MFA in Media Design Practices
Course of Study
The typical length of study for the MFA in Media Design Practices is four full terms, and the program may be completed in two years.
We offer a three-year program for incoming students who need additional design experience to complete the degree. This program features two additional terms (Development Year) designed to introduce sophisticated graduate students to their future practice as Media Designers. Once these two terms are completed, students enter the traditional MDP course track.
Curriculum subject to change.
For students entering Fall 2026
2-year (5 terms)
| TERM 1 - FALL | |
| Critical Worldviews 1 | 3 |
| Grad Lab | 3 |
| Concept Studio 1 | 3 |
| Concept Studio 2 | 3 |
| Creative Technology 3 | 3 |
| TERM 2 - SPRING | |
| Critical Worldviews 2 | 3 |
| Grad Lab | 3 |
| Concept Studio | 3 |
| Concept Studio | 3 |
| Advanced Studio | 3 |
| Creative Technology 4 | 3 |
| TERM 3 - SUMMER | |
| Advanced Lab | 3 |
| Advanced Lab | 3 |
| Thesis Gateway | 0 |
| TERM 4 - FALL | |
| Grad Lab | 3 |
| Advanced Studio | 3 |
| Advanced Studio | 3 |
| Critical Practices 1 | 3 |
| Thesis Committee Project | 3 |
| TERM 5 - SPRING | |
| Thesis Committee Project | 3 |
| Thesis Year Review | 0 |
| Critical Practices 2 | 3 |
| Completed Thesis | 0 |
| TOTAL | |
| Total Required Units | 60 |
3-year (8 terms)
tr>Critical Histories 23
| TERM 1 - FALL | |
| Critical Histories 1 | 3 |
| Creative Technology 1 | 3 |
| Dev Studio 1 | 3 |
| Dev Studio 2 | 3 |
| Grad Lab | 3 |
| TERM 2 - SPRING | |
| Critical Histories 2 | 3 |
| Development Year Review | 0 |
| Dev Studio 3 | 3 |
| Dev Studio 4 | 3 |
| Grad Lab | 3 |
| Creative Technology 2 | 3 |
| TERM 3 - SUMMER | |
| LOA No Courses required | - |
| TERM 4 - FALL | |
| Grad Lab | 3 |
| Critical Worldviews 1 | 3 |
| Concept Studio | 3 |
| Concept Studio | 3 |
| Creative Technology 3 | 3 |
| TERM 5 - SPRING | |
| Grad Lab | 3 |
| Critical Worldviews 2 | 3 |
| Concept Studio | 3 |
| Concept Studio | 3 |
| Advanced Studio | 3 |
| Creative Technology 4 | 3 |
| TERM 6 - SUMMER | |
| Advanced Studio | 3 |
| Advanced Studio | 3 |
| Thesis Gateway | 0 |
| TERM 7 - FALL | |
| Grad Lab | 3 |
| Advanced Studio | 3 |
| Advanced Studio | 3 |
| Critical Practices 1 | 3 |
| Thesis Committee Project | 3 |
| TERM 8 - SPRING | |
| Thesis Year Review | 0 |
| Thesis Committee Project | 3 |
| Critical Practices 2 | 3 |
| Completed Thesis | 0 |
| TOTAL | |
| Total Required Units | 90 |
Quality of Life Tactician: Meet Design Strategist Betsy Kalven
