MFA in Studio Art
Total units required for the MFA: 60
Program Description
The Master of Fine Arts degree is a two-year 60-unit, multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary program in the visual arts with studies in ceramics, drawing, painting, new media art, printmaking and sculpture. This professional terminal degree offers opportunities for solo and group exhibition, curatorial collaboration, exhibition catalogue production and written thesis. The curriculum encourages an integration of art theory, art history and art studio practice. Students will be expected to demonstrate an advanced level of professional studio competence developed through a significant body of work that is contextualized in contemporary culture. Special emphasis is placed on the development of individuality, depth, and professional competence in both art technique and concepts.
The program prepares students to enter the Fine Arts profession by providing experiences with intensive and immersive study, exhibition of their work and community and professional engagement. The program also offers assistantship opportunities in teaching, art technician work and gallery operations. For a more complete list of possible professions attached to the MFA see Career Possibilities in Art.
Admission Requirements
Admission as a classified graduate student in Studio Art requires:
- a BFA or BA in Art or its *equivalent, including 12 units in Art History;
- a minimum 2.5 overall GPA
- a minimum 3.0 GPA in Art courses
- approval by Studio Art faculty review of other submitted materials (see Admission Procedures below); and
- English language proficiency: International students must pass TOEFL - minimum of 80 IBT, IELTS - minimum of 7.0 Band Score, PTE Academic Score: 65
*Equivalent- BA in Studio Art
1.In the liberal arts studio art major, normally at least 20% of the total credits are in studio courses, and at least 5% are in art/design history. Total required work in the visual arts normally equals 30-45% of the curriculum.
2.The curriculum should aim primarily toward breadth of experience and understanding rather than professional specialization. The primary objective of such training is not necessarily preparation for a career in art or design.
Upon graduation from BA or BFA, students must demonstrate:
- A developed visual sensitivity.
- The technical skills, perceptual development, and understanding of principles of visual organization sufficient to achieve basic visual communication and expression in one or more media.
- The ability to make workable connections between concept and media.
- Some familiarity with the works and intentions of major artists/designers and movements of the past and the present, both in the Western and non-Western worlds.
- An understanding of the nature of contemporary thinking on art and design.
Admission Procedures
Applicants must complete a University application and a separate Art Departmental application by the posted application deadline dates for the term applying.
- Graduate Studies (university) application submitted online via Cal State Apply by Graduate Studies deadline.
- Art Department application submitted via SlideRoom (refer to Art Department website) that includes the following:
- Art Department application form
- Essay of intent addressing listed content on site
- 3 letters of recommendation from previous faculty or art professionals
- Official transcripts of all colleges attended
- Twenty images or appropriate format of work (time-based images or documentation, video, audio etc.)
For additional admissions information please visit the Office of Graduate Studies website.
Minimum GPA Requirement
Minimum Cumulative GPA: 3.0
Advancement to Candidacy
Each student must file an application for Advancement to Candidacy, indicating a proposed program of graduate study. This procedure should begin as soon as the classified graduate student has:
- removed any deficiencies;
- completed at least 30 units of 200-level courses in the graduate program with a minimum 3.0 GPA;
- taken the Writing Placement for Graduate Students (WPG) or taken a Graduate Writing Intensive (GWI) course in their discipline within the first three semesters of coursework at Sacramento State or secured approval for a WPG waiver; and
- secured approval from the studio art faculty, based on a formal presentation of the student’s work.
Advancement to Candidacy forms are available on the Office of Graduate Studies website. The student fills out the form after planning a degree program in consultation with Art Department Graduate Coordinator. The completed form is then returned to the Office of Graduate Studies for approval. Note: Advancement to Candidacy may be attempted only twice.
Final Review
During the semester when the student expects to complete 60 units, the student should consult with the Graduate Coordinator and the student's advisor in order to determine the details (such as the number of pieces and manner of presentation) of the final review, which is a culminating exhibition of student work. Note: Final reviews may be attempted only twice.
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Core Courses (18 Units) | ||
| ART 206 | Art Theory and Criticism | 3 |
| ART 212 | Contemporary Art | 3 |
| ART 222A | Graduate Seminar 1 | 3 |
| ART 222B | Graduate Seminar 2 | 3 |
| ART 222C | Graduate Seminar 3 | 3 |
| ART 222D | Graduate Seminar 4 | 3 |
| Studio Core Courses (18 Units) | ||
| ART 201A | Mentored Individual Studio Practice 1 | 3 |
| ART 201B | Mentored Individual Studio Practice 2 | 3 |
| ART 201C | Mentored Individual Studio Practice 3 | 3 |
| ART 207 | Graduate Studio and Critique | 3 |
| ART 208 | Intensive Graduate Studio and Critique | 6 |
| Elective Courses (9 Units) | ||
| Select 9 units from the following: 1 | 9 | |
| Teaching Practicum 2, 3 | ||
| Advanced Drawing | ||
| Figure Drawing | ||
| Advanced Watercolor | ||
| Life Painting | ||
| Painting and Drawing in the Field | ||
| Collage and Assemblage | ||
| Intermediate Printmaking | ||
| Advanced Silkscreen | ||
| 3D Computer Modeling | ||
| Digital Printmaking | ||
| Advanced Printmaking Studio | ||
| Video Art | ||
| Advanced Ceramics | ||
| Hand-Built Ceramic Techniques | ||
| Figure Sculpture | ||
| Advanced Sculpture | ||
| Installation and Performance Art | ||
| Special Problems 3 | ||
| Instructional Design 2 | ||
| Photography in the Field | ||
| Alternative Photographic Processes | ||
| Elective Graduate Studio Courses (9 Units) | ||
| Select 9 units from the following: | 9 | |
| Graduate Studio and Critique | ||
| Intensive Graduate Studio and Critique | ||
| Culminating Requirement (6 Units) | ||
| ART 500A | Culminating Experience Thesis 4 | 3 |
| ART 500B | Culminating Experience Exhibition 5 | 3 |
| Total Units | 60 | |
- 1
Six units of the nine units may be selected from any university undergraduate (upper-division only) course or graduate course with faculty approval.
- 2
EDTE 280B and ART 231 are part of the teaching option and will satisfy 6 of the 9 elective units.
- 3
Open only to graduate art students competent to carry on individual work; admission requires approval of the faculty member who will direct the work and of the Department Chair via signed petition form.
- 4
ART 500A is a written thesis requirement and is taken with studio advisor.
- 5
ART 500B is the final exhibition requirement taken with Graduate Coordinator.