MFA in Studio Art Curriculum
The Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art at the USF is a 60 credit hour, three-year program requiring a full-time engagement. Although there are structured course requirements, students are also expected to attend lectures, visiting artists' presentations, exhibitions and other non-course related activities. Students are encouraged to enroll in courses beyond the School of Art & Art History and throughout the University of South Florida.
First Year
- Independent study with faculty of your choice – any medium or discipline
- "Graduate Seminar I" – critiques and discussion of contemporary issues
- First Year Students' Faculty Critique (Fall and Spring)
- Required “Critical Perspectives in Contemporary Art” course
- Outside electives of your choice
Second Year
- Independent study with faculty of your choice – any medium or discipline
- "Graduate Seminar 2" – critiques and discussion of contemporary issues and preparation for Mid-Point Defense
- In the first semester of the second year, MFA students present a Mid-Point Oral Defense which includes a 20-minute slide lecture and a one-page written summary followed by your end of semester critique. Upon faculty acceptance of the Proposal, the student selects a three-person Supervisory Committee, with whom the student will work until graduation.
- Second Year Students' Faculty Critique (Fall and Spring)
- Students may also continue to work independently with other faculty as well as enroll in electives outside of studio and the school.
- Outside electives of your choice
Third Year
- "Graduate Seminar 3" – critiques and discussion of contemporary issues and preparation for MFA exhibition
- Independent study with faculty of your choice – any medium or discipline
- Works with committee to prepare for MFA exhibition and Oral Defense of work
- Outside electives of your choice
MFA Exhibition, Supporting Document and Oral Examination:
The MFA concludes with an MFA Graduation Exhibition of artworks resulting from the abovementioned Project, a related intensive written supporting document and an “orals” examination at the exhibition site during which the student is questioned about the artworks by the Supervisory Committee and at least three other faculty selected by the student.
Major Requirements
The following are the required courses to complete the MFA in Studio Art program.
| Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARH6798 | Seminar in Art History: Critical Perspectives in Contemporary Art | 4 |
| ART6895 | Graduate Seminar I | 3 |
| ART6896 | Graduate Seminar II | 3 |
| ART6816 | Graduate Seminar III | 3 |
| ART6956 | MFA Research Project | 2 |
| Course Number | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART5000 and 6000 | Studio and Discretionary Electives | 1-4 |
| ART6937 | Graduate Instruction Methods (This course is an elective option for students who have not worked as a Teaching Assistant.) |
1-4 |
As part of the studio and discretionary electives, students may register with a faculty member under a Directed Study Contract. All MFA students are required to take coursework for a grade until they have formed their Supervisory Committee. The descriptions for Directed Study are as follows:
- ART6940, Selected Topics in Art, Grading option Regular (For a grade), 1-4 credits
Suitable for coursework by contract in an area in which the student has prior skill. - ART5910, Research, Grading option Regular (For a grade), 1-4 credits
Suitable for coursework by contract in an area in which the student has little or no prior skill. - ART6907, Independent Study, Grading option S/U, 1-19 credits.
Suitable for graduate-level coursework in any area for which the student does not wish a letter grade, or which justifies more than 4 hours of credit. . May be used only after the student's Supervisory Committee is formed. (See S/U Grades) - ART6911, Directed Research, Grading option (For a grade), 1-19 credits.
Suitable for graduate-level coursework in any area that justifies more than 4 hours of credit. . May be used only after the student's Supervisory Committee is formed.
As noted, ART 6907 and ART 6911 are not for use by MFA students who have not yet established their Supervisory Committees. . The other, media specific, course numbers such as Sculpture or Painting are not often used as they are fixed at 4 credit hours.
Graduate Catalog
The Graduate Catalog is a rule book of requirements that must be met to graduate. Follow the guides based on the academic year you were admitted to USF.
Financial Aid
The School of Art & Art History and the University of South Florida offer a range of graduate scholarships and financial aid.
Speak with an Advisor
Advisors help with everything from questions about admissions to graduation requirements. They also offer support for your future education and career endeavors.