Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) Major in Communication Design
Program Overview
The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree with a major in Communication Design is a pioneering low-residency program that emphasizes conceptual thinking, experimentation, and investigation. Students engage in a broad spectrum of visual communication practices, including typography, digital experience, socially engaged design, and design pedagogy, and emerge ready to contribute to the field of communication design as professional practitioners and educators.
Positioned within the School of Art and Design, the MFA in Communication Design offers the advantages of a public research institution, including a diverse and active faculty, opportunities for interdisciplinary study, and affordability. A robust design lecture series promotes the exchange of ideas and perspectives across a wide range of specialties.
Our unique low-residency model arises from a longtime investment in remote learning. Courses are largely online and conducted by faculty experienced in building community and engagement from a distance. Each semester, students and instructors come together on campus for a conference-style residency with critiques, lectures, workshops, and exhibitions. This structure provides flexibility for working professionals and remote students as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equity.
Over 60 credits, students cultivate curiosity and critical thinking and making through a well-rounded, forward-looking curriculum. The MFA in Communication Design brings together interdisciplinary approaches to the discipline across national and global perspectives to form a graduate-level education befitting a terminal degree.
Communication Design Fitness Statement
Program Standards
Students enrolled in the Communication Design B.F.A. or M.F.A. program must maintain high scholastic standards and develop a mastery of the knowledge and methods of their respective discipline. Students are expected to demonstrate emotional and mental fitness in their interactions with others, use skills and methods that are generally accepted in the profession, and conform to the code of ethics of their respective discipline, and the university’s honor code. A student’s acceptance in any program does not guarantee the student’s fitness to remain in that program. The faculty is responsible for verifying that only those students who continue to meet program standards are allowed to continue in any program.
Evaluation of Student Fitness and Performance
Members of the faculty, using their professional judgments, evaluate student fitness and performance continuously. The criteria used by the faculty to make such judgments include instructors’ observations of student performance in class or in activities related to courses. Students who are not making satisfactory progress or who are not meeting program standards should consider withdrawing from the program.
In this context, the term “satisfactory progress” refers to an academic judgment made regarding the student’s fitness and performance. It is a judgment that the student has failed to meet program standards rather than a judgment made on the basis of the student’s violation of valid rules of conduct. Disciplinary matters are referred to Student Justice.
Student Review Process
- When a faculty member believes that a student is not making satisfactory progress or meeting program standards, they will discuss the situation with the student.
- When the faculty member believes that the student’s performance cannot improve to acceptable standards, the faculty member will refer the student to the Communication Design Program Standards Committee. The Committee consists of three Communication Design faculty members appointed by the program Coordinator in consultation with the school’s senior faculty.
- The Committee will notify the student of the reasons that he or she is not making satisfactory progress or meeting program standards. The student will be given an opportunity to meet with the Committee to respond and to present information and witnesses to the Committee. The Committee will also meet with the faculty member who referred the student.
- After considering the matter, and within ten working days of meeting with the student, the Committee will report its decision to the student and the school Director, stating that the student should either remain in the program, or leave the program. The Committee may make other decisions, such as placing restrictions or conditions on the student’s continuance in the program. Within ten working days of receiving the Committee’s decision, the student will notify the school Director of the student’s acceptance or rejection of the Committee’s decision. If the student rejects the Committee’s decision, he or she may appeal directly to the school Director.
- Within ten working days of receiving the student’s appeal, the Director will make a decision as to the student’s continued presence in the program. Before making the decision, the Director will meet with the student. However, the Director need not meet with the student before making a decision if the student was given a reasonable opportunity to meet, and the student either failed or refused to meet. The Director will notify the student of the decision.
- If the student is dissatisfied with the Director’s decision, he or she may appeal to the Dean of The College of Fine Arts and Communications. However, in order for the Dean to consider an appeal, the student must submit a written notice of appeal to the Director and the Dean within ten working days of receiving the Director’s decision. The Dean will consider the matter based on information compiled by the Director and notify the student of the decision within ten working days of the Dean’s receipt of the appeal from the Director. The Dean may meet with the student and give the student an opportunity to address the issues. The Dean’s decision is final.
