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.