MASTER OF FINE ARTS
IN GRAPHIC DESIGN
VISUAL COMMUNICATORS WANTED
Transform your graphic design career. Get catalogue now.
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Transform your creative future with a Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at Boston University
Join Boston University’s Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design program and experience the cutting-edge curriculum that will prepare you for success in the ever-changing field of graphic design. On-campus and full-time.
THE ESSENTIALS
The MFA degree is a recognized and sought-after terminal graduate degree, and at BU you will learn to master key principles of design, conduct research, and utilize current technology. With an emphasis on process and critical design thinking, the MFA program sets itself apart as a maker-based design department located within an art school that is supported by the resources of a major research university.
60-credit program
2-year full-time
Professional
studio facilities
Industry partnerships
Program Highlights
Learn by Doing
Through a combination of seminars, studio work, and electives, students gain expertise in diverse design principles, tools, and techniques. The program fosters hands-on learning with real-world projects and collaborations with industry experts, all within a dynamic studio environment.
Comprehensive Curriculum
Engage in a sequenced studio approach that fosters critical design thinking and problem-solving.
Expert Faculty
Learn from experienced professionals specializing in areas such as interactive design, editorial design, and typography.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Benefit from individual workstations in spacious studios, advanced presentation rooms, and specialized resources like a RISO printer and the Visual Arts Resource and Research Library.
Professional Exposure
Participate in events, symposia, and trips to design studios, gaining insights from internationally renowned visiting artists and designers.
Collaborative Community
Join a vibrant network of peers and alumni, fostering artistic collaboration and professional connections.
“BU’s graphic design program is one of the best in the United States, and the University’s location, culture and history made it my dream school. Our program offers many opportunities, from exhibitions and lectures to hands-on projects and field trips. I had the opportunity to learn from our annual design week and Tuesday Night Lecture Series which features guest designers and artists. We’ve also visited New York City twice with our field trips to the New York Print Fair and Printed Matter Art Book Fair. I was glad to have the chance to exhibit my work at the Multiple Formats Art Book Fair this year on our campus.”
Wenbin Huang
Class of 2025
“I was very nervous entering the program alongside people who had earned BFAs or even had years of work experience in the field. Luckily, the faculty and my classmates were extremely gracious and approachable and have given me lots of opportunities. Over the course of two years, I’ve been able to find freelance work, speak on a panel at a symposium, teach classes to undergraduates, and table at book fairs. That’s all thanks to my professors trusting in me and giving me a chance, which I am very grateful for.”
Graham Atherton
Class of 2023
“The program, faculty, and facilities at BU were everything I was looking for in a graduate school. The city of Boston has always felt like home and I was so happy to study there. I had such a great experience in my first year at BU. I was able to use amazing facilities, have my own studio, connect with awesome professors and peers, and have access to everything Boston has to offer.”
Tiana Umbach
Class of 2023
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Professional Skill
Building Starts Here
Student Work
Daria Nikolaeva
Daria Nikolaeva
Jenny Gover
Jenny Gover
Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper
Ziqi Cai
Ziqi Cai
Elise Jones
Elise Jones
Katherine Harmsworthy
Katherine Harmsworthy
Thomas Suglia
Thomas Suglia
Jaime Stilwell
Jaime Stilwell
Jen Wilkens
Jen Wilkens
Unlock Opportunities with the BU Advantage
Boston University’s MFA in Graphic Design is more than a program—it’s a launchpad for your creative and professional growth. From exceptional facilities to rich industry connections, discover the benefits that set this program apart.
Studio facilities
Studio facilities: Graduate students have 24-hour access to design studios on the 4th floor of the 808 Building, including private studios spaces and larger communal work spaces. Students also have access to BU’s Engineering Product Innovation Center (EPIC), an impressive 15,000-square-foot, multi-million dollar engineering and manufacturing facility. This state-of-the-art facility features everything from laser etching to rapid prototyping, allowing designers to collaborate with engineering staff and students to see their projects through all stages of hands-on production.
Exhibition opportunities
Exhibition opportunities: Students are given numerous opportunities to display work in Boston University galleries. The culmination of the two-year program is the Thesis Exhibition, held in the Boston University Art Galleries.
Industry connections
Industry connections: Faculty work closely with students to strengthen both technical skills and conceptual capacity through a mixture of carefully defined and open-ended projects. As professionally practicing designers with broad networks in and beyond Boston, faculty serve as an entry point into the field through active mentorship.
