Program Overview

---

MFA Program Overview

The MFA Program at UC San Diego is a three-year, 72-unit program that requires coursework, annual critiques, and a thesis presentation. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in visual arts, with a focus on critical thinking, creativity, and technical skills.

Program Requirements

• Coursework: 72 units
• Annual critiques: Drifting Studio Visits
• Thesis presentation: Exhibition, screening, or performance of student's work
• Written thesis: Research paper that demonstrates and investigates the context, process, and purpose of the student's work

Curriculum

Core Requirements

• 13 courses, 52 units
  • VIS 201: Contemporary Critical Issues
  • VIS 202: Art Practice
  • VIS 203: Working Critique
  • VIS 205: Intro to Graduate Studies in Art Practice
  • VIS 208: Thesis Exhibition
  • VIS 209: Thesis Writing
  • VIS 210-219: Art Theory/Practice
  • VIS 206, 230-262: Art History Seminar
  • VIS 295: Individual Studies
  • VIS 500: Apprentice Teaching
  • VIS 502: Graduate Teaching in Visual Arts
  • Other Department 200-289: 1 course, 4 units

Elective Requirements

• 5 courses, 20 units
  • Graduate Course (VIS 200+): any graduate course in VIS
  • Graduate Research (VIS 299): a maximum of 3 may be taken
  • Undergraduate Courses (upper-division): a maximum of 4 may be taken
  • Directed Group Study (VIS 298): a maximum of 1 may be taken

Quarter-by-Quarter Planning

• Year 1:
  • Fall Quarter: VIS 205, VIS 502, VIS 299, VIS 500
  • Winter Quarter: VIS 201, VIS 202, one from VIS 210-219, VIS 500
  • Spring Quarter: VIS 203, grad course from outside of department, VIS 500
• Year 2:
  • Fall Quarter: one from VIS 206 or 230-262, Elective course, VIS 500
  • Winter Quarter: Elective course, Elective course, VIS 500
  • Spring Quarter: VIS 208, Elective course, VIS 500
• Year 3:
  • Fall Quarter: VIS 203, VIS 209, VIS 295, VIS 500
  • Winter Quarter: VIS 299 (8 units), VIS 500
  • Spring Quarter: VIS 299 (12 units)

Drifting Studio Visits

• All graduate students participate in one required Drifting Studio Visit each year
• Held on Friday, Week 8 of Winter Quarter, in conjunction with Open Studios
• Students present current work and/or research in-progress in their studio for 20-25 minutes and engage in discussion with an interdisciplinary panel of three Faculty

First Year Review

• During the Spring Quarter of the first year, students make a formal presentation of their body of work to their Provisional Faculty Advisor
• The First Year Review consists of:
  • Exhibition: work produced during the first year in the MFA program
  • Artist Statement: up to 1500 words, considering the formal and conceptual aspects of the work
  • Oral Exam: a two-hour oral examination/review meeting with the Provisional Faculty Advisor

Spring Evaluations

• The Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) requires that all MFA students be evaluated annually
• Students complete a self-assessment, which is then reviewed by their Faculty Advisor
• The evaluation serves as an important tool for students and advisors in assessing student progress

Second Year Exhibition

• During the Winter Quarter of the second year, students make a presentation of their body of work to their Faculty Advisor, other invited Faculty, and their cohort
• The Second Year Exhibitions are held bi-weekly during Winter Quarter with multiple solo shows held at the same time

Committee Constitution and Management

• During the Spring Quarter of the second year, students formally constitute their Thesis Committee
• The committee consists of:
  • Three tenured or emeriti faculty from the Visual Arts Department
  • One tenured or emeritus member from outside of the Visual Arts Department

Advancement to Candidacy

• The Advancement to Candidacy is an important step towards degree completion
• Students must:
  • Enroll in the last of their required coursework
  • Send a message to the Student Affairs Manager to process the Advancement to Candidacy paperwork

Thesis Presentation

• The thesis presentation consists of:
  • Presentation of Work: a coherent exhibition, screening, or performance of the student's work
  • Oral Examination: the Thesis Committee administers an oral examination covering the student's work and its relationship to the field of art
  • Written Thesis: a research paper that demonstrates and investigates the context, process, and purpose of the student's work

Policies

• Full-time enrollment: students must be enrolled in 12 units of upper-division or graduate-level courses each quarter
• Grades: students must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 to continue in good standing
• Residency: US citizens who are not California residents must establish CA residency by August prior to the start of the second year
• Leave of Absence (LOA): students may take a leave from the University with plans to return, but must notify the MFA Faculty Director and their Faculty Advisor
• Time Limits: students must be Advanced to Candidacy no later than Week 10 of the Winter Quarter of their 3rd Year, and must be in residence for at least 2 years or 6 quarters before graduating

MFA Handbook

• The department website and catalog are great resources for students to learn generally about the MFA program and progress towards their degree
• The full MFA Handbook provides detailed instructions and robust program information, and should be referred to throughout the academic career.