Visual Art, M.F.A

I. Contact Information

Tamara Scronce, Associate Professor, Department of Art
Office: (775)784-1733
tamaras@unr.edu

II. Brief Introduction

The Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art is a terminal degree that incorporates a comprehensive background in the fine arts as well as advanced development in areas of studio specialization. The degree offers students advanced coursework in art history, critical theory and practiced criticism, combining studio and academic experience to provide students the opportunity to synthesize information at a higher level while engaging in original research and the development of a significant body of creative work.
The Department of Art offers study in the areas of two- and three-dimensional art selected from but not limited to book arts, ceramics, digital-media, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and video.
The degree program’s interdisciplinary objective is to ensure that students are not bound by a single discipline or particular medium, providing the opportunity and encouragement to explore new possibilities in the search for the most effective visual format for the expression of their ideas. Students will be expected to re-define boundaries of traditional media and to incorporate materials from art history, theory, criticism, and other academic disciplines of their choice. Equal emphasis is placed upon the creation of artwork and its intellectual, conceptual, and social contexts.

III. Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes

MFA graduates will have a foundation for post-graduate professional studio and creative practice, careers in college-level teaching, and/or employment in art related careers.
MFA graduate students will acquire the historical knowledge, contemporary perspectives and critical/visual sophistication that demonstrate an understanding of the evolution of art as well as the contemporary practice of art. This is accomplished through faculty/student studio engagement, formal art theory and practiced criticism courses, and related programming that includes an active visiting artist lecture program.
MFA graduate students are expected to achieve a professional level of mastery and technical competence in studio practice and exhibition presentation.

IV. Admission Requirements

Master of Fine Art students are admitted in fall semester only. The departmental deadline for application is February 15. The department website gives specific admission, application, and degree requirements at http://www.unr.edu/art/degrees-and-programs/mfa#Overview.
Entrance to the program is determined via a review of the full application. Detailed attention will be given to portfolio materials. Department faculty will conduct the application and portfolio review. Students pursuing the Master of Fine Arts degree must satisfy all graduate school requirements and specific departmental requirements.

V. Program Requirements

An MFA candidate must be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 9 credits per semester). Candidates must maintain a minimum 3.0 grade-point average. The MFA program requires a public exhibition of a cohesive body of work after 30 credit hours to confirm the student’s eligibility for advancement to MFA candidacy. At the conclusion of 60 credit hours a public solo thesis exhibition created, curated, installed and publicized by the candidate must be presented. A formal written thesis, and oral examination are required at the time of the thesis exhibition.
The degree requires sixty credit hours (three years of study) from the following:

• ART 642 - Intermedia (3 units) (6 units required)
• ART 698 - Seminar in Visual Arts (3 units) (6 units required)
• ART 710 - Graduate Studio Practices (3 units) (24 units required)
• ART 722 - Graduate Tutorial (3 units)
• ART 737 - Theory and Criticism (3 units) (3 units required, may be repeated up to 6 units)
• ART 747 - Directed Readings (3 units) (3 units required, may be repeated up to 6 units)
• ART 777 - Graduate Exhibition (3 units) (3 units required)
• ART 790 - Community Service in the Arts (3 units) (3 units required, may be repeated up to 6 units)
• Electives (3-6 units)

VI. Total Units

The degree requires sixty credit hours (three years of study).

VII. Undergraduate Prerequisites

Prospective MFA students must present a Bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 grade-point average from an accredited university, school, or college. Test scores are not required.