Art, MFA

Note: The MFA Ceramics Concentration is no longer accepting students into the DE/Hybrid Option. Please see the program coordinator if you have questions. 

Program Coordinator: Angela Wells (2000 Jenkins Fine Arts Center; 252-737-4639; wellsa@ecu.edu)

The Art, MFA is the professional terminal degree in studio art that prepares candidates for advanced practice in studio art as well as teaching in higher education. The MFA is an interdisciplinary program enabling students to build and expand upon existing knowledge while exploring, working, and making connections across a broad array of disciplines, tools, and technologies. Students can select coursework in art history, ceramics, glass, graphic design, metal design, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, textile design, and other areas to support their educational goals.

MFA students work independently in dedicated studios, with the guidance of faculty mentors as well as studio visits from a range of faculty. Group critique coursework is the core of the curriculum where first- and second-year students share work, engage in lively discussion, and address challenging topics in the visual arts. The curriculum includes a sequence of graduate seminars focused on practice and research in visual art, career pathways and professional skills, thesis preparation and writing, and art and design pedagogy. The program culminates in a solo thesis exhibition exhibited on campus or in the community.

The MFA is a three-year or equivalent degree (60 s.h.). Students receive assessments of progress annually. The preferred undergraduate degree for admission to the MFA is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in art. Applicants holding other bachelor’s degrees may apply if they have undergraduate studio art experience and/or an exemplary portfolio and statement of objectives.

Admissions decisions are based on the applicant’s statement of objectives, portfolio, academic records, references, and virtual interview. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to conduct independent creative work and a desire to work within an interdisciplinary creative setting. Students interested in applying for the MFA degree must identify two to three potential faculty mentors with whom they would like to study. Applicants’ statement of objectives must discuss the applicant’s current work, purpose, and intention for MFA studies, and identify two to three School of Art and Design graduate faculty with whom they wish to work. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to graduate faculty to introduce themselves and learn more about the program. The application portfolio requirements are listed on the SoAD MFA website [application portfolio information]. Virtual interviews are scheduled after all the applicant’s materials have been submitted. The MFA degree does not require standardized test scores to apply.

The minimum degree requirement is 60 s.h. as follows: