significant thesis project and exhibition.
Curriculum: The 60-credit-hour curriculum for the MFA in Graphic Design is comprehensive, integrating core art history research with extensive graphic design and studio art coursework. Core courses include "Research Topics in Art History: Artist" and "Research Topics in Art History: Periods or Styles," alongside two crucial "Studio Thesis" courses. Graphic design specific courses cover advanced topics such as "Graduate Graphic Design I & II," "Typography," "History of Graphic Design," "Concept Design," "Interactive Design," and "History of Semiotics and Letterforms." Additionally, students typically complete 18 hours of approved graduate art electives, which may include courses in illustration, photography, or other relevant studio areas, allowing for specialization and cross-disciplinary exploration within the visual arts. This robust curriculum ensures graduates possess both broad artistic capabilities and highly specialized design expertise.
Research Focus: The MFA in Graphic Design at Mississippi College has a strong research component, culminating in a written and visual thesis that students must defend. This thesis project involves extensive, student-directed research investigations in graphic communications, where students are expected to make original and comprehensive contributions to the field. The program encourages inquiry into both modernist and postmodernist methods, strategies, and analysis of design practice, applying these to contemporary graphic design challenges. This rigorous research prepares graduates to analyze complex design problems, develop innovative solutions, and contribute intellectually to the discourse of graphic design.
Industry Engagement: The program is designed to directly prepare graduates for advanced roles in the graphic design industry. Faculty members often bring extensive professional experience, offering valuable mentorship and insights into current industry practices and trends. The curriculum emphasizes practical application, with courses covering areas like branding and interactive design, which are highly relevant to contemporary industry demands. While specific internship requirements for the MFA are not explicitly detailed, the broader Art Department at Mississippi College encourages internships at the undergraduate level, suggesting a commitment to practical experience that likely extends to graduate studies. The program's focus on building a strong professional portfolio through diverse projects further aligns graduates with industry expectations.
Global Perspective: While the core curriculum for the MFA in Graphic Design doesn't explicitly feature courses with a singular global focus, the nature of graphic design itself inherently carries a global perspective. Graphic designers communicate ideas across cultures and languages, requiring an understanding of diverse visual semantics and cultural contexts. Mississippi College, as an institution, fosters a diverse student body, including a significant number of international students. This multicultural environment can naturally expose students to varied design sensibilities and global communication challenges. The exploration of "History of Graphic Design" and "History of Semiotics and Letterforms" would inherently involve studying design influences and movements from various parts of the world, implicitly broadening students' global understanding of visual communication.
Location
Clinton, Mississippi
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 13856
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $40
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 52 or higher.
Mississippi College is making quality education affordable for students from around the world. To support this goal, the college offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities specifically for international students, helping to reduce the overall cost of tuition and living expenses.
Merit-Based Scholarships: International students with strong academic records are eligible for merit-based scholarships. These awards are determined by evaluating high school GPA (or equivalent), standardized test scores (such as SAT or ACT), and other academic achievements. The scholarship amount varies, with awards ranging from partial to significant tuition discounts, which are renewable based on academic performance.
Presidential and Dean’s Scholarships: Highly qualified international students may receive Presidential or Dean’s Scholarships, two of the most prestigious awards offered by Mississippi College. These scholarships are based on exceptional academic credentials and leadership potential and can cover a substantial portion of tuition costs.
A Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Graphic Design from Mississippi College provides graduates with the highest level of artistic and theoretical training in visual communication. This terminal degree equips individuals not only with advanced practical skills but also with the critical thinking and research capabilities to innovate within the design industry and potentially lead in academic settings.
Creative Director: This senior leadership role involves overseeing the entire visual direction of projects, campaigns, or brands. MFA graduates are well-suited to define creative vision, manage design teams, and ensure aesthetic and strategic consistency for advertising agencies, marketing firms, or large corporations.
University Professor/Instructor (Graphic Design): As the MFA is generally considered the terminal degree in fine arts, graduates are qualified to teach graphic design at colleges and universities. This career path involves developing curriculum, conducting research, mentoring students, and contributing to the academic discourse of design.
Senior Graphic Designer/Lead Designer: With advanced skills in typography, branding, interactive design, and conceptualization, MFA graduates can take on highly complex design projects, lead design initiatives, and mentor junior designers within design studios, in-house corporate design departments, or advertising agencies.
UX (User Experience) Designer/UI (User Interface) Designer: Specializing in digital product design, these professionals create intuitive and aesthetically pleasing interfaces for websites, mobile applications, and software. The MFA's emphasis on visual communication and problem-solving is highly relevant for enhancing user interaction and overall experience.
Brand Strategist/Identity Designer: Leveraging a deep understanding of visual language and market analysis, graduates can work to develop comprehensive brand identities, including logos, visual systems, and brand guidelines, helping companies establish a distinct and compelling presence in the market.
Motion Graphics Designer: This role involves creating animated graphics for video, film, television, and digital platforms. The MFA curriculum's potential for digital animation and conceptual design provides a strong foundation for crafting dynamic visual content for entertainment, advertising, or informational purposes.
Freelance Graphic Designer/Consultant: Many MFA graduates choose to establish independent design practices, offering specialized graphic design services to a diverse clientele. This path allows for creative autonomy and the opportunity to work on a variety of projects, from branding and web design to editorial and packaging.
Exhibition Designer: Professionals in this field integrate graphic design into physical spaces, creating engaging and informative displays for museums, galleries, trade shows, and other public installations. This often involves a blend of spatial design, visual hierarchy, and storytelling.
Publication Designer/Art Editor: With expertise in typography, layout, and visual storytelling, graduates can work in publishing, designing books, magazines, newspapers, and digital publications. This often involves overseeing visual content, commissioning illustrations or photography, and ensuring overall aesthetic quality.
Information Designer/Data Visualizer: This specialization focuses on presenting complex information and data in clear, concise, and visually appealing ways, often using infographics, charts, and interactive visualizations. MFA graduates' ability to distill information and communicate it effectively is crucial in this growing field.
