Program Quick Facts
Overview
The Master of Science (MS) in Visualization at Texas A&M University is designed to prepare students for dynamic, long-term careers in fields such as animation, UX design, gaming, virtual/augmented reality, data visualization, and more. It empowers students to build focused expertise while developing a strong foundation in the artistic, scientific, cognitive, and technical aspects of the discipline.
With the flexibility to choose between a thesis or non-thesis track, students can tailor their educational experience to match their career goals, whether they are pursuing advanced academic research or a creative industry portfolio.
With the flexibility to choose between a thesis or non-thesis track, students can tailor their educational experience to match their career goals, whether they are pursuing advanced academic research or a creative industry portfolio.
Why Choose Texas A&M?
The M.S. in Visualization program prepares graduates to lead with innovation and design with purpose, whether pursuing careers in film and animation studios, technology companies, academia, or immersive media industries such as gaming and virtual production. Students may choose between two distinct tracks:
- A thesis option, ideal for those pursuing academic research or advanced scholarly work.
- A non-thesis option, focused on portfolio development and preparation for creative industry careers.
With a flexible curriculum, students are encouraged to tailor their studies around areas of interest such as animation, user experience design, virtual production, or interactive media—while gaining the technical fluency and creative confidence needed to excel across disciplines.
Program Snapshot
Program Focus Areas Include:
- Computer animation
- Interactive and UX design
- Computer graphics
- Gaming and rigging
- Virtual and augmented reality
- Data visualization
Degree and Mentorship Structure
Degree candidates can choose to pursue the following:- Thesis Track: Ideal for those interested in research and academic careers. Requires a written thesis and takes approximately two semesters to complete.
- Non-Thesis Track: Tailored for creative professionals. Requires a capstone project demonstrating mastery of the curriculum, completed in one semester.
Degree candidates are assigned an academic advisor upon admission. In addition, degree candidates are provided with an advisory committee with faculty guidance, as well as mentorship from industry professionals during their summer course.