Application Requirements
Application requirements consist of institutional and program requirements for applicable semesters of entry during the current academic year. Additional information and changes to admission requirements for semesters other than the current academic year can be found on The Graduate College's website.
Unless otherwise noted on The Graduate College program page, AI tools can only be used to correct spelling and grammar errors in application materials.
Institutional Requirements
Institutional requirements are the minimum standards for admission to any graduate program at Texas State. These include:
- Completed online application
- Nonrefundable application fee
- Degree Programs (Doctoral and Master’s)
- $55 fee, or
- $90 for applications with international credentials
- Post-Baccalaureate Programs (Certificate, Certification, Non-Degree, and Visiting)
- $20 fee, or
- $60 for applications with international credentials
- Degree Programs (Doctoral and Master’s)
- Official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted. Final transcripts showing degree completion are required before the student may register for their second term of enrollment.
- GPA requirements (a higher GPA may be listed in the Program Requirements)
- Doctoral programs require a 3.00 overall GPA or a 3.00 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
- Master’s and Specialist programs require a 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
- Post-Baccalaureate programs require a 2.50 overall GPA or a 2.50 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses).
- Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university. (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list. Some programs may restrict acceptable tests or require higher scores than the institutional scores; this will be noted in the Program Requirements.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall if taken on or before January 21, 2026
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 4 overall if taken after January 21, 2026
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
- official Texas State Intensive English Program score of 90% or higher in the highest-level course (level 5)
The institution does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
- completed online application
- $55 nonrefundable application fee
or
- $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
- baccalaureate degree in communication design, advertising art direction and design, digital media design, graphic design, illustration or related field from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted
- a 2.75 overall GPA or a 2.75 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
- GRE not required
- Academic and professional statement of purpose (500-800 words) addressing the following:
-
current design goals and specific reasons for seeking an MFA in Communication Design at Texas State University
-
experiences that led to this point, and how they may have shaped the student's current visual work
-
achievement expectations during their MFA studies
-
topics in design most interested in studying
-
In addition to building a strong MFA community of learners, independent study is an essential feature of the low-residency model. It is important for us to assess the student's ability and potential for managing and defining their own educational direction. Explain other independent educational experiences the student has pursued in design, and beyond.
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- Online portfolio (professional and/or student) showcasing 12-20 works in communication design
Each sample must be clearly identified with a communicative message or project mission, media, and publishing information. Please create a PDF document that includes the portfolio URL. The portfolio will be evaluated on:
- ideation/design/presentation
- role and scope of work
- peer-review (state, regional, national, or international)
- resume/CV
- three letters of recommendation from persons capable of evaluating the student’s academic and professional ability
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall and minimum individual module scores of
- 19 listening
- 19 reading
- 19 speaking
- 18 writing
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overal
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) degree with a major in Communication Design requires 60 semester credit hours. In addition to the following required credit hours, the degree requires a Mid-Program Portfolio Review. The review will occur after students successfully complete 30 credit hours. The graduate advisor and select M.F.A. faculty will assess each Mid-Term Portfolio component. Passing Mid-Program Portfolio Review will allow the student to continue with their graduate study. The student with an unsatisfactory Mid-Program Portfolio Review will be allowed to make portfolio work revisions and resubmit (one resubmission only) the portfolio work for reassessment (one time).
This program offers a leveling program on a case-by-case basis to students who submit strong application materials, but lack some communication design skills. Leveling courses do not earn credit towards the MFA Communication Design degree.
