Candidates for the master’s degree must complete a course of study consisting of 30 to 102 credits.

Applicants possessing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design can typically complete their master's degree with 30 credits of graduate study (700-level or higher).

Applicants possessing an undergraduate degree in the visual arts (other than graphic design) can often be exempted from the Foundation Program, leaving foundational graphic design coursework (a maximum of 43 undergraduate credits) and 30 credits of graduate study (700-level or higher) to complete. You should expect to spend at least two and, in some cases, up to four years of year-round study to complete the degree.

If you have an undergraduate degree in a field not related to the visual arts, you will be generally required to complete a maximum of 72 credits of Foundation and Foundational Graphic Design study, as well as 30 credits of graduate study (700-level or higher). You should expect to spend at least three and, in some cases, up to four years of year-round study to complete the degree.

All graduate students should be aware that the specific courses for which they are permitted to register in any given semester will depend on prior art background, transfer/waived credits, prerequisite requirements and course scheduling. Therefore it may not be possible for a student who wishes to take a full course load to do so.

Suggested Course Sequence

First Semester (4 courses, 12 credits)

ADG 810 Graphic Design Graduate Seminar*
ADG S820 Graphic Design Graduate Studio I*
ADG S840 Graphic Design Thesis Research*
Graphic Design Studio Elective OR
Other approved graduate level elective 

Second Semester (4 courses, 12 credits)

ADG S822 Graphic Design Graduate Studio II*
ADG S842 Graphic Design Thesis Studio*
ADG 700 Graphic Design Graduate Internship*
Graphic Design Studio Elective OR
Other approved graduate level elective

Third Semester (2 courses, 6 credits)

ADG S844 Graphic Design Thesis Documentation*
Graphic Design Studio Elective OR
Other approved graduate level elective

*Graduate only courses

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. 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.