Is a Master of Professional Studies Program Right for Me?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Learn how MICA's Master of Professional Studies programs can take your career to the next level.
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MICA’s Professional Education programs are designed with busy schedules in mind and built to fuel your creativity and accelerate your career. Earning a master’s degree offers many benefits that can help you stay competitive in today’s job market. Boost your resume with in-demand skills taught by experienced instructors, in relevant, market-driven courses focusing on the latest innovative concepts and skills. Our innovative master’s degrees are outcome-driven and rigorous and include interactive critique and feedback. 

MICA is committed to helping MPS students understand the financial aid process and how to best pay for their degree. Please visit the MICA Financial Aid page, email finaid@mica.edu, or call (410)225-2285 to learn more, and see the resources listed here for how to fund your education.
Online courses offer the convenience and flexibility for you to learn on your own time while receiving the same educational benefits. MICA’s online classes are specifically designed with the working adult in mind. The online format provides a rich and engaging experience that facilitates connections with fellow students from all over the world allowing you to benefit from a strong network of industry professionals. Like an on-campus degree, the MICA’s online programs are accredited and recognized by employers. Get ready to learn alongside extraordinarily intelligent, creative, and driven students.
One of our hallmarks at MICA is our supportive community; Our faculty, student support services, career services, and your peers, are here to support you every step of the way. Online students receive the same access to resources that on-campus students do. Many of our students have been out of school for a few years or have never experienced online learning; this is why we have a student success team available throughout the program. Our Student Success team provides training on technology and tips to prepare you to be a successful online student. We want students to focus on academics, so we enroll you in all your courses and provide assistance with any administrative items you might need throughout the program.
MICA is internationally recognized as a premier leader in art and design education, and it is the top producer of nationally and internationally recognized professional artists and designers. At MICA, we educate students to chart creative lives and pursuits that reward you while also advancing the well-being of others. Our Master of Professional Studies Programs, (MPS) reside in the Open Studies community where you will learn at the intersection of design, technology, and entrepreneurship.

Yes, MICA is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), the institution’s region accrediting agency, and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

MICA is proud to support veterans in their educational pursuits. Ask us about veterans’ benefits that may support continuing your education by contacting the Financial Aid Office by calling (410) 225-2558 or via email at finaid@mica.edu.

Yes! The MPS programs are full-time, accelerated programs; classes take place year round, one class at a time. This structure means that 6 credits per Fall, Spring, or Summer is a full-time course load.

Tuition for MICA’s online Master of Professional Studies is $37,500. Once accepted into the program, applicants are required to submit a $500 non-refundable deposit. Deposits are applied toward tuition and secure a student’s place in the upcoming class.

MICA is committed to helping MPS students understand the financial aid process and how to best pay for their degree. Please visit the MICA Financial Aid page, email finaid@mica.edu, or call (410)225-2285 to learn more, and see the resources listed here for how to fund your education.

See our careers page for information.

It could be! The M.P.S. in UX program looks to enroll students who have recently completed their undergraduate degrees as well as professionals who are looking to shift careers. Ideal candidates have an undergraduate degree or a robust professional background in a visual art/design discipline coupled with a strong interest in leveraging their technical skills and creative abilities to increase their competitive advantage in the field of user experience design. If that sounds like you, we suggest filling out the request form and one of our enrollment coaches will be in touch to discuss the program and help you determine if it is a good fit for you and your goals.

Capstone projects represent the pinnacle of the master’s program, integrating your new skills into a culminating project of your choice and design. It provides a valuable opportunity to synthesize learnings from all your courses and to create a meaningful portfolio asset that will help you stand out with employers.

Yes, the program is 100% online and designed for working professionals.

Our online courses do not meet at set times, giving you the flexibility to fit learning into your busy schedule. Our courses are highly interactive and engaging.

The M.P.S. in UX Design is a 30-credit hour program designed to be completed in 15 months while working full time. The program kicks off with a one-day virtual orientation and consists of eight online courses, one two-day virtual industry immersive, and a capstone course.

To apply to the M.P.S. in UX Design program, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or international equivalent). Applicants may be recent graduates as well as professionals seeking to enter the UX/UI industry.

To apply to the M.P.S. in UX Design program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or international equivalent). Applicants may be recent graduates as well as professionals seeking to enter the UX/UI industry. Ideal candidates have a background in a visual art/design discipline, a strong interest in blending creative abilities with critical analysis, and a willingness to commit to a practical learning experience. Applicants will be asked to submit the following:
  • Graduate Admissions application form
  • Resume or CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Official undergraduate transcript(s)
  • Portfolio and portfolio narrative (if available)*
  • International students will need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score
  • $75 application fee
* The portfolio is an optional, but important component of the application package.
Once your application is submitted and complete, your Enrollment Coach will send your file to the Admissions Committee for review. Your Enrollment Coach will reach out to you if an interview is requested. Admissions decisions typically take approximately one week. Once the Admissions Committee makes a decision, your Enrollment Coach will call you to share the good news and go over next steps with you.

The M.P.S. in UX Design has three starts per year: Fall, Spring, and Summer.

Tuition for MICA’s online Master of Professional Studies is $37,500. Once accepted into the program, applicants are required to submit a $500 non-refundable deposit. Deposits are applied toward tuition and secure a student’s place in the upcoming class.

MICA is committed to helping MPS students understand the financial aid process and how to best pay for their degree. Please visit the MICA Financial Aid page, email finaid@mica.edu, or call (410)225-2285 to learn more, and see the resources listed here for how to fund your education.

See our careers page for information.

It could be! MICA’s DAV program appeals to professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds who want to reach their audiences using creative and engaging visual solutions. This program is for individuals with a strong interest in design, analysis, new technology, and a willingness to commit to an intensive learning experience. We do not require previous professional experience in the field prior to admission, which makes this program a great choice for individuals looking to change careers and transition into a data analytics or data visualization position. If that sounds like you, we suggest filling out the request form and one of our enrollment coaches will be in touch to discuss the program and help you determine if it is a good fit for you and your goals.
Capstone projects represent the pinnacle of the master’s program, integrating your new skills into a culminating project of your choice and design. It provides a valuable opportunity to synthesize learnings from all your courses and to create a meaningful portfolio asset that will help you stand out with employers.

Yes, the program is 100% online and designed for working professionals.

Our online courses do not meet at set times, giving you the flexibility to fit learning into your busy schedule. Our courses are highly interactive and engaging.

The M.P.S. in Data Analytics and Visualization is a 30-credit hour program designed to be completed in 15 months while working full time. The program kicks off with a one-day virtual orientation and consists of eight online courses, one two-day virtual industry immersive, and a capstone course.

To apply to the MICA M.P.S. in Data Analytics and Visualization program, applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or international equivalent).

  • Graduate Admissions application form
  • Resume or CV
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Official undergraduate transcript(s)
  • Portfolio and portfolio narrative (if available)*
  • International students will need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score
  • $75 application fee
* The portfolio is an optional, but important component of the application package.
Once your application is submitted and complete, your Enrollment Coach will send your file to the Admissions Committee for review. Decisions take approximately one week. Once the Admissions Committee makes a decision, your Enrollment Coach will call you to share the good news and go over next steps with you.

The DAV program has three starts per year: Fall, Spring, and Summer.

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