Master of Fine Arts (in Studio Art)

This degree program is intended for students who are committed to becoming professional artists and who want an intensive 60-credit hour, in-residence preparation for careers in art. The program is organized to be completed in three years, with a two-year program possible under certain circumstances. The three studio areas—Two-Dimensional Studies (Painting and Printmaking), Three-Dimensional Studies (Sculpture and Ceramics), and Computer and Photographic Arts—allow a student to select a major emphasis as well as experiment in a range of other areas, using an interdisciplinary approach when desired. Applicants should select an emphasis area, based on their interests, and indicate it as well as secondary areas, if any, on the application form, Section II.

Transfer Credit
Up to 12 graduate level credits may be transferred from another institution, subject to approval by the Graduate Program Director and the Graduate Dean. A maximum of six credits may be transferred from non-degree graduate work at this University.

Program Requirements
Of the 60 credits required, 33 to 36 credits must be in the major area, 18 of which constitute the master’s thesis. The remaining 24 to 27 credits should be taken in other areas, including art history and visual culture. Up to 21 credits may be taken as independent study. Under special circumstances an additional six credits of independent study may be taken outside of Art, but only upon approval by the Graduate Program Director.

Students are also required to have their studio work reviewed by M.F.A. area faculty at mid-semester and the end of the semester for the first two years of the M.F.A. Program. Lack of satisfactory progress towards the completion of the M.F.A. degree, as determined by the area faculty through the review process, may result in a student being placed on probation or a recommendation that the student be withdrawn from the program. Both a positive area recommendation from the student’s instructors and grades of B or better are required for a student to remain in good standing. A student is also required to have area faculty approval before beginning thesis work. The thesis (required) consists of a one-person exhibition/presentation supported by a written statement and other documentation, including a digital image of each work in the exhibition. The candidate must also make an oral defense of the thesis.

M.F.A. candidates are restricted from using 500-level courses in their major area toward graduation credit. For example, painters cannot use course credit from the ART 520 series, sculptors cannot use the ART 560 series, and printmakers cannot use the ART 540 series. Again, this restriction applies only to 500-level courses in the major area.

Admission
Fall enrollment is necessary to ensure continuity in the program. The number of graduate students who can be accepted into the M.F.A. Program each fall is limited. The normal requirements for admission to the Graduate School apply except that the GRE is not required for M.F.A. applicants.

M.F.A. applicants must submit a portfolio of their own work as well as a resume. The portfolio is the primary criterion for selection. (For further information, see the “Portfolio Submission” section above or visit the Department website http://www.umass.edu/art/.)