Campuses:
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
Twin Cities Campus
Design M.F.A.DESGN GARP Administration
College of Design
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Director of Graduate Studies, Design Graduate Program, 240 McNeal Hall, 1985 Buford Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108.
Email:
dhagrad@umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The design graduate program focuses on the study of relationships between humans and their designed environments. This focus is based on the assumption that design and analysis of environments contributes to the improvement of the human condition. The program addresses theory, research, and application, using a shared disciplinary base from the arts and social and behavioral sciences. The goal of the program is for students to analyze, evaluate, and integrate theoretical frameworks related to humans and their designed environments.
Applications submitted to the design graduate program specify the track and degree objective.
The MFA is available in the graphic design track only.
The track in graphic design focuses on design theory, process, and methods related to design practice and research. Potential areas of study include graphic design history, theory, and critical narrative; design creativity; color and design; user-centered design; design authorship; data visualization; and interactive design.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.00.
Eligibility requirements are located on the track pages of the design graduate program website: http://dha.design.umn.edu/programs/grad.
Special Application Requirements:
Application requirements: http://dha.design.umn.edu/programs/grad/admissions.html
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
The preferred English language test is Test of English as Foreign Language.
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, TOEFL, IELTS).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan C: Plan C requires
52
major credits and
8
credits outside the
major.
The final exam is oral.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project: MFA coursework and research culminates in a creative thesis, which includes a paper and extensive creative project.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 2 semesters must be completed
before filing a Degree Program Form.
Students may be required to complete additional credits upon recommendation of their committee.
Design Program Core Requirement
DES 8181 - Research Ethics
(1.0 cr)
Related Field
Students are required to take a minimum of 8 credits in a related field. Courses are selected with the approval of the advisor and committee.
Concentration
All students are required to take DES 8114, GDES 8361, and GDES 8362.
Take 27 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
DES 8113 - Teaching and Assessment
(2.0 cr)
·
DES 8114 - Design Studio
(4.0 cr)
·
DES 8115 - Grant Writing
(2.0 cr)
·
GDES 4131W - History of Graphic Design
[WI]
(4.0 cr)
·
GDES 4330 {Inactive}
(4.0 cr)
·
GDES 4345 - Advanced Typography
(4.0 cr)
·
GDES 5193 - Directed Study in Graphic Design
(1.0-4.0 cr)
·
GDES 5311 - Illustration
(3.0 cr)
·
GDES 5341 - Interaction Design
(3.0 cr)
·
GDES 5342 - Advanced Web Design
(3.0 cr)
·
GDES 5371 - Data & Information Visualization
(3.0 cr)
·
GDES 5372 {Inactive}
(3.0 cr)
·
GDES 5383 - Digital Illustration and Animation
(3.0 cr)
·
GDES 5386 - Fundamentals of Game Design
(3.0 cr)
·
GDES 8192 - Readings in Graphic Design
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
GDES 8193 - Directed Study
(1.0-3.0 cr)
·
GDES 8361 - Color, Design, and Human Perception
(3.0 cr)
·
GDES 8362 - The Nature of Representation in Visual Communication
(3.0 cr)
MFA Creative Thesis Credits
Take 12 credits or more of the following:
GDES 8990 - MFA Creative Thesis
(6.0 cr)
Program Sub-plans
Students are required to complete one of the following sub-plans.
Students may not complete the program with more than one sub-plan.
Graphic Design
All Design MMFA students must complete the graphic design track. See program requirements above.
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Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Odd Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 8.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | DHA 4384/GDES 5341 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | GDes 4371/GDes 5371 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 8.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -3.0 [max 8.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 6.0 [max 12.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |