COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Communication Design at Texas State University is a 60 semester credit hour graduate program that combines advanced design theory, creative practice, and professional development within a structured academic framework. A key feature of the program is the Mid-Program Portfolio Review, which takes place after the completion of 30 credit hours and serves as a critical evaluation point where faculty assess student progress across portfolio components. Successful completion of this review is required for continuation in the program, while students who do not meet expectations are given one opportunity to revise and resubmit their portfolio for reassessment, ensuring that all graduates meet the program’s standards of quality and conceptual development. The curriculum includes required courses that build a strong theoretical and professional foundation, such as Contemporary Issues and Criticism, Modernism and Design, Postmodernism and Typography, Communication Design Seminar, and Professional Practice, which is taken twice to reinforce real-world design preparation. In addition to these core requirements, students complete 30 credit hours of prescribed electives that allow them to specialize in areas such as web design, typography, interaction design, mobile and social media, publication design, generative design, motion design, research through making, exhibitions, and alternative printing methods. Students also complete six credit hours of advisor-approved electives to further customize their academic focus. The program culminates in a thesis component consisting of original research and creative production, supported through ARTC 5399A and additional thesis enrollment hours. Leveling courses may be offered on a case-by-case basis for students who demonstrate strong potential but require additional foundational skills; however, these courses do not count toward degree credit. Overall, the program emphasizes critical inquiry, experimentation, and professional readiness in communication design.