Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions we receive most often about the Exhibition and Experience Design MFA program. If you don't see your question answered, let us know.
What internship opportunities are there?
Applicants should submit one PDF document (20 pages max) of design work to include:
- Samples of drafting in AutoCad or Vectorworks
- Examples of proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite programs including Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop
- Examples of 3D digital rendering in 3D Studio Max, Sketchup, or other programs
Additional experience in sketching, hand rendering, model making, diagramming, or other forms of conceptual illustration is a valuable asset. If you have examples of other artistic pursuits—such as photography, painting, sculpture, or digital media—please include them in your portfolio. We value creative expression that embraces looseness, playfulness, and exploration.
Application Requirements: https://www.fitnyc.edu/admissions/graduate-applicants/application-requirements.php
Competitive candidates have a BFA in an arts or design-related area—or an area that pertains to some form of media communications. The most important thing is to have a complete portfolio.
If you have studied an area such as art history, journalism, etc., you might have skills and experience that lends itself nicely to exhibition design!
GRE scores are not required.
All candidates will be asked to complete a video interview as part of the application.
Students come from across the globe, bringing with them a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Some join us directly from undergraduate programs, while others bring years of professional experience. Their academic and professional foundations are equally diverse—spanning architecture, interior design, graphic design, stage and theater, film and television, art history, prop making, curation, and even dance.
Work experience is not required to apply. The field of exhibition and experience design thrives on eclecticism, and our students reflect that. This diversity of perspective is one of the program’s greatest strengths, contributing to its unique and dynamic nature.
Our students share a dedication to their craft, strong creative thinking, and relevant technical skills. Each fall, we admit 15 students who are passionate about leading within the exhibition and experience design profession.
Success in our program isn’t determined by age, prior job titles, or years spent in a specific design field. If you meet the admissions criteria and are driven to explore this evolving discipline, we encourage you to apply.
We do not accept transfer credits. If you have experience gained from other coursework, feel free to include examples in your portfolio.
GRE scores are not required.
Technical software programs are not included within the program's instruction. It will be your responsibility to complete course assignments in the programs listed on the website.
https://www.fitnyc.edu/admissions/graduate-applicants/tuition.php
Yes. All students are required to bring their own laptop to every class.
The program follows a four-semester structure that integrates rigorous academic coursework with immersive industry engagement. Students participate in real client projects, internships, and masterclasses led by professionals, alongside in-depth research and thesis development. This comprehensive approach is designed to ensure a smooth and impactful transition into high-level roles within the industry.
The curriculum is a blend of theory, field, and studio work, and focuses on designing narrative environments rooted in human psychology. Students collaborate throughout the MFA in an interdisciplinary manner developing skills in design thinking, narrative creation, concept development, spatial design, experiential graphics, evaluation methods, lighting, model making, sustainability, social justice and inclusivity, accessibility and universal design practices, community engagement, emerging technologies and integration, prototyping methods, project management, entrepreneurship, international business development, and professional practices in the exhibition and experiential design industry.
Each course is studio-based and includes regional site visits to diverse exhibition venues, offering real-world exposure and contextual learning. Industry professionals regularly contribute through in-class presentations, guest lectures, and hands-on studio collaboration, enriching the learning experience.
Beyond the studio environment, the curriculum places strong emphasis on academic excellence. Students engage in research, analytical writing, and critical thinking to develop a well-rounded intellectual foundation that supports both creative practice and professional readiness.
A professional internship is offered as an elective and students work within an appropriate
exhibition venue. Internships have included design firms, museums, science centers,
zoos, botanic gardens, trade shows, exhibit marketing firms, historic sites, retail
design, and production firms. Internships best match the unique qualities of the student
with an appropriate placement. Internships can often be outside of New York depending
on what best serves a student's professional interests.
Internship placements
The program's diverse faculty are working professionals and industry innovators who bear expertise in their areas of craft and bring relevant and current experience to their instruction. They are practitioners who also perform cutting edge research and scholarly works, and who focus on quality student engagement and collaborative learning. Our faculty members will provide you with a great range of expertise, professional experience, and leadership.
The program culminates in an individualized thesis experience, which includes a design project and an academic paper for publication. Each project is grounded in critical research and aligned with current industry innovations and practices. Students will present their work to a panel of over 100 industry experts during interactive sessions designed for critique, feedback, and professional networking.
MFA students will collaborate with peers from around the world, representing a wide range of career stages and professional backgrounds. They will be encouraged to take creative risks, push boundaries, and strive for innovative, high-impact work. Through close engagement with industry partners, students will contribute to multiple diverse real-world projects and gain valuable hands-on experiences. Throughout the program students will connect with and learn from leading professionals across the industry, helping to position them for exciting and sustainable careers after graduation.
Graduates of the MFA program are equipped with the skills and experience needed to pursue dynamic careers across a wide range of sectors within the industry. They go on to work in museums, multidisciplinary design firms, retail design, trade shows, digital media, strategy, showrooms, expos, brand activations, traveling exhibits and placemaking and wayfinding.
A hallmark of the program is its multidisciplinary approach, which prepares students to adapt and thrive across diverse sectors of the industry. This flexibility enables graduates to build sustainable and evolving careers in a constantly shifting design landscape—setting the MFA program apart from its peers.