Define Your Future in Creative Leadership
UW-Stout's hybrid Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Design is more than a degree—it's your canvas to lead, inspire, and excite change. Blending practical problem-solving with a "change the world" ethos, you will have the opportunity to elevate your mastery of design and the flexibility to build expertise in a range of design-related disciplines. As a graduate, you'll have the credentials for a career in higher education as well as experience sufficient to prepare you for a wide range of professional positions in design and other creative industries.
National Reputation & Student Recognition
Students from our program frequently present their work in film festivals, exhibitions, competitions, and a variety of academic design conferences.
- Andrea White presented “The Phased Module Framework: Designing for Iteration, Accountability, and Mastery“ at the 2024 AIGA Design Educators Conference.
- Rebecca “Bex” Cermin was a Featured Designer at Omaha Fashion Week 2024.
- Melanie Graves's “Create” was included in Mastering Type (2nd Edition), published by Bloomsbury.
- Ashley Jandro won a Silver Pin for “MicroWhat?” at the 2025 Minnesota AdFed Awards.
- Kristen Protheroe had a piece selected for the Shortlist of the 2025 Communication Arts Illustration Annual.
Career-Defining Curriculum
Our flexible cross-disciplinary program allows you to blend your interests into a personalized education path. You'll work with our dedicated faculty to outline course offerings and independent projects the reinforce your areas of emphasis culminating with a creative thesis that showcases your artistry and professional expertise.
Program Overview
Program Focus Areas
- Animation & Digital Media
- Cinema, Video & Photography
- Experience Design
- Fashion Design & Development
- Game Design & Development
- Graphic Design & Interactive Media
- Illustration
- Industrial & Product Design
- Interactive Media
- Interior Design
- Sustainable Design
Fulfill Your Electives Earning a Professional Certificate
Use the Request Information form to connect with the program director and learn more about the Master of Fine Arts degree in Design.
Request Information
Hybrid On-Campus/Online Degree Model
Designed for today's creative professional, UW-Stout's M.F.A. Design operates on a hybrid model that maximizes flexibility without sacrificing design instruction. Core classes are offered during the evenings with a combination of on-campus and online meetings. Students can also enroll in on-campus studio courses and independent studies. This program does not offer a fully online experience.
UW-Stout's School of Art & Design is accredited by the National Association for Schools of Art and Design.
Industry-Experienced Faculty Instruction
At UW-Stout, your building close relationships with our industry-experienced and academically accomplished faculty will play a key role in your design education. Learn more about your future instructors!
Do More on Day One in Our Labs, Studios & Galleries
The School of Art & Design offers a variety of maker spaces. From cutting-edge digital tools to traditional materials and techniques, students can prototype and perfect their creative output. Every space is designed to foster discovery, ensuring students' journeys from concept to creation are rooted in hands-on learning. As students experiment and explore, they strengthen their design practices in ways that demonstrate next-level thinking and skills.
- Vicon Motion Capture Lab
- Photogrammetry Lab
- Green Screen Studio
- Recording Studios
- Photography Studios
- Editing Suites
- Wacom Digital Drawing & Sculpting Labs
- Game Design Central Studio
- Gaming & Digital Innovation Lab
- Digital Process Lab
- Materials & Process Lab
- Furlong Gallery
Portfolio of Student Work
Culminating Creative Thesis
As part of your M.F.A. Design, you'll complete a creative thesis comprising a project-based thesis accompanied by a written thesis report, public dissemination (i.e. exhibition), and a final oral presentation. Guided by your thesis advisor and committee, this culminating work will showcase your artistic mastery and personal growth as a design professional.
Recent Examples
- “A Thread Through History: How Interlinking Contemporary Art with Paj Ntaub Can Connect Generations,” Jackson Yang ('23)
- “Designing the Future: Diegetic Sculpture & Literary Adaptation in Speculative Fiction Cinema,” Jonathan Wheeler ('21)
- “Web-Based Media for Cross-Cultural Communication in Asynchronous Communication Among International Students at the University of Wisconsin–Stout,” Liang Wu ('20)
A Legacy of Graduate Success
Andrew Murphy ('18)
Head of Strategic Projects
Apple
Michelle Mailey Noben ('17)
Senior Manager, User Experience
Grainger
Dharshana Gopalakrishnan ('18)
Architectural Project Lead
Life Time
Since our inaugural graduate, our M.F.A. alumni have ascended as industry innovators, creative directors, and academic mentors, shaping the future of their respective fields. Their journey from Stout to success is a testament to the transformative education and hands-on experience that propels our graduates to excel and lead.
Select Recent Employers
- Apple
- DreamWorks Animation
- Edward Jones
- FigSplayz
- Grainger
- iNet
- Prime Therapeutics
- Ramsey Engler LTD
- Rouge Mocap
- Shutterfly
- Spectrum Brands
- Vancouver College of Art & Design
General UW-Stout Graduate School Application
All prospective graduate students at UW-Stout must follow a standard application process through our Graduate School. Beyond that, each graduate program has specific requirements that must be met to be successfully admitted to the program.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
To apply to the M.F.A. Design program, you will need to submit additional application materials through our SlideRoom account.
Visual Portfolio
Applicants must submit a 10-15 images or documents of creative/professional work, and brief written descriptions.
