Features

In Fall 2026, SVA will welcome the inaugural class of a brand-new degree program, the Masters of Professional Studies in Data Visualization and Communication (MPS DV&C), a 10-month program that blends design, storytelling, and data fluency. Chaired by Jason Forrest—a practicing data professional, artist, and acclaimed editor—the program is now accepting applications for its first cohort of students.

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

Unlike traditional masters programs that focus on business analytics or code, MPS DV&C will approach data communication with a strong core concentration on design and a professional focus. The program emphasizes design instincts and creative problem-solving as much as technical fluency. In a studio-based environment, students will explore UX design, programmatic drawing, the history of information, and the latest AI tools. Guest lecturers from journalism, fine art, comics, publishing, and civic technology will further expand conversations, ensuring graduates are prepared to apply their skills across a rapidly evolving workforce.

“Data is everywhere, but its meaning is what moves people, and we are excited to offer a program at the intersection 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.”

The program is tailored for working professionals, artists, and creative disruptors seeking to advance in fields that span finance, tech, and media. With New York City’s professional community as its extended classroom, students will build authentic mentorships and industry connections, graduating with a thesis project that doubles as a showcase of design methodology and communication skills for employers.

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Forrest brings a global perspective and track record of innovation to the role. He is the founder of the JF Agency, co-founder of Nightingale Magazine, and a former McKinsey Associate Partner, where he directed the firm’s Data Visualization Lab. His projects have visualized the COVID-19 crisis, designed installations for COP26, and the Future of the City of New York, and transformed public spaces in Los Angeles, London, and New York as half of the art duo Data Vandals.

With MPS DV&C, SVA continues to look forward—preparing students not only to keep pace with the future of work, but also to define it.