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Art and Art History
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Graduate Design Program

Program Definition

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Design is a two–year, full–time course of study, requiring one summer of classes, in order to complete the 60–credit–hour program. Students are admitted in the fall semester only, with application deadline of January 7, 2008.

We define design as a complex cultural activity that expresses the ideas and values of society while it contributes to the formulation of those ideas and values. One goal of our program is to encourage designers to use the process of design as a method for understanding their culture and to effectively articulate this understanding to others. Building on each student’s individual base of knowledge, talent, and perspective, we stress the making of artifacts informed through critical thinking, writing, and discussion focused through extensive visual investigations of design, culture, and related subjects. The student initiates research/creative work through a range of projects developed in both structured courses and independent studies with design faculty. Themes of interest are identified and explored through these works. The student is encouraged to pursue the making of objects and systems in relationship to these themes, both directly and tangentially. During a student's course of study, themes of interest will evolve and grow as new work is created.

The transdisciplinary nature of design is reinforced through the curriculum of our M.F.A. in Design. The course of study is structured so that students whose research leads them across disciplinary boundaries may easily incorporate coursework from other departments and schools throughout the university. In addition to course work in the Department and elsewhere in the University, students work regularly with Design Faculty. Graduate students may also be invited to assist faculty with their research and creative efforts.

Admissions Criteria and Requirements

By January 7, 2008, materials must be received in two separate offices, the Design Department and Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC). To Design you submit a visual portfolio, portfolio description list, a statement of interest, 3 letters of recommendation, and a resume, all in one package. To GIAC, you submit the University's online application, fee, official transcripts, and TOEFL or IELTS test scores (international students only). The GRE is not required for the M.F.A.

The visual portfolio should be burned to a CD–ROM format that works on the Macintosh operating system, and should be in a single PDF file with a maximum of 20 images. The description list should provide clear and concise information about all projects submitted for review. The statement of interest should describe your goals in undertaking graduate study in design, explore your research question in design, and contextualize and reference work included in your visual portfolio.

Detailed instructions on accessing the online application, preparing your portfolio, on course of study, critiques and oral examinations, program costs and financial assistance, as well as information on resources and the guest lecture program are included in this downloadable PDF document: M.F.A. Design Admission and Program Guide (pdf - download adobe reader.)

For additional information on funding graduate study in design, please see M.F.A. Design Financial Aid.

To Department of Art and Art History, submit in one package:

  1. A visual portfolio.
  2. Portfolio description list.
  3. A statement of interest.
  4. Three letters of recommendation.
  5. Resume including your name, address, phone, email; education (college/degree), awards, exhibitions, work experience.

Mail to:

Graduate Coordinator for Design
Department of Art and Art History
Univesity of Texas at Austin
1 University Station D1300
Austin, TX 78712–0337.

For overnight or package delivery, ship to:

Graduate Coordinator for Design
Department of Art and Art History
University of Texas at Austin
Art Building Room 3.320
23rd and San Jacinto
Austin, TX 78712
[512–471–3377]

To Graduate and International Admissions Center (GIAC), you submit:

  1. Online application To access the online application, see the detailed instructions in the pdf above
  2. Fee: $50 for United States citizens and permanent residents; $75 for International students
  3. Official transcripts
  4. TOEFL or IELTS test scores, international students only

Mail to:

Graduate and International Admissions Center
University of Texas at Austin
P.O. Box 7608
Austin, TX, 78713–7608

For overnight or package delivery, ship to:

Graduate and International Admissions Center
University of Texas at Austin
2608 Whitis Avenue
Austin, TX 78712–1534
[512–475–7390]

Contacts

Prospective applicants wishing to visit with Judy Clack about the graduate Design program should arrange an appointment in advance of visiting the department. Please see Visiting the Department for detailed information.

Judy Clack - Graduate Coordinator

jclack@mail.utexas.edu
Phone: 512–471–3377
Fax: 512–471–7801
Office: ART 3.320
Campus Mail Code: D1300

Professor Daniel Olsen - Graduate Advisor

d.m.olsen@mail.utexas.edu
Phone: 512–232–1824
Fax: 512–471–7801
Office: ART 1.214
Campus Mail Code: D1300

Information Request Form

Self–Guided Tour Map (pdf - download adobe reader.)