Skip to content
Home Humanities, Social Sciences & Arts Art Art (MA) Visual Communication Emphasis
Young woman viewing art in a art gallery.
Visual communication icon.

Develop Your Design Voice

Advance your proficiency in creative design innovation, design business strategy, ideation, marketing, and entrepreneurship. Our Master of Arts degree focuses on meeting the needs of working professionals and current educators. Located at the Universities Center at Dallas, our program thrives in the Northeast Texas metroplex. Learn from award-winning faculty and industry experts as you enhance your conceptual and practical skills and attain higher professional standing. Special emphasis is placed on design criticism combined with courses in creative strategies, business practices, professional leadership and design history. You can earn your degree in as little as two years with our flexible and convenient program. Completing the Master of Arts degree can open doors to further graduate work or careers in education, marketing, design and design business, and more.

Where It Is Offered Downtown Dallas
Duration

2 Years

Foreign Language

No foreign language credits required

Delivery Combination
Total Credit Hours

30 to 36 Hours

Thesis Requirements

Thesis and non-thesis options available

Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Art (MA) Visual Communications :: BigEasy Links

Back to menu
Woman sitting in front of logo that says, logo design
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Art (MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: 1.3 SEE YOURSELF SUCCEED WITH A DEGREE IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION copied not edited

SEE YOURSELF SUCCEED WITH A master’s DEGREE IN Visual Communication

VisCom faculty member speaking to group while pointing at a display board.
Dedicated Faculty

Engage with exceptional faculty who challenge your creativity and artistic ability. You’ll work alongside award-winning professionals as you develop your conceptual and practical skills.

Man standing next to a sign that reads Legit Game On!
Cultivate Your Imagination

Our program prepares you to succeed in a variety of professions. Learn what it means to embrace design-first thinking and a life-long appreciation of the visual arts.

Dallas Skyline.
Our Facilities

A&M-Commerce is a leader in visual communications. Located in the heart of Dallas, our program benefits from the expertise of industry leaders. Let the metroplex inspire your next creation.

Instructor teaching course in dark class with projector.
Nationally Accredited

The Department of Art is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Arts and Design (NASAD). Accreditation ensures that the degrees, curriculum and faculty meet rigorous standards of breadth and quality.

Man signing books at a book signing.
Career Readiness

Thinking critically and communicating effectively. That’s what employers are looking for. The College of Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts is dedicated to providing you the knowledge and resources for excelling in the workforce.

Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Art (MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS copied not edited

What you will learn

A master’s degree in visual communication will offer you the opportunity to:

  • Explore the creative process
  • Enhance your communication skills through the use of visual media and language
  • Study marketing strategies grounded in social and business perspectives
  • Build your portfolio with client-driven projects in visual problem-solving
MA-4.-Donna-Exib-crowd-Redu
Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Art (MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: Careers copied not edited

Careers

Earning your Master of Arts in Visual Communications can open doors to a wide variety of careers in advertising and marketing, graphic design, printing, web development and more.

Career Possibilities

  • Art director
  • Illustrator
  • Marketing coordinator
  • Commercial designer
  • Art educator
  • College professor/lecturer
  • Multimedia artist/animator
  • Studio Artist
  • Graphic designer
  • Museum archivist/curator/gallery specialist
  • Product designer
  • Creative arts educational specialist
  • Project creative manager
  • Commercial photographer
Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Art (MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: FEATURED COURSES copied not edited

Featured Courses

Creative Methodologies ARTS 540

This course breaks down, defines, studies and advances a student’s creative process to empower and enrich their creative problem-solving techniques. Students will be exposed to various creative methodologies through research and exploration of self-problem/solution methods, overviews of innovative collaborative creative thinking processes, and analysis of the anatomy of the creative mind.

Creative Promotion and Innovation ARTS 551

Empowers students to take their innovations and marketing plans to the next level and implement them into a viable and fundable enterprise. Students will create a prototype to be presented as a proof-of-concept with a compelling presentation to an angel investor. Students will be introduced to issues related to the patent process and angel investment process as it relates to their innovations.

Ideation, Process and Production ARTS 550

Students will explore radical ways of design thinking to create new business models or harness compelling value for products or services that do not currently exist in the marketplace. Projects will be collaborative and centered around the application of innovation through segmenting, brand positioning, target marketing, and the 4Ps (Product, Pricing, Promotion and Place).

View Full Curriculum in the University Catalog
Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Art (MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: Course Delivery and Resources copied not edited

5 students surrounding table in VisComm MFA classroom

Course Delivery and Resources

We offer courses in the evening to fit your busy schedule. Our program uses traditional face-to-face instruction to achieve the greatest level of competency. Classes are offered at the Universities Center at Dallas, a premier location for instruction and inspiration. Receive individualized mentorship from our faculty as you design a degree plan that matches your research interests and career goals. You can earn your master’s degree in as little as two years.

Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Graduate Program Cost

PROGRAM COSTS

Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,594 for Texas residents and $6,897 for non-residents.

Tuition Calculator
Financial Aid
Scholarships
Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS International/Domestic Tabs

Admission

Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Art (MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: Program Admission Requirements US copied not edited

Deadlines

Applications are accepted throughout the year.

Your Path to Becoming a Lion

Step 1. Submit Application

Submit your application through ApplyTexas.

  • Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
  • Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”

  • Select “Art, MA” as your “Major.”
  • Pay the $50 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Provisional Status

After you submit your application, you may be granted provisional status, which means you can enroll in one semester of courses. You will not be eligible for financial aid until you submit all of your documents and are accepted into the program.

Step 2. Submit Documents

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Official Transcripts

Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to [email protected].

  • We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
Postal Alternative

If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011

We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Letter of Recommendation

Request one signed letter of recommendation, on letterhead, from a professional who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. That individual should:

Postal Alternative

If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011

Statement of Intent

Describe your preparation for graduate work, your academic interests and goals in no more than 500 words. Please mention why you are applying for the MA program.

Resume or CV

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.

Electronic Portfolio

Provide the following material;

  • 20 images, clearly labeled with your name, title of piece, medium, dimensions and date completed
    • Examples of sites for building a portfolio include Squarespace.com and Blogger.com

Send portfolio to the Graduate School and Vaughn Wascovich, Graduate Program Coordinator.

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
Rebecca Stevens headshot.
Rebecca Stevens Graduate Student Services Coordinator

Step 3. Apply for Financial Assistance

  • Apply for FAFSA and TAFSA financial aid through the state and federal governments during the admission application process. Use code 003565.
  • Apply for outside scholarships once you are admitted to A&M-Commerce.
  • Check your financial aid and scholarship info through myLeo > Student Resources > Financial Aid Information.

Step 4. Register for Classes

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.

  • View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
  • To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Amanda Headshot[1]
Amanda Grant Graduate Enrollment Specialist

Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Art (MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: Program Admission Requirements Intl. copied not edited

Deadlines

  • Fall admission consideration: June 1
  • Spring admission consideration: October 15
  • Summer admission consideration: March 15

Your Path to Becoming a Lion

Step 1. Submit Application

Submit your application through ApplyTexas.

  • Select “Create a new graduate school admissions application.”
  • Select “Texas A&M University-Commerce (Commerce)” as your “Target University.”

  • Select “Art, MA” as your “Major.”
  • Pay the $75 application fee.

Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.

  • After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.

Step 2. Submit Documents

Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.

Official Transcripts

  • Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to:
    Texas A&M University-Commerce
    Attn: Graduate School
    2600 S. Neal St.
    Commerce, Texas 75428
Postal Alternative

If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce Texas 75428

We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Letter of Recommendation

Request one signed letter of recommendation, on letterhead, from a professional who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. That individual should:

Postal Alternative

If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:

Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce Texas 75428

Statement of Intent

Describe your preparation for graduate work, your academic interests and goals in no more than 500 words. Please mention why you are applying for the MA program.

Resume or CV

Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.

Electronic Portfolio

Provide the following material;

  • 20 images, clearly labeled with your name, title of piece, medium, dimensions and date completed
    • Examples of sites for building a portfolio include Squarespace.com and Blogger.com

Send portfolio to the Graduate School and Vaughn Wascovich, Graduate Program Coordinator.

English Proficiency

You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor’s or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.

Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to Texas A&M University-Commerce:

  • TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
  • IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
  • PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
  • Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)

*Scores must be less than two years old.

Official Sponsor Documents

Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted

  • Official sponsor statement
  • Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $26,025 USD which is less than 1 year old

Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status

  • Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
Rebecca Stevens headshot.
Rebecca Stevens Graduate Student Services Coordinator

Step 3. Apply for Funding

Step 4. Register for Classes

Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.

  • View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
  • To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.

Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.

Amanda Headshot[1]
Amanda Grant Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Art (MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: Staff copied not edited

We are here to help!

Amanda Headshot[1]
Amanda Grant Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Rebecca Stevens headshot.
Rebecca Stevens Graduate Student Services Coordinator
Virgil Scott headshot.
Virgil Scott Associate Professor
David Scott Headshot.
David Scott, Ph.D. Associate Dean
Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Visual Communication:: Contact

Contact Us

Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Visual Communication:: Request More Information

Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

START YOUR JOURNEY!

START YOUR JOURNEY!

APPLY
VISIT

Back to menu
Anchor Copied! Copy a link to this section of the page

Art (MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: RELATED DEGREE PROGRAMS copied not edited

Related Degree Programs

Back to menu
Loading
Navigate This Page