Davis,
CA,
United States
Type
Public
Degrees offered
Bachelor's Degree
MFA in Design - History and Theory of Design in Davis United States | University of California Davis
University of California Davis
|
Davis United States
Visit institution website
for more information
Qualification
Masters Degree
Languages
English
Delivery Mode
On-Campus
Tuition (2025)
USD
27,366
Attendance
Full-time
Full-time Duration
24 months
The two-year MFA in Design program fosters interdisciplinary collaboration through research and practice rooted in social and environmental awareness. Graduate students benefit from working alongside distinguished faculty at a leading public research university, with most receiving full funding via Teaching Assistant (TA) and Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) roles. The program connects students with experts across design disciplines—from visual communication to wearables—while encouraging cross-campus partnerships spanning arts, sciences, and professional fields.
Our program specifically supports Design MFA candidates pursuing historical research through studio projects, a degree requirement. In today's digital landscape, multimedia research presentation expands publishing opportunities beyond traditional text formats. Faculty mentor students skilled in critical design theory who seek innovative dissemination methods—whether digital platforms (interactive apps to e-books) or physical formats (exhibitions to print publications). These ambitious projects typically involve collaborative guidance from both studio practice and design history/theory faculty.
Destination of Study
Subjects of Study
Language Requirements
English
IELTS 8.0
Qualification Requirements
Applicants to our MFA should hold an undergraduate degree with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, preferably in design or related field such as art, art history, or architecture. They should show excellent promise in design, as demonstrated by portfolio review, and have had suitable course preparation in foundation areas such as two- and three-dimensional composition, drawing, media, computer graphics, design history, art history, and related social sciences, as well as in the area of study they wish to pursue. Undergraduate studies should include a minimum of 20 units of university level design or topics related to the areas of design taught at UC Davis.
Letters of Recommendation.
Transcripts.
For International Students, you must have a TOEFL score of above 90 (speaking must be 26 or above) or a minimum IELTS score of 8. Duolingo is also accepted and a minimum of 115.
Letters of Recommendation.
Transcripts.
For International Students, you must have a TOEFL score of above 90 (speaking must be 26 or above) or a minimum IELTS score of 8. Duolingo is also accepted and a minimum of 115.
Tuition
USD
27,366