Funding options
BU’s MFA in Graphic Design offers various funding options to help you manage tuition and associated costs:
Lower Tuition Rates for CFA Students: The program benefits from reduced tuition rates compared to standard BU tuition, as part of the university’s support for the College of Fine Arts.
Scholarships and Financial Aid: University scholarships as well as college-specific scholarships are available to MFA students. Additional financial aid options may include merit-based scholarships, federal student aid, or other resources tailored to graduate students.
Work Opportunities: Students can explore paid opportunities through BU’s resources, such as internships for credit or collaboration on faculty-led projects. Teaching Assistantships are available starting in the second year. Graduate Assistantships are also available in the BU Art Galleries and in numerous facilities in the School of Visual Arts during the first and second year.
Studio facilities: Graduate students have 24-hour access to design studios on the 4th floor of the 808 Building, including private studios spaces and larger communal work spaces. Students also have access to BU’s Engineering Product Innovation Center (EPIC), an impressive 15,000-square-foot, multi-million dollar engineering and manufacturing facility. This state-of-the-art facility features everything from laser etching to rapid prototyping, allowing designers to collaborate with engineering staff and students to see their projects through all stages of hands-on production.
Exhibition opportunities: Students are given numerous opportunities to display work in Boston University galleries. The culmination of the two-year program is the Thesis Exhibition, held in the Boston University Art Galleries.
Industry connections: Faculty work closely with students to strengthen both technical skills and conceptual capacity through a mixture of carefully defined and open-ended projects. As professionally practicing designers with broad networks in and beyond Boston, faculty serve as an entry point into the field through active mentorship.
BU’s MFA in Graphic Design offers various funding options to help you manage tuition and associated costs:
Lower Tuition Rates for CFA Students: The program benefits from reduced tuition rates compared to standard BU tuition, as part of the university’s support for the College of Fine Arts.
Scholarships and Financial Aid: University scholarships as well as college-specific scholarships are available to MFA students. Additional financial aid options may include merit-based scholarships, federal student aid, or other resources tailored to graduate students.
Work Opportunities: Students can explore paid opportunities through BU’s resources, such as internships for credit or collaboration on faculty-led projects. Teaching Assistantships are available starting in the second year. Graduate Assistantships are also available in the BU Art Galleries and in numerous facilities in the School of Visual Arts during the first and second year.
Want to learn more?
Get more InfoThe MFA Process:
From Foundation to Final Exhibition
The Graphic Design studio is at the heart of the program, where students cultivate their craft and commitment to design practice through regular studio work.
The First Year
In the first year, students focus on developing a personal design methodology while sharpening their skills and interests. Through a mix of structured and exploratory projects, they establish a clear design perspective and approach, emphasizing core principles like form, communication, authorship, audience, and medium.
The Second Year
The second year centers on research and the creation of a Master’s thesis, culminating in a group exhibition at the Boston University Art Galleries. This thesis ensures that every graduate student makes a unique and meaningful contribution to the field of Graphic Design by the end of the program.
Courses and more
Required courses in Graphic Design Theory and a variety of design electives enhance the core studio experience, allowing students to specialize in their areas of interest while building the diverse skills and knowledge needed to thrive in an evolving field. An annual program of visiting designers, artists, and critics brings nationally and internationally distinguished creative professionals to present their work, host workshops, and participate in group critiques of students’ work, providing a multitude of voices and essential contact with the industry.
FACULTY SPOTLIGHT
Using the lens of graphic design to make a difference
Assistant professor of graphic design James Grady comes to BU with an interdisciplinary career spanning two decades and leading design projects for clients such as Google, Nike, and Samsung. Grady serves as the Creative Director at BU Spark!, a technology incubator and experiential learning lab for student-led computational and data-driven projects. He is amazed at the endless opportunities for collaboration between design and technology and across various departments, schools, and colleges within BU.
“We want (our students) to have a long-range philosophy and process that they can adapt to the current climate and also to 5, 10, or 20 years from now. The process is the only way to adapt. If you are in tunnel vision about a current trend or style, it won’t help you in the long term. Life is a long journey and you need to be prepared for those pivots. Our goal is to provide those tools.
—James Grady, Assistant Professor
