Master of Fine Arts (in Studio Art)

Introduction

This degree program is intended for students who are committed to becoming professional artists. The purpose and aim of this in-residence program is to prepare students for diverse careers in studio art. Intended to be completed in three years, the coursework is organized into an intensive 60 credit hours.  Our program is interdisciplinary in that accepted students are not admitted into discrete areas or disciplines. 

Program Requirements

Of the 60 credits required, 33 to 36 credits must be in the area of studio art, 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 of the Graduate Program Director. 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.

Students are required to have their studio work reviewed by Department of Art faculty during mid-semester and at the end of every semester for the first two years of the program. Lack of satisfactory progress towards the completion of the M.F.A. degree, as determined by the 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through the review process, may result in a student being placed on probation or a recommendation that the student be withdrawn from the program.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 recommendation from the student’s instructors and grades of B or higher are required for a student to remain in good standing. A student is required to have unanimous faculty approval before beginning thesis work. This takes place in the form of a vote at the end of the student’s second year. If the student receives a unanimous vote in the affirmative from the faculty, they will ‘pass into the final thesis.’ The thesis consists of a one-person exhibition supported by a written dissertation expounding on the studio work, research, and other requisite documentation, including digital images of work in the exhibition. The candidate must also participate in and pass an oral defense of the thesis with their three-faculty thesis committee, whom is selected by each student.

Admission

The program does not have a rolling admission process.  The deadline for application to the M.F.A. program is 15 January of every year.  Applicants must submit a portfolio of their own work to http://umassamherstart.slideroom.com.  All other documentation, such as a resume, cover letter and letters of recommendation are uploaded to the graduate school.  For further information, see the “Portfolio Submission” section at http://www.umass.edu/art/admissions/mfa-studio-arts or visit the Department website at http://www.umass.edu/art/.