Course Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ARTC 5340 | Contemporary Issues and Criticism | 3 |
| ARTC 5341 | Modernism and Design | 3 |
| ARTC 5342 | Postmodernism and Typography | 3 |
| ARTC 5343 | Communication Design Seminar | 3 |
| ARTC 5370 | Professional Practice (Taken twice for credit) | 6 |
| Prescribed Electives | ||
| Choose 30 hours from the following: | 30 | |
ARTC 5310 | ||
| Web Design | ||
| Typography | ||
ARTC 5331 | ||
ARTC 5332 | ||
ARTC 5333 | ||
| Special Problems in Communication Design | ||
ARTC 5360C | ||
| Typeface Design | ||
ARTC 5360E | ||
| Interaction Design | ||
| Mobile and Social Media | ||
| Publication | ||
| International Perspectives in Design | ||
| Alternative Printing Methods | ||
ARTC 5360O | ||
| Design Practice | ||
| Research through Making | ||
| Exhibitions | ||
| Generative Design | ||
| Design for Motion | ||
| Social Practice | ||
| Electives | ||
| Choose 6 hours of advisor-approved electives | 6 | |
| Thesis | ||
| ARTC 5399A | Thesis | 3 |
| Choose a minimum 3 hours from the following: | 3 | |
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Total Hours | 60 | |
Comprehensive Examination Requirement
All students must pass the comprehensive final examination administered by the student’s thesis committee and consists of successful defense of their thesis research. The results of the exam should be reported on the “Master’s Comprehensive Examination Report” form, which can be downloaded from The Graduate College website and which must be filed in The Graduate College by the deadline listed on the Graduate College website.
Students who do not successfully complete the requirements for the degree within the timelines specified will be dismissed from the program.
If a student elects to follow the thesis option for the degree, a committee to direct the written thesis will be established. The thesis must demonstrate the student’s capability for research and independent thought. Preparation of the thesis must be in conformity with the Graduate College Guide to Preparing and Submitting a Thesis or Dissertation.
Thesis Proposal
The student must submit an official Thesis Proposal Form and proposal to his or her thesis committee. Thesis proposals vary by department and discipline. Please see your department for proposal guidelines and requirements. After signing the form and obtaining committee members’ signatures, the graduate advisor’s signature if required by the program and the department chair’s signature, the student must submit the Thesis Proposal Form with one copy of the proposal attached to the dean of The Graduate College for approval before proceeding with research on the thesis. If the thesis research involves human subjects, the student must obtain exemption or approval from the Texas State Institutional Review Board prior to submitting the proposal form to The Graduate College. The IRB approval letter should be included with the proposal form. If the thesis research involves vertebrate animals, the proposal form must include the Texas State IACUC approval code. It is recommended that the thesis proposal form be submitted to the dean of The Graduate College by the end of the student’s enrollment in 5399A. Failure to submit the thesis proposal in a timely fashion may result in delayed graduation.
Thesis Committee
The thesis committee must be composed of a minimum of three approved graduate faculty members.
Thesis Enrollment and Credit
The completion of a minimum of six hours of thesis enrollment is required. For a student's initial thesis course enrollment, the student will need to register for thesis course number 5399A. After that, the student will enroll in thesis B courses, in each subsequent semester until the thesis is defended with the department and approved by The Graduate College. Preliminary discussions regarding the selection of a topic and assignment to a research supervisor will not require enrollment for the thesis course.
Students must be enrolled in thesis credits if they are receiving supervision and/or are using university resources related to their thesis work. The number of thesis credit hours students enroll in must reflect the amount of work being done on the thesis that semester. It is the responsibility of the committee chair to ensure that students are making adequate progress toward their degree throughout the thesis process. Failure to register for the thesis course during a term in which supervision is received may result in postponement of graduation. After initial enrollment in 5399A, the student will continue to enroll in a thesis B course as long as it takes to complete the thesis. Thesis projects are by definition original and individualized projects. As such, depending on the topic, methodology, and other factors, some projects may take longer than others to complete. If the thesis requires work beyond the minimum number of thesis credits needed for the degree, the student may enroll in additional thesis credits at the committee chair's discretion. In the rare case when a student has not previously enrolled in thesis and plans to work on and complete the thesis in one term, the student will enroll in both 5399A and 5399B.
The only grades assigned for thesis courses are PR (progress), CR (credit), W (withdrew), and F (failing). If acceptable progress is not being made in a thesis course, the instructor may issue a grade of F. If the student is making acceptable progress, a grade of PR is assigned until the thesis is completed. The minimum number of hours of thesis credit (“CR”) will be awarded only after the thesis has been both approved by The Graduate College and released to Alkek Library.
