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    Mar 29, 2024  
American University Catalog 2021-2022 
    
American University Catalog 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Studio Art (MFA)


Offered by the Department of Art , College of Arts and Sciences .

Admission to the Program


In addition to meeting the minimum university requirements for graduate study, applicants should hold a Bachelor of Arts (with a major in Fine Arts) or a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Under special circumstances, applicants without a BA or BFA degree or without a major in Fine Arts, but with outstanding artistic or professional qualifications, may be considered for admission.

Admission is based on academic record, two letters of recommendation, a resume and portfolio of twenty images. Application for admission is made online and further instructions are available on the Department of Art website.

Degree Requirements


  • 36 credit hours of approved graduate work
    • Additional studio (or art history) courses may be required to attain maturity and proficiency and to complete satisfactorily the comprehensives and thesis. The number and kinds of additional courses will be stipulated by the admissions committee at the time of admission
  • One public oral examination after completion of each semester of ARTS-797 Master’s Thesis Seminar (3)  and mandatory attendance at all MFA in Studio Art public oral examinations
  • A thesis exhibition of original works of art in the student’s area of specialization executed independently by the student in consultation with a thesis committee of two or three faculty members. Written and photographic documentation of approved thesis is also required
  • Mandatory attendance at all visiting artist lectures and critiques

Course Requirements