Mar 28, 2024  
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Art, M.F.A.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Graduate School

Areas of Study

  • Graphic Design
  • IPEF (Interdisciplinary Practices in Emerging Forms)
  • Painting
  • Photography/Digital Media
  • Sculpture

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the college’s graduate admission requirements , applicants must meet the following minimum requirements for unconditional admission to the Master of Fine Arts program:

  • BFA degree in the major field from an accredited institution with an overall 3.00 (B) average on the last 60 hours of course credit. Students with a BA degree in Studio Art or with other types of degrees may be accepted into the program with the requirement that additional credit hours be taken.

<or>

  • A minimum of 66 credit hours in art at the undergraduate and/or post baccalaureate level with a 3.00 (B) average.

Application Procedure

  1. Complete the online graduate application form
  2. Submit the nonrefundable School of Art application fee of $50.00, paid during applicaiton process.
  3. Submit transcripts
    • Provide one official transcript from each college or university attended since high school (send directly from the institution to Admissions in electronic form when possible).
      • If sending institution cannot transmit electronic transcripts, please have them mail to:

        UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON
        GRADUATE ADMISSIONS
        PO BOX 3947 HOUSTON
        TX 77253-3947

    • Provide one transcript from each college or university attended since high school scanned and uploaded during the application process in PDF format as a SINGLE document.
  4. During the application process you will be asked to provide names and email addresses of 3 people to serve as your references.  At least one of these should be familiar with your work in your art area. They will be contacted electronically by the university for the recommendation.
  5. Provide a brief statement of intent expressing reasons for pursuing graduate study in the particular area of interest.  Indicate on the statement the concentration to which you are applying.  Upload this statement during the application process in PDF format.
  6. Submit a resume or CV, uploaded during the application process in PDF form.
  7. Submit a digital portfolio, uploaded during the application process. You may upload up to a 40 MB single pdf document during online application. Please visit the School of Art website for detailed information on the format for the portfolio.

Degree Requirements

Requirements for earning the Master of Fine Arts degree include a minimum of 60 semester hours in graduate courses, including 18 semester hours of concentration in the major discipline, 12 semester hours in art history, 24 semester hours in related arts courses, and six semester hours in seminars. Candidates for the Master of Fine Arts degree are encouraged to complete all course work for the degree within three years to ensure the sustained concentration requisite to the achievement of quality work at the graduate level. Students must complete the degree program within five years.

Additionally, students are required to complete one academic year in residence during the course of their degree program. This residency is defined as 18 semester hours comprising a minimum of nine semester hours taken in two consecutive semesters.

Throughout the program of study, students will be evaluated on a regular basis. A progress review is required during each semester of enrollment in the graduate program.

Upon completion of all course work for the degree, students will present their work for exhibition with accompanying photographic documentation. The creative work and supporting documentation will represent the visual thesis. In addition, students must pass a comprehensive examination, which normally will be administered during the final semester of the final year of work for the degree. The examination will cover students’ knowledge of their major discipline, of art history, and of related areas of art.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Graduate School