About the Master of Fine Arts Degree Program
- Areas of Concentration
- Program Requirements
- Degree Progress
- Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields
The MFA program provides an educational environment in which promising and engaged artists explore their potential through studio practice and critical dialogue. Peers, visiting artists and critics, along with a vital faculty of working artists, generate dialogue through informal meetings, seminars and tutorials. While studio practice is at the core of the curriculum, the program exposes students to a broad range of artistic strategies and modes of critical thinking through courses in art theory and history, as well as pertinent University-wide electives.
Areas of Concentration
Program Requirements
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a three-year degree program requiring six semesters of full-time study. Students are encouraged to define their own interests and in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) and their academic adviser, design programs suited to their particular needs. The program consists of 60 total semester credits of graduate (5000- and 8000-level) course work. Courses are usually 3 or 4 credits. In the first two years of the program, students must complete required coursework (42 credits), and in the third year students enroll in Creative Thesis (ArtS 8990, up to 18 credits) in preparation for the MFA Thesis Exhibition and Supporting Paper.
The curriculum emphasizes interdisciplinary seminars and directed studio practice. Students complete two inter-media seminars in the fall semester of their first and second years of study. The first-year seminar, Theoretical Constructions in Contemporary Art (ArtS 8400), focuses on the development of critical and analytical skills and introduces current theoretical perspectives in conjunction with the study of modern and contemporary art. The second-year seminar, Studio Critique (ArtS 8410), provides a forum for criticism and discussion of student work and ideas. In addition, students complete coursework in a related field and may choose to earn 9 credits in Art History, or 6 credits in Art History plus 3 credits from other departments or programs at the University.
In the third year of study all candidates produce a solo exhibition of creative work and submit the MFA Thesis Supporting Paper.
Certain areas, such as Ceramics or Sculpture, may require unique coursework for graduation. For specific area requirements students must consult their adviser.
Degree Progress
The MFA is a three-year, full-time program. Enrollment in three courses per term is standard. In order to remain active, the Graduate School requires registration for fall and spring terms of each year. (Registration in Summer Session is not required). Once a student’s status becomes inactive, reapplication to the Graduate School is required in order to continue in the program. Readmission to the Graduate School requires filing the Change of Status/Readmission form ($50 fee). If readmitted, students must register in the Graduate School in the semester of readmission to regain their active status. Graduate students must complete all requirements of the MFA degree within seven years. This period begins with the earliest work included on the official degree program, including any transfer work.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields
A minor in art may be obtained by candidates in a University of Minnesota master’s program by completing 9 credits of graduate level coursework chosen in consultation with the director of graduate studies in art. Candidates in a PhD program must complete 12 credits. The minor must include ArtS 8400—Theoretical Constructions in Contemporary Art.