A student who has selected the thesis option must be registered for the thesis course during the term or Summer I (during the summer, the thesis course runs ten weeks for both sessions) in which the degree will be conferred.
Thesis Deadlines and Approval Process
Thesis deadlines are posted on The Graduate College website under "Current Students." The completed thesis must be submitted to the chair of the thesis committee on or before the deadlines listed on The Graduate College website.
The following must be submitted to The Graduate College by the thesis deadline listed on The Graduate College website:
- The Thesis Submission Approval Form bearing original (wet) and/or electronic signatures of the student and all committee members.
- One (1) PDF of the thesis in final form, approved by all committee members, uploaded in the online Vireo submission system.
After the dean of The Graduate College approves the thesis, Alkek Library will harvest the document from the Vireo submission system for publishing in the Digital Collections database (according to the student's embargo selection). NOTE: MFA Creative Writing theses will have a permanent embargo and will never be published to Digital Collections.
While original (wet) signatures are preferred, there may be situations as determined by the chair of the committee in which obtaining original signatures is inefficient or has the potential to delay the student's progress. In those situations, the following methods of signing are acceptable:
- signing and faxing the form
- signing, scanning, and emailing the form
- notifying the department in an email from their university's or institution's email account that the committee chair can sign the form on their behalf
- electronically signing the form using the university's licensed signature platform.
If this process results in more than one document with signatures, all documents need to be submitted to The Graduate College together.
No copies are required to be submitted to Alkek Library. However, the library will bind copies submitted that the student wants bound for personal use. Personal copies are not required to be printed on archival quality paper. The student will take the personal copies to Alkek Library and pay the binding fee for personal copies.
Master's level courses in Art and Design: ARTC, ARTH, ARTS, ARTT
Courses Offered
Communication Design (ARTC)
ARTC 5199B. Thesis B.
This course guides students through the development, production, documentation, and public presentation of the MFA thesis project. Students refine the written thesis, produce a coherent body of work, and organize materials that communicate the process and outcomes of their research. There is structured time for completing the thesis project, strengthening visual and written documentation, and receiving feedback. By the end of the course, students complete all materials required for MFA thesis submission and public presentation. Repeatable for credit.
1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
ARTC 5299B. Thesis B.
This course guides students through the development, production, documentation, and public presentation of the MFA thesis project. Students refine the written thesis, produce a coherent body of work, and organize materials that communicate the process and outcomes of their research. Structured time is provided for completing the thesis project, strengthening visual and written documentation, and receiving feedback. By the end of the course, students complete all materials required for MFA thesis submission and public presentation. Repeatable for credit.
2 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
ARTC 5300. Graduate Assistant Development.
This course prepares graduate teaching and instructional assistants in Communication Design by providing structured training in instructional methods, classroom responsibilities, and professional expectations relevant to instructional roles. Students engage in reading, documentation, and workshop development to strengthen their understanding of teaching practices. Projects include compiling a design pedagogy annotated bibliography and creating an instructional activity for a course they observe. Faculty provide mentorship and evaluation to support students’ development as instructors. Satisfactory course completion is required for employment as a teaching or instructional assistant and does not count toward graduate degree credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Graduate Assistantship|Exclude from Graduate GPA
Grade Mode: Leveling/Assistantships
ARTC 5301. Communication Design Foundations.
This course provides an overview of essential communication design concepts and technical skills used in contemporary visual practice. Students learn and apply foundational principles of composition, typography, and layout while developing familiarity with industry standard software and design workflows. Emphasis is placed on exploring visual language, practicing structured critique, and using iterative methods to refine design solutions. Preparation for advanced study is accomplished by establishing the analytical, creative, and production competencies needed for more specialized studio and research experiences in the MFA program. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Leveling/Assistantships
ARTC 5314. Residency.
This course introduces graduate students to the processes involved in planning and facilitating a professional on-campus event that includes critiques, keynote presentations, visiting critics, and workshops. Students study approaches to developing themes, creating programming structures, and coordinating with a range of participants. Emphasis is placed on communication strategies, collaborative workflows, leadership approaches, and project management practices relevant to advanced design contexts. Through hands-on planning, analysis of past events, and iterative development, students gain experience designing visual identity systems, organizing logistical components, and presenting event plans clearly. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 1 Lab Contact Hour.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5315. Thesis Workshop.
