2011-2012 University Catalog 
  
2011-2012 University Catalog

Graphic Design, MA


Banner Code: AR-MA-GD

Art and Design Building, Room 2050
Phone: 703-993-8898
Web: soa.gmu.edu/

Faculty

Harold Linton, Director

Professors: Carbonneau, Frederick, Kravitz (gallery director), Linton (director), Sandell

Associate Professors: Ashcraft (associate director), Cooley, Crawford, Feerick, Frenn, Rothstein, White

Assistant Professors: Cui, Endress, Karametou, Sheridan, Winant (associate director), Wrbican

Term Assistant Professors: Constantine, Del Popolo, Stanley, Starr

Adjunct Faculty: Bradley, Carr-Shaffer, Cushner, Dicicco, Erlich-Moss, Feuer, Goldman, Gorman, Guerrieri, Hicks, Ho, Hoffmann, Morris, Nahidian, Organ, Petzwinkler, Porrata, Salyards, Sapsford, Tomhave, Watson
 

Graduate Program

The MA in Graphic Design offers students a comprehensive study and preparation for the graphic design profession.  The program calls for 36 credits, which includes courses in typography, web design, image making, and brand design.  The broad range of study is intended to develop professionals prepared for an ever-expanding graphic design field. This proposed degree will be the only graduate degree in graphic design in the Capital region. 

Admission Requirements

Application deadlines are as published by the University.  Applicants should have an earned BA or BFA degree in Graphic Design from an accredited college or university, with a GPA of 3.0 in art courses.  However, applicants with a BA or BS in another discipline, and work experience in the field may apply for admission also.  Student should schedule an interview with design faculty prior to admission.

In addition to meeting the general university requirements for admission for graduate study, applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from faculty members, or those who can evaluate the applicant’s academic potential; a sample of academic writing about art or graphic design, such as a paper from an art or design history course; and a CD or DVD with 20 examples of design works in PDF, jpeg, or a format that will play in a standard web browser.

Portfolio Guidelines

The applicant’s portfolio is a major selection criterion for graduate admission and should represent the applicant’s most accomplished work.

Applicants’ portfolio items are considered part of the application for admission and, thus, cannot be returned. Please do not send original materials. The portfolio and all other application materials should be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions. For more information, contact the School of Art at 703-993-8898.

Studios

The School of Art is located in the Art and Design Building which houses well equipped studios for drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture, as well as six computer-equipped studios that cross platforms and are installed with current software applications used for two dimensional imaging, three-dimensional modeling, animation, video production, sound editing, multimedia authoring, photography, and web publishing.

Studios are open to students for extended periods mornings, evenings, and weekends whenever classes are not in progress. Policies, procedures, and schedules for studio use are established by the AVT studio faculty and are posted in the studios.

Academic Policies

Please see College of Visual and Performing Arts  for college academic policies.

 Degree Requirements

Core Courses (17 credits)


  • 8 Credits of Graduate Studio Elective (students choose from Digital Arts, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, or Sculpture 500+ level)

Elective Courses (15-20 credits)


Final Project (4 credits)


The final steps for completion of the MA in Graphic Design are a substantial final project that calls upon all the skills of a working designer.

Total: 36 credits