Program Overview

Studio Art Master’s with a Concentration in Photography

Program Overview

The M.F.A. in Studio Art with a concentration in Photography integrates creative research, contemporary theory, and practice culminating in a one-person exhibition. The program frames the individual needs of each student through the development of conceptual, aesthetic, and technical skills.

Program Details

• Program Type: Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)
• Format: On Campus
• Estimated Time to Complete: 2-3 years
• Credit Hours: 60

Program Description

The M.F.A. program in Studio Art Photography integrates creative research, contemporary theory, and studio practice culminating in a solo exhibition. We serve our students by focusing on their intellectual and creative growth, fostering each student's practice, and preparing them for a lifetime of accomplishment and meaningful contribution as culture creators.

Marketable Skills

• Critical thinking
• Advanced craftsmanship
• Teamwork
• Advanced oral and written communication
• Advanced multiple approach assessment

Program Highlights

• Traditional wet and alternative processes darkroom
• Wacom desktop and Cintiq tablets
• Epson printers with 44-inch-wide capabilities
• All M.F.A. students are provided a studio in the new UNT Art Annex Building that opened in 2022

Career Opportunities

• Education: continues higher education in a photography graduate program, instructs private lessons or public workshops and classes at colleges, universities, local arts organizations, museums, galleries, community centers, artist residencies, or studios
• Fine Artist: sells and creates artistic photographs for gallery exhibitions or individuals
• Commercial Photography Work: includes positions in the following specialties
  • Advertising and marketing
  • Aerial
  • Commercial and industrial
  • Drone
  • Fashion
  • Marine
  • Medical
  • News
  • Newspaper photojournalism
  • Portrait
  • School
  • Scientific
  • Travel
  • Wedding
• Other Areas: archiving, image retouching and editing, photo restoration, lighting assistant or darkroom assistant

Employment Outlook

Employment of photographers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031, faster than the average for all occupations. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Sample Courses

• Seminar in University Art Teaching (3 hrs)
• Praxis: Rotating Topics (3 hrs)
• Professional Practices for the Studio Artist (3 hrs)
• M.F.A. Project-In-Lieu-of-Thesis Research (3 hrs)
• M.F.A. Project in Lieu of Thesis (3 hrs)
• Topics in Studio Art (3 hr)