Master of Arts in Graphic Design, MAGD

• Curriculum
• Learning Goals and Objectives

Curriculum

Degree Requirements: 12-15 courses, 36-46 credits maximum

Candidates for the master’s degree must complete a course of study consisting of 36-46 credits. Applicants possessing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design can typically complete their master's degree with 36 credits of graduate study (700-level or higher).

Leveling Courses

Candidates who have not completed an undergraduate program of study substantially equivalent to the BFA in Graphic Design are required to complete leveling courses. The graduate program director evaluates the unique background of each student at the time of acceptance into the graduate program to determine the number and type of leveling courses that are required. Students may be required to complete up to 10 credits of leveling courses; most applicants will be able to waive some number of these based on professional background and prior academic experience. An additional 36 credits of graduate-level coursework is then required to earn the MAGD degree. Graduate students completing the leveling courses must maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to remain in good standing in the program.

Graphic Design Leveling Courses (3 courses, 10 credits)

Students complete or waive the following courses:

ADG-S219	Computer Applications in Design	3
ADG-224	History of Graphic Design	4
ADG-S496	Masters Prep	3

Graphic Design Core Requirements (8 courses, 24 credits)

ADG-810	Graphic Design Graduate Seminar	3
ADG-S820	Graphic Design Graduate Studio I	3
ADG-S822	Graphic Design Graduate Studio II	3
ADG-S839	Masters Foundation I	3
ADG-S840	Thesis Research	3
ADG-S842	Graphic Design Thesis Studio	3
ADG-S844	Graphic Design Thesis Documentation Studio	3
ADG-S849	Masters Foundation II	3

Graphic Design Electives (4 courses, 12 credits)

Choose four courses from those listed below or, with approval from the MAGD Program Director, select graduate electives in other disciplines:

ADG-700	Graphic Design Graduate Internship	3
ADG-S740	Online Mobile Design	3
ADG-S773	UX/UI Design	3
ADG-S807	Experimental Design Studio	3
ADG-850	Visual Communication Design Seminar	3
ADG-910	Graphic Design Independent Study	3

Note: The letter "S" preceding a course number indicates a studio course, for which studio fee is assessed.

Thesis

The master’s program culminates in a final thesis project, an independent inquiry based on an original idea associated with a student’s chosen area of concentration. Graphic Design Thesis Research (ADG-S840), Thesis Studio (ADG-S842), and Thesis Documentation (ADG-S844) are the core courses in the master’s program curriculum sequence. Successful completion of Thesis Research is a prerequisite for enrollment in Thesis Studio and successful completion of Thesis Studio is likewise a prerequisite for enrollment in Thesis Documentation.

Portfolio Review and Thesis Exhibition

End-of-semester Portfolio Reviews are required of all master’s and pre-master’s students, as is participation in the Graduate Student Thesis Exhibition. Please note that degrees will not be awarded until all of these requirements have been successfully completed.

Learning Goals and Objectives

Learning goals and objectives reflect the educational outcomes achieved by students through the completion of this program.

Learning Goals	Learning Objectives
Students will...	Students will be able to...
Learn to use a process that engages the thinking eye, the measuring mind, and the making hand	- Display competencies in the most current technical skills, which will be needed as professional designers - Use the Design Process, taught in every degree class, to govern their educated eye, fertile minds, and competent hands
Learn to develop the habit of curiosity, the process of collaboration, and learning to learn	- Incorporate these skills to exercise fundamental design skills applied to a variety of projects in studios, agencies, for-profit and non-profit organizations, institutions, and in-house businesses - Be proficient in knowing and be curious to know more about topics such as online and mobile design, environmental graphic design, video and animation, packaging and emerging media, and social media - Thrive in a highly competitive workplace and proliferate in innovative thinking and world changing concepts
Develop an understanding of workplace decorum and communication skills	- Demonstrate professional practices such as team collaboration, idea and concept iteration, research and presentation skills, and the discipline to bring ideas to life