I need help to choose a university.. please

[Rehab]

Hello

I have bachelor's degree in graphic design. I want to complete my master's degree in the same major, so I need to choose a university but I'm really so so so confuse because there are many universities offer this program.

could you please tell me about good universities which have a good program in master graphic design from these universities down

or I want to arrange these universities from strong programs to weak programs


- ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY - MAIN CAMPUS
- Boston University
- CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
- California Institute of the Arts
- Academy of Art University
- FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY - BOCA RATON
- IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
- LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
- NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY AT RALEIGH
- Rhode Island School of Design
- ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY
- TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
- Texas Woman's University
- THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
- UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON - CLEAR LAKE
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA CHAMPAIGN
- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA - DULUTH
- UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE - KNOXVILLE
- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON - SEATTLE


Thank you .

 

[THX1139]

Hello

I have bachelor's degree in graphic design. I want to complete my master's degree in the same major, so I need to choose a university but I'm really so so so confuse because there are many universities offer this program.

could you please tell me about good universities which have a good program in master graphic design from these universities down

or I want to arrange these universities from strong programs to weak programs


- ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY - MAIN CAMPUS
- Boston University
- CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
- California Institute of the Arts
- Academy of Art University
- FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY - BOCA RATON
- IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
- LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
- NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY AT RALEIGH
- Rhode Island School of Design
- ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY
- TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
- Texas Woman's University
- THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
- UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON - CLEAR LAKE
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA CHAMPAIGN
- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA - DULUTH
- UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE - KNOXVILLE
- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON - SEATTLE


Thank you .

A friend of mine got in the masters program at RISD on a full ride scholarship. He even gets a small salary. They have an amazing program... you should apply to see if you can get a scholarship from them. If you have a high GPA and recommendations, it might be worth a try.

 

[Rehab]

Im international student and I have 3.85 GPA from 4. Even if I'm international student and I need to get high tofle score, I will get scholership from them if I have high GPA ???

 

[Mutinygraphiks]

UW of Seattle has a good design program and Seattle is where I am from you will land a solid job there when done with school.

 

[winston1236]

Hello

I have bachelor's degree in graphic design. I want to complete my master's degree in the same major, so I need to choose a university but I'm really so so so confuse because there are many universities offer this program.

could you please tell me about good universities which have a good program in master graphic design from these universities down

or I want to arrange these universities from strong programs to weak programs


- ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY - MAIN CAMPUS
- Boston University
- CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
- California Institute of the Arts
- Academy of Art University
- FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY - BOCA RATON
- IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
- LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
- NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY AT RALEIGH
- Rhode Island School of Design
- ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY
- TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
- Texas Woman's University
- THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
- UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON - CLEAR LAKE
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA CHAMPAIGN
- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA - DULUTH
- UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE - KNOXVILLE
- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON - SEATTLE


Thank you .

academy of the art institute doesnt have much of a reputation other than being a diploma mill. scad is pretty good, risd is good, calarts is good

 

[lucidmedia]

Hello

I have bachelor's degree in graphic design. I want to complete my master's degree in the same major, so I need to choose a university but I'm really so so so confuse because there are many universities offer this program.

could you please tell me about good universities which have a good program in master graphic design from these universities down

or I want to arrange these universities from strong programs to weak programs


- ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY - MAIN CAMPUS
- Boston University
- CALIFORNIA COLLEGE OF THE ARTS
- California Institute of the Arts
- Academy of Art University
- FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY - BOCA RATON
- IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY
- LOUISIANA TECH UNIVERSITY
- NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY AT RALEIGH
- Rhode Island School of Design
- ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- Savannah College of Art and Design
- SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY
- TEMPLE UNIVERSITY
- Texas Woman's University
- THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS
- UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON - CLEAR LAKE
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO
- UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA CHAMPAIGN
- UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA - DULUTH
- UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE - KNOXVILLE
- UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON - SEATTLE


Thank you .

