Part-time & Graduate Enrollment Services
Medical Illustration MFA
Program overview
The MFA program in medical illustration enables students to exhibit critical and creative thinking and problem solving through the accurate translation of medical and scientific concepts into effective visual support for instruction or advertisement. Students utilize effective research techniques and demonstrate efficient use of time and resources during concept and development of projects to satisfy course assignments.
Curriculum
Medical illustration, MFA degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| ILLM-601 | Human Gross Anatomy | 6 |
| ILLM-602 | Anatomic Studies | 3 |
| ILLM-603 | 3D Modeling of Biomedical Forms | 3 |
| Choose one of the following Academic Studies Electives: | 3 | |
| HCIN-660 | Fundamentals of Instructional Technology | |
| HCIN-610 | Foundations of Human Computer Interactivity | |
| VCDE-711 | Design Theory and Methods | |
| ILLM-606 | 3D Animation of Biomedical Forms | 3 |
| ILLM-607 | Computer Applications in Medical Illustration | 3 |
| ILLM-608 | Scientific Visualization | 3 |
| ILLM-890 | Thesis | 1 |
| Studio Elective | 3 | |
| Science Elective | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| ILLM-615 | Interactive Media I | 3 |
| ILLM-612 | Surgical Illustration | 3 |
| Studio Electives | 6 | |
| ILLM-616 | Interactive Media II | 3 |
| ILLM-617 | Portfolio and Business Practices | 3 |
| ILLM-890 | Thesis | 9 |
| Graduate Elective | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 61 | |
Admission requirements
To be considered for admission to the MFA in medical illustration, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree in a field of the arts, sciences, or education from a regionally accredited college. The undergraduate degree should include studio art courses, one year of general or introductory biology (for biology majors), and a minimum of three advanced biology courses, such as vertebrate anatomy, physiology, neurobiology, cell biology, molecular biology, immunology, microbiology, genetics, developmental biology, or pathology.
- Demonstrate, through the quality of the undergraduate record and creative production, a genuine, professional potential,
- Demonstrate, through the submission of a portfolio, outstanding drawing skills, particularly the ability to draw subjects from direct observation.
- Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, and
- Complete a graduate application.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Minimum scores of 550 (paper-based) or 80 (Internet-based) are required. Scores from the International English Language Testing System may be submitted in place of the TOEFL. A minimum score of 6.5 is required. Those applicants coming from countries where the baccalaureate degree is not awarded for programs in the practice of art may be admitted to graduate study if the diploma or certificate received approximates the standards of the BFA, BA, or BS degrees, and if their academic records and portfolios indicate an ability to meet graduate standards.
Career Outcomes
Job TitlesIllustrator, medical media artist
FunctionsIllustration of many subjects, biological, production of medical visuals, medical research centers, textbook publishing, medical associations, pharmaceutical firms, law firms.
Recent EmployersSelf Magazine, Advocate Healthcare, Allison Legal Graphics, Design Pointe Communications, Boston University, Rodale Press