Studio Art, MFA
Program Description
A Master of Fine Arts is a distinguished terminal degree that prepares students to excel as professional practicing artists in a global context and for careers in higher education. It is the highest academic degree awarded in Studio Art.
The MFA in Studio Art at TAMU-CC is a comprehensive three-year program designed to guide students toward expertise in studio art practices, aesthetics, and scholarly inquiry while expanding proficiency in art history, criticism, and theory. Students have additional opportunities to acquire experience in classroom instruction and pedagogy and gallery practices. Applicants must have a Bachelor of Fine Arts or graduate degree in Studio Art for consideration. Admission is competitive and based upon a comprehensive evaluation of application materials by full-time faculty members in the Department of Art & Design.
Full-time MFA candidates in good academic standing receive in-state tuition, an assistantship, a stipend, and health insurance. Accepted candidates may be selected during the evaluation process for a competitive SAGE Fellowship that waives tuition and mandated university fees. This voucher is renewable for up to three years.
Student Learning Outcomes
The student’s thesis project will:
- Reflect conceptual cohesiveness, creativity, originality, and contemporary contribution to the chosen area(s) of specialization.
- Exhibit a professional breadth of competence in chosen media, materials, and processes.
The student’s thesis paper will:
- Clearly and critically synthesize techniques, aesthetics, concepts, and/or theories that are essential to the work presented in the exhibition.
- Articulate how the work aligns with a historical/contemporary context and/or explain the relevance to major cultural, theoretical, or aesthetic models.
The student’s oral defense will:
- Clearly communicate mastery level knowledge of techniques and concepts presented in the exhibition and paper.
- Effectively articulate an independent artistic ability, intellectual judgments, and professional decision-making pertaining to the exhibition, paper, and area(s) of specialization.
Course Prerequisites
Candidates must have completed at least 6 semester hours of upper-division undergraduate course work in a field or the specific course prerequisite to enroll in 5000-level courses in that field. Additional undergraduate prerequisite coursework may be required by the specific graduate program.
Transfer of Credit
Subject to the recommendation of the graduate faculty and a portfolio review, Candidates may have up to 15 semester hours (not including exhibition) of graduate credit applied to the Master of Fine Arts program. The credits must have been earned as degree-eligible post-baccalaureate work. Credit that is more than ten years old will not be counted toward the MFA degree.
For Additional Information
Website:
https://www.tamucc.edu/samc/art-and-design/master-of-fine-arts/index.php
Campus Address:
Center for the Arts (CA), Room 105
Phone: (361) 825-2317
Mailing Address:
Department of Art, Unit 5721
School of Arts, Media, & Communication
Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
6300 Ocean Drive
Corpus Christi, Texas 78412-5721
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting university criteria for admission to graduate studies, an applicant must meet the following requirements for admission to the MFA program:
- Earned Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, earned a bachelor’s degree relative to Graphic Design, or earned a graduate degree in art from an institution accredited by one of the six regional accrediting associations.
- Earned at least 15 hours of upper-level Studio Art or Graphic Design coursework.
- Submit a completed Graduate School Admission application via the Graduate Admissions website.
- Submit a 300-500 word typed essay written by the applicant, explaining their interest and objectives for graduate studies via the Graduate Admissions website.
- Provide three letters of recommendation from faculty or persons familiar with the applicant’s interest and ability in art via the Graduate Admissions website.
- Provide (20) examples of the applicant’s artwork via current submission requirements and/or via email to the Department of Art & Design Graduate Coordinator including title, media, dimensions, and year for each artwork (jpg image files, 1920 pixels on the longest side, at least 150 dpi).
A Candidate wishing to enroll in graduate courses as a non-degree seeking student must first submit a letter requesting admission from the Department of Art & Design faculty, a portfolio representing their artwork, and a 300-500 word essay. The Department of Art & Design faculty will review all applications for admission and consider the applicant’s transcripts, essay, letters of recommendation, and portfolio. College graduates who do not meet the above admission requirements may petition to enter the MFA program by conditional admission. The faculty reserves the right to interview Candidates seeking conditional admission to the program. Candidates who have been conditionally admitted will have their first 9 semester hours of coursework critiqued by the graduate faculty to determine whether they qualify to continue in the program.
The deadline to apply for the MFA in Studio Art is listed on the Department of Art & Design Website.
