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Academics • College of Art

MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture

Build your illustration practice at a top research university in a vibrant, creative city.

The MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture (MFA-IVC) program combines studio practice in illustration and writing with the study of visual and material culture. With a focus on illustrator authorship, this two-year, fully residential program is made for illustrators, comic artists, and designers who are interested in popular visual matter of the modern and contemporary periods. We draw on the vast resources of Washington University, including the Dowd Illustration Research Archive.

Headshot of John Hendrix

John Hendrix

Chair, MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture | Kenneth E. Hudson Professor of Art

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Admissions Events

MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture Program at a Glance

Program Length

  • 2 years
  • 60 credits

Scholarships and Financial Aid

  • Full and partial tuition scholarships
  • Fellowships
  • Paid assistantships
  • Loans

Facilities and Shops

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Explore our Making Spaces

MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture Curriculum

The MFA-IVC curriculum is designed to help students find their voice, discover a conceptual home for their work, frame their practice, and build an audience.

Courses are taught by faculty who are leading illustrators, writers, and scholars. They create picture books, zines, graphic nonfiction, and comics. They research and write on diverse topics, like spatial justice, feminism, politics, illustration + design theory, and material culture. And, they love teaching.

Core program faculty:

  • John Hendrix, chair
  • D.B. Dowd
  • Heidi Kolk
  • Shreyas R Krishnan
  • Dan Zettwoch
  • Ed Kinsella III

See the full curriculum.

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The MFA-IVC thesis project defines a professional orientation in the practice, criticism, and curation of illustration and cartooning today. Thesis projects have both a studio component and a critical component, drawing on a student’s creative work and the cultural archive as zones of investigation and achievement.

Thesis Projects

Socially Engaged Practice and Research Opportunities

Person looks at original golden age illustration in her hands. Library stacks with periodicals can be seen behind them.

Office for Socially Engaged Practice

MFA-IVC students can participate in a wide variety of courses, fellowships, workshops, projects, and programming offered through the Sam Fox School’s Office for Socially Engaged Practice during the academic year and summer months that meaningfully engage in community-driven work.

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WashU Libraries Special Collections

Through a partnership with WashU Libraries’ Special Collections, MFA-IVC students can engage in research, curatorial practice, and exhibition opportunities in the Dowd Illustration Research Archive and at the John M. Olin Library.

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Career Successes for MFA-IVC Graduates

Several illustrated books on display on a fireplace mantel

Recent graduates from the MFA-IVC program have found success in many areas across the illustration industry including publishing, studios, scholarship, and teaching.

Publications

  • Danielle Ridolfi, MFA ‘23, When the Dark Clouds Come (2025). Harper Collins/Quill Tree Books
  • Stephen Barany, MFA '22, Alphabet Parade: An Alliterative Alphabet Adventure (2026).
  • J. Marshall Smith, MFA '21, Testament (2025). Bulgihan Press.

Teaching

  • Jeffrey Johnson, MFA '24, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, Culver Stockton College
  • Henry Uhrik, MFA '22, Assistant Professor of Practice, University of Utah
  • Madeline Valentine, MFA '21, Assistant Professor of Digital Illustration, Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University

Recognition

  • Cora Trout, MFA '24, Lewis E. Atherton Prize for an outstanding master’s thesis on Missouri history, State Historical Society of Missouri, 2024
  • Noah Jodice, MFA '22, ICON13 Board, PR & Communications Chair; Silver Medal, Society of Illustrators 67th Annual Show
  • Kruttika Susarla, MFA '22, Gold Medal, Society of Illustrators 67th Annual Show

Studio Work

  • Shumyle Haider, MFA '23, Founder, Principal of Moji Studio
  • Taylor Dow, MFA '21, Art Director and Designer, Titmouse, Inc., Los Angeles

Learn more about career advising and our alumni.

I finally realized this program is about finding your fellow travelers—whether they lived 100 years ago or sit at the desk across from yours. Cultivating a unique voice comes from the people and material we surround ourselves with every day.

— James Palmer, Jr., Class of 2027

MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture Scholarships & Financial Aid

94% of Graduate Students Receive Support

Full and significant tuition scholarships and fellowships are available in recognition of academic achievement, area of interest, experience, and leadership potential.

Paid Assistantships

Graduate students are eligible for paid teaching or research assistantships, which are typically awarded to students who have been in the school for at least one semester and have done well academically.

MFA-IVC Admissions Requirements

Illustrators, comic artists, and designers with a BFA or equivalent academic preparation are welcome to apply. Applicants are not required to submit GRE scores for admission. Connect with a graduate recruitment specialist for any questions about applying.

MFA-IVC Application

Application opens

September 1

Application fee starts

December 15

Application due

January 10

Materials required

  • Curriculum vitae
  • Academic transcripts
  • Statement of objectives
  • Writing sample
  • Portfolio
  • References
  • Demonstration of English proficiency (international students only)
  • Application fee (free through December 14)
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Roy Uptain

Graduate Recruitment Specialist, Art

Preparing your MFA-IVC Portfolio and Writing Sample

Students are asked to submit a digital portfolio showing 12-20 examples of work, including illustrations, prints, artist’s books, collage images, drawings, sketchbook pages, comics, GIFs, videos, and/or samples of time-based media that best represent their work and visual voice. For more information about putting together your portfolio and expository writing sample, visit the admissions page, attend an upcoming virtual event, or reach out to us.

As you put together your portfolio, get inspiration from the work of our MFA in Illustration & Visual Culture students.

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