The Master of Fine Arts program fosters excellence in artistic inquiry and achievement. Students accepted into our program work closely with nationally recognized faculty who guide a wide range of research and experimentation in studio media. In each phase of the curriculum, individual studio practice is enriched by research in art history and clarified through engagement with contemporary discourse surrounding art, craft, and design. Graduate student research is enhanced through coursework external to the Department of Art and Art History. Graduate students also engage with visiting artists and professionals, and exhibit their artwork in venues throughout the region and beyond as they prepare to move forward in their careers. Each student culminates their studies with a written thesis and a final MFA exhibition that demonstrates their ability to synthesize conceptual and material research into a cohesive body of artwork.
We encourage students interested in the graduate program to view the M.F.A. section of our website and spend some time with the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Develop professional knowledge and mastery of media and processes necessary to aesthetically communicate meaning in a cohesive body of artworks.
- Develop professional foundations through activities such as teaching, exhibitions, fellowships and grant applications.
- Demonstrate oral and written skills related to involvement with scholarly dialogue.
- Demonstrate the ability to communicate clearly and critically about art and related research.
- Generate and apply academic and external professional experiences to create graduate-level practice.
Effective Fall 2026
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses in Area of Study | ||
| Select one from the following: 1 | 9 | |
| Studio Problems: Painting | ||
| Studio Problems: Printmaking | ||
| Studio Problems: Sculpture | ||
| Studio Problems: Fibers | ||
| Studio Problems: Metalsmithing and Jewelry | ||
| Studio Problems: Drawing | ||
| Studio Problems: Graphic Design | ||
| Select from the following: 2 | 18 | |
| Studio Problems: Painting | ||
| Studio Problems: Printmaking | ||
| Studio Problems: Sculpture | ||
| Studio Problems: Fibers | ||
| Studio Problems: Metalsmithing and Jewelry | ||
| Studio Problems: Drawing | ||
| Studio Problems: Graphic Design | ||
| Select one from the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Independent Study: Painting | ||
| Independent Study: Printmaking | ||
| Independent Study: Sculpture | ||
| Independent Study: Fibers | ||
| Independent Study: Metalsmithing and Jewelry | ||
| Independent Study: Drawing | ||
| Independent Study: Graphic Design | ||
| Independent Study: Art History | ||
| Select one from the following: 4 | 9 | |
| Thesis: Painting | ||
| Thesis: Printmaking | ||
| Thesis: Sculpture | ||
| Thesis: Fibers | ||
| Thesis: Metalsmithing and Jewelry | ||
| Thesis: Drawing | ||
| Thesis: Graphic Design | ||
| Studio Seminar Requirements | ||
| ART 696I | Group Study: Multiple Media 5 | 6 |
| Required Art History 6 | ||
| ART 510Q | Advanced Study in Art History: Contemporary Art and Art Critics | 3 |
| ART 592 | Art History Seminar | 3 |
| Elective Courses | ||
| Department List Electives (see below) | 9 | |
| Program Total Credits: | 60 | |
A minimum of 60 credits are required to complete this program.
The MFA thesis is a sustained body of visual artwork developed through in-depth research within the student’s field of practice and may incorporate related media. While the thesis work is primarily visual art, students must also submit a written abstract that clearly articulates the project’s concepts, processes, and context. The format and content of the written document is developed in consultation with the thesis advisor and committee. The oral thesis defense includes discussion of the physical artwork in relationship to the written thesis in a presentation to the committee along with any invited guests.
The completed thesis must demonstrate mastery of the field through a substantial, cohesive body of work that meets professional standards of conceptual rigor, formal resolution, and technical skill.
