Art (MFA)
Visual Communication Emphasis
Explore the dynamic connection between business and design, developing the skills to create designs that captivate, inspire and drive transformative innovation and impact in the marketplace.
- Offered Hybrid Online and Face-to-Face in Dallas.
- 3 years
- 60 credit hours
- Thesis Exhibition with Support Paper
- No foreign language credits required
Revolutionize the Design Industry
Earn your MFA in Visual Communication and transform your career in the design industry. This innovative program blends advanced design techniques with strategic business acumen, preparing you to lead and innovate in today's fast-evolving creative economy. Specialize in areas like digital media, branding or product design, and hone the skills to drive meaningful change and leave a lasting impact on the global market. Learn how you can shape the future of design with this cutting-edge degree.
You still have time to apply to Graduate School!
The graduate spring flex term begins January 29, 2026.
$500/Semester Quick Start Grant
You may be eligible for this renewable $250 or $500 grant if you are a new student starting your master’s degree program in Spring 2026.
Program Details
Our program blends advanced design expertise with strategic insight and aims to prepare you for leadership roles in the creative industry and education.
What Might I Learn?
You will have the opportunity to gain experience in a number of key areas.
Develop Critical and Creative Skills
Enhance critical thinking and creative strategies to solve complex visual communication challenges.
Master Business and Leadership Practices
Learn innovative business practices, workforce leadership and effective product marketing strategies.
Prepare for Academic Roles
Study pedagogical theories and techniques to gain the skills needed to teach visual communication at the college level.
Address Contemporary Issues Through Art
Complete a Capstone MFA Exhibition that explores and addresses an issue of social, educational, environmental or economic significance.
Taking Classes
Designed for current educators and working professionals, we offer courses in the evening to fit your schedule. First-semester students take courses two nights per week. Courses are offered at the new East Texas A&M University-Dallas location.
Please check the schedule of classes for course locations and times, which are subject to change.
Curriculum
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Art with an emphasis in Visual Communication is a terminal degree designed for individuals seeking advanced expertise in visual communication and design. This program focuses on developing students’ creative, conceptual and technical skills while fostering research, critical thinking and professional practices. Students engage in a rigorous curriculum that includes design theory, visual storytelling, branding and interactive media. With opportunities for hands-on projects, collaboration and critique, the program has been crafted to prepare graduates for careers in academia, creative industries or independent practice.
Finding My Community
We believe that education thrives in an environment where collaboration, support and mutual respect flourish. Our community of students and professors embodies these values, creating an enriching and dynamic atmosphere for learning and growth. Our students come from a variety of backgrounds and bring a wide range of experiences and perspectives to the table. Our professors are not only experts in their respective fields but also dedicated mentors who are committed to guiding and nurturing the next generation of scholars.
Veronica Vaughan
Faculty
Casey McGarr
Faculty
Financing My Future
Financial Aid
Financial aid includes a variety of programs, like scholarships, federal and state grants, and federal and state work-study programs. Find out how you may be eligible for scholarships, grants, loans and/or a graduate assistantship. Financial Aid and Scholarships
On-Campus Employment Opportunities
Enhance your expertise through on-campus employment opportunities.
Graduate Assistant/Research/Teaching
Graduate assistant teaching (GAT), graduate assistant research (GAR), and graduate assistant non-teaching (GANT) assistantships at East Texas A&M offer financial support and professional development for graduate students. Assistantships are available in academic and non-academic departments.
Cost Before Financial Aid
East Texas A&M is one of the most affordable colleges around the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Our tuition rates are some of the most competitive in Texas.
$3,669
for Texas residents
/
$7,341
For non-residents
Tuition and fees for graduate students taking nine credit hours are $3,669 for Texas residents and $7,341 for non-residents. But don’t worry: there are
Additional Fees May Apply
- Online Courses ($50 per hour)
- Remote Locations ($20 per hour)
- Lab Fees ($5 – $30 per course)
How Do I Get Started?
If you have not already done so, complete the Request Information form. You will be connected with your enrollment specialist, who can answer your questions. When you’re ready, go ahead and follow the steps below to apply.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, you must first meet the following criteria.
- GPA minimum 2.5
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
Admission Process
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Pay the $50 application fee.
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- Within two business days of your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accepts evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
First page should include the applicant's name.
- • Portfolio should contain 10-15 images.
