Program Overview

Studio Art, MFA

The Department of Art and Art History offers an MFA program where students can specialize in diverse disciplines and create engaging artworks as they prepare for a career as a visual artist and educator. Since its inception in 1972, the program has launched numerous artists into creative careers across the globe. Enrollments are modest by design, allowing students to have designated studio space and to work closely with faculty. The MFA degree requires 60 hours of coursework in graduate studio classes, seminars, art history, critiques, and electives. All coursework must be successfully completed within six years of entering the studio graduate program. Graduate students present public lectures and exhibitions during their studies, culminating with a written thesis and exhibition.

Faculty

• Chair: Guynes, Jason
• Professors:
  • Guynes, Jason
  • Schulte, Peter
  • Wedderspoon, Craig
• Associate professors:
  • Dooley, William
  • Marshall, Sarah
  • Speed, Bryce
• Assistant professors:
  • Cumberland, Jonathan
  • Grant, Allison
  • MacDonald, Wade
  • Yes, Melissa

Admissions

All Studio Art students enter the graduate program at the MA level before proceeding to the MFA. Strong applicants to the program usually hold a BFA in Studio Art or BA in Studio Art with a related minor. However, applicants with different academic backgrounds will be considered. Admissions decisions are based on the strength of the applicant’s portfolio and written statements, and their potential for growth and achievement in the program. Prospective graduate students should have a "B" average in art classes. Residency is required of all studio art students.

Applicants should choose one of the following areas for focused coursework:

• ceramics
• painting
• photography
• printmaking
• sculpture Faculty also specialize in drawing, digital media, graphic design, and installation, offering students the opportunity to work with a broad range of materials and processes. Each studio program applicant must submit a comprehensive portfolio of recent work. This portfolio should include a minimum of 20 works of art in the proposed area of focus.

Curricular Requirements

All new studio art graduate students enter the MA program before proceeding to the MFA. Admission to the Master of Fine Arts program is by recommendation of the MA graduate committee during the student’s MA oral review. The committee will recommend that the candidate continue to the MFA program or finalize studies at the University by graduating with an MA degree. The MFA degree requires 60 hours of coursework: 30 hours already completed for the MA degree plus 30 hours of additional coursework. An MFA Candidacy Review, MFA Thesis Exhibition, MFA Paper, and MFA Oral Review are required for completion of the program.

Course Requirements

Transfer Credit

Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.

Comprehensive Exam/Capstone

MFA Exhibition

All students present an exhibition as a requirement of the MFA degree. The exhibition is scheduled by the student in a venue of their choice and may be a solo, two-person or group show.

MFA Paper

The purpose of the MFA paper is to demonstrate an ability to articulate ideas inherent in one’s studio research, and to place that research into a broader context in written form. The paper should follow the formalized guidelines appropriate for a research-based paper with a recommended length of 7 – 15 pages. Papers should follow the MLA writing style. Appropriate citations of footnotes, bibliographical reference, and index of images contained in the document are required. The electronic form of the written thesis should be in PDF format with accompanying images integrated into the document.

MFA Oral Review

An MFA Oral Review is required for successful completion of the degree. These reviews are scheduled by the graduate director in the fifteenth week of the student’s final semester of study. Students should arrive at their oral review prepared to deliver a formal five-minute presentation of their research and creative work, either by projected slideshow or installation. Students should be prepared to defend the quality of the work presented in terms of concept and craftsmanship and discuss the quality of the MFA Paper in regard to content, clarity, cohesion, research, and grammar. Following each review, the student is excused and the faculty assess the quality of the research/creative activity. After a period of discussion, the faculty either signs off on the student’s work and the student moves on to complete their degree, places stipulations on their willingness to sign off on the student’s work that must be completed in order to graduate, or fails the student and declines support for awarding an MFA. Students are informed of the decisions of the faculty immediately following the review.

Time Limits for Degree Completion

Graduate School information on Time Limits for Degree Completion.

Student Progress Requirement

MFA Candidacy Review

During the fifteenth week of the fifth semester, as scheduled by graduate director, each candidate presents a 15-20 minute public lecture outlining their research and creative activity to an audience that includes the full graduate faculty. This lecture is followed by a 10-minute question and answer session. Following the Q&A, the public and the students are excused, and the MA committee assesses the quality of the research/creative activity, informing the student of their decision at that time. Students passing this review re-confirm their MFA committee and prepare for a final oral review by producing a body of work for exhibition, accompanied by a written statement. Students who fail this review repeat their candidacy review the following semester. A failed review may result in the faculty placing conditions upon the student's coursework or withdrawing GTA support. If a student fails the candidacy review a second time, it is recommended that they leave the program.

Initial review votes by faculty

• Pass without stipulations: Student continues through the program, forms a committee, and prepares for an exhibition.
• Pass with stipulations as described: Student continues in the program, forms a committee, and prepares for an exhibition of a body of work. Any stipulations are communicated to the student in person and in writing.
• Fail / Not Pass without stipulations: Student continues in the program, working with their committee to prepare for a second review at the end of the following semester.
• Fail / Not Pass with stipulations as described: Student continues in the program working with their committee to prepare for a second review at the end of the following semester and to address stipulations outlined by the committee. Any stipulations are communicated to the student in person and in writing.
• Fail / Not Pass with immediate dismissal from program: Student is dismissed from program and suspended from the Graduate School. They are no longer allowed to enroll in graduate classes.

Second review votes by faculty

• Pass without stipulations: Student continues through the program and prepares for an exhibition of a body of work.
• Pass with stipulations as described: Student continues in the program, prepares for an exhibition of a body of work after addressing stipulations outlined by the committee. Any stipulations are communicated to the student in person and in writing.
• Fail / Not Pass with immediate dismissal from program: Student is dismissed from program and suspended from the Graduate School. They are no longer allowed to enroll in graduate classes.