During its bicentennial year, Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is launching five new academic programs that respond to contemporary, creative practice and evolving workforce needs. Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs in Film & Video and Game Design, Bachelor of Design (BDes) programs in Interior Design and User Experience Design, and an online Master of Art (MA) in Graphic Design will begin in fall 2026.
Preparing Creatives for Media Industries
The Film & Video and Game Design programs are both currently academic minors. With the elevation to majors, these programs will expand opportunities for students to explore contemporary storytelling, interactive media, and emerging creative technologies. Students will take their courses in the Film Centre, a collaborative media arts facility that brings together filmmakers, game designers, interactive artists, animators, and sound artists.
"At MICA, we marry the fundamental creative concepts of art and design with the possibilities of leading edge media technologies. The Film Centre serves as a convergent media hub that pulls together the College’s film, game design, and interactive arts,” said Eric Freedman, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “MICA is building a creative ecosystem that mirrors the industrial ecosystem that students will experience throughout their careers."
The Film & Video BFA combines hands-on production training with historical and critical study of the moving image. Students work across fiction, documentary, and experimental media while learning the full filmmaking process, from writing and directing to cinematography, sound design, and editing.
The Game Design BFA provides students with comprehensive education and hands-on experience in contemporary game development. Through studio-based coursework and projects, students learn to design games using narrative, visual design, sound, and programming to create immersive interactive experiences.
Offering a New Degree for Design-Centered Learning
MICA has created a significant addition to undergraduate academics with a new degree–the Bachelor of Design–that builds on its existing strength in professionally aligned, expert design education. The first two programs with the degree will be Interior Design and User Experience Design.
The BDes in Interior Design is offered as an online degree or as a residential, in-person degree. Grounded in research and creative inquiry, the BDes Interior Design aligns with nationally recognized NCIDQ certification, which is considered the foremost industry credential for interior designers. Designed to prepare students for contemporary interior design practice, the program integrates studio-based creative exploration with instruction in space planning, materials and textiles, lighting, building systems, codes, construction documents, and professional practice. "The curriculum balances creative exploration with professional practice, challenging students to generate innovative design solutions for interior environments while developing the skills to implement, manage, and deliver interior projects” says Matthew Swiertz, NCIDQ certified Interior Design faculty and designer.
The fully online Bachelor of Design (BDes) in UX Design, is designed for transfer students and adult learners who want to build a professional career in UX. For years, designers from around the world have come to MICA for our graduate MPS in UX Design. The new BDes expands that legacy by creating an accessible pathway for students earlier in their design journey.
“UX design sits at the intersection of creativity, technology, and human behavior,” Dr. Douglas Barkey, executive director of professional programs in the School of Creative and Professional Studies. “This program builds on MICA’s strengths in art and design education while preparing students to create meaningful digital experiences that serve real human needs.”
Adding a New Modality for Graduate Graphic Design Education
Well known for its residential graphic design programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, MICA is now offering an online Master of Arts in Graphic Design. Flexible and fully asynchronous, the program offers an intensive, concept-driven immersion in graphic design, without any interruption to work commitments. Courses emphasize individualized feedback, community and collaboration that mirror the critique-driven culture of MICA’s residential programs.
In the 18-month program, students will be part of a dedicated cohort, allowing the opportunity for connection with fellow students and faculty. Courses are taken one at a time in eight-week sessions that encourage immersion in graphic design while balancing professional and personal commitments.
About MICA
The launch of new programs at MICA demonstrates the 200-year-old college’s commitment to art and design education and its forward-thinking approach to the future. Founded in 1826, the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is the nation’s oldest, independent, continuous degree-granting college of art and design. MICA combines a fine arts foundation with the liberal arts and real-world experiences to graduate students who are committed to strengthening the creative economy in Baltimore and beyond.