Where did you get this list from? It seems a strange collection of schools. Some of these have well respected programs. Many do not.

NC State is possibly the strongest MFA in design right now (in my opinion).
RISD is the best known, but it is not the program it was 10 years ago.
CalArts is also a well-respected program.

Go to the NASAD web site. This is the national organization that oversees programs that give both BFA and MFA degrees. They have a list of schools that give MFAs in design.

But honestly, what type of program are you looking for? MFAs vary from program to program. Are you looking for a traditional old-school design program (RISD, Yale), something more media focused (NYU's ITP or Massart's DMI), something very experimental and form based? (CalArts, Cranbrook)

Every one of these MFAs are vastly different -- there are no standards for what needs to be taught in an MFA design program -- so you need to do a lot more research about the individual programs and see which one is right for you.

There is no "best"... only different methodologies. Some programs are better known than others, some are a lot more expensive than others, but -- unlike 30 years ago -- there is no master's program that defines the industry.

----------

Im international student and I have 3.85 GPA from 4. Even if I'm international student and I need to get high tofle score, I will get scholership from them if I have high GPA ???

It depends on the program. Some masters programs have lots of money to give out, others do not give so much. Don't take the amount of money they have to offer you as a gauge of how good the program is. Some weaker programs throw money at students tying to build themselves up.

MFA programs don't focus on grades. They look at your portfolio, your written statement of intent, your TOEFL score, your recommendations, and how you perform in the interview is selected in the preliminary rounds.

Understand that most MFA programs are small (with the exception of Parsons). There is usually 50 or more applicants for every slot.

 

[definitive]

just a question, but why are you looking to get a masters in graphic design? why not something else that's related to the major (ex: web design/development, motion graphics, video, etc.)?

and this one's for the rest of the people who are stopping by this thread: is it really important to have a masters in design? doesn't your portfolio and experience speak greater volumes than a piece of paper? lastly, is it worth getting a masters unless your employer pays for it? this goes back to the previous question - if you have the experience, why spend your own money learning what you already know?

 

[lucidmedia]

and this one's for the rest of the people who are stopping by this thread: is it really important to have a masters in design?

People continue their education for lots of reasons. Why do people get MFA degrees in painting or sculpture? or doctorates in medieval history? Both of those don't necessarily lead to rich job prospects...

Some employers do value an MFA in design -- particularly when they are hiring at the Creative Director level in the United States at least. Other cultures that put a higher value on education also have higher job expectations -- many strong MFA programs in the US have many students from Korea, China and Europe.

But getting a job is not the reason most people go back for their MFA. They do it because they want to continue their education. They may want to explore the theories behind what designer do every day. Some want to apply design in a research-oriented way. Some want to get outside of the professional pressures of the design industry and focus on developing their personal aesthetic.

doesn't your portfolio and experience speak greater volumes than a piece of paper?

Of course.

Most good MFA programs are extremely selective, requiring a strong portfolio to even be considered to study. Being a good designer and having a strong portfolio is where you start. The MFA allows you to put those skills to use in (hopefully) new and innovative ways.

When you are done, your portfolio also reflects the two years of intense personal work you have done on a subject you are passionate about. Work that has not been limited by the pressures or deadlines of industry. This usually results in a stronger portfolio.

lastly, is it worth getting a masters unless your employer pays for it? this goes back to the previous question - if you have the experience, why spend your own money learning what you already know?

First, I find it hard to define "worth" for education. That is a personal decision connected to your career goals.

Secondly, I think you are confusing the goals of masters-level education.
You don't get an MFA in design to learn how to design. You do it because you want to apply the design skills you have to a topic, or a problem, etc.

If you are in a program "learning what you already know" you are wasting your money in a bad program and should get out quick. (This is true for BFA programs too)

Getting an advanced degree in design is not all that different than getting an advanced degree in the sciences. It is not about skill building, its about application of those skills to learn new things and take the discipline to new places.