Prepare for a Career in Communication Design with Master's Degree or Accelerated Dual Degree at Kutztown University

KUTZTOWN, Pa – Kutztown University has updated its degrees in Communication Design to meet the needs of today's students, including an accelerated dual degree and a fully online graduate program.

The accelerated dual degree, or 4+1, in Communication Design at Kutztown University allows students to earn both the Bachelor of Fine Arts and the Master of Arts in Communication Design in just five years. This streamlined pathway is designed for motivated students who want to graduate with advanced credentials while maintaining academic and professional momentum.

The accelerated program allows students to transition seamlessly from undergraduate to graduate study. After earning their B.F.A., students complete the M.A., fully online, allowing them to begin a full-time career while advancing their education. This flexible structure eliminates the need to pause professional growth and makes it possible to immediately apply graduate-level learning in real-world settings.

Students choose Kutztown University for their dual degrees in communication design for the cost-effective two-degree pathway, strong portfolio and career outcomes, 100% online master's flexibility, and expert faculty and industry networking.

The standalone Master of Arts in Communication Design, for those who have already completed a bachelor's, is built to fit the schedule of working professionals. Kutztown University is the only institution in Pennsylvania to offer a master's in communication design, making this program a distinctive opportunity for aspiring graphic designers or seasoned professionals looking to become leaders in the field of design. The program offers working professionals and ambitious undergraduates two flexible pathways while delivering advanced design skills, leadership preparation and graduate-level portfolio development.

The MA in Communication Design is open to any graduate with a BFA or a similar design degree, can be completed in as few as three semesters and is a 30-credit, fully online program.

Designed with professional advancement in mind, the accelerated B.F.A. and M.A. in Communication Design strengthens strategic thinking, creative leadership and long-term career potential. Students move beyond producing visually appealing work and begin operating as strategic communication designers. Graduate coursework emphasizes research, audience analysis and purposeful problem-solving, ensuring that every project is visually compelling and conceptually rigorous.

Interested students must complete the standard Kutztown University application. Students interested in the accelerated Master of Arts in Communication Design pathway must meet eligibility requirements for provisional acceptance. Eligible students may take up to 12 graduate credits during their senior year that count toward both the B.F.A. and M.A. degrees. Formal admission into the M.A. program occurs after successful completion of the B.F.A. and all graduate admission requirements.

Questions can be directed to the Department of Art and Design at 610-683-4530 or traylor@kutztown.edu.