This course supports the graduate thesis process through individual research, studio-based creative work, and the development of the MFA Thesis Exhibition. Students engage in visual investigation, analyze how creative work functions in public contexts, and refine methods for presenting their thesis projects. Structured opportunities to organize research materials, document visual inquiry, and practice written and oral communication supplement Thesis A and Thesis B. Planning, production, and the design of a coherent public exhibition are addressed. Students develop skills in organization, design research, writing, and professional presentation that support both their thesis work and professional practice.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5316. Topics in Design History.
This course explores selected topics in design history, examining the ideas, movements, and social and technological transformations that have shaped design across different eras. Through focused case studies, students engage a wide range of visual and textual materials to consider how design both registers and influences the broader cultural forces and worldviews from which it emerges. Because topics vary from semester to semester, the course allows for in-depth inquiry guided by faculty research. Students are encouraged to make connections across design disciplines and to consider how design evolves over time.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5317. Design History Survey.
This course examines modern and contemporary design across multiple disciplines. Organized around thematic modules, the course addresses the historic avant-garde, the development of modern typography, design practices of the interwar period, and movements in post–World War II and postmodern design. Students analyze visual, material, and textual artifacts to understand the formal, technical, and historical characteristics of design movements and practices. Attention is given to relationships among designers, institutions, technologies, and broader cultural contexts. Emphasis is placed on descriptive and analytical methods and skills that support advanced study in design history, research, and criticism.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5318. Exhibitions.
This course introduces students to a range of exhibition methods across both traditional and alternative settings. Through guided exploration, students experiment with collaborative and multidisciplinary approaches to exhibitions in order to develop speculative proposals for public and professional contexts. Coursework emphasizes the analysis of spatial, material, and conceptual considerations that shape exhibition practices. By the end of the course, students gain experience analyzing exhibition environments and investigating strategies aligned with a defined inquiry. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5323. Design Practice.
This course introduces students to contemporary design practice and the development of a cohesive body of creative work. Students engage in research supported inquiry, explore a variety of design methodologies, and produce studio based projects that reflect conceptual, formal, and technical development. Through iterative making and critical analysis, students investigate how design operates across cultural, social, technological, and economic contexts. Emphasis is placed on building an adaptable, articulate, and sustained creative practice. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5324. Research Through Making.
This course examines communication design research methods, modes of practice, and models of the creative process. It advances thesis research through making and visualizing concepts, emphasizing experimental approaches that support the articulation of complex design inquiries. Through structured experimentation and critical reflection, the course cultivates integrative thinking by synthesizing research, analysis, and material exploration. Coursework supports the development of an individual research position and a cohesive body of studio work, preparing students for advanced thesis research, evaluation, and professional practice within contemporary design contexts. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5325. Interaction Design.
This course examines emerging digital technologies and applies them to the development of interactive design experiences assessed through established design principles and professional frameworks. The course explores how people, places, and technologies intersect within contexts such as digital innovation, digital placemaking, and hybrid physical–digital environments. Through analysis, experimentation, and project-based work, students develop a critical understanding of how interactive design connects people, place, and technology within evolving digital ecosystems.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5327. Generative Design.
This course examines foundational concepts in generative art and design, emphasizing the use of programming as a methodological tool for creating computational systems. Students analyze how algorithmic processes influence visual communication and evaluate the role of code-based practices within contemporary Communication Design. Through structured exercises, technical demonstrations, and iterative experimentation, students investigate techniques for producing generative outputs across digital media. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5328. Publication.
This course explores the designer’s role in the act of disseminating information and examines the history and current practices of independent publishing. There is emphasis on authorship, typography and experimentation. Through readings, projects, and discussions, students examine publication as an act of “making public” through the lens of editorial design, developing a distinct editorial and creative vision in both conceptual and practical approaches to publishing.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5329. Typeface Design.
