Art, MFA

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is a specialized degree requiring creative achievement in one or more fields of the practice of art. The program’s objective is to prepare individuals for careers as practicing artists.

Admission. Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.

University Policies. Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply

Degree Requirements

Coursework. A minimum of 60 units are required and must include a minimum of 24 units of Studio Art, a minimum of 20 units of graduate seminars; and a minimum of 8 units of theory-and-practice workshops (or practicum).

The graduate seminars must include at least three art department courses (chosen from Art 344/345 Ideas in Contemporary Art and Art 348/349 Survey of Contemporary Art) and two courses from one of two tracks: the Arts Organizations and Markets track (chosen from AB300A Art Market Dynamics, AB-AM 301 Legal Foundation for Creative Industries, AM 300 Arts Organization Dynamics and AB371 Advanced Art Markets) or the Community Engagement/Curatorial and Museum Studies track (chosen from approved courses in other departments in the School of Art and Humanities).

The theory-and-practice workshops (or practicum) must include Art 395 Written Statement and Art 328/329 Spatial Engagement and Aesthetic Meaning.

Minimum Enrollment. Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 15 units each semester to guarantee the use of private studio space. Approval of the department chair and of the core faculty are required for enrollments of less than 15 units.

Exhibitions. Students must participate in the first-year group exhibition during either the student’s first or second semester at CGU. Participation in the second-year group exhibition is required during the student’s third or fouth semester in the program.

Discussion Groups. Students must participate in at least one student discussion group during each semester of attendance.

Qualifying Exam. Advancement to candidacy requires successful completion of an oral qualifying exam with the student’s MFA committee. Students are evaluated based upon their creative work and a written statement. Qualifying exams are held during the student’s third semester in the program.

Final Exhibition. Following advancement to candidacy and upon the recommendation of the student’s MFA committee, the student must present a final, solo exhibition of work, along with a written statement. At the opening session of the final exhibition, the student presents a short artist talk. Evaluation and a final review by the student’s MFA committee are also scheduled.

MFA Project Documentation. Final documentation of the student’s MFA project, approved by the student’s committee chair, must be submitted to the art department and to the Claremont Colleges Digital Library (CCDL).

Transfer Credit. The University’s policy on transfer credit apply. With the approval of the department chair and core faculty, a maximum of six units may be accepted as transfer credit to the MFA Program.

Courses

School of Arts and Humanities Practical Experience Milestone

Students in all departments of the School of Arts and Humanities must meet the Practical Experience Milestone through one of the following:

A Teaching Assistantship
A Research Assistantship
An external teaching opportunity, in one or more semesters student is enrolled
A research project with CGU or Consortium Faculty (5C’s, KGI)
One or more articles prepared or prepared and submitted for publication, single or co authored
One or more academic book reviews prepared or prepared and submitted for publication
One or more exhibition proposals, prepared or prepared and implemented
A music recital
Completion of one or more semesters in Doctoral Studies that includes relevant work experience and/or progress on the doctoral dissertation
Preparing and submitting the MA thesis
Attending an Academic Conference (either to give a paper or as an attendee)
Doing an Internship (paid or unpaid, for credit or not for credit)
Additional employment or project that the department considers as providing appropriate professional training, particularly for students not considering the academic teaching track

Students must have their milestone approved by the department prior to the submission of their completed Final Approval Form. This milestone is to be completed during the time to degree at CGU (7 years for doctoral students, 5 years for masters students). Extensions of Time to Degree citing the milestone will not be approved. Students may have a maximum of 4 years of experience for the Practical Experience Milestone.