ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a proposal for an MFA in Public Interest Design at Metropolitan State University of Denver. Developed in response to the university’s recent approval of master’s course work, the faculty in the Communication Design program have developed a curriculum that underscores the university strategic plan, addresses local and regional demand, and competes nationally with a first of its kind comprehensive MFA degree plan. The MFA program mission is to provide a critical graduate design education focused on the emerging field of public interest design inclusive of an issue-based approach, an engagement praxis, and a methodology for the analysis of outputs and outcomes. In this proposal, students from a broad spectrum of design experience will embrace social, economic, and environmental equity issues while working locally, nationally, and internationally with disinvested communities directly affected by need. Through a framework of mutual benefit and reciprocity, students and community partners will establish relationships of exchange where answers to community-based design problems can prosper.
