COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Studio Art program requires a minimum of 60 credit hours and is designed to provide an intensive, studio-focused education that supports both creative development and academic inquiry. The core curriculum begins with Graduate Seminar I in Studio Art, which helps students engage in critical discussions and develop their conceptual approach to artmaking. Students also complete 9 credit hours in Art History electives to build a strong understanding of historical and theoretical contexts, along with 9 credit hours of Studio Art electives that allow for skill development through studio practice, cross-disciplinary work, seminars, travel study, or independent projects. In addition, 6 credit hours of general graduate electives may be taken within or outside the School of Art, offering flexibility to explore broader academic interests.A major component of the program is the chosen concentration, which requires 27 credit hours in a specific area such as Ceramics, Drawing, Glass, Jewelry, Metals and Enameling, Painting, Print Media and Photography, Sculpture and Expanded Media, or Textiles. These concentration courses provide in-depth, specialized training and allow students to refine their artistic voice within their selected medium. For example, in the Ceramics concentration, students may take courses like Graduate Studio: Ceramics I and II, as well as participate in special topics or study-away experiences.The culminating requirement of the program is the M.F.A. Thesis, which includes both a creative and written component. Students must produce a body of artistic work, such as an exhibition or installation, supported by a written thesis that explains the conceptual, historical, or technical aspects of their work. This is followed by an oral defense before a faculty committee. Overall, the program integrates studio practice, academic research, and critical analysis to prepare students for professional careers in the visual arts.