Graphic and Interactive Design

The Master of Fine Arts in Graphic and Interactive Design in the Tyler School of Art and Architecture at Temple University is a two-year, 60-credit program that offers intensive, research-driven immersion in the practice of design. As a graduate student in this master's degree program, you'll participate in mentorships with passionate, award-winning faculty members who push students to hone their visual voices and use their talents to change the world. 

Graphic and interactive design graduate students are a close-knit cohort of thinkers and makers who drive original concepts through interdisciplinary collaboration in Tyler's state-of-the-art facilities with the specialists, technology and resources of Temple, a leading R1 research institution.  

The curriculum is built around graphic design, professional practice and visual design, helping you find your authentic voice through experimentation, exploring entrepreneurship and projects that aim to tackle contemporary issues through social design. You'll also have the opportunity to enroll in a design theory course to deepen your understanding of a variety of design principles. In addition to traditional media, students have the opportunity to discover new approaches to design discourse through new technologies. 

As a student in this master's degree program, you'll have unique opportunities to apply your socially conscious designs across Philadelphia. The city is a living laboratory for design-driven solutions with a booming design community that hosts one of the largest national chapters of the American Institute of Graphic Arts and offers easy access to other major design hubs, like New York City and Washington, D.C. 

Graduates of this master's program are prepared to pursue careers in top studios; start their own advertising agencies; work in the film, television and music industries; teach in leading colleges and universities; and improve society with the understanding that good design has the power to make a real difference. 

University degree requiring four years of study.

Request one certified copy of official transcripts from every college and university you have attended, even if only one course was taken. International degrees must be assessed for equivalency with a U.S. degree based on the characteristics of the national educational system, the type of institution attended and the level of studies completed. A minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is ordinarily required for admissions consideration. If unofficial transcripts are submitted during the application process, submission of official academic records will be required by the end of your first term of graduate study if you are admitted and subsequently enroll at Temple University.

Tyler MFA students benefit from exposure to scores of designers and professionals, artists, and scholars who are at the top of their fields. MFA students meet with these inspiring individuals through lectures, studio visits, demonstrations and more–including major speaker programs such as the Jack Wolgin Visiting Artist and Lecturer, the Laurie Wagman Visiting Artist and Artist-in-residence Series in Glass, and the Marjorie Margolies Visiting Artist Program in Painting. Learn more about our programs for visiting artists, designers and scholars. 

The CREATE annual event is Tyler School of Art & Architecture's Graphic and Interactive Design department's portfolio showcase. Industry professionals team up with our graduating seniors to review their design work. This event serves as a chance to sharpen presentation and networking skills, and often leads to job opportunities."¯ Students connect with a plethora of arts projects, programs, studios, workshops, design firms, art centers and collections through internships, residencies and other opportunities listed in Tyler's biweekly newsletter, The WHAT."¯ 

Graduates of the MFA in Graphic and Interactive Design continue to find success in the field. They are employed by studios and agencies around the country and abroad. They work in design studios, in-house design departments of major corporations, publishing companies, motion graphics and television, social media, UX/UI design, music industry and promotion, product design and packaging, agencies creating AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), gaming content, and as freelance illustrators."¯ A few career opportunities include the following. 

• Art director 

• Exhibitions designer 

• Web designer 

• Font designer 

• Multimedia specialist 

Tyler career coaches specialize in the types of jobs available in the arts and built environment, mentoring students on everything from cover letters to interviews to career advice."¯ 

Temple's Career Center is another resource that empowers students to find pathways to future success. The Career Center offers comprehensive career development services, including guidance on résumés and interviews as well as finding internships and jobs.