This course explores the detailed anatomy of typefaces in order to design custom typefaces through various applications. Students with advanced knowledge of typography will research contemporary type design as well as historical, technological, and cultural typographic contexts. Repeatable up to 3 times when the area(s) of study change.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5330. Typography.
This course examines advanced typographic practices, emphasizing both traditional and experimental approaches to form, structure, and meaning. Students investigate how type functions as a communicative system by analyzing its visual, cultural, and rhetorical roles across a range of contexts. Through research driven inquiry and iterative design work, students explore typographic hierarchy, expressive systems, variable and digital type technologies, and contemporary methods of typographic composition. Projects encourage critical engagement with type as a medium for framing information, shaping interpretation, and supporting complex visual communication strategies within professional and interdisciplinary design environments. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5332. Corporate Marketing Materials.
This course examines the strategic design of corporate marketing materials within contemporary brand systems. Students investigate how visual communication supports organizational goals through research, analysis, and the execution of design. Emphasis is placed on developing cohesive print and digital materials that align with brand identity, audience expectations, and marketing objectives. Projects reflect professional contexts and prioritize conceptual clarity, visual consistency, and advanced levels of craft appropriate for graduate-level communication design practice. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Graduate Assistantship
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5334. International Perspectives in Typography.
This course examines typography through an international and cross-cultural lens, emphasizing how historical, cultural, and social contexts shape typographic systems and visual language. Students investigate global typographic traditions and contemporary practices through research and design exploration. The course encourages critical analysis of typographic form, meaning, and use across cultures while developing typographic work informed by diverse perspectives and global design contexts.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5335. Mobile and Social Media.
This course investigates how mobile and social media environments influence contemporary communication design practices. Students study platform structures, user interaction patterns, and the visual logic of networked communication. Emphasis is placed on analyzing interface constraints, content systems, and data‑informed approaches to design. Through iterative research and prototyping, students explore methods for creating responsive and context‑aware communication strategies suited to distributed digital environments. The course positions mobile and social media as evolving design ecosystems and supports students in integrating these concepts into advanced studio work and thesis development.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5336. Alternative Printing Methods.
This course introduces designers to a range of alternative printing methods, including letterpress, screen printing, risograph, and other experimental processes. Students explore how materials, color interactions, and production choices influence visual communication across analog and hybrid workflows. Through guided studio practice, they create printed artifacts that demonstrate technical skill and conceptual reasoning. The course emphasizes process documentation, equipment operation, and the evaluation of printing techniques to develop a practical understanding of how alternative print methods can enhance design outcomes. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5337. Design Futures.
This course examines speculative, critical, and futures-oriented approaches to design as frameworks for studying technological and socioeconomic conditions. It also considers their potential implications for emerging design practices explored through research. Students investigate how design functions across objects, systems, narratives, and cultural contexts to understand how signals, models, and assumptions inform possible futures. Through research methods, iterative experimentation, and the development of visual and material studies, the course introduces techniques for translating present conditions into future scenarios and design artifacts. Coursework emphasizes inquiry-driven analysis, scenario construction, and the development of research frameworks that support individual thesis work.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5340. Contemporary Issues and Criticism.
This course introduces students to major questions and conversations in contemporary design criticism. Through readings and case studies, students examine how designers, scholars, and critics analyze and write about design within broader cultural and historical contexts. Through structured writing and discussion, students practice evidence‑based analysis and evaluate different perspectives. A range of visual and textual materials allows students to trace the development of debates that inform the study and practice of design today.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5343. Communication Design Seminar.
This course supports students as they define and articulate the focus of their master’s thesis. Through reading, writing, and critical discussion, students identify and develop research interests and refine them into a well-structured, designed working thesis proposal. Foundational design principles are connected to an emerging critical position, with emphasis on clarifying how visual work and written ideas relate—within individual projects and across broader practice and professional aims. Includes a culminating public presentation of their proposal at the Thesis Forum.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5350. Special Problems in Communication Design.
