Program Overview

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University of Florida

The University of Florida offers a Master of Fine Arts degree with a major in Design and Visual Communications. This terminal degree aims to prepare designers to address complex problems through an expanded design framework.

Program Overview

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Design and Visual Communications is a terminal degree that envisions design as an integrated activity, emphasizing co-design and horizontal practices in its teaching and application of research, theory, methods, and practice. A key aspect of the program is to design with people in context in order to address complex problems that matter to people and the environment.

Admissions

Enrollment is competitive and limited. Applicants should have the background and proficiency in communication design or a related field and demonstrate potential for successful study at the graduate level. This includes the ability to craft appropriate communication design artifacts, excellent verbal and written articulation of ideas, and an understanding of and interest in this program specifically rather than design more generally. Preferred applicants will have professional practice experience in design or a design-related field.

Enrollment Options

This program offers two- and three-year residency tracks. Students on a three-year track will enroll in 9 credits each semester, and students on the two-year track will enroll in 12–15 credits during the academic year, with both tracks requiring summer coursework.

Curriculum

The program offers a design-centered curriculum that allows students to dive deep into research, theory, methods, practice, and designing in and with communities. The curriculum emphasizes culture, inclusivity, social justice, and sustainability. The M.F.A. requires a minimum of 60 credit hours for the terminal degree, including:

• 24 hours of design and visual communications courses
• 6 hours of practica
• 15 hours of project-in-lieu-of-thesis research
• 15 hours of elective coursework

Expected Outcomes

Every student in the program will develop a body of work that includes design and visual communication artifacts, systems, and strategies, that reflect original contributions to the discipline. Students will also demonstrate the ability to frame and incorporate research methods and related research activities and findings into tangible outcomes.

Assessment

Student achievement is assessed in multiple ways from admission through graduation. University and program regulations state that a student must achieve a 3.0 GPA in order to graduate from the program.

Futures

With this credential, program graduates will be prepared to enter leadership positions in design consultancies, non-profit organizations, government agencies, and corporations, as well as form their own consultancies and studios, within design proper and in a range of industries.

Degrees Offered

• Master of Fine Arts

Student Learning Outcomes

The program has the following student learning outcomes:

1. Knowledge: Develop a body of works, including visual communications, systems, and strategies, that reflect original and creative/innovative contributions.
2. Skill: Demonstrate the ability to frame and incorporate qualitative and quantitative research methods and related research activities and findings into tangible outcomes.
3. Professional Behavior: Create a portfolio that organizes and communicates research, findings, proposals, and work products at a professional level with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written skills.
4. Collaboration: Demonstrate the ability to collaborate and work effectively in interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary teams to develop approaches and solutions to complex problems.