MFA in Design

Virtual open house UC Davis Graduate Program in Design: December 4, 2–3pm PST. RSVP here.

Please join us for a virtual open house to learn more about the UC Davis Graduate Program in Design. This two-year program encourages an interdisciplinary research-based approach, allowing students to benefit from the extensive resources available at a top-tier public research university. Our curriculum guides students in developing their research and creative practices, focusing on contemporary issues related to design in history, theory, and practice. Through a series of carefully designed core courses, students progress with their cohort while simultaneously advancing their individual thesis work.

The MFA program culminates in a widely publicized graduate exhibition hosted at the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art and a final thesis presentation and written version which is included in a thesis archive. During their time in the program, students are exposed to thought leaders in design through events such as the Alberini Family Lecture Series, the Research in Design Lecture Series, and other events. Graduate students are also supported in their efforts through mentorship and grants to present their thesis work at internationally recognized conferences and exhibitions.

The Design MFA offers a generous number of Teaching Assistant (TA) and Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions that cover tuition and health insurance (for candidates applying by the January 15, 2027 priority deadline). Some highlights of the program include state-of-the-art makerspace, shops, labs, critique and studio spaces; travel and production stipends and fellowships; interdisciplinary learning across the university; deeply engaged and highly active faculty; and teaching opportunities.

UC Davis was named the most sustainable University in North America for the eleventh year and seventh in the world by UI GreenMetric World University rankings (2026). It is ranked first in the nation for diversity, inclusiveness, and internationalization by QS University Rankings (2021), and is ranked eighth among the nation’s top public universities by US News and World Reports (2026).

The program's expansive scope is evident in the wide array of career paths graduates pursue after completing their studies. These paths encompass roles both within and outside the design industry. Several recent graduates have secured tenure-track positions at universities worldwide while others have embarked on careers at top tier museums, or in technology related fields, as well as at leading research and design related organizations.

Please email any further questions to the Graduate Program Coordinator, Rachelle Agundes: ragundes [​at​] ucdavis.edu.