This course provides structure and guidance for students pursuing individually designed, graduate-level, Communication Design research or creative projects. Students define project objectives, develop a research plan, identify relevant resources, and document the progress of their work. Emphasis is placed on independent inquiry, iterative development, and reflective evaluation. Faculty mentorship supports the refinement of methods and project direction. By the end of the course, students complete and document a project that aligns with their stated goals. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5360G. Interaction Design.
This course focuses on designing a digital experience by connecting people, place, and technology. Students who are interested in digital placemaking, digital innovations/transformation, mobile technology, and exploring hybrid experiences are encouraged to enroll in the course. The course discusses communication, digital products, environments, and services as an ecosystem and the role a designer plays in a larger context. Repeatable up to 3 times when the area(s) of study change.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5360V. Research through Making.
This course further examines communication design research methods, modes of practice, and models of the creative process to advance thesis research through making and visualizing abstract ideas.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5360X. Generative Design.
This course introduces the basics of generative art and design. Utilizing code as a creative medium, students engage in computation through a creative, thoughtful, and transformative approach. Students learn the potential of programming in the field of Communication Design. Repeatable up to 3 times when the area(s) of study change.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5370. Professional Practice.
This course examines methods for developing design projects that address client needs, from conceptualization to presentation. Students examine how creative briefs inform problem definition and apply methods for generating visual solutions that address identified client needs. Through structured critiques, students analyze design decisions and communication strategies. Approaches to presenting work in professional contexts and the dynamics of designer–client interactions are considered. Instruction emphasizes inquiry into industry practices and collaboration within professional design environments. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5371. Design for Motion.
This course examines motion within communication design by analyzing how image, typography, sound, sequencing, and duration interact across time-based and immersive media environments. Through research, experimentation, comparative critique of moving‑image examples, and iterative production, the course explores narrative structure, pacing, rhythm, technical proficiency, and visual composition in moving image and new media contexts. Emphasis is placed on the integration of visual, temporal, narrative, and auditory elements to construct coherent motion experiences. Coursework supports the evaluation of motion strategies and the incorporation of time-based and immersive approaches into individual thesis development where appropriate. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5372. Social Design Methods.
This course explores social practice as an area of study within communication design. Students analyze how design interacts with public spaces, communities, and cultural settings, using research and documentation to examine methods of engagement. The course centers on contextual and process‑driven approaches that help students understand how design strategies operate in varied real‑world situations. Through critical inquiry, students evaluate how communication design reflects, responds to, or participates in public contexts. The course maintains an analytical stance, focusing on observation, interpretation, and evidence‑based reasoning. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTC 5399A. Thesis A.
This course introduces graduate students to the structured development of their MFA thesis through research, visual investigation, and project planning. Students identify and refine thesis topics, explore relevant literature and precedents, and conduct inquiries that test emerging ideas. Students integrate written analysis with design investigations, present work-in-progress for peer and faculty feedback, and establish a clear research direction, a workable plan for continued studio development, and strategies for how the eventual thesis may be communicated in public and professional contexts. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
ARTC 5399B. Thesis B.
This course guides students through the development, production, documentation, and public presentation of the MFA thesis project. Students refine the written thesis, produce a coherent body of work, and organize materials that communicate the process and outcomes of their research. The course provides structured time for completing the thesis project, strengthening visual and written documentation, and receiving feedback. By the end of the course, students complete all materials required for MFA thesis submission and public presentation. Repeatable for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
ARTC 5599B. Thesis.
This course is part of the MFA thesis sequence and focuses on the completion, refinement, and presentation of the thesis project. Students finalize written and visual components, organize materials that communicate their research process and outcomes, and prepare work for public presentation. The course provides structured time for completing thesis requirements, strengthening documentation, and receiving feedback. Emphasis is placed on documentation, communication, and presentation of thesis work in academic and public contexts.
5 Credit Hours. 5 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
ARTC 5999B. Thesis B.
This course guides students through the development, production, documentation, and public presentation of the MFA thesis project. Students refine the written thesis, produce a coherent body of work, and organize materials that communicate the process and outcomes of their research. The course provides structured time for completing the thesis project, strengthening visual and written documentation, and receiving feedback. By the end of the course, students complete all materials required for MFA thesis submission and public presentation. Repeatable for credit.
