School of Visual Arts (SVA) next fall will welcome the inaugural class of a brand-new degree program, the Masters of Professional Studies in Data Visualization and Communication (MPS DV&C). Chaired by Jason Forrest—a practicing data professional, artist, and acclaimed editor—the 10-month program will offer a hybrid approach to interactive storytelling and data visualization tailored for a world overloaded with information. Enrollment is currently open and the first term will begin in September 2026.

“Data visualization is magic: it transforms abstract statistics into stories that change how we see the world,” said Forrest. “Our groundbreaking curriculum brings together data skills, creativity, and empathy, equipping the next generation to break barriers, bridge disciplines, and rethink the future of information.”

“Data is everywhere, but its meaning is what moves people, and we are excited to offer a program at the cross-section of art and science that explores this,” said Christopher J. Cyphers, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “SVA is the perfect home for this unique degree thanks to its deep design roots, and its long history of shaping future artists and innovators.”

Unlike traditional masters programs that focus on business analytics or code, MPS DV&C will approach data communication with a strong core focus on design and a professional focus. Through a curriculum that values storytelling, empathy, and creativity as much as advanced data science and fluency, students will gain the technical skills to work with code, and the design instincts to shape its meaning. In a creative studio environment, coursework will include everything from UX design to programmatic drawing and the history of information, with guest lecturers from experts in journalism, fine art, comics, publishing, and civic technology, among others. The faculty of working professionals will bring a custom blend of the tactile and the technological, including AI tools, to expand conversation and drive action. 

Admission to the program will be geared toward working professionals, artists, and culture disrupters looking to grow in data-driven careers across the ever-evolving landscape of the finance, tech, and media industries. Teamwork and collaboration will be the cornerstone of MPS DV&C, and the deep integration with New York City’s vibrant professional community of top business, agency, and analytics circles will allow students to develop authentic, real-world connections with mentors and peers. Graduates will set out with a thesis that can act as a case study for displaying their design methodology skills to prospective employers.

Jason Forrest is a globally recognized expert in data visualization and design, founder of the JF Agency, and co-founder of Nightingale Magazine. As a former McKinsey Associate Partner and director of its Data Visualization Lab, he led projects ranging from visualizing the COVID-19 crisis to creating data installations for COP26 and the Future of the City of New York. As half of the art duo, Data Vandals, his public data art projects reach millions of people across Los Angeles, London, and New York—turning public spaces into platforms for curiosity and dialogue through sculpture, painting, and interactive design.

School of Visual Arts has been a leader in the education of artists, designers, and creative professionals for seven decades. With a faculty of distinguished working professionals, a dynamic curriculum, and an emphasis on critical thinking, SVA is a catalyst for innovation and social responsibility. Comprising 6,000 students at its Manhattan campus and over 43,000 alumni from some 130 countries, SVA also represents one of the most influential artistic communities in the world. For information about the College’s 30 undergraduate and graduate degree programs, visit sva.edu.