master of fine arts (mfa)
Master of Fine Arts
The objectives of the Master of Fine Arts degree (M.F.A.) program in art are professional achievement of high order, a knowledge of art history and criticism, the development of a fundamental grasp and understanding of the professional field of art and its relationship to supporting fields of knowledge, and the satisfactory completion of course work and other degree requirements. The program of study will vary, depending upon the studio emphasis area and goals of the individual graduate student. The Master of Fine Arts degree, which is considered to be the terminal degree in studio art, is awarded in recognition of professional development in the visual arts as evidenced by a period of successful post-bachelor's degree study. The M.F.A. degree is recognized as preparatory to studio art teaching positions at institutions of higher education.
Graduate Coordinator
Jeannie Hulen
(479) 575-2008
Ceramics Bldg
Areas of Concentration
Major and/or minor concentrations include drawing, painting, sculpture, design, printmaking, ceramics, and photography.
Application for Admission (Application deadline is March 1)
In addition to the requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the applicant must also submit the following materials to the Department of Art:
- transcripts of college level work
- at least three letters of reference concerning art work, work habits, and potential for graduate study in art
- a portfolio of art works
- a personal statement concerning background, imaginative and technical development, and goals for graduate study in visual art an application form obtained from the Department of Art
The applicant for the Master's of Fine Arts degree in art is expected to have earned the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or its equivalent, with a major concentration in visual art. Applicants who do not have an art major may present evidence of proficiency in creative work in the visual arts. Acceptance to the M.F.A. degree program requires a two-semester art history survey or its equivalent. Failing to meet this requirement, the MFA student is required to complete the appropriate semesters of survey of art history for non-graduate credit.
After admission to the Graduate School and acceptance by the Department of Art, the department chair will appoint an advisor to work with the student in planning a suitable program of advanced study. The student's work and progress in the program will be reviewed by the faculty at least twice each year.
Requirements for the Master of Fine Arts Degree
Completion of a minimum of 60 semester credit hours and a minimum of four regular semesters in residence (not to include summer terms).
- A minimum of 41 credit hours in studio courses including:
- A minimum major concentration area of 4 semesters (12 credit hours). - A minimum minor concentration area of 3 semesters (9 credit hours). - A minimum of 15 additional credit hours. These may include additional credits in the major concentration, minor concentration, and 3 credit hours in excess of the required 9 hours of Art History and/or criticism. Up to 6 credit hours in graduate courses taken outside the Art Department may be included, with prior approval from the Department. - Art History requirement: While in the M.F.A. program, the student is required to complete a minimum of nine hours of art history as follows:
- An elected 19th or 20th century art history course. (ARHS 4813, 4883, 4893, 4913, or 4923) - An elected pre-19th century art history course. (ARHS 4833, 4843, 4853, 4863, or 4873) - ARHS 6943, Seminar: Critical Thought in the Arts - Graduate Critique (4 semester hours)
- M.F.A. students will have regular group critiques with faculty in their major concentration areas of study. The format for these critiques will be flexible, and professional and practical problems in art will be covered. - All M.F.A. students will have regular reviews with the art faculty to critique works in progress. Required participation in these reviews will be by registration in ARTS 5901, Graduate Critique, for four semesters. The first three semesters will require participation with the full groups of M.F.A. students and art faculty. The fourth semester will be the individual graduate student and the graduate committee; or, a group of M.F.A. candidates preparing to complete the degree, thesis or exhibition requirement. Graduate students not working toward the M.F.A. degree are encouraged to participate in critiques, but they are not required to register for credit. - The required final semester in the M.F.A. program is to be devoted to work on M.F.A. Exhibition, ARTS 601V (6 credit hours) The production and presentation, under the direction of a graduate committee, of a one-person exhibition of art work. The M.F.A. candidate will be responsible for making three acceptable slide sets of the exhibition and exhibition statements, which will be retained by the Department of Art and the University Library. The final semester must be completed during a regular school year. During this final semester, the M.F.A. candidate may enroll for three additional credit hours in electives if the candidate does not hold a graduate assistantship. The M.F.A. candidate holding an assistantship may not take additional credits in the final semester.
Residence Requirements
To meet the residency requirements, the student is required to complete a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate credit and study in residence for a minimum of four regular semesters on the Fayetteville campus. All degree requirements must be completed within six consecutive calendar years from the date of first enrollment. With approval of the department chairperson and the Graduate School, up to six credit hours of graduate level work in studio art or art history may be transferred from another recognized graduate school and applied to degree requirements.
Candidacy Application and Review
After completion of two semesters in the M.F.A. degree program the student may make application to be a candidate for completion of the M.F.A. degree. The art faculty will conduct a formal review of the applicant's work and progress in the program. At least two regular semesters of residence must be completed after acceptance as a degree candidate.
Graduate Committee and Major Adviser
When the student has been accepted as a degree candidate, the student will select a major advisor from the graduate art faculty. The major advisor will serve as advisor to the student in planning the completion of the program of study. At least one semester before graduation, a four- or five-member committee of graduate art faculty will be selected. The student's major advisor will be chairperson of this committee and one member of the graduate committee will represent the art history or criticism area. One additional committee member from a discipline outside the Department of Art may be selected by the degree candidate.
Final Examination
Final approval for the completion of the M.F.A. degree will be the responsibility of the candidate's graduate committee, and will require an oral examination over the candidate's exhibition of creative works and related aspects of the student's program of study.