Mar 29, 2024  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [Not Current Academic Year. Consult with Your Academic Advisor for Your Catalog Year]

Art, MFA


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Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts  > School of Art  > Art, MFA


The graduate program leading to the M.F.A. degree is a 60 term-hour degree program comprised of 18 hours in the concentration, 12 hours in art history, 24 hours of related arts, and six hours of graduate seminar. MFA Degree Concentrations:

  • Graphic Design
  • IPEF
  • Painting
  • Photography and Digital Media
  • Sculpture

For further information, please see MFA Programs web page.

Admission Requirements


The following are the basic requirements for unconditional admission to the graduate program for the MFA degree:

  • BA, BFA or BS in any field from a US accredited institution with a minimum of 3.0 (B) GPA earned in the last 60 hours of coursework.
  • The School of Art evaluates and admits MFA candidates primarily on the basis of work completed in the major area of concentration to which the application is made. Therefore, the portfolio and artist’s statement, as described below, are  the most important parts of the application.

Applicant Checklist

  • A completed online application available at http://www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/how-to-apply/, including document upload and fee payment
  • Non-refundable application fee ($75 domestic applicants/$150 international applicants) collected online during application process
  • Official transcript from each college or university attended since high school (sent directly to the Graduate School)
  • During the applications 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.
  • A brief statement of intent expressing your reasons for pursuing graduate study in your area of interest. Indicate on the statement the concentration to which you are applying. A resume or CV is required and will be uploaded during the application process in PDF form.
  • Portfolio (see http://www.uh.edu/cota/art/Graduate-Programs/MFA%20in%20Studio%20Art/Apply/ for details on specific concentrations)
  • International students have additional documentation and/or test score submission requirements. For full details, visit www.uh.edu/graduate-school/admissions/international-students/.

Degree Requirements


Credit hours required for this degree: 60.0

The MFA degree is a sixty term-hour program.

  • Studio Courses in Design: 18 hours
  • Related Arts: 24 hours
  • Art History: 12 hours
  • Seminar: 6 hours

SPECIFIC CONCENTRATION REQUIREMENTS (within the 18 hours of required coursework): *note: the specifics listed below are IN ADDITION to hours needed to satisfy the 18 hour requirement of coursework in the area of concentration. These hours may NOT be satisfied with Independent Study.

  • GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION: EVERY term students are required to enroll in Graphic Communication Studio (ART 6330 ). This will total 12 hours of coursework. They are encouraged to also enroll in (ART 7330 ) whenever possible.
  • IPEF (Interdisciplinary Practices in Emerging Forms): IPEF students are required to take Interdisciplinary Studio (ART 6385 ) a minimum of three times. It is suggested that this be taken once per year.
  • PAINTING: The Graduate Painting Program requires that all first year graduate students take both the Graduate Drawing section (ART 6300 ) and the Graduate Painting section (ART 6305 ) in BOTH the FALL and the SPRING of the First year in conjunction with First Year Graduate Seminar (ART 6380 ). It is strongly recommended that they take no more than 9 hours in the Fall term. After the First Year, they are no longer required to enroll in (ART 6305 ) Graduate Painting or (ART 6300 ) Graduate Drawing. They may take other graduate level drawing and painting courses. (beyond the remaining 6 hours required to satisfy the 18 hours in Concentration distribution). Painting students MUST take History of Contemporary Painting (ARTH 6331 ) to satisfy one of their Art History requirements.
  • PHOTO/DIGITAL MEDIA: Photography Studio (ART 6370 ) is required a minimum of four times as follows: BOTH terms of the first year, one term of the second year and the SPRING term of the third year. Photography Students are required to take Readings in 20th and 21st Century Photography (ARTH 6320 ) to satisfy one of their Art History requirements.
  • SCULPTURE: EVERY term students are required to enroll in Sculpture Studio (ART 6360 ). This will total 12 hours of coursework.

Academic Policies


Graduate Reviews

First-year student Initial Reviews: At the end of the fall and spring semesters, each first year student will meet with their committee. During this meeting the committee and the student will discuss the student’s work, progress in the program, and plans for future study.

Second Year Review: Prior to the end of the spring semester of the second year students must arrange a meeting of their faculty committee as a group to review their work and progress toward the degree, and discuss plans for the final year.

A student will be permitted to graduate upon completion of their course requirements, Thesis Exhibition, Oral Examination, and MFA Thesis Catalog.

Graduate Writing Course ART 6381 : During the fall of the final year, the student is required to enroll in Art 6381, the Graduate Writing Seminar.

MFA Thesis Catalog: The MFA Thesis Catalog will include the long artist’s statement from the Graduate Writing Course, documentation of the student’s work, and any additional supporting materials. The work in the Thesis Exhibition must be included in the MFA Catalog. On or before a designated date in the spring (which will be posted at the fall meeting of MFA candidates), the student will submit a copy of the MFA Thesis Catalog to the Graduate Advisor, in PDF Format (viewable by Adobe Reader) on a CD or DVD, for final approval. 

Thesis Exhibition: A representative from the Blaffer Gallery will meet with the graduating MFA students approximately 6 months prior to the exhibition. At this time each student will receive a copy of the schedule of the deadlines for the exhibition. At this meeting the student must be prepared to give the Blaffer Gallery a preliminary estimate of the scope of their work for the exhibition. Students must consult with the Blaffer Gallery regarding work that requires unusual or specific accommodations in installation.

Oral Examination: The student will schedule a meeting with their committee for the oral examination, the final and comprehensive discussion of their work. The oral examination may be held at any time during the spring semester, but must be held prior to the closing of the student’s MFA Thesis Exhibition (exceptions to this time constraint may be arranged with the approval of the Graduate Advisor). At least two weeks prior to the oral examination, the student will deliver a printed copy of their long artist’s statement to all members of the committee. For oral examinations held in the Blaffer Gallery, the student will schedule the oral examination in the Blaffer Gallery after the installation of the exhibition. No more than one week after the completion of the oral examination the Committee Chair will deliver the signed MFA Candidate Report Form to the Graduate Advisor.

Academic Policies: College of the Arts  

University of Houston Academic Policies  

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