MFA Studio Art Admission

A lobby seating area in the Art Building. A chalkboard with doodles and slogans is visible.
Paintbrushes lay across a smeared canvas
Prints are pinned to an Art Building bulletin board. Students work and walk in the hallway.
Artwork hung on a wall as part of the Foundations critique
Art Building lockers, decorated with slogans and colorful paint
A visiting lecturer gestures to a PowerPoint slide about letterforms

Two people examine a print in the studio


Our Studio Art program currently offers the Master of Fine Arts in the following areas: ceramics, metals, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Departmental acceptance into the MFA program is competitive and is determined by the quality of the portfolio and undergraduate education.

We encourage, although do not require, an on-campus interview with an instructor in the area of proposed study prior or during the application process.

Application Deadline

For admission to the graduate studio program, official application must be made to the Graduate School office with priority status due by February 1. Applications are accepted until June 1 for fall semester. 

Admission Process

Admission to the MFA Program in Studio Art is in two parts: online application to the graduate school and portfolio submission to the Department of Art.

  1. An online application to the Graduate School. This will include:
    • A non-refundable application fee
    • The Graduate School application form, which includes a section to apply for a Graduate Award (if applying for an assistantship)
    • Your academic transcript(s) in PDF format for each college or university attended.  Unofficial transcripts can be used as long as your name and institution are clearly indicated. If you are admitted, you will be required to submit an official transcript for each degree earned.
    • Three letters of recommendation.
    • A one-page statement of intent for your area of study. Please tell us about your educational background and your ideas and influences for your creative work.
    • Resume including relevant work or professional experience.

Information for international applicants

  1. A portfolio of your artwork with 20 digital examples of your creative work indicating depth in the area of proposed study, and some breadth of experimentation. This portfolio is submitted through  Slideroom (GRADUATE MFA: Department of Art) 
    • Include title, date, medium, and dimension in description.
    • Email any questions to Dana Saulnier.

Assistantship Awards

A limited number of graduate assistantships are available in studio art. The application for graduate appointment or award is included in the application for admission forms.

  • Full-time graduate assistants receive an annual stipend in addition to waiving the instructional fee and out-of-state tuition surcharge. Students pay 50% of the General Fee. Assistants perform duties normally occupying 20 hours per week, each of the two regular semesters.
  • Assistantships are in the form of teaching or other administrative duties, such as assisting in the gallery. Teaching assignments include opportunity to teach in graduate student’s area of expertise, as well as in foundations or drawing.
  • Recommendations for appointments are based on academic records as well as on proven ability and future promise within the area of specialization.
  • There are no assistantships for the MFA in Experience Design, but there are opportunities to be paid for teaching and design projects.