- Program Requirements
- Exit Requirements
- Exit Requirements for the MFA in Studio Art Program with a concentration in Ceramics, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Interdisciplinary Art program
- Exit Requirements for the MFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design with separate tracks in Professional Practices or Academic Appointment
Program Requirements
Course Requirements
Candidates must complete 60 semester hours in art with a minimum 3.0 GPA. No more than two grades of C earned at this university will be accepted as credit for this degree.
MFA Studio Art Program Requirements with a concentration in Ceramics, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Interdisciplinary Art
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Studio Art | 36 |
| Art History/Theory & Methods/Research Topics | 12 |
| MFA Seminar | 6 |
| MFA Project and Thesis | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 |
The distribution of credit hour requirements is as follows:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Studio Art | ||
| Select an area of concentration: | 36 | |
| Concentration in Ceramics, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, or Sculpture | ||
18-24 semester hours focused on a primary concentration in one discipline 1,2 | ||
12-18 semester hours of Studio Art electives outside of concentration area | ||
| Concentration in Interdisciplinary Art | ||
Select 36 semester hours in Studio Art or Design courses in any Studio Art program area across the department 1,2 | ||
| Art History/Theory & Methods/Research Topics | ||
| Sellect 12 hours from the following courses: | 12 | |
| Art Theory and Methods | ||
| Seminar in Art History and Aesthetics | ||
| Directed Research (research topic) | ||
Graduate-level research course beyond the Department of Art & Design 3 | ||
| MFA Seminar | ||
| ARTS 5191 | Graduate Professional Practices Seminar (repeat 3 times) 4 | 3 |
| ARTS 5192 | Graduate Critique Seminar (repeat 3 times) 5 | 3 |
| MFA Project and Thesis | ||
| ARTS 5398 | MFA Project | 3 |
| ARTS 5395 | MFA Thesis | 3 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Enrollment in Graphic Design is subject to the approval of the Graphic Design faculty. If deemed necessary, the faculty may require the Candidate complete up to 9 hours of leveling coursework as a prerequisite to enrollment
- 2
Up to 6 semester hours can be completed in graduate level creative-based courses beyond the Department of Art & Design in consultation between the Graduate Coordinator and area of concentration faculty, or Thesis Committee.
- 3
Graduate level research-based course beyond the Department of Art & Design in consultation with Graduate Coordinator (see MFA Handbook for list of options)
- 4
This seminar covers professional development and academic pedagogy.
1 semester hour course taken each Fall - Candidates from all three years are enrolled- 5
This course supports preparation for the first year review, second-year review, and Oral Defense.
1 semester hour course taken each spring - Candidates from all three years are enrolled together
MFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design with separate tracks in Professional Practices or Academic Appointment
| Requirements | Credit Hours |
|---|---|
| Graphic Design | 36 |
| Open Electives | 6 |
| Art History/Theory & Methods | 6 |
| MFA Project and Thesis | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 |
The distribution of requirements is seen in the following outline:
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Design | ||
| Select 30 semester hours of Graphic Design in area of concentration | 30 | |
| MFA Studio in Art: Graphic Design | ||
| Select 6 semester hours of Graduate Teaching Assistant Practicum in area of concentration | 6 | |
| Graduate Teaching Assistant Practicum | ||
| Open Electives | ||
| Select 6 semester hours of graduate electives | 6 | |
| Art History/Theory & Methods | ||
| ARTS 5392 | Art Theory and Methods 1 | 3 |
| ARTS 5393 | Seminar in Art History and Aesthetics 1 | 3 |
| MFA Project and Thesis | ||
| ARTS 5398 | MFA Project | 6 |
| ARTS 5395 | MFA Thesis | 6 |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- 1
The 6 semester hours can both be in Art History and Criticism courses with varying topics.
Special Requirements
First-Year Review and Second-Year Review
The Department of Art & Design faculty will review each candidate’s work following completion of 20 semester hours or the first year of graduate study, and following completion of 40 semester hours or the second year of graduate study before permitting advancement toward completion of an MFA Project and MFA Thesis.
Exit Requirements
In addition to meeting the university requirement of a 3.0 GPA or greater, candidates for the MFA in Studio Art must meet the following exit requirements according to the concentration and emphasis of the candidate’s respective degree plan.
Upon approval of advancement toward an MFA Project and MFA Thesis via the Second-Year Review process, it is the MFA Candidate’s responsibility to adhere to forms and deadlines required by the College of Graduate Excellence.
