About the Program
Learn More About the Program
The M.F.A. in Design at UC Davis is a two-year program that encourages interdisciplinary approaches through research and practice aligning with social and environmental responsibility. We offer graduate students a unique opportunity to work with faculty in the Department of Design and across departments in one of the nation’s top public research universities. Design faculty expertise includes design theory, exhibition, fashion, history, information, interactivity, interior architecture, immersion, lighting, product, textiles, time-based, visual communication, wearables, and more. Students are encouraged to build connections across campus to expand perspectives and deepen understandings. Students’ progress through core courses alongside their cohort members while advancing their individual research. Core courses are augmented by graduate-level independent and group studies and upper-division undergraduate level electives. The M.F.A. program culminates in a written- and project-based thesis publicized in a major graduate exhibition. The program is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion and public engagement.
College of Letters and Science
Admissions and Fellowship Information
Space Available: Apr 1, 2026
Continuing Student Fellowship: Jan 15, 2026
Admissions Actions
Program Contact Information
Primary Program Contacts
    Program Coordinator
 Rachelle Agundes
    
ragundes@ucdavis.edu
  
    Department Chair
 Simon Sadler
    
(530) 752-2004 | sjsadler@ucdavis.edu
  
    Graduate Program Chair
 Brett Snyder
    
blsnyder@ucdavis.edu
  
Additional Contacts
    Advisor: Admissions and General
 Brett Snyder
    
Design 
blsnyder@ucdavis.edu
  
    Advisor: Admissions and General
 Jiayi Young
    
Design 
jdyoung@ucdavis.edu
  
    Internal Fellowship Analyst
 Heidi West
    
(530) 754-9473 | hewest@ucdavis.edu
  
    Senior Academic Advisor
 Brittney Solar
    
bsolar@ucdavis.edu
  
