Program Overview

University Programs

The American University in Dubai offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, all of which have been formally accredited by regional and global independent bodies.

Undergraduate Programs

• Architecture (B.Arch.)
• Biology (B.S.)
• Business Administration (B.B.A.)
• Civil Engineering (B.S.C.E.)
• Communication and Information Studies (B.C.I.S.)
• Computer Engineering (B.S.Comp.E.)
• Electrical Engineering (B.S.E.E.)
• Game Design and Development (B.S.)
• International Studies (B.A.I.S.)
• Interior Design (B.F.A.)
• Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.)
• MMU International Progression Path
• Psychology (B.A.)
• Visual Communication (B.F.A.)

Pre-University Programs

• Summer Camp

Graduate Programs

• Artificial Intelligence (M.S.)
• Business Administration (M.B.A.)
• Construction Management (M.S.C.M.)
• Education (M.Ed.)
• Innovation Management (M.S.)
• International Affairs (M.A.)
• Leadership and Innovation in Contemporary Media (M.A.)
• Urban Design and Digital Environments (M.U.D.D.E.)

Professional and Certificate Programs

• Center for Executive Programs and Professional Services (CEPPS)
• The English Bridge Program (Center For English Proficiency)
• Certificate Programs

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication (B.F.A.)

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication (B.F.A.) program at AUD is designed to equip students with the artistic skill sets needed for successful careers in the advertising, design, and creative industries.

Program Overview

With an ever-growing presence of the visual in contemporary life, from online activity to the exploding phenomenon of social media, visual communication is a field relevant to all professions. The program offers majors in Advertising, Digital Media, Graphic Design, and Studio Art, and endeavors to develop awareness and critical perception of the historical, cultural, and theoretical foundations for art and design.

Program Details

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication at AUD is a 120 credit-hour, four-year program. The curriculum focuses on a combination of aesthetics, technique, concept development, critical thinking, and digital technology.

Majors

• ADVERTISING: Involving sales promotion, public relations, direct marketing, event marketing, and new media.
• DIGITAL MEDIA: Designed to nurture creativity and equip students with practical and critical skills to adapt to constantly evolving technology.
• GRAPHIC DESIGN: The art of creating, choosing, and arranging images and text to create visual solutions that will inform, promote, amuse, or persuade.
• STUDIO ART: The study of painting, photography, sculpture, and printmaking, entailing a final-year self-directed studio project and written thesis.

Facilities

• Well-equipped and advanced studios and lecture rooms.
• Fully equipped 3-D studio
• Laptop classroom with multimedia presentation equipment, surround sound system, 27-inch Apple monitors, and a large HD TV with the ability to stream to/from Apple computers and devices.
• Fully equipped printmaking studio.
• VC Studio for painting and freehand drawing courses.
• Darkroom lab.
• Hybrid media studio.
• Computer lab with 20 Apple 27-inch iMacs, fully equipped with the latest design and animation software.
• Rotunda Gallery - fully equipped exhibition space.
• State-of-the-art multipurpose editing suites, equipped with the latest top-of-the-range Apple MacPro Computers with dual displays, Thunderbolt 2 external raid storage, Pro Audio, Video, Interactive, and Animation software and hardware.
• Extensive printing facilities containing A3 color printers, A3 mini plotter, and A0 format color printer.
• Resource Center, stocked with the latest 4K digital cameras, sound and lighting equipment.
• Commercial print shop located in the Student Center building.

Admissions Entry

All applying students must have:

• A high school/secondary school certificate or equivalent from an institution accredited by the Ministry of Education in the U.A.E. or by the relevant national or regional institutional accrediting body.
• International TOEFL or Academic IELTS or the equivalent score on another internationally-recognized English exam.

Faculty

• Chair of the Department of Visual Communication and Professor of Studio Art: Michael Rice
• Professor of Advertising (Creative): Dina Faour
• Outreach Coordinator - Visual Communication and Assistant Professor of Digital Media: Serena Abou Daher
• Assistant Professor of Digital Media: Huda Al-Aithan
• Associate Professor of Visual Communication: Darrel Lloyd Perkins
• Program Coordinator, Bachelor of Science in Game Design and Development, and Assistant Professor of Game Design: Iyad Alsabouni
• Assistant Professor of Graphic Design: Juhri Selamet
• Assistant Professor of Graphic Design: Petra Merhy

Staff

• Administrative Assistant - Visual Communication department: Carolita Abella Parreñas
• Administrative Assistant, School of Architecture, Art, and Design: Leila Darwiche
• Digital Media Specialist: Anil Mathew James
• Senior IT Support Specialist: Fakruddin Ali Ahmed
• Senior Academic IT Services Specialist: Nikhil Rao

Related Programs

• Undergraduate: Bachelor of Architecture (B.Arch.), Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design (B.F.A)
• Graduate: Master of Urban Design and Digital Environments (MUDDE)
• Certificate: Autodesk Certifications
• Minor: Minor in Visual Communication, Minor in Architecture, Minor in Interior Design

Schools and Departments

• School of Architecture, Art, and Design
• School of Arts and Sciences
• School of Business
• Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication (MBRSC)
• Graduate School of Education
• School of Engineering

Admissions

• Student Recruitment and Admissions: By understanding your educational goals, we provide you with personalized guidance and the freedom to choose the academic path that’s right for you.
• Admission Requirements:
  • Undergraduate: Requirements & Program Leaflet, Transfer Students, Forms, Undergraduate Catalog
  • Graduate: Requirements & Program Leaflet, Selection Criteria, Transfer Students, Forms, Graduate Catalog
  • Certificate Program Requirements
  • Visiting/Incoming Study Abroad Applications

Academics

• Office of the Provost: About the Office, Academic Units, Academic Advising, Research at AUD
• Schools and Departments: School of Business, School of Engineering, Mohammed Bin Rashid School for Communication (MBRSC), School of Arts and Sciences, School of Architecture, Art, and Design, Graduate School of Education
• Library: Faculty Resources, Registrar Resources, AUD Centers, ASPI Partners, Faculty Directory, Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP)

Student Life

• AUD Campus: Clubs & Societies, AUD Counseling Services, Student Accommodation, Study Abroad & Exchange, Athletics Division, Alumni, Student Resources, AUD Discount, FAQs

Administrative Offices

• Central Services: Communications, Finance, Health Center, Human Resources, Institutional Effectiveness, Outreach and Career Development, Registrar, Student Affairs, Student Recruitment and Admissions, Staff Resources, Office and Staff Directory