Return to: Graduate Degree Programs

The Department of Art offers the Master of Science degree in Graphic Design. A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate work is required for the M.S. degree. The Master of Science (M.S.) Degree in Graphic Design is a 30 hour degree with 15 core hours (which includes 6 hours of a capstone project), 12 hours of Graphic Design and Graphic Design-related coursework, and 3 hours of an approved graduate level art elective. Courses will normally be offered to allow completion of course work in one year plus one semester of full-time study (12 hrs. per semester recommended load), but actual completion of course requirements is dependent on course availability and the taking of required courses when offered. The Department of Art cannot guarantee a completion date for the degree.

Application for Full Admission:

In addition to the requirements set forth by the Graduate Office, the applicant must comply with the following:

-Must have completed an undergraduate degree with a major in Art or have the equivalent undergraduate preparation in Graphic Design or Graphic Design-related fields such as Public Relations, Advertising, and Marketing (Contact the Graduate Coordinator of the Department of Art for information on equivalency of preparation). At the option of the graduate admissions committee, applicants without this degree or equivalent transcripted undergraduate preparation may be required to take undergraduate prerequisite courses as specified prior to Regular Admission to the M.S. in Graphic Design program, but the undergraduate transcripted program in graphic design or graphic design-related fields must be substantially complete for any admission to a graduate program to be possible.

Aspiring candidates must show a portfolio of professional-quality graphic design work, and demonstrate by the results of the Software Proficiency Exam (if deemed necessary by the Admissions Committee) that they are capable of using typical graphic design software.

-GRE Requirement: If the applicant has not taken the GRE examination, make arrangements to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and have the scores directed to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies. Students lacking the GRE examination can receive only provisional admission. Master of Science applicants must take the Graduate Record Examination for regular admission, which requires the following scores:  A verbal score of 146 or more and a quantitative score of 140 or more, or one of these scores on either section and a score of 2.5 on the writing assessment of the GRE General Examination, is required for most graduate programs. The verbal and quantitative scores will not be combined. Departments may exercise discretion for students who score below the ranges. Students will be allowed to register for graduate classes for one semester or summer session without having the test score on file. Students in an M.S. program who have not obtained the necessary score on the G.R.E. after two attempts may, with the permission of the Chair of the Department of Art, take ART 6507  - Research Topics in Art History: Artists, or ART 6508 Research Topics in Art History: Periods or Styles  successfully in lieu of the G.R.E. score requirement, or present an acceptable grade for having taken one of these courses.

-Students seeking to use the M.S. for higher classification of a K-12 teaching license should contact the Graduate Coordinator for Art for information.

-Students interested in the Master of Science in Graphic Design degree should complete the online application for Graduate Admission at the following website: https://www.mc.edu/application/. All admission documents should be sent to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies (Box 4067, Clinton, MS 39058).

-Enclose a $35.00 application fee.

-Have one official copy of all transcripts sent directly to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies (Box 4067, Clinton, MS 39058).

-For the MS in Graphic Design the applicant should supply a portfolio of professional-quality work in graphic design showing proficiency and accomplishment in graphic design. The portfolio should consist of a t least 20 images. The applicant may send 20 digital images to the Mississippi College Department of Art by email, or in a CD of 20 digital images of artworks, or a printed portfolio of 20 images may be sent. This portfolio must be approved by appointed graduate art faculty for the applicant to receive admission.

-Submit a resume.

-Submit a formal statement of intent of at least 500 words setting forth a personal philosophy and professional objectives for the degree. The statement may be sent in digital word-processing format to the Mississippi College Department of Art by email, or supplied to the Department in printed form.

-Complete an interview with the Graduate Graphic Design Coordinator and the Graduate Admissions Committee for Graphic Design as designated by the Chair of the Art Department.