The 60-credit M.F.A. signals the highest level of professional competence in the Fine Arts.
It requires the development of a verbally and visually articulate argument in a chosen medium, such as Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Print Media, Metals, Woodworking, Ceramics, Fibers, and trans-media collaborations. The Art student’s research and development culminates in a written thesis and a mature and relevant body of artwork presented in a thesis exhibition. Art students who desire professional practice or university/college teaching upon graduation should choose the M.F.A. program.
Preparation for professional practice and teaching in higher education is exercised through rigorous diverse components of the program such as critiques, studies in contemporary culture in the contexts of art history, art theory and criticism, writing, and exhibition. The M.A. and the M.F.A. degree programs at IUP are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and conform to the guidelines and standards of the College Art Association.
Admission Requirements
Individuals seeking admission to graduate study within the Department of Art must meet the general admission standards and adhere to academic policies established by the School of Graduate Studies and Research at IUP. These specific policies are described in this catalog.
An applicant must either be a graduate of an accredited B.F.A., B.A., or equivalent degree program or be judged to possess the necessary prerequisite studio proficiency. Admission into the M.A. or M.F.A. program of the Department of Art is based on the nature, extent, and quality of preparation in studio, art history, criticism, and other academic subjects. If an applicant is deemed to be deficient in any of these particular areas, the graduate committee may require satisfactory completion of certain undergraduate courses.
Application for Admission to the School of Graduate Studies and Research
- Application Form and Fee
- Official Transcripts - include all undergraduate/graduate course work
- Résumé
- Artist/Goal Statement (one page) articulating the subject matter and artistic content of the applicant’s work as well as professional goals.
- Three Letters of Recommendation: These letters should be written by professional artists or educators in the arts with whom the applicant has recently studied or worked and who can assess the applicant’s studio and scholastic competencies.
Course Requirements for the MFA
I. Required courses (45 cr.)
Major Studio Concentration (Dual Level) 21 cr.
Minor Studio Concentration (Dual Level) 9 cr.
ART 680 Graduate Studio Critique (counted towards major credits) 9 cr.
ART 680 Graduate Studio Critique (counted towards minor credits) 3 cr.
ART 615 Art Seminar 3 cr.
II. Art History (6 cr.)
ARHI 682 Graduate Seminar in Art History 3 cr.
ARHI 683 Graduate Seminar in Theory and Criticism 3 cr.
III. Graduate-Level Electives (6 cr.)
IV. Thesis Requirements (3 cr.)
ART 795 M.F.A. Thesis/Exhibition 3 cr.
Total 60 cr.
Graduate Studio Courses (Dual Level) that can count towards the major and minor studio concentration are:
ART 557 Graduate Studio in Print Media
ART 559 Graduate Studio in Fibers
ART 560 Graduate Studio in Jewelry and Metal Work
ART 572 Graduate Studio in Ceramics
ART 573 Graduate Studio in Sculpture
ART 574 Graduate Studio in Oil Painting
ART 575 Graduate Studio in Drawing
ART 576 Graduate Studio in Woodworking
Nine transfer credits will be accepted from the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Zagreb, successfully earned as part of the College of Fine Arts’ specific international exchange program and will be applied to Graduate-Level Electives (6 cr.) and ART 680 Graduate Studio Critique course requirements.
Residency Requirement
The residency requirement for the M.F.A. is the same as that for a student within a doctoral program at IUP. Please refer to that section of the catalog for details. In addition to the information that appears in this catalog, applicants are advised to contact the graduate coordinator in the Department of Art for more detailed policies and procedures related to the Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degree programs.
