The MFA in Studio Art program’s unique emphasis on international perspectives and rigorous, immersed study in fine art studio practice challenges the artist to confront their existing thoughts on established practical and philosophical methods of working. A required four-week international graduate residency in Burren, Ireland during the second summer term, as well as concept-based seminars and frequent interaction with nationally and internationally recognized faculty and visiting artists throughout the program, deepens the artist’s studio practice, strengthens and re-defines their work in new and innovative ways and positions the artist and their work within a global arts environment.

This seven-semester program is calendared to support individuals who are available for intensive full-time study for six-weeks during three concentrated summer terms. Evening seminars and advisor-guided independent studio tutorials maintain the program’s emphasis on studio work and continuity with peers and faculty during the fall and spring terms.

The program utilizes a variety of media as a means to explore and execute work based on content and intent. A required professional practices seminar instills essential business skills and, for those interested in teaching, an elective graduate teaching assistantship and teaching seminar prepares artists with teaching skills that are integral for working in postsecondary education.

Critical dialogue with faculty, visiting artists/critics and other graduate candidates are key components within group and individual critiques, seminars, lecture courses and in independent graduate tutorials.

The program culminates in the completion of a mature body of work accompanied by a written thesis, which is presented at the end of the final summer term to the faculty during the thesis exhibition in The Galleries at Moore.