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The Department of Design provides an immersive learning journey that transforms your creative abilities and worldly curiosity into a rewarding career. You'll discover innovative approaches to tackle today's most pressing challenges while witnessing design's potential to drive meaningful impact firsthand. Our curriculum emphasizes mastering exceptional design skills to apply them to projects you're truly passionate about.
UT Austin's M.F.A. in Design is an intensive 21-month, on-campus graduate program designed for ambitious, inquisitive designers. Through this program, you'll cultivate creative problem-solving methodologies to address modern complexities ranging from healthcare and social equity to environmental sustainability and educational innovation. Our hands-on studio courses, led by acclaimed design professionals, focus on research-driven design, analytical thinking, prototyping, and advanced fabrication techniques to prepare you for real-world applications across diverse global settings.
The M.F.A. in Design program spans five consecutive semesters from August through May, requiring full-time, in-person attendance. Course schedules generally run Monday through Thursday between 9am and 5pm. Prospective students are encouraged to consult with academic advisors regarding any registration inquiries.
Students must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a comparable degree from a foreign academic institution. A grade point average of at least 3.00 in upper-division (junior- and senior-level) coursework and in any graduate work already completed.
The minimum scores considered acceptable for admission by the Graduate School are:
TOEFL: 79 on the Internet-based test (iBT)
IELTS: An overall band of 6.5 on the Academic Examination
Application deadline: Fall only; Jan.10