Although undergraduate graphic design programs are easy to find in Florida, graduate-level study is somewhat rare. In the schools where graphic design is offered at the master's level, you'll usually earn a Master of Fine Arts at the end of your study.
Schools in Florida Offering Graduate Programs in Graphic Design
University of Florida
The University of Florida's College of the Arts offers a Master of Fine Arts in Design and Visual Communications. Students in the program learn how visual design can be used to help solve sustainability problems in the Sunshine State and to address biodiversity and climate change. The 60-credit-hour curriculum includes design seminars, a practicum, and electives that allow you to focus on an area of interest while also learning how to solve problems within the community by using both your artistic and interpersonal skills.
Florida Atlantic University
FAU provides a more traditional Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art: Graphic Design program. You'll spend at least 60 credit hours in independent study, studio courses, and chosen electives. Once you are halfway through your required number of credits, you will meet with your thesis committee to find out how you are progressing and where you are headed with your thesis. You might take a graduate teaching assistantship if you are especially talented, which gives you a full tuition waiver, stipend, and 20 hours of work per week. As a graduate student, you could be expected to teach undergraduate students or supervise labs, among other responsibilities.
University of Central Florida
UCF is home to a Master of Arts in Digital Media - Visual Language and Interactive Media program. You will learn about many different forms of media, including computer graphics, music, and film. The faculty stems from a multidisciplinary background, bringing experience from web design, game development, and animation to your degree program. You'll work in group and individual settings as you approach the material with theory and practical skills in mind. This MA is meant to give you the tools you need to tell stories in one or more types of visual media.
Admissions Requirements for Graphic Design Graduate Programs in Florida
To enter a graduate program for graphic design in Florida, you'll first need to earn a bachelor's degree. All of your previous coursework should equate to a B average or 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. If you are entering a fine arts program, you will need to create a portfolio for submission that contains ten or more pieces of work. You should check each school's submission guidelines for specifics about file size and where to attach your visual pieces. Letters of recommendation should come from previous instructors and mentors who are familiar with your artistic capability. Update your resume to reflect your professional experience and the types of software you have worked with in the past.
Graduate graphic design programs in Florida can include the study of several different types of media and typically result in a master's degree. Be sure that you have the best choices from your portfolio included in your submissions when completing your application.
