Graphic and Interactive Design MFA

Master of Fine Arts in Graphic and Interactive Design

The Master of Fine Arts in Graphic and Interactive Design in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University is a two-year, 60-credit program that offers intensive, research-driven immersion in the practice of design. As a graduate student in this master's degree program, you’ll participate in mentorships with passionate, award-winning faculty members who push students to hone their visual voices and use their talents to change the world.

Graphic and interactive design graduate students are a close-knit cohort of thinkers and makers who drive original concepts through interdisciplinary collaboration in Tyler’s state-of-the-art facilities with the specialists, technology and resources of Temple, a leading R1 research institution.

The curriculum is built around graphic design, professional practice and visual design, helping you find your authentic voice through experimentation, exploring entrepreneurship and projects that aim to tackle contemporary issues through social design. You’ll also have the opportunity to enroll in a design theory course to deepen your understanding of a variety of design principles. In addition to traditional media, students have the opportunity to discover new approaches to design discourse through new technologies.

As a student in this master's degree program, you'll have unique opportunities to apply your socially conscious designs across Philadelphia. The city is a living laboratory for design-driven solutions with a booming design community that hosts one of the largest national chapters of the American Institute of Graphic Arts and offers easy access to other major design hubs, like New York City and Washington, D.C.

Graduates of this master's program are prepared to pursue careers in top studios; start their own advertising agencies; work in the film, television and music industries; teach in leading colleges and universities; and improve society with the understanding that good design has the power to make a real difference.

An image of students working on a project

The Hatchery

The most notable graphic designers today all have one thing in common—hustle. In The Hatchery, design students get to taste creative agency and entrepreneurship by bringing their ideas to market and working directly with clients. Semesterlong experiences provide opportunities for hands-on problem solving and real-world projects. In the past, students have created their own brands and sold their own products in addition to collaborating with companies and organizations like Boldfaced Goods, Career Wardrobe, Genuine Fred, Hallmark, Temple Law, Tyler’s Alumni Association and Victory Brewing Company.

Program Format & Curriculum

Graduate students participate in a rigorous, interdisciplinary practice that often involves projects such as design authorship, design for the screen, experimental design, illustration, motion graphics, packaging, publication design, social design and UX/UI.  

In addition to core courses, students have considerable flexibility and choice when selecting art history, studio elective classes, either within Tyler’s graduate curriculum or across the university. Critique and critical discourse are foundational to the program of study. Under the mentorship of a faculty member, students also participate in an MFA thesis gallery exhibition in their final semester of study.

Some of the courses you will complete as part of the Graphic and Interactive Design MFA include the following.

Critique and Critical Dialogue I and II
Graduate Projects, Graphic Design
Art History Seminar (5000 level or higher)
Visual Design Graduate Seminar
Visual Design Thesis

Learn more about the coursework for the Graphic and Interactive Design MFA.

Related Graduate Certificates

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with Temple’s commitment to access and affordability, this Master of Fine Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more. These tuition costs apply to the 2023–2024 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident: $1,266.00 per credit
Out-of-state: $1,682.00 per credit

You can view the full Cost of Attendance breakdown on the Student Financial Services website.

Our Advisors

Tyler's academic advising team offers every Tyler student one-on-one, personal and academic guidance, beginning at Orientation right through to graduation. Our academic advisors will help you chart your course through your program, and ensure you are on a clear path.

Advisors are available to discuss registration, study abroad and staying on track to graduate, as well as policy and procedures and navigating other available resources across the university.

Appointments with the advising team can be made by visiting the Student Tools tab in TUportal. General questions can be submitted to the team's virtual front desk during regular business hours, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Academic Advising Office
Tyler 212
2001 N. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19122

Program Contact

Student Clubs & Organizations

Enhance your coursework, build meaningful networks and gain leadership experience by participating in student-led clubs and organizations. Below are examples of groups at Tyler that can help you grow academically, creatively and professionally.

Graduate Arts Collective is a graduate, student-led organization that connects Tyler peers with resources, information, social events and other activities, including publication of the annual MFA thesis catalog.
American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) is an independent, nonprofit, student-run organization. AIAS provides unmatched programs, information and resources on issues critical to architectural education.
Art History Graduate Organization provides a forum for exchange of ideas that enriches the experience of graduate art history students, including events, guest lectures, interaction with alumni, museum trips and peer gatherings that support new students and aid advisors in recruiting prospective students.
American Society of Landscape Architects, Student Chapter at Temple’s Ambler Campus works to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, education and fellowship.

Study Away

Exposure to diverse cultures, environments and mindsets is essential for art, architecture and design students. At Tyler, you are encouraged to broaden your perspective and explore unique environments through study away programs.

Programs to study in Rome, Tokyo and Venice are offered throughout the year.

For a half-century, Temple Rome has been a center for hands-on, interdisciplinary learning, where the “Eternal City” is the classroom, the studio and the campus. It offers extensive experiences for art and architecture students, with courses in architecture, art history, drawing, liberal arts, painting, photography, printmaking and sculpture.

Temple University Japan offers a Bachelor of Arts in Art with a Digital Media concentration. Students may also take individual digital photography, art history and architecture courses on the Japan campus.

The Education Abroad and Overseas Campuses office is available to answer questions.
Email: study.abroad@temple.edu
Phone: 215-204-0720

Accreditation

Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s degree programs are accredited by the following accrediting bodies.

Tyler School of Art and Architecture’s architecture and environmental design programs are accredited by the following accrediting bodies.

National Architectural Accrediting Board (Master of Architecture)
Landscape Architecture Accreditation Board (Bachelor of Science in Landscape Architecture and Master of Landscape Architecture)
Planning Accreditation Board (Master of Science in City and Regional Planning)
International Facilities Management Association (Bachelor of Science in Facilities Management)

TA-GID-MFA

Additional Program Information

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