Medical Illustration is a unique field that requires a talent for the graphic arts and visual storytelling and an affinity for science.
Medical illustrators use various media and techniques - from watercolor to silicone to 2D artwork to 3D animation - to solve complex communication and education problems in life and health sciences.
Our program strives to refine students' expertise in various illustration, design, and animation media. We provide a scientific foundation to prepare illustrations in a medical setting, teach students to solve visual problems, establish and meet educational and communication objectives, and offer meaningful, practical experience in medical illustration.
Brochure Program Curriculum Admissions
Medical Illustration
Health Sciences Campus
1474 Laney Walker Blvd.
Augusta, GA 30912
Augusta University is one of only four schools in the country to offer a Medical Illustration Graduate Program (MIGP).
Established over 70 years ago by the Medical College of Georgia, the Department of Medical Illustration is now part of the College of Allied Health Sciences at Augusta University.
Students in the Medical Illustration Graduate Program will complete a 21-month curriculum and graduate with a Master of Science in Medical Illustration (MSMI) degree granted through The Graduate School . Our program is highly competitive; 40 to 70 individuals submit preliminary portfolios and materials for evaluation each year. However, we only accept a limited number into our program. Applicants have come from Asia, Canada, Europe, South America, and nearly every state in the U.S.
Accreditation
The Medical Illustration Graduate Program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). For more than 50 years, Augusta University’s program has met or exceeded the high graduate education standards in medical illustration and biomedical communications. The program was the first to be granted accreditation in 1967 and has maintained continuous accreditation. It was last renewed in 2018 for eight years and will be up for renewal in 2026.
Positive Placement
Our collection of paintings, drawings, and sculptures spans a century inspire our students to award-winning artwork.
Working together with the Dental College of Georgia to help design and create prosthetics for patients.
As an ongoing means of assessing the teaching effectiveness of our program and the learning success of our students/graduates, we track several outcome measures, including the following.
On-Time Completion of Masters Project/Thesis
Completing an approved Masters Project/Thesis is a requirement for graduation. Students are expected to complete their project or thesis in the 5th semester (spring of the second year). The project/ thesis is evaluated by the program faculty for content, effectiveness, and completeness. Recent outcomes were:
“I believe a preoperative children’s picture book will have a huge positive impact on the experience and the care of the children who read it,” says Lauren Welsh, MD.
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"We are a research-intensive university, and it's reflected in the work that our students are doing," says Interim Provost and Dean of The Graduate School Jennifer Sullivan, PhD.
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"We are harnessing our established strengths in a scientific area, in a spot in the country I think we have a real potential to be impactful," says Jennifer Sullivan, PhD.
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