Academic Programs

MA/MFA in Studio Art Requirements

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MA/MFA in Studio Art Requirements

Applicants to the graduate MA and MFA program in studio art must satisfy admission policies established by The Graduate School of The University of Alabama. It is recommended that a prospective graduate student hold a degree in art, having maintained at least a “B” average in art. Residency is required of all studio art students.

Master of Arts in Studio Art (MA)Graduate student Nasrin Iravani working on a ceramics piece for her MA exhibition, 2019. Image courtesy of the artist.

The MA degree in studio art requires completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate work, including at least 6 hours in art history, 15 hours in a major studio field, 3 hours of graduate seminar, 3 hours of graduate critiques, and 3 hours of art studio electives. Candidacy for the degree is determined by a review upon the completion of 18-24 semester hours. A thesis exhibition and an oral review are required for successful completion of the program. The degree program must be completed within six years. Detailed information about the program’s structure can be found in the Studio Art Graduate Handbook.

Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art (MFA)

The MFA degree requires the completion of a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate work, including at least 9 hours of art history, 30 hours in a major studio area, 6 hours of graduate seminar, 6 hours of graduate critiques, and 9 hours of studio art or art history electives. The degree must be completed within six years of enrollment. Thesis exhibitions, oral reviews, and a public lecture are required for successful completion of the program. The degree program must be completed within six years. Detailed information about the program’s structure can be found in the Studio Art Graduate Handbook.

Class critiquiing work by Heather Leigh Whidden; painting by Joshua Whidden in background, in Bilateral; Memory & Experience, 2015, Sella-Granata Art Gallery.

Meet Our Graduate Students

Our current graduate students and their projects.

Graduate Program in Studio Art Application

View our department application guidelines for the MA/MFA programs.

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