Fine Arts - M.A. and M.F.A. Download to print

The Master of Arts and the Master of Fine Arts in Fine Arts emphasizes intensive personal investigation and the development of strong aesthetic and conceptual understanding. In addition to time in their own studio, graduate students have opportunities to enhance existing skills and knowledge by observing undergraduate class demonstrations and critiques.  Areas of study within the program are painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture. The M.F.A. is the terminal degree in the studio arts and is a requirement for those who intend to teach fine arts in higher education.

M.A. and M.F.A. in Fine Arts: Official transcript(s); goal statement(s); three letters of recommendation; curriculum vitae;  a 250-500 word “artist statement"; and portfolio.

For more information about graduate admission, please visit the Graduate Studies website

M.A. for Fine Arts: Minimum 32 total credit hours. After completing 20 hours of coursework, M.A. candidates present a body of current art work to a committee of three to five faculty members for review and discussion. As the final project for the M.A. degree, candidates mount an exhibition of selected works, introduce it through a thesis statement and defend it to a committee of three to five faculty members.

M.F.A.: Minimum 60 total credit hours.

1. Students overall thesis project is of a high quality
2. Student thesis projects demonstrate a high quality and knowledge of methods and processes pertaining to their chosen media.
3. Students thesis projects demonstrate a high quality of formal and conceptual knowledge and understanding.
4. Student exhibition is well presented in the gallery or exhibition venue, considering lighting, signage and overall presentation concerns.
5. Students are able to articulate the conceptual and formal ideas in their thesis exhibition. 
6. Students are able to write articulately about their work.

Successful completion of the Candidacy Review Examination is a requirement in every School of Art graduate program. In the studio majors, it is scheduled after half of the program has been completed. Successful completion of the examination designates the student as a candidate for the degree.

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)