MFA Curriculum
•A minimum of 60 hours to include the following.
• A minimum of 16 hours of studio courses in a concentration area.
• A minimum of 9 hours of graduate‐level academic (non‐studio) courses of which at least 6 hours are to
be in art history.
• 1 hour of First‐Semester Graduate Seminar.
• A minimum of 14 hours of electives consisting of any combination of courses offered by the University for graduate
credit.
Students with a GTA are required to successfully complete 3 hours of Art 503, Theory and Practice of Art
Fundamentals. These hours are considered to be elective.
A concentration area may have course requirements that reduce the number of elective hours.
• 20 hours of Art 599, Project in Lieu of Thesis. A third year of semi‐independent study. Student must have completed all required coursework prior to commencement of Art 599.
Four semesters (normally the first 40 hours) beyond the bachelor’s degree are required in residence. An exception is
made for working professional designers who may complete their first 20 hours, with the permission of the faculty, on a
part‐time basis. Residence is defined by the School of Art as a minimum enrollment of 6 hours per semester and use of
School of Art facilities so that students are available for discussion and criticism. The candidate’s committee will consist
of a minimum of three members and a
maximum of six members and will be appointed prior to registration for Art 599. The committee must consist of one
faculty member from the candidate’s concentration area (designated as chairperson) and a faculty member from
outside the concentration area. The inclusion of an art history faculty member on each committee is encouraged. With
the completion of all requirements for the MFA, the student must produce an exhibition and, in the presence of that
work, must satisfactorily complete an oral examination.
Course Load
A graduate teaching assistant or associate cannot register for more than thirteen (13) creadit hourse during any semester without prior approval of the Director of the School of Art. The maximum load for a graduate student is fifteen (15) credit hours per semester, and nine (9) to thirteen (13) credit hours. Exceptions must have prior approval of the Director. Registration for more that fifteen (15) credit hours during any semester is not permissable without prior approval of The Graduate School.
Variable Credit Courses
Graduate students have the option of enrolling for variable credit in courses which may be selected in accordance with the student's commitment to a particular area of course involvement. If the student wishes only a limited investigation of an area, two (2) hours of credit might be appropriate; four (4) hours of credit is normal for studio courses; and six (6) hours would constitute an exceptionally intense investigation into a particular area. It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor of the number of credit hours in which he/she is enrolled for the course.
Alternative Courses
There are several courses available to students who wish to pursue individual study on their own or away from campu. Study abroad, in large metropolitan areas, or in programs suited to the particular student's interest are encouraged. Interested students should consult with their faculty advisor to formulate a proposal which then may be implemented by enrolling in the followin courses:
Art 591 - Foreign Study
Art 592 - Off-Campus Study
Art 593 - Independent Study