MFA in Design - Lighting Design in Davis United States | University of California Davis

The two-year MFA in Design program fosters interdisciplinary collaboration through research and practice grounded in social and environmental awareness. Our graduate students benefit from working alongside distinguished design faculty at a leading public research university, with most receiving full funding via Teaching Assistant (TA) and Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions. The program connects students with expert faculty across the Design Department and wider university, covering specialties from design theory to wearables, including exhibition, fashion, information design, and more. Cross-disciplinary collaboration is encouraged, allowing students to engage with faculty from diverse fields spanning arts, sciences, and professional disciplines.

The lighting specialization equips graduates for leadership roles in design, research, and education by cultivating advanced knowledge and critical thinking skills. This program prepares students for prominent positions in architectural lighting design or academic instruction, addressing the growing need for lighting expertise in sustainable, low-carbon building practices. As environmental consciousness rises, so does demand for lighting designers capable of guiding this evolving field.