Pursue Advanced Design Research at UC Davis
The two-year MFA Design program offers students space to explore and experiment, as well as teaching and funding opportunities.
The two-year MFA in Design at the University of California, Davis encourages interdisciplinary, research-driven work from students who have access to the extensive resources of a top-tier public university. The curriculum supports individual creative and scholarly practices while guiding graduates through core courses taken with their cohort.
The program culminates in a public exhibition at the Manetti Shrem Museum, along with a thesis presentation and written document archived by the department. Students engage with leading designers and scholars through events such as the Alberini Family Lecture Series and the Research in Design Lecture Series, and they receive mentorship and funding to present work at major conferences and exhibitions.
The MFA offers numerous Teaching Assistant and Graduate Student Researcher positions that cover tuition and health insurance for applicants who meet the January 15, 2026, priority deadline. Additional highlights include state-of-the-art makerspaces, shops, labs, critique and studio spaces; travel and production support; interdisciplinary opportunities across campus; and an active faculty.
UC Davis is ranked first in the United States for campus sustainability (UI Green Metric, 2024), first in diversity, inclusiveness, and internationalization (QS University Rankings, 2021), and ninth among the nation’s top public universities (U.S. News & World Report, 2026).
Our graduates pursue a wide range of careers within and beyond design. Recent alumni have secured tenure-track faculty roles at universities around the world and positions at major museums, technology companies, and research-driven design organizations.
Priority deadline for fellowship consideration: January 15, 2026
Rolling deadline, space permitting: April 1, 2026
To learn more and apply, visit arts.ucdavis.edu.
Please email any questions to the Graduate Program Coordinator, Rachelle Agundes: ragundes@ucdavis.edu.
