Interdisciplinary Art, M.F.A

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The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program in Interdisciplinary Art is an interdisciplinary, immersive experience that combines the strengths of both full-residency and low-residency models. Designed as a two-and-a-half-year curriculum, it supports committed artists who seek to deepen their creative practice while engaging in rigorous academic study.

During full-residency semesters at our R1 university, students take advanced coursework in art history, theory, and criticism, while developing original research and significant creative work in their studios. These intensive semesters are complemented by 10-day summer and winter low-residency sessions held at the university’s Lake Tahoe campus, which offer opportunities for place-based research and experimental projects. These sessions foster deeper creativity and expand students’ understanding of the artist’s role in contemporary society. Low-residency sessions also provide valuable opportunities to connect with faculty and peers in the Low-Residency MFA program, whose participants come from across the country. This creates a vibrant, diverse community and a rich environment for professional networking and artistic exchange.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

conduct creative and scholarly research to critically inform the production of work.
evaluate, synthesize, and communicate their understanding of visual art and design in relation to historical precedents and the contemporary global context at an advanced level.
create and apply new and various scientific methods and/or technologies within their creative and scholarly projects.
apply visual literacy, art historical knowledge, and problem-solving skills to pursue advanced study and/or employment within a creative profession (i.e., knowledge of/functioning within profession).
utilize ethical decision-making and disciplinary values in course projects and critical discussions.

Contact Information

MFA Program Director
Department of Art, Art History & Design
Church Fine Arts, room 209
(775) 784-6882
https://www.unr.edu/art

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/mfa-full-residency.

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 culminating exhibition created, curated, installed and publicized by the candidate must be presented. A formal, written critical thinking paper, public artist lecture, and oral examination are also required at the time of the exhibition. A minimum of 12, 700-level credits are required.

The degree requires 60 units (2. 5 years of study) from the following:

A. Required Courses (57 units)

ART 601 - Residency Intensive & Creative Research Practices (3 units) (12 units required)
ART 611 - Interdisciplinary Practices (3 units) (6 units required)
ART 649 - Professional Practices for Artists (3 units)
ART 650 - Critique Seminar (3 units)
ART 698 - Seminar in Visual Arts (3 units) (6 units required)
ART 710 - Graduate Studio Practices (3 units) (12 units required)
ART 722 - Graduate Tutorial (3 units)
ART 737 - Theory and Criticism (3 units)
ART 747 - Directed Readings (3 units)
ART 777 - Graduate Exhibition (3 units)
ART 790 - Community Service in the Arts (3 units)

B. Electives (3 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.

ART 613 - Problems in Ceramics (3 units)
ART 617 - Problems in Sculpture (3 units)
ART 626 - Problems in Printmaking (1 to 3 units)
ART 633 - Problems in Painting (3 units)
ART 640 - Problems in Photography (1 to 3 units)
ART 651 - Problems in Digital Media (1 to 3 units)
ART 654 - Problems in Videography (1 to 3 units)
ART 675 - History of Photography (3 units)
ART 692 - Individual Studies I (3 units)
ART 693 - Individual Studies in Art History (3 units)
ART 747 - Directed Readings (3 units) (when taken a second time)

II. Total Units

The degree requires 60 units (2. 5 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.