- No more than 5 motion/video images will be accepted (each no more than 3 minutes in length). External video links accepted.
All work must be created by you, the applicant. Failure to follow this rule will result in immediate rejection. If your work is the result of a group project, highlight the role you played in its creation within the written description list.
Written Statement of Interest
This 2-3 page statement should describe your goals for graduate study, your topics of interest for research and exploration, and should provide context for your work included in the visual portfolio. PDF preferred.
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Title your document with your last name (i.e. Nelson_CurriculumVitae.pdf). PDF preferred.
Candidate Recommendation Form
You need to submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your abilities or potential as a designer, creative practitioner, and graduate student.
All program application materials should be submitted digitally through SlideRoom.
Financial Aid & Support for the M.F.A. Design
Graduate Assistantships
A limited number of department-funded Graduate Assistant positions are available each year. They provide a monthly stipend with the requirement of 10 hours per week of departmental assistance in the classroom, technology labs, or offices. Both domestic and international applicants are eligible for Graduate Assistant positions.
To be fully considered, please apply by the priority deadline of April 1.
Advanced Opportunity Program
The Multicultural Student Services Offices offers the AOP with the intent to provide financial assistance to designated minority and disadvantaged graduate students.
Please visit the MSS website for more information.
Wisconsin GI Bill Benefits
The State of Wisconsin offers financial assistance to veterans and their family members.
Please contact our Office of Veteran Services for more information.
This is an example of a three-year course plan for a full-time student. This is not reflective of part-time study. Please review the Graduate Bulletin for the official program planner, credit requirements, and course descriptions. Please note that core courses are on a two-year rotation.
First Year (24 credits)
Fall Semester
- Design Seminar I (DES-700, 3 Credits) Core
- History of Design Seminar (ARTH-720, 3 Credits) Core
- DES-XXX (3 Credits) Focus Area
Spring Semester
- DES-730 Critical Issues in Design Education & Practice (3 Credits) Core
- DES-561 Transmedia Studio (3 Credits) Focus Area
- Focus Elective (3 Credits)
Summer Term
- Ethics in Design (DES-710, 3 Credits) Core
- Graduate Design Studio (DES-750, 3 Credits) Focus Area
Second Year (24 credits)
Fall Semester
- Visual Communication for Graduate Study (DES-701, 3 Credits) Focus Area
- Design Seminar 2 (DES-800, 3 Credits) Core
- Focus Elective (3 Credits)
Spring Semester
- Color Seminar (DES-524, 3 Credits) Focus Area
- Sustainable Design Practice (DES-712, 3 Credits) Core
- Research Strategies in Design (DES-725, 3 Credits) Core
Summer Term
- Sustainable Design II: Global Impact (DES-715, 3 Credits) Focus Area
- Graduate Design Studio (DES-750, 3 Credits) Focus Area
Third Year (12 Credits)
Fall Semester
- Creative Thesis in Design (DES-870, 3 Credits) Core
- Focus Elective (3 Credits)
Spring Semester
- Creative Thesis in Design (DES-870, 3 Credits) Core
- Creative Thesis in Design (DES-870, 3 Credits) Core
Advisory Committee Members
| Erik | Evensen | Professor, Department of Design | UW-Stout |
| Robert | Fraher | Professor; Program Director, Department of Design | UW-Stout |
| Julie | Peterson | Professor, Department of Design | UW-Stout |
| Wendy | Jedlicka | Senior Lecturer, Department of Design | UW-Stout |
| Seth | Berrier | Professor, Department of Mathematics, Statistics & Computer Science | UW-Stout |
| Shelley | Pecha | Professor, Department of Design | UW-Stout |
| Aaron | Durst | Professor, Department of Visual & Performing Arts | UW-Stout |
| Nicolette | Brehm | Assistant Professor | UW-Stout |
| Michelle | Mailey Noben | Senior Manager, UX Research & Measurement | Grainger |
| Terri | Stan | Instructor & Program Director, Graphic Design | Chippewa Valley Technical College |
| Matthew | Wigdahl | Assistant Professor | UW-Eau Claire |
| Jonathan | Wheeler | Assistant Professor, Department of Design | UW-Stout |
| Shannen | Jochim | Student Services Coordinator, Stout Online | UW-Stout |
Customized Tuition & Fees
UW-Stout degree programs using the all-inclusive customized instruction model are designed with the adult learner in mind. Other universities will present costs and value differently, so make sure you're comparing apples to apples. If you're comparing UW-Stout's online degree customized instruction (CI) tuition to our competitors, keep in mind:
- Customized instruction tuition rate includes the textbook rental fee.
- There are no additional or hidden university-based semester or technology fees.
- Students in customized instruction programs pay the same rate of tuition regardless of where you live--Wisconsin, California, Texas, or in a foreign country.
More Value for Your Money
Customized Instruction also provides:
- Program Director/Coordinator: Faculty with academic and industry expertise.
- Student Services Advisor: One point of contact, providing dedicated support throughout your degree program.
- Course Sequences & Matrices: Plan ahead with clear program outlines so you know what courses are offered when.
- Stackable Courses & Programs: Many of our courses and certificates can be applied to our degree programs.
- Flexibility: Courses are designed to offer the flexibility and convenience working professionals need to get ahead in their careers without sacrificing their current income and responsibilities.
