151 Fine Arts and Illustration Master's Degree Programs in USA

The Master of Fine Arts Program will challenge and support independently motivated artists in their intellectual, philosophical, and artistic development. The graduate program encourages lifelong learning, career success, and community involvement.

The MFA in Illustration provides the skills to develop portfolios with samples in Children’s Book, Editorial, Licensing, Package Illustration, Concept Art, Book Covers, Preliminary Art, Advertising, or Institutional Art portfolios. Both representational and stylistic approaches for print and or web are taught. Students graduate with a portfolio created in a personal style and medium of choice that is market appropriate.

International training in Concept Art and Illustration with a dual USA–Spain degree. Learn to design characters, environments, and props for film, video games, and comics, mastering Photoshop and advanced techniques in composition, color, and visual storytelling.

The Master of Fine Art program provides students a framework for advanced study in drawing and painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Students are focused on technical and conceptual development in figurative, abstract, or landscape work. The School of Fine Art provides graduate students with studio space, exhibition galleries, and world-class facilities.

The MFA Jewelry & Metal Arts program emphasizes advanced studio coursework and thesis concept development. Students focus on mastering fabrication and casting skills, learning digital techniques, and exploring cross-cultural themes before embarking on individual Directed Study/thesis paths leading to a visually powerful and conceptually cohesive professional portfolio.

The MFA in Art Education equips you to inspire through art. Develop advanced creative, teaching, and curriculum design skills while mastering visual literacy, educational theory, and diverse learner needs. Graduate ready to lead as both an artist and educator.

Imagine worlds, create unforgettable characters, and take your ideas beyond physical limits: with the Master’s in Digital Art you’ll transform your passion into an international career in film, video games, comics, and entertainment.

The Visual Development MFA program provides advanced coursework in still life painting, figure drawing, character design, concept painting, layout design for animation, and other core skills of professional visual developers. The goal of each graduate student is the completion of a signature thesis book showcasing design work for a story-based project.

Dive deeper into your examination of glass as you develop your artistic expression through research, experimentation, and in-depth critiques.

At Emerson College, we recognize that writing is your passion. Our on-campus MFA in Creative Writing emphasizes both the craft of writing and its literary foundations. By graduation, you'll have completed a professional thesis—be it a novel or excerpt, nonfiction book or excerpt, or a collection of poems, short stories, or essays—ready for agents, publishers, or digital publication. Housed in the Department of Writing, Literature, and Publishing within the School of the Arts, our program features an exceptional faculty and is home to two award-winning literary journals, offering strong connections to the Boston publishing community. Pursue your passion by choosing from genres like literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry, while exploring writing as both an art form and a professional career.

The MFA in Animation & Visual Effects program focuses on developing skills in any one of the many areas of expertise within the animation and visual effects industry. The program educates students in all aspects of animation and visual effects, from ideation to post-production. Communication, collaboration, and time management skills are emphasized throughout the program to ensure graduates are acclimated to the intense professional culture that awaits them.

Boost your creativity in the world of 3D Graphic Design with an international master’s degree (USA–Spain) that combines digital art, technology, and professional practice to train designers ready for film, video games, and global advertising.

Emerson College’s on-campus MFA in Film and Media Art equips you with the skills to explore narrative film, documentary, experimental media, installation art, and interactive media. Collaborating with a diverse group of students and faculty on our Boston campus, you will enhance your knowledge of film, audio, video, and interactive media production. The program encourages you to use image and sound to challenge, inform, entertain, and persuade through both traditional and emerging media forms. Housed in the Department of Visual and Media Arts within the School of the Arts, this program offers three distinct entry points based on your experience and ranges from two to three years in length. This flexibility allows students from various backgrounds to inspire each other’s artistic growth. Upon admission, we will work with you to develop a personalized study plan aligned with your professional and educational goals.

The MH in Art & Visual Media is a 30-credit, fully online (asynchronous) master's program that develops visual literacy, critical analysis, and teaching skills for careers in arts administration, teaching, and further graduate study. Courses run in 7- or 14-week terms and sessions start in January, May and August.

Emerson College’s MFA in Popular Fiction Writing and Publishing is one of the first online, asynchronous programs designed to help students craft professional-level stories and novels. We welcome writers from various genres, including fantasy, science fiction, romance, horror, mystery, thrillers, and young adult fiction. Housed in the Department of Writing, Literature, and Publishing within the School of the Arts, our flexible program enables you to hone your writing skills from anywhere in the world. With online workshops, literature seminars, and publishing courses, you can improve your craft, explore genre history, and learn the steps to publish your work.