The M.F.A. in Fine Arts is a terminal degree and requires 60 semester hours of graduate study. The M.F.A. will offer three options: (a) Two Dimensional Studio, (b) Three Dimensional Studio, and (c) Integrated Media Studio. Studio facility coordinators in each area will advise and manage student coursework towards completion of the degree.
Admission Requirements. All applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have a minimum of 3.00 GPA in the major. They must have an undergraduate background appropriate for graduate study in the proposed field. They must have the equivalent of 18 credit hours of undergraduate art history/philosophy of art. They must have completed 50 credit hours of undergraduate studio, including 24 credit hours of concentrated study or equivalent portfolio-assessed experience. Candidates must commit to full-time study.
Candidates must provide within the application a minimum of two letters of recommendation from former instructors or professionals in the field, a letter of intent expressing the individual’s goal in pursuing the M.F.A. degree, a portfolio of 20 recent works, and an official transcript from the undergraduate institution. A personal interview is suggested.
Degree Requirements. The program leading to the M.F.A. in Fine Arts requires a minimum of 60 semester hours including 30 credit hours in the professional studio core, 9 credit hours of studio criticism, 9 credit hours of seminar on contemporary issues, 3 credit hours of community service, 3 credit hours of professional preparation, and 6 credit hours of thesis exhibition.
No more than 15 semester hours of credit may be granted for work previously completed at the master’s level.
Candidates must pass an oral examination in defense of a written thesis and a solo thesis exhibition.
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Last updated: 6/24/2005.
Copyright 2005 by Western Carolina University .