Graphic Design (MFA) Curriculum
Course of Study
ArtCenter’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Graphic Design focuses on transmedia, craft, skill, leadership and strategic thought with a goal of practical professional improvement.
The typical length of study for the MFA in Graphic Design is two years: four full terms plus one summer term. Our two-year program consists of four full terms, a summer term reserved for studio-based independent study and an internship.
We offer a three-year program for incoming students who need additional design skills to complete the degree. This program features two additional terms of undergraduate courses tailored to meet the student’s individual needs. Once these two terms are completed, students enter the traditional MGx course track.
Curriculum subject to change.
For students entering Fall 2025
2-year (5 terms)
| TERM 1 - FALL | |
| Digital Basics: LinkedIn Learning | 3 |
| Graduate Studio 3A | 3 |
| Graduate Studio 3B | 3 |
| Graduate Typography 3 | 3 |
| Graduate Project Writing | 3 |
| Graduate Seminar 3 | 3 |
| TERM 2 - SPRING | |
| Design Research/Strategy | 3 |
| Graduate Visual Interaction Design 1: Intro to UI | 3 |
| Mid-Level Thesis Review | 0 |
| Graduate Studio 4A | 3 |
| Graduate Studio 4B | 3 |
| Graduate Typography 4 | 3 |
| Graduate Seminar 4 | 3 |
| TERM 3 - SUMMER (ACL) | |
| Graphic Design Internship OR Studio Independent Study OR Testlab Berlin | 12 |
| TERM 4 - FALL | |
| Professional Leadership | 3 |
| Graduate Thesis 1B | 3 |
| Graduate Thesis 1C | 3 |
| Grad Portfolio 1 | 3 |
| Area-of-Emphasis Studio Elective | 3 |
| TERM 5 - SPRING | |
| Final Thesis Review | 0 |
| Graduate Thesis 2B | 3 |
| Graduate Thesis 2B | 3 |
| Graduate Portfolio 2 | 6 |
| Completed Thesis | 0 |
| Electives | 3 |
| TOTAL | |
| Total Required Units | 75 |
3-year (7 terms)
| TERM 1 - FALL | |
| Digital Basics: LinkedIn Learning | 3 |
| Graduate Studio 1 | 3 |
| Graduate Typography 1 | 3 |
| Graduate Motion Design 1 | 3 |
| Grad Studio Materials Lab | 3 |
| TERM 2 - SPRING | |
| Graduate Studio 2 | 3 |
| Graduate Typography 2 | 3 |
| Graduate Visual Interaction Design 1: Intro to UI | 3 |
| Graduate Packaging Design 1 | 3 |
| TERM 3 - FALL | |
| Graduate Studio 3A | 3 |
| Graduate Studio 3B | 3 |
| Graduate Typography 3 | 3 |
| Graduate Project Writing | 3 |
| Graduate Seminar 3 | 3 |
| TERM 4 - SPRING | |
| Design Research/Strategy | 3 |
| Graduate Studio 4A | 3 |
| Graduate Studio 4B | 3 |
| Graduate Typography 4 | 3 |
| Graduate Seminar 4 | 3 |
| TERM 5 - SUMMER (ACL) | |
| Graphic Design Internship OR Studio Independent Study OR Testlab Berlin | 9 |
| Mid-Level Thesis Review | 3 |
| TERM 6 - FALL | |
| Professional Leadership | 3 |
| Graduate Thesis 1B | 3 |
| Graduate Thesis 1C | 3 |
| Graduate Portfolio 1 | 3 |
| Final Thesis Review | 0 |
| TERM 7 - SPRING | |
| Graduate Thesis 2B | 3 |
| Graduate Thesis 2C | 3 |
| Graduate Portfolio 2 | 3 |
| Completed Thesis | 0 |
| TOTAL | |
| Total Required Units | 87 |