How to Start a Career in Medical Illustration

So You Want to Be a Medical Illustrator?

Medical illustration is where art meets science. This field is a great career choice for people who love anatomy, biology, and telling stories through visuals. In the United States, there are a number of undergraduate and accredited graduate programs that can help you get started in biomedical art, scientific visualization, or medical animation, no matter where you are in your education or career. To help you find the right program, here is a curated list of schools that offer degrees in medical and scientific illustration.

Art modified from Amino @ Lummi.ai

A Career in Medical Illustration - Education Track Undergraduate Programs in Medical & Scientific Illustration (U.S. Only)

Rowan University – BFA in Biomedical Art and Visualization

https://ccca.rowan.edu/departments/radioTelevisionFilm/biomedical.html

Kendall College of Art and Design (Ferris State University) – BFA in Medical Illustration

https://kcad.ferris.edu/programs/undergraduate/medical-illustration/

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) – BFA in Communication Arts with Scientific Illustration Concentration

https://bulletin.vcu.edu/undergraduate/arts/communication-arts/communication-arts-bfa-concentration-scientific-illustration/

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) – BFA in Medical Illustration

https://www.rit.edu/artdesign/study/medical-illustration-bfa

Arcadia University – BA in Scientific Illustration

https://www.arcadia.edu/majors-and-programs/scientific-illustration-major/

Cleveland Institute of Art – BFA in Life Sciences Illustration

https://www.cia.edu/majors/life-sciences-illustration/

Iowa State University – BA in Biological/Pre-Medical Illustration (BPMI)

https://scientificillustration.iastate.edu/ University of Florida, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences https://dean.clas.ufl.edu/interdisciplinary-studies/established-concentrations/ Oglethorpe University https://oglethorpe.edu/academics/programs/medical-scientific-illustration/

Lamar Dodd School of Art (University of Georgia) – BFA in Scientific Illustration

https://art.uga.edu/scientificillustration

Buena Vista University – BFA in Scientific Illustration

https://www.bvu.edu/programs/undergraduate/liberal-arts/scientific-illustration _________________________________________________________________________________

Graduate Programs in Medical Illustration

These are the only five accredited graduate programs in North America as recognized by CAAHEP (Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs):

Augusta University (Georgia) – MS in Medical Illustration

https://www.augusta.edu/medart

University of Illinois at Chicago – MS in Biomedical Visualization

https://ahs.uic.edu/bvis

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine – MA in Medical and Biological Illustration

https://medicalart.johnshopkins.edu

Rochester Institute of Technology – MFA in Medical Illustration

https://www.rit.edu/study/medical-illustration-mfa

University of Toronto

https://bmc.med.utoronto.ca/

You don’t need a master’s degree to call yourself a medical illustrator—but advanced training can make a big difference. While many successful illustrators come from varied educational backgrounds, graduate programs offer structured training in anatomy, surgical observation, and complex visual storytelling strategies that are hard to master on your own. For those looking to stand out, certification is also an option. The Board of Certification of Medical Illustrators (BCMI) offers a rigorous exam and portfolio review process that assesses your work against the highest professional standards in the industry. It’s a mark of excellence—but not a requirement—to work in the field.

If you're serious about pursuing a career in medical illustration, take the next step by exploring the Association of Medical Illustrators (AMI). The AMI is the leading professional organization for the field, offering resources on education, ethics, job opportunities, and industry standards. You don’t have to wait until you're established—students and newcomers can join as trial members to start connecting with the community, attend conferences, and learn what it takes to succeed. Visit www.ami.org to learn more and get involved.

What Can I Do in the Meantime?

There are many things you can do to strengthen your foundation while you are looking at schools or getting ready to submit your application. Start by learning how to draw figures. You can find trustworthy online tutorials or enroll in a class at your neighborhood art center or community college. In this field, having strong drawing abilities is crucial, particularly in anatomy. Take biology, physiology, or other life science courses offered at your current school level to increase your scientific knowledge at the same time. In addition to enhancing your portfolio, these initiatives demonstrate your dedication to fusing science and art, which is something that all medical illustration programs seek.