Program Overview

Overview of the Master of Fine Arts in Art Practices Program

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Art Practices is a rigorous program designed for artists committed to pursuing a professional life in the arts. The program prepares students for careers as practicing artists and arts professionals, as well as teachers in colleges, universities, and art schools.

Program Requirements

• Advising: Upon admission, students are assigned a tenured or tenure-track faculty member to serve as an academic advisor in the student's home area.
• Required Courses and Credits: A minimum of 54 credit hours of acceptable graduate work must be completed beyond the bachelor's degree.
  • Required Courses:
    • ARTS 5117: Graduate Art Seminar (3 credit hours)
    • ARTS 5118: Visiting Artist Program (3 credit hours)
    • ARTS 6957: Master of Fine Arts Creative Thesis (6 credit hours)
  • Home Area Courses: 12 credit hours
  • Electives: 21 credit hours
  • Art History: 3 credit hours
  • Theory Requirement: 3 credit hours
  • Additional course in Art History, Theory, or Film: 3 credit hours
• Degree Requirements:
  • First-Semester and First-Year Reviews: The student's committee provides feedback on progress toward the degree.
  • Pre-Thesis Review: The student presents the focus of their written thesis and exhibition.
  • Thesis/Exhibition/Defense: The MFA thesis defense must be conducted while the student's work is on view during the MFA Exhibition.
  • Time Limit: The program is expected to be completed within two-and-a-half or three years, depending on the track.
  • Graduation: The student must have a pre-thesis review with their faculty advisor and thesis committee before registering for thesis hours.

Program Tracks

The MFA in Art Practices offers several tracks:

• Ceramics
• Drawing and Painting
• Film
• IMAP (Integrated Media Arts Practices)
• Printmaking
• Sculpture and Post-Studio Practice

Each track has specific course requirements and subplan requirements.

Plan of Study

The plan of study for the MFA in Art Practices is as follows:

• Year One:
  • Fall Semester: ARTS 5117, Graduate seminar in home studio, Graduate-level elective
  • Spring Semester: ARTS 5118, Graduate seminar in home studio, Graduate-level elective, Graduate-level elective
• Year Two:
  • Fall Semester: Graduate seminar in home studio, Graduate-level art history seminar, Graduate-level elective, Graduate-level elective
  • Spring Semester: Graduate seminar in home studio, Graduate-level seminar in art history, theory, or film, Graduate-level elective, Graduate-level elective
• Year Three:
  • Fall Semester: ARTS 6957, Master of Fine Arts Creative Thesis, Graduate-level elective
  • Thesis defense

Learning Outcomes

By the completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Encourage depth and refinement of students' artistic practices.
• Expose students to varied modes of contemporary art practice and thinking through coursework and individual study.
• Prepare students for careers as practicing artists and arts professionals, as well as teachers in colleges, universities, and art schools.

Dual Degree Program

The University of Colorado Boulder offers a dual degree program in which both an MBA and an MFA in Art Practices are awarded. This program is designed for students with career aspirations in gallery or museum management, or in starting entrepreneurial ventures combining their business and artistic talents. The program takes three years to complete, with students spending their first year in one of the two programs, the second year in the other program, and the third year combining the two. Both degrees must be awarded simultaneously.