- • One image per page that also contains:
- A description or design rationale
- Client(if appropriate)
- Medium-how piece was produced
- Involvement. For example, what part did you play in the production of the piece: designer, copywriter, etc?
- Date
- Portfolio pieces should be reflective of your understanding and comprehension of design.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
No more than one page. Please address your interest in the program and your goals for your education and career.
RECOMMENDATION LETTER: Please note that only one letter of recommendation is required; you may submit up to three letters of recommendation if you'd likeletterhead from a professional who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. That individual should:
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
Deadlines
Fall admission consideration: May 15
Spring admission consideration: October 15
Summer admission consideration: March 15
Applicants must have a completed admissions file by May 10 for fall consideration.
- Create an account or login if you already have one
- Complete your profile section first once you log into your account
- Select “School Search” and select East Texas A&M
- Choose the semester you wish to begin
- Pay the $75 application fee
Wait to receive an application confirmation email before proceeding to the next step.
- After you submit your application, the Graduate School will send a confirmation email within two business days to the personal email account you used for ApplyTexas.
Submit the following documents after you receive an application confirmation email.
- Upload your documents at myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores or email your documents to your graduate coordinator unless otherwise specified below.
Your Graduate Coordinator
Contact your previous institution(s) and request that they send your official transcripts to your graduate coordinator.
- We recommend that you request transcripts for all of your academic work.
If your institution is unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
East Texas A&M University
Attn: Graduate School
PO Box 3011
Commerce, Texas 75429-3011
We will need official/original documents. If those documents are the only copies you have, the Graduate School can mail them back to you upon request. Contact your graduate coordinator for more information.
All international transcripts must be evaluated and the evaluation submitted to the Graduate School.
We accept evaluations sent directly from the following Agencies.
- If a normal evaluation is submitted, official original transcripts with all marksheets will still need to be submitted.
- If a WES ICAP or equivalent is submitted, we will not need the official transcripts to be submitted separately.
Describe your preparation for graduate work, your academic interests, and goals in no more than 500 words. Please mention why you are applying for the MFA program.
Submit a resume or curriculum vitae (CV) which includes your academic and professional history and achievements.
Provide the following material;
- 20 images, clearly labeled with your name, title of piece, medium, dimensions and date completed
- Examples of sites for building a portfolio include Squarespace.com and Blogger.com
Send portfolio to the Graduate School and Veronica Vaughan, Graduate Program Coordinator.
Request one signed letter of recommendation on letterhead from a professional who can attest to your goals and ability to succeed in the program. That individual should:
- Email the letter to your graduate coordinator or
- Send the letter to you. Then, you will utilize the upload system: myLeo > Apps > Check Admissions Application Status & Test Scores
If you are unable to submit a digital copy, hard copies may be mailed to:
Texas A&M University-Commerce
Attn: Graduate School
2600 S. Neal St.
Commerce Texas 75428
Submit these documents to the Office of International Programs once you have been admitted
- Official sponsor statement
- Bank statement from the sponsor with a balance of at least $26,025 USD which is less than 1 year old
See the Office of International Program's “Confirmation of Financial Resource” for more details.
You do not need to submit test scores if you have completed (all years) of a bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited university in the United States.
Request that your scores from one of the following be sent to East Texas A&M University:
- TOEFL (Minimum Scores: IBT 79, or CBT 213, or PBT 550)
- IELTS (Minimum Score: 6.00 band overall)
- PTE (Minimum Score: 53 overall or higher)
- Duo Lingo (Minimum Score: 105)
*Scores must be less than two years old.
Review the Application Packet for more information.
Look for application updates in myLeo > Apps > Check Application Status
- Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email to your student email account at myLeo > Apps > Leomail.
- Apply for scholarships and graduate assistantships once you are admitted.
- Apply for financial aid by submitting a FAFSA and sending it to school code 003565.
- Contact your financial aid advisor with any questions.
Once registration opens and you are eligible to enroll, your graduate enrollment specialist will contact you to complete registration.
- View your degree plan in DegreeWorks.
- To register for classes, go to myLeo > Student Resources > Registration Menu.
Contact your graduate enrollment specialist if you have any questions regarding your degree plan and registration.
Your Graduate Enrollment Specialist
I Still Have Questions
We are here to help! Send us an email. We can answer your questions and assist you in the application process.
Contact the Department
- Department of Art
- 214-954-3636
- [email protected]