The M.F.A. in Design program at The University of Texas at Austin is distinctive by design. Here, you’ll receive individualized instruction from expert Design faculty in a cohort of four to eight students, enabling you to tailor the program to meet your future goals. In addition to advanced studio courses, you'll receive focused instruction on research, theory, and criticism to supplement your thesis on design-led topics like objects, interactions, systems, experiences, services, and more.
M.F.A. in Design graduates are expert designers and thoughtful, broadly educated critics and communicators prepared to enter careers as designers, writers, entrepreneurs, strategists, CEOs, university faculty, and more.
Program Focus
Interdisciplinary Experiential Learning
Engage in seminar and studio-based learning experiences designed to hone your making skills while building a professional portfolio of work that will help you thrive in an ever-changing world.
Individualized Study
Pursue a secondary area of study in an emerging area of design or a complementary field such as business, anthropology, creative technologies, engineering, or art that aligns with your interests and career goals.
Tier One Research University
Collaborate across disciplines and develop primary and secondary research skills to use as a tool for problem-solving from leading experts in the field.
Real-World Application
Explore how design thinking and process can be used to solve for complex social, environmental, cultural, and economic challenges.
Degree Plan
M.F.A. Design
- 2 years + the intervening summer
- 60 credit hours total
- 12 credit hours of Thesis Studio
- 21 credit hours of Design Core
- 12-24 credit hours of Design Studio
- 6-18 credit hours of Electives (max of 9 credit hours for upper-division undergraduate courses)
Typical 2-year + summer course schedule for M.F.A. Design | 60 Total Hours
| Fall One | Spring One | Summer | Fall Two | Spring Two |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Thesis Studio = 15 credit hours |
Thesis Studio = 15 credit hours |
Thesis Studio
|
Thesis Studio = 15 credit hours |
Design Core
|
This chart represents the typical course of study in the program. As a student, you will have the support of a Graduate Advisor to determine the best schedule to meet your unique goals.
M.F.A. Design Student Handbook
Ready for a deeper dive into the M.F.A. in Design program? Our student handbook covers curriculum and coursework, graduation requirements, policies, and more.