masters in game design online

Create a Brighter Future with Liberty's MFA in Graphic Design

Visual communication is becoming more and more interactive, and the need for graphic designers to achieve the goals and needs of corporations, small businesses, and entrepreneurs continue to grow. Liberty University's 100% online Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Graphic Design is designed to help you succeed in the arts and visual communication industry.

Our masters in graphic design courses are constructed to train you to communicate in a way that is visually appealing through typography, digital illustration, digital imaging, and design techniques. With mastery of these skills, our graphic design MFA can give you a competitive edge over other artists in the design industry.

What is an MFA?

An MFA, which stands for Master of Fine Arts, is a master's degree that provides advanced training in a specific craft in the arts. Liberty University's online MFA degree in graphic design provides a course of study that can help you develop your craft into mastery and provide opportunities for you to demonstrate your skills.

Similar to a doctoral degree, an MFA degree is considered a "terminal degree," meaning that earning this degree is considered the peak of academic study in this area. While doctoral programs exist in many areas covered by an MFA, earning an MFA degree can qualify you for teaching advanced courses at the college level. If you want to become an expert in graphic arts and open up opportunities for teaching advanced art courses, then Liberty's MFA online degree could be an excellent next step for you.

Liberty University's master's in graphic design degree can empower you to work innovatively and reach your highest potential. With an MFA in Graphic Design, you can gain hands-on, rigorous training from professors with years of experience to enhance your artistic abilities. Your ambition and talent mixed with your professor's knowledge and experience can help equip you to meet challenging projects head-on as you learn to connect with the world through your designs.

Why Choose Our Master's in Graphic Design Online?

Liberty's master's in graphic design program is offered completely online, allowing you to remain active in your job, with your family, and in your community without the worry of having to take courses on campus. All of our MFA classes are taught from a Christian worldview by knowledgeable professors who share your passion for the arts.

One of the best reasons to choose Liberty's MFA in Graphic Design online degree program is because of the valuable internship incorporated into this degree. You'll complete a 180-hour internship under the supervision of a professional working in the field of graphic arts design. Along with your internship, you can also gain invaluable experience in a 90-hour practicum where you will compile a body of creative work.

Graphic arts design internships and practicums are the best way to bridge the gap between earning a college degree and finding a job in your field. Internships help provide valuable on-the-job experience, giving you relevant training to help in your career decisions.

Niche Best Colleges

Common Questions

While researching graphic design masters programs online, you may have questions about how online MFA programs can help you meet your career goals in art. Here are some common questions about Liberty University's online graphic design program.

What is the difference between an MA vs MFA in graphic art design?

A master of arts (MA) program is a general graduate degree that is designed to equip you with advanced graduate skills and knowledge in a specific area of study. An MA can focus on many topics that do not relate to fine arts, such as history or communication.

A Master of Fine Arts (MFA), however, is a degree specific to the fine arts and represents the highest level of practical skills training in this field. Liberty University's MFA in Graphic Design is an example of a fine arts degree that can equip you with the graphic arts design skills you need to build your career.

Is graphic design a fine art?

A fine art is a discipline that primarily focuses on the creation of beautiful objects and media. Graphic art design falls into this category due to its use of tools in both traditional and digital mediums to create images and compositions of images.

While graphic art design often applies to business as a part of the product, service, and marketing processes, the craft of creating images through graphic art design techniques is undeniably a fine art.

Do graphic designers need a master's degree?

To work in the graphic art design field or to create your own digital art, you only need to have the skills and knowledge to work in the digital art medium. However, in order to pursue higher-level positions in business or to teach at the college level, you will often need to earn a graduate degree. Liberty's online MFA in Graphic Design can help equip you with the advanced skills and techniques to master the craft while also opening the door to new opportunities.

What can I do with a master's in graphic design?

With a master's in fine arts online degree, you can gain the digital arts expertise you need to pursue advanced roles in business, teach at the college level, and develop your art to its highest peak. The techniques you learn and apply to your design work can help you work as a freelance designer, work through design firms, pursue management roles in design teams, or teach digital art and design at the college level.

With a terminal degree, you can have many more options for teaching than with a bachelor's degree, with most of the same opportunities as a teacher with a doctorate in another discipline. Liberty's online MFA degree can help provide many new options for your career.

What Will You Learn in Liberty's Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design Online Degree Program?

Our master's in graphic design online degree can take you on an exciting exploration of the latest technological advances in the design industry. Our online graphic arts design courses can help sharpen your understanding of 3D art, publication, and game design, as well as vector illustration, digital photography, and many more intriguing areas of digital art. You can also gain foundational knowledge in interactive designing and professional practices. With a master's in graphic design from Liberty, you can prepare to become a valuable asset to future companies.

MFA in Graphic Design Featured Courses

ARTS 540 – Publication Design
ARTS 578 – Interactive Design
ARTS 603 – History of Graphic Design
ARTS 604 – Visualization Illustration

Master's in Graphic Design Degree Information

A thesis or portfolio project, as well as an internship and oral examination, are required for this program.
This program falls under theSchool of Communication and the Arts.
Download and review the Degree Completion Plan.
View the Graduate Communication and the Arts Course Guides(login required).

Apply Now Request Info

Master's in Graphic Design Military Benefits

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students from all over the globe. Whether you are a current service member, discharged or retired from service, or the spouse of a service member or veteran, we are here to support you every step of the journey.

As a thank-you for your dedication and service to our country, Liberty is honored to serve and support you in your pursuit of online education by offering the following benefits:

Tuition discounts — $275 per credit hour for graduate courses.
Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course).
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences).

Potential Career Fields with an MFA in Graphic Design

As a graduate of our MFA in graphic design, you may be qualified to pursue the careers such as:

Advertising
Animation
Business
Education
Public relations
Sales

Admission Requirements for the Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design (MFA)

Applicants must have a regionally or nationally accredited bachelor's degree with a 3.0 or above cumulative GPA for admission in good standing. Please visit our admission requirements page for more detailed admissions information.

All applicants must submit the following:

Admission application
Application fee*
Artist statement
Master of Fine Arts portfolio
Official college transcripts
Unofficial college transcripts may be accepted with a completed official transcript request form**
Proof of English proficiency

*There is no upfront application fee; however, a deferred $50 application fee will be assessed during Financial Check-In. This fee is waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required.

**An official transcript is needed within 60 days of acceptance or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first.

Highlights of Choosing Liberty University's Masters in Graphic Design

We are recognized by multiple institutions for our academic quality, affordability, and accessibility. Our commitment to excellence also helped us rank among Niche.com's top 5 online schools in America. Earning your online master of fine arts degree in graphic design from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
Tuition for our master's in graphic design degree has not increased in 6 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
BestColleges.com awarded Liberty's MFA in Graphic Design the best master's in graphic design degree of 2021.
The portfolio project in this degree will become an invaluable promotional tool to help you secure a job in the graphic design industry.
Network with other MFA students and participate in an online community of professional artists.
You will have access to Adobe products, like the Creative Cloud Suite.

*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, Non-Degree Seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, LUOA, WSB, and Certificates.

Apply FREE This Week*