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, 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.F.A. degree program at IUP is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and conforms to the guidelines and standards of the College Art Association.
Visit the Art Department admission requirements page for more information, or contact Graduate Admissions to apply. For inquiries about the graduate art program or to schedule a visit, contact the Department of Art graduate coordinator.
Course Requirements for the M.F.A.
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.Fo
ART 680 Graduate Studio Critique (counted towards minor credits) 3 cr.
ART 615 Art Seminar 3 cr.
II. Studies in Visual Culture and Art History (6 cr.)
ARHI 620 Art and Visual Culture 3 cr.
ARHI 683 Graduate Seminar in Theory and Criticism 3 cr.
III. Graduate-Level Electives (6 cr.)
(See 4,5 below)
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 toward 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.
