Program Overview
Visual Communication Design - M.F.A.
About This Program
Ready to take on leadership roles in the design industry? The M.F.A. degree in Visual Communication Design focuses on field research methods, design thinking and social innovation, augmented by a practical university teaching experience. As a graduate, you'll be able to pursue careers in design education, but you'll also stand out in the industry for your ability to solve problems from a research-based design perspective.
Contact Information
- Daniel Alenquer | |
- Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student
Program Delivery
- Delivery: In person
- Location: Kent Campus
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*
- Brand Manager
- Creative Director
- Design Director
- Design Educator
- Design Researcher
- Design Strategist
- Digital Designer
- Multimedia Designer
- Professor of Design
- Product Designer
- Senior Designer
- User Experience Designer
- Visual Designer
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 (starting with spring 2026 admission term, statement is no longer required)
- Autobiographical statement (250 words) (starting with spring 2026 admission term, statement is no longer required)
- Statement of intent is required starting with spring 2026 admission term addressing the following items:
- Prior educational and work experiences
- Future career objectives
- Reasons for pursuing graduate study
- Relevance of the above three items to this M.F.A. degree
- Portfolio1
- Three letters of recommendation
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:2
- Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 65 PTE score
- Minimum 120 DET score
Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester
- Application deadline: March 1
- Spring Semester
- Application deadline: October 1
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
- Course List Code | Title | Credit Hours
- Major Requirements
- UX 60501 | INTRODUCTION TO USER EXPERIENCE | 3
- VCD 60020 | GRADUATE STUDIO IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN | 3
- VCD 60091 | GRADUATE SEMINAR IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN | 3
- VCD 60094 | PROFESSIONAL AND TEACHING DEVELOPMENT | 3
- VCD 60171 | CRITICAL PRACTICES IN DESIGN RESEARCH | 3
- VCD 60191 | ADVANCED RESEARCH | 3
- VCD 60200 | DESIGN THEORY I: CULTURE, COMMUNITIES AND CONTEXT | 3
- VCD 61099 | GRADUATE PORTFOLIO/GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION 1 | 1
- Major Elective, choose from the following: | 3
- VCD 60096 | INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION
- Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT) Graduate Course (60000 level)
- User Experience (UX) Graduate Course (60000 level)
- Personal Focus Electives, choose from the following: 2 | 29
- Illustration
- VCD 52002 | EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION
- VCD 52003 | ADVERTISING ILLUSTRATION
- VCD 52005 | CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: THE HUMAN FIGURE
- VCD 52006 | CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN: ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENTS
- VCD 52007 | GRAPHIC NARRATIVE
- Motion and Interaction Design
- EMAT 51000 | RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN
- VCD 53007 | INFORMATION DESIGN
- VCD 53101 | INTERACTION DESIGN II
- VCD 54006 | MOTION DESIGN I
- Typography, Identity and Environmental Graphic Design
- VCD 53002 | TYPOGRAPHY II
- VCD 53003 | IDENTITY SYSTEMS
- VCD 53005 | INTEGRATED BRAND DESIGN
- VCD 53006 | BRAND EXPERIENCES
- VCD 53060 | TYPEFACE DESIGN
- VCD 56003 | EXPERIMENTAL TYPOGRAPHY
- Other Topics
- VCD 50053 | GLYPHIX RESEARCH LABORATORY
- VCD 53051 | TYPE HIGH PRESS
- Other courses with advisor approval
- Culminating Requirement
- VCD 69199 | M.F.A. THESIS I 3 | 6
- Minimum Total Credit Hours: | 60
Graduation Requirements
- Graduation Requirements Summary Minimum Major GPA | Minimum Overall GPA
- | 3.000
- The Master of Fine Arts program requires the successful completion of 60 credit hours of graduate credit and a thesis.
- The final examination is at the completion of the studio or research thesis. The final examination is the presentation and defense of the thesis and is also an examination of the graduate student’s general comprehension of visual communication design. Graduate students are expected to follow the university schedule of deadlines for taking the final examination and presenting thesis materials.
- No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
- Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
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.
Full Description
As a terminal degree, 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. degree allows graduates to pursue careers in design education; 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.
Why Kent State University
Equipment and Facilities
VCD's facilities feature a signature gallery, photography studios, graduate and undergraduate studios and the Creative Lab, with equipment check-out, printing resources and more.
Learn More
Why Design at Kent State?
The way humans connect and communicate is at the heart of what we do. Explore communication, design, media, technology or information at Kent State.
Learn More
Graduate Aid and Assistantships
Each year, the College of Communication and Information provides support for our new and continuing graduate students. All applicants are considered when they apply.
Learn More
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication Design is designed for students with a strong undergraduate and/or professional experience in design who wish to advance into leadership roles. The program focuses on field research methods, design thinking, and social innovation, augmented by practical university teaching experience. The M.F.A. degree allows graduates to pursue careers in design education; 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.