M.F.A. Department List Electives
M.F.A. Department List credits support individual studio practice and creative research. Students and area advisors determine appropriate courses from, but not limited to, the list below. Courses from the list of "studio elective options" are chosen from areas outside of the student's own field of study. Students consult with faculty to assess readiness for upper-level courses, to confirm access to advanced courses, and to request overrides.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select a minimum of 9 credits from the following (3 credits must be from outside the department): | ||
| Studio Elective Options: | ||
| Advanced Drawing I | ||
| Advanced Drawing II | ||
| Pottery IV | ||
| Pottery V | ||
| Metalsmithing and Jewelry IV | ||
| Metalsmithing and Jewelry V | ||
| Fibers IV | ||
| Fibers V | ||
| Advanced Typography and Design Systems | ||
| Advanced Illustration | ||
| Painting IV--Portfolio Projects | ||
| Painting V--Capstone Portfolio Projects | ||
| Printmaking Research Art, Craft, and Design | ||
| Printmaking Capstone Portfolio and Exhibition | ||
| Sculpture IV | ||
| Sculpture V | ||
| Other Elective Options in the Department of Art and Art History: | ||
| Independent Study: Painting 7 | ||
| Independent Study: Printmaking 7 | ||
| Independent Study: Sculpture 7 | ||
| Independent Study: Fibers 7 | ||
| Independent Study: Metalsmithing and Jewelry 7 | ||
| Independent Study: Drawing 7 | ||
| Independent Study: Graphic Design 7 | ||
| Independent Study: Art History 7 | ||
| Independent Study: Art Education 7 | ||
| Independent Study: Pottery 7 | ||
| Independent Study: Photo Image Making 7 | ||
| Group Study: Painting | ||
| Group Study: Printmaking | ||
| Group Study: Sculpture | ||
| Group Study: Fibers | ||
| Group Study: Metalsmithing and Jewelry | ||
| Group Study: Drawing | ||
| Group Study: Graphic Design | ||
| Group Study: Art History | ||
| Group Study: Art Education | ||
| Group Study: Pottery | ||
| Group Study: Photo Image Making | ||
| Advanced Study in Art History: American Art 8 | ||
| Advanced Study in Art History: East and South African Art 8 | ||
| Advanced Study in Art History: Pre-Columbian Art 8 | ||
| Advanced Study in Art History: United States Art Since 1945 8 | ||
| Advanced Study in Art History: Medieval Art 8 | ||
| Advanced Study in Art History: Renaissance Art 8 | ||
| Advanced Study in Art History: Baroque and Rococo Art 8 | ||
| Advanced Study in Art History: 19th-Century European Art 8 | ||
| Advanced Study in Art History: 20th Century European Art 8 | ||
| Advanced Study in Art History: Gender and Feminisms in Art History 8 | ||
| Advanced Study in Art History: Pacific Art 8 | ||
| Supervised College Teaching | ||
| Independent Study: Painting | ||
| Independent Study: Printmaking | ||
| Independent Study: Sculpture | ||
| Independent Study: Fibers | ||
| Independent Study: Metalsmithing and Jewelry | ||
| Independent Study: Drawing | ||
| Independent Study: Graphic Design | ||
| Independent Study: Art History | ||
| Group Study: Multiple Media 9 | ||
Out-of-Department Course(s) 10 | ||
- 1
Select a minimum total of 9 credits to be taken in semesters 1, 2, and 3 (3 credits per semester)
- 2
Select a minimum total of 18 credits to be taken in semesters 1, 2, and 3 (6 credits per semester)
- 3
Select a minimum of 3 credits to be completed within student’s first semester.
- 4
Select a minimum of 9 credits to be taken during the student’s fourth semester.
- 5
Students take ART 696I twice: once during the first semester and once during the third semester.
- 6
Students may request advisor approval for an alternative course that would be chosen from among suitable University course offerings.
- 7
Maximum of 10 credits. Some subtopics may have a prerequisite.
- 8
Select ART 510 subtopics not taken elsewhere in the program.
- 9
To be taken in the first year.
- 10
Select course(s) at 300-level or higher from any department other than Art and Art History within the University for a minimum of 3 credits, with approval of advisor.
For more information, please visit Requirements for All Graduate Degrees in the Graduate and Professional Bulletin.
Summary of Procedures for the Master's and Doctoral Degrees
NOTE: Each semester the Graduate School publishes a schedule of deadlines. Deadlines are available on the Graduate School website. Students should consult this schedule whenever they approach important steps in their careers.
Forms are available online.
| Step | Due Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Application for admission (online) | Six months before first registration |
| 2. Diagnostic examination when required | Before first registration |
| 3. Appointment of advisor | Before first registration |
| 4. Selection of graduate committee | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 5. Filing of program of study (GS Form 6) | Before the time of fourth regular semester registration |
| 6. Preliminary examination (Ph.D. and PD) | Two terms prior to final examination |
| 7. Report of preliminary examination (GS Form 16) - (Ph.D. and PD) | Within two working days after results are known |
| 8. Changes in committee (GS Form 9A) | When change is made |
| 9. Application for Graduation (GS Form 25) | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 9a. Reapplication for Graduation (online) | Failure to graduate requires Reapplication for Graduation (online) for the next time term for which you are applying |
| 10. Submit thesis or dissertation to committee | At least two weeks prior to the examination or at the discretion of the graduate committee |
| 11. Final examination | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School Website |
| 12. Report of final examination (GS Form 24) | Within two working days after results are known; refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 13. Submit a signed Thesis/Dissertation Submission Form (GS Form 30) to the Graduate School and Submit the Survey of Earned Doctorates (Ph.D. only) prior to submitting the electronic thesis/dissertation | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website. |
| 14. Submit the thesis/dissertation electronically | Refer to published deadlines from the Graduate School website |
| 15. Graduation | Ceremony information is available from the Graduate School website |