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Art (MFA) Visual Communication Emphasis

Visual communication icon.

Strengthen your creativity and marketability

Achieve a higher level of proficiency in creative design innovation, design business strategy, ideation, marketing, entrepreneurship and prepare for a career in design education. Housed at the Universities Center at Dallas next to the Arts District, our facilities immerse you in one of the nation’s most vibrant centers in business and design. Work with award winning faculty and industry leaders as you develop advanced skills in creative conceptualization, design process, and product, and pedagogy development. Special concentration is placed on design criticism combined with courses in creative strategies, business practices, professional leadership and design history and design education curriculum. Our MFA program is a terminal degree that prepares you to teach at the university level or advance your career

Where It Is Offered Downtown Dallas
Duration

3 Years

Foreign Language

No foreign language credits required

Delivery Combination
Total Credit Hours

60 Hours

Thesis Requirements

Thesis Exhibition with Support Paper

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Art (MFA) Visual Communications Emphasis :: Bigeasy Links

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Art (MFA/MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: 1.3 SEE YOURSELF SUCCEED WITH A DEGREE IN VISUAL COMMUNICATION

SEE YOURSELF SUCCEED WITH A Master of Fine Arts with a Visual Communication Emphasis degree

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Art (MFA/MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

What will you learn

A Master of Fine Arts degree with a Visual Communication emphasis degree will offer you the opportunity to:

  • Enhance your critical thinking and creative strategies
  • Learn innovative business practices, leadership in the workforce and the marketing of a product
  • Study pedagogical theories and techniques to prepare you to teach at the college level
  • Complete a thesis exhibition that addresses an issue of social, educational, environmental or economic importance
Student in front of a white board explaining a project.
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Art (MFA/MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: Careers

Careers

Many of our graduates find employment as instructors at community colleges or universities. People looking for careers in marketing, web development, education, nonprofit and more may benefit from a degree in visual communications.

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
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Art (MFA/MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: FEATURED COURSES

Featured Courses

Ideation, Process and Production ARTS 550

This course will be centered around innovation focused on creating value through ethnography, research, ideation and strategy in a marketing frameset. 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.

Creative Promotion and Innovation ARTS 551

This course will empower 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. In addition students will be introduced to issues related to the patent process and angel investment process as it relates to their innovations.

History of Advertising and Consumerism 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.

View Full Curriculum In The University Catalog
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Art (MFA/MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: Course Delivery and Resources

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Course Delivery and Resources

Designed for current educators and working professionals, we offer courses in the evening to fit your schedule. First-semester students take courses one night per week as they transition into the program. Courses are offered at the Universities Center at Dallas, a premier location for instruction and inspiration. Receive individualized mentorship from our award-winning faculty as you design a degree plan that matches your research interests and career goals.

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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.

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Financial Aid
Scholarships
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ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS International/Domestic Tabs

Admission

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Art (MFA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: Program Admission Requirements US

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, MFA” 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:

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 MFA 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 Grant
Amanda Grant Graduate Enrollment Specialist

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Art (MFA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: Program Admission Requirements Intl.

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, MFA” 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

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.

Statement of Intent

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:

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 MFA 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 Financial Assistance

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 Grant
Amanda Grant Graduate Enrollment Specialist

International Student Requirements

  • A completed master’s degree from a regionally accredited university with at least a 3.00 overall GPA or
  • An awarded bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with 3.00 GPA or higher on the last 60 hours or
  • An awarded bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a 2.75 overall GPA

Required Documents

  • Apply Texas application
  • $75 (USD) application fee
  • One letter of recommendation
  • All official transcripts
    • Bachelor’s degree, including all transcripts used towards a bachelor’s degree
    • Any master’s degree transcript(s) with graduate coursework (if applicable)
    • A copy of the provisional certificate or diploma
  • Statement of intent
    • Please address your interest in the program, as well as your goals for your education and career. Please indicate whether you are applying to the MA or the MFA program, and why.
  • Electronic portfolio
    • 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 Virgil Scott, Graduate Coordinator
  • English proficiency
    Scores must be less than 2 years old.
    • Official TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550), or
    • Official IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall), or
    • Official PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher), or
    • Completion (all years) of a bachelor’s degree or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States
  • Official sponsor statement and bank statement

Application Packet Submission Deadline

Applications (including all required documents and for programs that are not fully online) have the following deadlines:

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

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Art (MFA/MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: Staff

We are here to help!

Amanda Grant
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
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Visual Communication (MFA):: Contact Us

Contact Us

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Visual Communication (MFA)

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START YOUR JOURNEY!

START YOUR JOURNEY!

APPLY
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Art (MFA/MA) Visual Communication Emphasis :: RELATED DEGREE PROGRAMS

Related Degree Programs

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