Outline:
Major Requirements:
- VCD 60020 GRADUATE STUDIO IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN (3 credit hours)
- VCD 60094 COLLEGE TEACHING IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION DESIGN (3 credit hours)
- VCD 60171 CRITICAL PRACTICES IN DESIGN RESEARCH (3 credit hours)
- VCD 60191 ADVANCED RESEARCH (3 credit hours)
- VCD 60200 DESIGN THEORY I: CULTURE, COMMUNITIES AND CONTEXT (3 credit hours)
- VCD 61099 GRADUATE PORTFOLIO/GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION (11 credit hours)
- Major Elective, choose from the following:
- VCD 60096 INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION IN GRAPHIC DESIGN AND ILLUSTRATION
- Emerging Media and Technology (EMAT) Graduate Course (60000 level)
- User Experience (UX) Graduate Course (60000 level)
- Personal Focus Electives, choose from the following:
- Illustration
- VCD 52002 EDITORIAL ILLUSTRATION
- VCD 52003 ADVERTISING ILLUSTRATION
- VCD 53101 INTERACTION DESIGN II
- VCD 54006 MOTION DESIGN I
- VCD 56002 RESPONSIVE WEB DESIGN
- Typography, Identity and Environmental Graphic Design
- VCD 53002 TYPOGRAPHY II
- VCD 53003 IDENTITY SYSTEMS
- VCD 53005 INTEGRATED BRAND DESIGN
- VCD 53006 BRAND EXPERIENCES
- VCD 53060 TYPEFACE DESIGN
- VCD 56003 EXPERIMENTAL TYPOGRAPHY
- Other Topics
- VCD 50053 GLYPHIX RESEARCH LABORATORY
- VCD 53051 TYPE HIGH PRESS
- Other courses with advisor approval
- Culminating Requirement
- VCD 69199 M.F.A.
- THESIS I (36 credit hours)
Minimum Total Credit Hours: 60
Graduation Requirements:
- Minimum Major GPA: 3.000
- Minimum Overall GPA: 3.000
- The Master of Fine Arts program requires the successful completion of 60 credit hours of graduate credit and a thesis.
- The final examination is at the completion of the studio or research thesis.
- The final examination is the presentation and defense of the thesis and is also an examination of the graduate student’s general comprehension of visual communication design.
- Graduate students are expected to follow the university schedule of deadlines for taking the final examination and presenting thesis materials.
- No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
Careers:
- Brand Manager
- Creative Director
- Design Director
- Design Educator
- Design Researcher
- Design Strategist
- Digital Designer
- Multimedia Designer
- Professor of Design
- Product Designer
- Senior Designer
- User Experience Designer
- Visual Designer
Other:
- VCD's facilities feature a signature gallery, photography studios, graduate and undergraduate studios and the Creative Lab, with equipment check-out, printing resources and more.
- Each year, the College of Communication and Information commits approximately $800,000 in financial support for new and continuing graduate students. All applicants are considered for funding when they apply.
Kent State University
Overview:
Kent State University is a leading public university in Ohio, known for its diverse academic programs and vibrant campus life. It offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as certificates, across various disciplines.
Services Offered:
Student Life and Campus Experience:
Kent State University provides a rich and engaging campus experience for its students. The university offers a variety of resources and opportunities for students to get involved, including:
Arts & Culture:
Students can explore various artistic expressions through events, performances, and exhibitions.Clubs & Organizations:
A wide range of student clubs and organizations cater to diverse interests, fostering a sense of community and leadership development.Dining:
The university provides various dining options, including on-campus restaurants, cafes, and convenience stores.Housing:
Kent State offers a variety of housing options for students, including residence halls, apartments, and off-campus living arrangements.Student Involvement:
The university encourages student involvement through various programs and initiatives, promoting leadership, service, and personal growth.Recreation and Wellness Services:
Students can enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including fitness centers, intramural sports, club sports, and outdoor adventures.Campus Resources:
The university provides a comprehensive range of support services for students, including health services, mental health services, academic advising, and career counseling.Key Reasons to Study There:
Academic Programs:
Kent State University offers a wide range of academic programs, including:
Colleges:
The university is organized into several colleges, each specializing in specific areas of study.Majors & Degrees:
Students can choose from a variety of majors and degrees, including undergraduate and graduate programs.Online Degrees & Certificates:
The university offers a selection of online degree and certificate programs for flexible learning options.ROTC Programs:
Kent State offers ROTC programs for students interested in military service.University Catalog:
The university catalog provides detailed information about academic programs, courses, and policies.Other:
Entry 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)
- Portfolio
- For applicants without a visual communication design undergraduate degree, a portfolio may be defined as any creative, problem-solving endeavor. It may include drawing, painting, illustration, photography, web related solutions, interactions, writing or other types of solutions not listed here.
- Three letters of recommendation
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
- Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 65 PTE score
- Minimum 120 DET score
- International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.
