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Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Generate new knowledge that contributes to the advancement of health, healthcare and nursing science.
2. Disseminate advances in scientific knowledge.
3. Use collaborative, interdisciplinary and innovative approaches to advance nursing science.
4. Assume leadership roles in healthcare and education as researchers, educators and advanced clinicians.
5. Synthesize and translate evidence for implementation and dissemination for evidence-based quality healthcare outcomes to all populations.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Active, unrestricted U.S. registered nurse license (international students need to show proof of legal ability to practice as a registered nurse in country of origin)
• Bachelor's or master's degree in nursing or related field, or a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree, from an accredited program¹
• Minimum overall 3.000 graduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé or curriculum vitae
• Essay (two pages, single-spaced), see guidelines below
• Three letters of reference from health care professionals or academic faculty members who can speak to the applicant's professional and academic abilities (two of the three references from doctoral-prepared individuals are preferred)
• Interview
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score

¹

A bachelor's degree in a closely related health field may be considered if the applicant has a master's degree in nursing or a D.N.P. degree from an accredited program. A master's degree in a closely related field may be considered if the applicant has a bachelor's degree in nursing from an accredited program.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Guidelines for the Essay

• Applicants should begin their essay with "why" they are pursuing the Ph.D. degree in Nursing and "how" this degree will help them achieve their research and professional goals.
  • Introduce the population or phenomenon of interest that will be investigated.
• In the body of the essay, applicants should explain why they are interested in this population and/or phenomenon and how their work will impact or advance science in that area.
  • Consider including scientific gaps and significance in that area of research.
  • Elucidate the effect the research will have on the health outcomes of the proposed population or those affected by the phenomenon of interest.
  • Indicate how the work may reflect diversity, equity and inclusion in the area of research.
• In the closing paragraph, applicants should provide one to two key aspects of their research and propose ways to disseminate their scientific discovery.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: November 15 (international student) and March 1 (domestic student)

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted by these deadlines will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Roadmaps

Post-Baccalaureate Track

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Post-Master's Track

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this program. Students will work with their advisor to develop a sequence based on their academic goals and history. Courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

• Delivery:
  • Mostly online
• Location:
  • ����Թ� Campus

Full Description

As a terminal degree, the Master of Fine Arts degree in Visual Communication Design serves students with a strong undergraduate and/or professional experience in design who wish to advance into leadership roles. Classes have been developed to create an educational experience in design highlighted by field research methods, design thinking, and social innovation, augmented by practical university teaching experience.

The M.F.A. degree allows graduates to pursue careers in design education; they also stand out in the industry for their ability to solve problems from a research-based design perspective. The program offers individualized plans of study, experiential learning, design history and research. Interdisciplinary study is encouraged.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Undergraduate degree in design or closely related program
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate major GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Résumé
• Goal statement (starting with spring 2026 admission term, statement is no longer required)
• Autobiographical statement (250 words) (starting with spring 2026 admission term, statement is no longer required)
• Statement of intent is required starting with spring 2026 admission term addressing the following items:
  • Prior educational and work experiences
  • Future career objectives
  • Reasons for pursuing graduate study
  • Relevance of the above three items to this M.F.A. degree
• Portfolio¹
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 DET score

¹

For applicants without a visual communication design undergraduate degree, a portfolio may be defined as any creative, problem-solving endeavor. It may include drawing, painting, illustration, photography, web related solutions, interactions, writing or other types of solutions not listed here.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Application deadline: March 1
• Spring Semester
  • Application deadline: October 1

All application materials (including applicable fee, transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.) submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Develop leadership abilities necessary for success in the design industry or higher education.
2. Develop skills for collaborative engagement with strategic partners, team members and peers.
3. Develop deeper awareness of issues related to the cognitive, social, theoretical, cultural, technological, educational and economic contexts of design.
4. Develop understanding of design’s use as a strategic tool and medium for business and social applications, through the integration of practice and research.
5. Develop enhanced comprehension of design thinking, design process and metacognition.
6. Develop capabilities in the planning, application and synthesis of field research methods and their use in design process.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • ����Թ� Campus

National Association of Schools of Art and Design