Mar 29, 2024  
2009-2010 Graduate Catalog 
    
2009-2010 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)


The Department of Art  offers a 60-hour graduate program leading to the master of fine arts degree in the fields of ceramics, drawing, graphic design and digital media, painting, printmaking, photography, metalsmithing and jewelry, and sculpture. There are 18 full-time graduate faculty members who, in addition to their teaching, are active in exhibiting or publishing.

Master’s degree requirements


The graduate course requirements for the M.F.A. of 60 semester credit hours would normally be distributed over six semesters of a three-year program. In any case, the student will be required to spend a minimum of three semesters in the M.F.A. program with one academic year in residency as a full-time student. The 60 semester credits of course work include courses in art history and cognate areas of study. These required credits may not include course work that is required as make-up for undergraduate deficiencies.

Course requirements:


 

      Area of concentration   35-40 semester credit hours
  Supporting studio course   3-10 semester credit hours
  Art history   9 semester credit hours
  Free electives   12 semester credit hours

Courses outside the area of concentration (supporting and free electives) should be taken from faculty other than the major professor, in order to get as much experience as possible with others on the graduate faculty. Students are also encouraged to take a portion of their free electives outside the art department.

Each student’s program of study is subject to the approval of the major professor and the supervisory committee. It is emphasized that this is a committee/departmental option and not a student’s option.

Thesis Requirement


The thesis requirement for the M.F.A. degree consists of the following:

The graduate exhibition: a substantial body of original works of art to be exhibited on campus during the final semester of the student’s program.

A written document in which the candidate demonstrates proficiency in conducting research and in analyzing, interpreting, and organizing material, as well as evidencing the ability to communicate perceptions, insights, and conclusions. A slide portfolio of the graduate exhibition is required and will be kept by the Department of Art for the record. Satisfactory completion of both the visual and written portions of the thesis is required for the awarding of the M.F.A. degree. The final oral examination for the M.F.A. degree will be taken when the student has completed the program of study, has hung his or her graduate exhibition, and has delivered a copy of the written document to each member of the supervisory committee.