Skip to main content
Back to Top
Augusta University LogoShield

Information for:

  • Current Students
  • Alumni
  • Community
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Military
  • Patients

Resources

  • A-Z Index
  • Calendar
  • Campus Maps
  • D2L LMS
  • Email
  • Libraries
  • MyAugusta
  • News
  • Jobs & Careers
  • Portals
  • Pounce
  • Shuttles
  • Admissions
  • Academics
  • About
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • Research
  • Health
  •   Giving
College of Allied Health SciencesMedical Illustration
ApplyGive
Medical Illustration
  • About
    • Medical Illustration
    • Facilities
    • Faculty
    • Program
    • History
    • Accreditation
  • Students
    • Admissions
    • Curriculum

A Calling

Like No Other.

  • Augusta University
  • College of Allied Health Sciences
  • Medical Illustration
  • Program

Program Overview

The Medical Illustrations Graduate Program emphasizes anatomical and surgical illustration for print and electronic publication, as well as for projection and broadcast distribution. Because of the importance of good drawing skills, our applicants need to demonstrate strong traditional drawing skills in their portfolios. 

AdmissionsMIGP Digital PortfolioCurriculum

Contact Us

Medical Illustration

 Health Sciences Campus

Pavilion III

1474 Laney Walker Blvd.
Augusta, GA 30912

706-721-3266

medart@augusta.edu

Prerequisite Requirements

Students must fulfill the prerequisite coursework to be admitted into the MIGP. Students will need the following: 

Sciences:

Undergraduate coursework must include the following:

  • Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy* or Vertebrate Morphology* with student dissection of a mammal (for example, a cat, rabbit, or piglet), with a grade of "B" or better.
  • Human Physiology with a grade of "B" or better.

* A combined Human Anatomy and Physiology course with lab may be an acceptable substitute for the above two prerequisites. Substitution is subject to review and approval by the Medical Illustration Graduate Program Admissions Committee.

Fine Arts

There are no specific art courses required; however, we strongly recommend the following:

  • Life (figure) drawing from a nude (undraped) model, multiple sections, including advanced level courses.
  • Courses in realistic drawing or painting from observation, including advanced level courses.
  • Computer graphics, including Photoshop ® and Illustrator ® or the equivalent. Additional digital media courses are strongly recommended. ††

†† Formal university courses are not required for applicants who have already earned baccalaureate degrees, though we strongly recommend them.  Regardless of the applicant’s artistic background, life drawing, realistic drawing, painting, and computer graphic skills are critical to a modern medical illustrator’s success. So they are weighed very heavily in the application portfolio. Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in all these areas in the submitted portfolio.

Recommended Courses:

In addition, any of the following courses are recommended, but none are required:

  • Sciences: Histology, Embryology, Invertebrate Anatomy, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Basic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry.
  • Arts: Animation, Architectural Drawing, Cinematography, Color Theory, Drafting, Design (Graphic, Interface, Media, Set/Stage, 2D, 3D, Type, Web, etc.), Media Arts, Sculpture, Photography, Perspective, Print Making (Engraving, Intaglio, Lithography, Serigraphy, etc.), Technical Drawing, Time Arts, Typography, Videography.

What to Expect

The first year

Computer technology and digital techniques are extensively integrated into the curriculum to allow students to create vector and raster images for print, projection, animation, and multimedia. In addition to being skilled artists, medical illustrators must be knowledgeable in anatomy and health sciences. Our students study communication theory and illustration techniques and take graduate-level science courses, including gross anatomy and cell biology, with medical students.

The second year

Students refine their illustration skills and are introduced to the various media, rendering styles, and techniques used by contemporary professional medical illustrators. They also learn professional production techniques for interactive communication media. In addition, they spend time each week in the operating room observing and sketching. Assignments are based on their observations and are developed with the guidance of our internationally renowned faculty.

Problem-solving skill development

Visual problem-solving is a crucial skill for the professional medical illustrator. Throughout the curriculum, the faculty work with the students to develop their problem-solving abilities. In addition to formal classes, seminars, and lectures, our students learn through hands-on performance, by participating in project critiques, and by cultivating creative thinking in peer-to-peer interactions. To better prepare our students to be productive in the rapidly evolving world of communications, class assignments are designed to give them theoretical knowledge and practical experience.

Learning Like No Other

The College of Allied Health Sciences at Augusta University trains and educates today’s health care professionals: the therapists, technicians, administrators, managers and assistants who are the backbone of our country’s health care workforce.

Apply Now Request Info Tour Campus
University Shield

Augusta University

1120 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30912

  •   Campus Maps
  •   Campus Contacts
  • A-Z Directory
  • Degrees & Programs
  • Employment
  • Accessibility
  • Accreditation
  • Campus Safety
  • Compliance Hotline
  • Human Trafficking Notice
  • Privacy Notices
  • Title IX / Sexual Misconduct
Apply Now Give Now

© 2025 Augusta University

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Youtube Instagram
©