University General Course Catalog 2022-2023 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
University General Course Catalog 2022-2023 ARCHIVED CATALOG: LINKS AND CONTENT ARE OUT OF DATE. CHECK WITH YOUR ADVISOR.

Visual Art, M.F.A


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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, Art History & Design offers study in the areas selected from but not limited to book and publication 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.

Contact Information


Miya Hannan, Assistant Professor
Department of Art, Art History & Design
(775)784-6779
miyah@unr.edu

Program Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes


  • MFA graduates will gain and apply in-depth knowledge and competence in one or more areas of specialization (i.e. sculpture, painting, photography).
  • MFA graduates will demonstrate a critical awareness of one’s own works within the larger context of Art History, contemporary art, theory, and practices.
  • MFA graduates will develop and assemble professional materials, documentation, and artist portfolio for post-graduate professional studio and creative practice, careers in college-level teaching, and/or employment in art related careers.

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 https://www.unr.edu/art/degrees-and-programs/master-of-fine-arts.

Entrance to the program is determined via a review of the full application. 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.

I. 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, public artist lecture, and oral examination   are also required at the time of the thesis exhibition.

The degree requires sixty credit hours (three years of study) from the following:

A. Required Courses (54-57 units)


B. Electives (3-6 units)


Electives are not limited to Department of Art, Art History & Design courses. All electives must be arranged and approved on an individual basis and must be 600-700-level coursework. See MFA Graduate Director for advisement.

II. Total Units


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

Undergraduate Prerequisites


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

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