Art and Design for Social Impact MA

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The MA in Art and Design for Social Impact underscores the critical function of design in helping to address complex social issues. Working with a diverse range of community partners and social justice advocacy groups, students develop a better understanding of design’s pivotal role in generating positive social change. Students learn the value of an integrative and interdisciplinary design practice that encourages critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration-empowering a new generation of designers to become more active members of their community.

Required Core (21 credits)

ART 510LAB - Platform Social Design Studio I Credits: 3
taken as 2 sections of same course, 3 credits each, 6 credits total
ART 511LAB - Platform Social Design Studio II Credits: 3
taken as 2 sections of same course, 3 credits each, 6 credits total
ART 599TUT - First Year Grad Research Credits: 1 - 8 (3 credits)
VS 505SEM - Tactics of Praxis Credits: 3
VS 521SEM - Intro to Critical Theory Credits: 3

Elective Courses (6 credits)

Select 2 from:

(or another graduate elective, with approval from the program director)

COM 540SEM - Persuasion and Social Influence Credits: 3
COM 629SEM - Top: Credits: 3
COM 629 Course Title: Entertainment Education for Health Promotion and Social Change
COM 673SEM - Special Topics Credits: 3
COM 673 Course Title: Narrative Persuasion
COM 682SEM - Special Topics Credits: 3
COM 682 Course Title: Audience Analysis and Program Evaluation

Art Elective Courses (3 credits)

Select 1 from:

(or another graduate elective, with approval from the program director)

ART 502LAB - Tactical Media Credits: 3
ART 525LAB - Interactive Art & Design Credits: 3
ART 562LAB - Installation: Urban Space Credits: 3
ART 564LAB - Biological Art Credits: 3
ART 573LAB - Performative Action Credits: 3
ART 576LAB - Topics in Print Media Credits: 1 - 3
ART 589LAB - Real-Space Electronic Art Credits: 3
DMS 518LEC - Special Topics Credits: 3
DMS 518 Course Title: Emerging Technologies
DMS 555LEC - Special Topics Credits: 4
DMS 555 Course Title: Green Media
DMS 562SEM - Game Design Credits: 3
DMS 563SEM - Electronic Literature Credits: 3
DMS 603LEC - Special Topics Credits: 4
DMS 603 Course Title: Plasma
MGM 670LEC - Advertising & Promotion Credits: 3
VS 525LAB - Designed Play Credits: 3
VS 550SEM - Art & Psychoanalysis Credits: 3

Culminating Experience

Completed in required course, ART 599.

Total Credit Hours: 30

3.0 Degree GPA required

Instruction Method

In Person (100 percent of courses offered in person)

Full/Part Time Options

Full Time

Credits Required

30 Hours

Time-To-Degree

1 Year

Application Fee

$75

Program Contact

Catherine Gaston
832 Clemens Hall
Buffalo, NY 14260
Email: cgaston@buffalo.edu
Phone: 716-645-9042

SED Statement

This program is officially registered with the New York State Education Department (SED).

Online programs/courses may require students to come to campus on occasion. Time-to-degree and number of credit hours may vary based on full/part time status, degree, track and/or certification option chosen. Time-to-degree is based on calendar year(s). Contact the department for details.