University of minnesota mfa program

Graduate Programs. Explore the University's Graduate Programs The University of Minnesota offers masters and doctoral degrees for more than research-based graduate programs in the fields of science, art, engineering, agriculture, medicine, and humanities, as well as interdisciplinary programs.

Find the Right Program for You. Twin Cities Campus Graduate Programs. Duluth Campus Graduate Programs. As such, the MFA degree represents strong creative attainment in studio art, an assured grasp of an area of concentration, a sound knowledge of critical and historical artistic thought, and demonstrated expertise in conceiving and executing a significant body of creative work. The deadline for graduate applications to the MFA program in Art Studio is always January 15th for the following fall.

We do not do a Spring admissions process. Late items are the responsibility of the applicant, and may disqualify your file from consideration. If you have questions during the application process, please email or call the Graduate Advisor, Kat Heatherington, Monday-Thursday, Once in the program, you will have the opportunity to create artwork in any media, but you must choose an area to apply to.

Your application will be reviewed by the faculty of that area. Eligibility: A prospective student in the graduate studio program must have completed an undergraduate degree including 42 hours in art studio courses and 18 hours in art history. Deficiencies of up to 9 hours in the required preparation must be removed during the first year of course work for the degree.

The booklist should be assembled during your first and second years in the program. Strive for a balanced list, keeping classic as well as contemporary works in mind.

Please keep your thesis advisor updated on your progress assembling the booklist. During the fall of your third year, in the context of the thesis seminar, you'll devise a topic for your MFA essay see below.

During early spring of your third year, you'll consult with your thesis advisors about the MFA essay. In April of your third year, one week after the due date for the MFA thesis, you must give the completed essay, along with the booklist, to your thesis director and second reader, in preparation for your defense.

Note: no changes to the thesis or other materials may be made between the date when you hand them in and the defense. Commentary and feedback on the MFA essay will take place within the context of the defense.

What should the MFA essay look like? This is a literary essay, personally voiced and intellectually rigorous. It is 2,—3, words long 10—15 pages, double-spaced.

It should focus on a specific topic e. You do not need to admire all of the works on your list; nor are you expected to discuss all twenty selections from your booklist in your essay. The essay is not a "hoop" through which you must jump, it can serve as both a preface to your thesis and as a way of reflecting on your own writing process and on the place of your own work within a larger tradition.

The MFA defense will take place in May. Students who are deemed not ready to defend will be discouraged from doing so. At the defense, you will read briefly from and discuss your creative work for about 30 minutes and then field questions from audience members 30 minutes about your thesis. The first portion of your defense is open unless otherwise requested.