Studio Art M.F.A.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to graduate study at the University of Texas at Tyler, the following are required for admission into the MFA program.

Unconditional Admission : The following requirements must be met by all students for unconditional admission:

1. Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
2. Grade-point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 point scale on all prior advanced-level (junior, senior, and graduate) work.
3. An original writing sample to show competence in handling the English language via research, criticism, discovery, or imagination. Requirement may be met with new or previous work
4. Completion of the appropriate applications for graduate admission to the University.
5. Completion of at least 70 hours undergraduate preparation in art. Course prerequisites for admission are commensurate with the minimum upper-division field requirements of most B.F.A. studio emphasis programs. (Fulfillment of prerequisites is subject to approval by the Faculty Review Committee. The Committee may require leveling work if the student is deemed to lack specific studio courses at the undergraduate level).

   upper division studio (42 hrs.)

   upper division art history (9 hrs.)

   additional art electives (18 hrs.)

   senior exhibition (1 hr.)

6. Submission of a Portfolio. Portfolio should consist of 20 individual images on a CD. Digital submissions should be accompanied by a list containing the artist’s name, title, dimensions, media, and date of completion. Three-dimensional works may include multiple views/details.
7. One page typed statement of intent regarding the purpose and rationale for graduate study.
8. Vita/resume.
9. An artist statement describing the applicant’s aesthetic interest or direction.
10. Three letters of recommendation.
11. Interview with the Art Faculty Review Committee that demonstrates maturity and direction in the individual’s work or shows promise sufficient to begin the program.
12. Consideration is also given to one or more of the following: the applicant's demonstrated commitment to his or her chosen field of study, socioeconomic background, first generation college graduate, multilingual proficiency, geographic region of residence, and level of responsibility in other matters including extracurricular activities, employment, community service, and family responsibilities.

Probationary Admission: Upon recommendation of the faculty, those students who do not meet requirements for unconditional admission, will be required to complete nine hours of graduate studio art after which they will undergo a review of portfolio after completing 9 hours of graduate course work in art.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art is a 60-hour degree terminating in a graduate thesis exhibition. Students may select from either the two-dimensional or three-dimensional track. With approval of the graduate advisor, up to six hours of transfer graduate credit with a grade of "B" or better may apply towards this degree.

1. studio work to be chosen from one of two tracks (two -dimensional or three- dimensional) (39 hrs.)
2. graduate art history (12 hrs.)
3. thesis/exhibition (9 hrs.)

All students are required to undergo a portfolio review after 15 hours of graduate course work in visual art. Students may be dismissed from the program if the Faculty, upon portfolio review, deem the student’s progress not sufficient, or that the portfolio holds insufficient potential.

For students admitted under Unconditional Admission, the Portfolio Reviews occurs after completion of 15 hours. For student admitted under Probationary Admission, Portfolio Reviews are conducted after completion of the first 9 hours and again, after completion of 15 hours. Recommendations for actions will be at the discretion of the Faculty.

Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) on all graduate work at UT Tyler. Students may be dismissed if their GPA falls below 3.0 for more than three semesters. Any grade below a “C” will not count toward the completion of the MFA.

Residency requirements: two long term semesters of 9 hours each.

Graduate students should take no more than 9 hours in a regular term and 6 hours during summer terms.