9 Credit Hours. 9 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit
Art History (ARTH)
ARTH 5301. Art History Special Topics Advanced.
This course is an independent study designed to examine specific topics and address issues in art history, art criticism, or visual culture studies. Through structured assignments, including a sustained research paper, students engage with scholarly sources and develop original oral and written contributions to art historical discourse. May be repeated with different emphasis for additional credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTH 5302. Art History Special Problems Advanced.
This course is a graduate-level independent study that enables students to pursue advanced research on art history, aesthetics, criticism, and other areas of visual culture studies under faculty supervision. Students work closely with a faculty mentor to develop a rigorous scholarly project that demonstrates mastery of research methodologies, critical analysis, and theoretical frameworks appropriate to their chosen project. The emphasis of the course is on scholarship, research, and writing. May be repeated with different emphasis for additional credit. Prerequisite: Instructor approval.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Studio Art (ARTS)
ARTS 5301. 2-D Advanced Special Problems.
This course is a graduate-level independent study that supports advanced investigation in two-dimensional studio practices. In consultation with a faculty supervisor, students define a focused conceptual framework and develop research methodologies, material strategies, and analytical approaches appropriate to graduate-level creative inquiry. Emphasis is placed on sustained experimentation, critical discourse, and the integration of theory and practice. Students are expected to demonstrate rigorous studio engagement and articulate their work within relevant contemporary and historical contexts. The course culminates in a cohesive, critically informed body of artwork. The course may be repeated with a different emphasis for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTS 5302. 3-D Advanced Special Problems.
This course is a graduate-level independent study that supports advanced investigation in three-dimensional studio practices. Working with a faculty supervisor, students define a focused creative inquiry and develop the research, technical processes, and critical strategies necessary to support sustained exploration. Emphasis is placed on experimentation, material rigor, contextual awareness, and integration of theory with studio production. Students engage in regular critique and demonstrate independent initiative appropriate to graduate study. The course culminates in a cohesive and critically informed body of work. The course may be repeated with a different emphasis for credit.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 3 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
Art Theory & Practice (ARTT)
ARTT 5371. Research Foundations, Art Education Theories and Practices.
This course examines foundational and contemporary theories and practices in art education through research‑supported perspectives. Students engage with historical and current scholarship on artistic development, learning theories, and pedagogical approaches to analyze how art learning is conceptualized within the field. Through research‑based inquiry, students extend their understanding of course topics by applying theoretical perspectives to the introductory design of learning experiences and considering research-informed implications for teaching and learning in art education across varied contexts.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTT 5372. Research and Practice in Electronic Media in Art Education.
This course examines theories, practices, and creative processes involving electronic media and tools in art and art education. Students engage with digital and/or analog electronic processes to create original work and to explore how these technologies support learning in K–12 art contexts. Through studio work, critical reading, and sustained research inquiry, students analyze how electronic media shape artistic production, instructional design, and the role of technology in art education. Students develop an independent research project that focuses on digital learning in art education. Prerequisite: ARTT 5371 with a grade with a "C" or better.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTT 5376. Research and Practice in Art Education with Children.
This course examines theories, research, and practices related to teaching and learning in elementary art education. Students analyze children’s artistic development and major art education frameworks to examine how children learn through art making and how theories of learning inform instructional decisions. Through lesson design, studio inquiry, critical reading, and sustained research investigation, students evaluate the relationship between learning, teaching, and instructional design in elementary art contexts. The course culminates in an independent research project focused on a specific question related to childhood art education and professional practice. Prerequisite: ARTT 5371 with a grade of a "C" or better.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
ARTT 5377. Research in Art Education for Adolescents and Adults.
This course examines scholarly perspectives on art theory and practice related to adolescent and adult learners. Students analyze foundational and current literature, examine conceptual frameworks, and consider how research informs understandings of art learning across these age groups. Through research‑based inquiry, students extend their engagement with course topics by exploring how theoretical perspectives shape art learning and evaluating implications for art education practice in today’s varied secondary and adult educational contexts.
3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.Grade Mode: Standard Letter
