About Master’s Program,
The Rutgers MFA in design immerses students in critical inquiry and experimental making, to design for a changing world. Combining studio work with speculative thinking, the program focuses on interdisciplinary research to inform the creation of publications, interfaces, information, and experiences. Students benefit from both the program’s intimate creative community and Rutgers’ vast opportunities for research and collaboration. Graduates emerge with an expanded skill set in ideation, prototyping, and production, prepared for design careers that contribute to the future of the arts, sciences, humanities and technology. This program is ideal for designers, artists and technologists who seek to initiate their own innovative work as well as contribute to and lead collaborative project teams. Click here to contact the Director and get more information on the program.
An outstanding feature of the program is the annual lecture series that brings renowned practitioners to speak directly with students. The series features creative directors; graphic, interaction and industrial designers; biohackers and programmers; writers, curators, and media theorists — all reflecting the multidisciplinary nature of the design field today and into the future. Take an inside look at one of our previous lecture series here.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
The MFA in Design is a two-year, full-time course of study to pursue studio work on a foundation of research and critical inquiry. Through seminars, studio courses and independent work, MFA Design graduate students develop skills to:
- Identify meaningful and appropriate subjects for design investigation
- Collaborate with research partners on complex projects that address cross-disciplinary concerns
- Visualize, design, prototype and produce ambitious, innovative projects
- Situate their work within current scientific, social, and political contexts
Throughout the program, the studio work is driven by the student’s interests and evolves through reading, reflective writing, presentations, class discussions, and critiques with faculty and peers. In the first year, each student chooses two university elective courses outside of Art & Design. These electives enable designers to engage more deeply with potential topics in the sciences, social sciences and humanities, serving as springboards for their creative work. In the second year, design courses address the development, production, display, and publication of the student’s thesis work.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
In line with the school’s belief that affordable graduate study in art should be available to all students, all accepted graduate students receive fellowships equivalent to the cost of tuition for the two years of the program. Incoming graduate students are awarded fellowships equivalent to full out-of-state tuition in their first year and full in-state tuition in their second year. (International students continue to receive out-of-state tuition in their second year). No additional applications or requirements are necessary to qualify for the fellowships. With the fellowships comes the expectation that graduate students will fully participate in the Art & Design Department community during their time at Mason Gross. Students are responsible for covering all additional university fees including health insurance, campus fees, housing, and materials. Students may apply for additional financial support through a host of department jobs.
The department also offers a range of paid co-adjunct positions which students may apply for each semester.
Application Requirement,
- Online application
- $70 Rutgers application fee
- One official transcript from each post-secondary institution attended
- Letters of recommendation, as required by the program
- A personal statement
- Current test results, as required by the program
- Supporting materials, as required by the program
Application Deadline,
February 1, 2025
Application Fee,
- $70 Rutgers application fee
