ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
At MIAD, you’ll develop your skills, broaden your horizons, and pursue work in your field of choice. We’ll give you the tools you need to follow your creative path, and redefine the role of artist or designer in contemporary society.
MIAD offers undergraduate degree programs and non-credit programs. Find your fit.

Animation Track

Communication Design

Illustration

Fashion and Apparel Design

Fine Art + New Studio Practice

Interior Architecture and Design

Product Design

First-Year Experience
Undergraduate Programs
FIRST-YEAR EXPERIENCE: All freshman and many transfer students take First-Year Experience courses in the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree program. First-Year courses teach students to try everything, and assume nothing.
CRITICAL STUDIES: In addition to studio coursework, all MIAD undergraduate students take critical studies (academic) courses. Critical Studies at MIAD serves as the bridge between the studio and the world, between the classroom and the community.
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS:
- Animation Track
- Communication Design
- Fashion and Apparel Design
- Fine Art + New Studio Practice
- Illustration
- Interior Architecture and Design
- Product Design
MINORS: All MIAD studio majors except Fashion and Apparel Design can be taken as a minor. In addition, students may receive a minor in areas such as Arts Management, Book Arts, Digital Media Production, Furniture Design, Sustainability, Advertising, Art History, Business, Copywriting, Humanities, Natural Science, Psychology and Writing.
- Learn more about MIAD’s minors
SPECIAL PROGRAMS: MIAD offers many mobility, study abroad, and cross-registration opportunities.
Non-Credit Programs
Explore MIAD’s Youth and Community Programs, such as Pre-College, Continuing Education and Design Internship, at ycp.miad.edu.
News
Tatiana Osburn: Senior Exhibition 2025
Tatiana Osburn ’25 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice), “Solace In My Pews Of Devotion.” Tatiana is from Milwaukee, Wis.
Lauren Blood: Senior Exhibition 2025
Lauren Blood ’25 (Communication Design; Business minor through Marquette), “Raða.” Lauren was a Finalist at the recent 2025 United Adworkers Showcase Awards and is from Kansas City, Kansas.
Megan Ramirez: Senior Exhibition 2025
Megan Ramirez ’25 (Interior Architecture and Design), “The Sentinel Apartments.” Megan is a President’s (Honor) List student from Milwaukee, Wis.
International students drawn to MIAD’s creativity and community
International students Eeshaan Dutt ’26 and Chelsea Mody ’25 share more than both being from India; they came to MIAD based on the creativity and welcoming community they found at the college.
MIAD seniors receive 2025 Alumni Senior Thesis Awards
Thanks to the generosity of alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the college, the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) will award $7,085 to 44 seniors to directly support the fabrication and installation of their senior exhibition capstone projects.