Overview

As a graduate, you'll be able to pursue careers in design education, but you'll also stand out in the industry for your ability to solve problems from a research-based design perspective.

Kent State University’s Master of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design is a terminal degree that offers advanced, research-focused study in design theory, creative practice, and visual communication.

This Visual Communication Design at Kent State University emphasizes innovation, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary collaboration, helping students develop a personal design philosophy and refine their skills in areas such as typography, branding, and user-centered design.

Graduates engage in extensive projects that explore new design approaches and contribute to the field of visual communication.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

Develop leadership abilities necessary for success in the design industry or higher education.

Develop skills for collaborative engagement with strategic partners, team members and peers.

Develop deeper awareness of issues related to the cognitive, social, theoretical, cultural, technological, educational and economic contexts of design.

Develop understanding of design’s use as a strategic tool and medium for business and social applications, through the integration of practice and research.

Develop enhanced comprehension of design thinking, design process and metacognition.

Develop capabilities in the planning, application and synthesis of field research methods and their use in design process.

Careers

Graduates of Kent State University’s M.F.A. in Visual Communication Design are well-prepared for high-level roles such as creative directors, design consultants, UX/UI specialists, and senior graphic designers. They may also pursue academic careers as professors or researchers in design programs.

Additionally, M.F.A. graduates can lead in industries like advertising, digital media, corporate branding, and multimedia production, or start their own design studios, where they apply their advanced expertise to influence and innovate within the design landscape.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

User Experience

Graduate Studio In Visual Communication Design

Graduate Seminar In Visual Communication Design

Professional And Teaching Development

Critical Practices In Design Research

Advanced Research

Design Theory: Culture, Communities And Context

Graduate Portfolio/graphic Design And Illustration

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-01-12 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-10-01 00:00:00
Starting 2027-08-18 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-03-01 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

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Credits

60 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Kent, United States

Disciplines

Design Visual Arts View 436 other Masters in Visual Arts in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.7

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

120

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

Schedule a PTE test!

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

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Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Undergraduate degree in design or closely related program

Minimum 2.750 undergraduate major GPA on a 4.000-point scale

Official transcript(s)

Résumé

Goal statement (starting with spring 2026 admission term, statement is no longer required)

Autobiographical statement (250 words) (starting with spring 2026 admission term, statement is no longer required)

Statement of intent is required starting with spring 2026 admission term addressing the following items:

Prior educational and work experiences

Future career objectives

Reasons for pursuing graduate study

Relevance of the above three items to this M.F.A. degree

Portfolio

Three letters of recommendation

English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

20332 USD / year

≈ 20332 USD / year
Out-of-State

20332 USD / year

≈ 20332 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

10706 USD / year

≈ 10706 USD / year

Living costs

Kent

United States

1036 - 1710 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

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Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Visual Communication Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Learning Outcomes

Careers

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Kent

Financing

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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