Art (MFA, Multiple Concentrations)

CIP Code

50.0702.00

Purpose

This program is designed for those who desire to pursue advanced studies in art. The MFA degree program will provide art students with the opportunity for concentrated study in their major area; the concentrations will result in the expansion of their expressive capabilities for personal, professional and academic reasons. The objective of this degree program is to provide advanced study in preparation for careers as practicing artists/teachers at the college or university level, or as professionals in other art related enterprises. The emphasis in the program is to further conceptual development; it is assumed that the student has already achieved technical excellence in his or her studio area.

Scope

The studio art program is organized within a two-dimensional and three-dimensional structure; however, within that structure the student may specialize in drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, design, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, performance or mixed media.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the graduate program in Art, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

  1. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in a similar or related field, with a minimum of 60 hours of art at the undergraduate level.
  2. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
  3. Three letters of recommendation.
  4. Personal statement detailing artistic direction and professional goals.
  5. Submission of 20 digital images or web address of recent works in major area of concentration.

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Program Requirements

The MFA in art with a concentration in studio art requires the completion of a total of 60 semester hours of coursework that includes 33 hours of studio courses. 24 hours must be taken in the student’s area of concentration and 9 hours will be taken in a minor studio area. The student must take 12 hours of graduate art history seminar courses and a three-hour seminar, ART 6384. The final semester includes ARTS 7300 and ARTS 7301 or ARTS 7303. Six hours of free electives, which must be approved by the graduate coordinator, are allowed.

The MFA in art with a concentration in design also requires the completion of a total of 60 semester hours of coursework that includes 24 hours of design courses and 9 hours of studio courses. The student must take 12 hours of graduate art history seminar courses and a three-hour seminar, ART 6384. The final semester includes ARTS 7300 and ARTS 7301 or ARTS 7300 and ARTS 7303. Six hours of free electives, which must be approved by the Graduate Director, are allowed.

Required Course - 3 Hours

ARTS 6384The Art Profession

3

Choose one of the following concentrations:

2D Studio Art Concentration:

Art History - 12 Hours
Chosen from the following:
ARTS 6350European Art: Forming the Conquest

3

ARTS 6351Seminar/Lecture on Selected Modern Art Historical Topics of the Americas

3

ARTS 6352Art History Seminar III: Topics in Latin American Art Prior to A.D. 1521

3

ARTS 6353Art History Seminar IV: Topics in Latin American Art Since A.D. 1521

3

ARTS 6354Topics in Art History

3

ARTS 6355Art History Seminar V: Topics in Viceregal Latin American Art

3

ARTS 6356Research Methods in Latin American Art and Architectural History

3

ARTS 6357Advanced Studies in Art History and Criticism

3

Art Studio (Major) - 24 Hours
ARTS 6301Studio Experience (2-D)

3

ARTS 6605Graduate Studio (2-D)

6

ARTS 6301 and ARTS 6605: Repeatable for a total of 12 hours

Art Studio (Minor) - 9 Hours
ARTS 6304Graduate Studio Techniques (3-D)

3

ARTS 6304: Repeatable for a total of 9 hours

Electives (Outside the Art Department) - 6 Hours
Capstone Requirements
Choose one of the following options - 6 Hours
ARTS 7300Graduate Exhibition

3

ARTS 7301Graduate Paper

3

Or

ARTS 7300Graduate Exhibition

3

ARTS 7303Thesis

3

3D Studio Art Concentration:

Art History - 12 Hours
Chosen from the following:
ARTS 6350European Art: Forming the Conquest

3

ARTS 6351Seminar/Lecture on Selected Modern Art Historical Topics of the Americas

3

ARTS 6352Art History Seminar III: Topics in Latin American Art Prior to A.D. 1521

3

ARTS 6353Art History Seminar IV: Topics in Latin American Art Since A.D. 1521

3

ARTS 6354Topics in Art History

3

ARTS 6355Art History Seminar V: Topics in Viceregal Latin American Art

3

ARTS 6356Research Methods in Latin American Art and Architectural History

3

ARTS 6357Advanced Studies in Art History and Criticism

3

Art Studio (Major) - 24 Hours
ARTS 6302Studio Experience (3-D)

3

ARTS 6606Graduate Studio (3-D)

6

ARTS 6302 and ARTS 6606: Repeatable for a total of 12 hours

Art Studio (Minor) - 9 Hours
ARTS 6303Graduate Studio Techniques (2-D)

3

ARTS 6303: Repeatable for a total of 9 hours

Electives (Outside the Art Department) - 6 Hours
Capstone Requirements
Choose one of the following options - 6 Hours
ARTS 7300Graduate Exhibition

3

ARTS 7301Graduate Paper

3

Or

ARTS 7300Graduate Exhibition

3

ARTS 7303Thesis

3

Design Concentration:

Art History - 12 Hours
Chosen from the following:
ARTS 6350European Art: Forming the Conquest

3

ARTS 6351Seminar/Lecture on Selected Modern Art Historical Topics of the Americas

3

ARTS 6352Art History Seminar III: Topics in Latin American Art Prior to A.D. 1521

3

ARTS 6353Art History Seminar IV: Topics in Latin American Art Since A.D. 1521

3

ARTS 6354Topics in Art History

3

ARTS 6355Art History Seminar V: Topics in Viceregal Latin American Art

3

ARTS 6356Research Methods in Latin American Art and Architectural History

3

ARTS 6357Advanced Studies in Art History and Criticism

3

Art Design (Major) - 24 Hours
ARTS 6303Graduate Studio Techniques (2-D)

3

ARTS 6304Graduate Studio Techniques (3-D)

3

ARTS 6337Design Seminar (2-D)

3

ARTS 6338Design Laboratory

3

ARTS 6639Design Studio

6

Art Studio (Minor)
ARTS 6303Graduate Studio Techniques (2-D)

3

Or

ARTS 6304Graduate Studio Techniques (3-D)

3

ARTS 6303 and ARTS 6304: Repeatable for a total of 9 hours

Electives (Outside the Art Department) - 6 Hours
Capstone Requirements
Choose one of the following options - 6 Hours
ARTS 7300Graduate Exhibition

3

ARTS 7301Graduate Paper

3

Or

ARTS 7300Graduate Exhibition

3

ARTS 7303Thesis

3

Total Credit Hours: 60

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are available to exceptional applicants. Students who are interested in applying for an assistantship should contact the Graduate Director. Assistantships are awarded in the spring for the following academic year.