The MFA Project and MFA Thesis are graded on a credit/noncredit basis. Candidates who fail to complete the exit requirements during the semester with be given an “IP” (In Progress) until the Thesis and Project are completed.
After the exit requirements are submitted to the Candidate’s thesis committee for review, the Candidate will “pass,” or “fail.” The Thesis Committee will administer a comprehensive Oral Defense of the Candidate’s final MFA Thesis and MFA Project before the degree can be conferred. A failed Defense may be repeated once. A second failure will result in dismissal from the program.
Exit Requirements for the MFA in Studio Art Program with a concentration in Ceramics, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, or Interdisciplinary Art program
MFA Project
The MFA Project (ARTS 5398 MFA Project (3 sch)) concentrates on the creation and execution of creative scholarship as related to the Candidate’s discipline, concentration area(s), and research. The creation and execution of those criteria require the following:
- Planning meeting with the Director of University Galleries and Galleries Manager one semester before the Exhibition
- Completion of MFA Exhibition Proposal the semester before the Exhibition
- All communication, advertisement, and marketing leading up to the Exhibition in cooperation with SAMC Events Specialist and TAMU-CC Marketing and Communications Department
- Installation of artwork
- Posted artist statement and labels
- Oral Defense scheduled within the exhibition dates structured with a minimum of 3 rounds of questions posed by members of the Thesis Committee
- Deinstallation of artwork
- Cleanup/repairs necessary to gallery/exhibition space
MFA Thesis
The MFA Thesis (ARTS 5395 MFA Thesis (3 sch)) concentrates on research and writing in creative scholarship as related to the Candidate’s discipline, concentration area(s), and research. The Thesis must include the following:
- 5,000-7,000-word written Thesis (exclusive of apparatus)
- Discussion of subject matter
- Discussion of techniques used
- Historical, theoretical, philosophical, and contemporary context for the project
- Bibliography formatted according to The Chicago Manual of Style
- Photographic documentation of the MFA Project Exhibition
- List of Figures
- Institutionally mandated front matter
- A bound copy submitted to the Mary and Jeff Bell Library, as per institutional mandate
- A bound copy and digital copy of the written Thesis and Exhibition documentation submitted to the Graduate Coordinator
Exit Requirements for the MFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design with separate tracks in Professional Practices or Academic Appointment
The MFA Project and MFA Thesis in Graphic Design is completed over the course of two semesters. Typically, a Candidate will enroll in three semester hours of MFA Project (ARTS 5398 MFA Project (3 sch)) and three semester hours of MFA Thesis (ARTS 5395 MFA Thesis (3 sch)) during the fall semester. The Candidate would then complete their exit requirements during the spring semester by enrolling in three semester hours of MFA Project (ARTS 5398 MFA Project (3 sch)) and three semester hours of MFA Thesis (ARTS 5395 MFA Thesis (3 sch)).
MFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design track in Professional Practices
MFA Project
A multi-media campaign project (ARTS 5398 MFA Project (3 sch)) for their client of choice will be presented in a professional format as either a bound printed deck or digital website, to include:
- Campaign Overview
- Client Research
- Creative Strategy
- Implementation Strategy
- Creative Development
- Asset Development
- Future Exploration
- Conclusion
- Additional Considerations Unique to Project
- Public Presentation and Oral Defense of Final Project
MFA Thesis
A 5,000-7,000-word written Thesis (ARTS 5395 MFA Thesis (3 sch)) will serve as the foundational context for the Candidate’s multi-media campaign, to be developed for their client of choice. It will discuss applicable research that supports their proposed design solutions, consider the client’s market and category competitive analyses, review target audience behaviors and demographics, and defend technical and conceptual methodologies of the proposed campaign content.
MFA in Studio Art with a concentration in Graphic Design track in Academic Appointment
MFA Project
The Candidate’s MFA Project (ARTS 5398 MFA Project (3 sch)) will demonstrate advanced critical thinking in analyzing industry history, theory, criticism, and practices to support their research. The Candidate will present and defend their final Project during a scheduled public Defense. Additionally, the Candidate will adapt their self-promotional materials for application to positions in Education to include a Teaching Philosophy, Statement of Research, and Student Work samples under the department’s Portfolio and Professional Practices Course.
MFA Thesis
A written Thesis (ARTS 5395 MFA Thesis (3 sch)) suitable for publication as outlined by the Candidate’s Thesis Committee.