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 Portfolio Requirements
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 50 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.
Certification
While you do not need to be licensed to be a medical illustrator, many professionals go on to become Certified Medical Illustrators (CMI) after graduation. CMI status assures employers and clients that a medical illustrator meets or exceeds the basic competency standards for the profession. Our students usually take the BCMI exam right after graduation. They routinely score in the top 5% of all those attempting the exam.
BCMI Exam, Part I: The Board of Certification for the Medical Illustrator administers a two-part examination for professional competency. Part 1 is a written examination comprised of sections on anatomy, business practices, and artists' rights. Students from accredited graduate programs in medical illustration are eligible to take the exam upon graduation. Augusta University's recent outcomes were:
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.
Comprehensive Examination
Administered in the 4th semester (fall of the second year), students are challenged with three illustration problems. The students must complete these illustrations within the specified period without any input from the faculty. The students' illustrations are then scored by a panel of highly respected professional medical illustrators from across the U.S. Recent outcomes were:
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 really value the connection with the other faculty and that peer/mentorship in teaching in medical illustration."
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“When I first saw samples of Brigid's work, it was evident that she had a strong eye for detail, but it has been exciting to watch her develop as an artist," said Cyndy Epps.
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“Making art in general has been very therapeutic for me," said Edna Martinez, a former Marine now art grad. "It's not just a passion anymore. It's become a necessity.”
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