About Master’s Program,
MFA students join a supportive, curiosity-filled culture of makers and scholars. Fueled by the energy and expertise in our research university community, our concepts take shape and make an impact on the world. Idea and material work together at Stamps, as the curriculum supports students in the creation of culturally relevant work with a clearly articulated context. Graduates of this program will be prepared to thrive in a variety of public and private roles and become cultural leaders in a rapidly changing global culture.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
The content of the MFA portfolio is entirely the decision of the applicant. The application committee looks for a strong body of completed work demonstrating a thriving, developed studio practice as well as potential in innovative areas of inquiry. Stamps does not provide individual feedback or critiques of application portfolios.
Exhibitions, residencies, art commissions, site-specific work, performances, screenings, studio assistantships, grants, community projects, and teaching experiences all constitute evidence of a creative practice.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
Visit the Rackham Graduate School website for detailed, up-to-date information on cost of attendance, funding resources, financial planning, and cost of living for graduate students at the University of Michigan.
The Stamps School offers generous financial support to graduate students. Financial awards are held throughout both years of study and range from stipends and discretionary funds that offset studio expenses and enable focused creative work/research to teaching/research assistantships and full tuition waivers. Teaching, staff, and research assistantships provide valuable professional experience, and post-graduate support expedites the transition from the academic environment to professional practice.
- 75% Tuition Assistance for all Stamps Graduate students in good academic standing
- Graduate Assistantship Positions with Stipends &Health Care Benefits: Students have access to numerous teaching, staff, and research assistantships that provide valuable professional experience.
- MDes/MFA Discretionary Funding: Graduate students may receive $2,000 per year that they enroll in the Stamps School to spend at their discretion towards their educational projects.
- Summer Fieldwork/International Project Funding:The School provides up to $4,500 for all graduate students who are in good academic standing to conduct summer fieldwork / international project.
- Smucker-Wagstaff Project Grant:The Smucker-Wagstaff Project Grant was established in 2007 to help Stamps graduate students achieve excellence by supporting students who need assistance to carry out research for their creative work that advances their progress toward their degree. Students may apply for one award each year with a maximum amount of $3000.
Application Requirement,
- Creative work statement:Provide a statement that addresses these three topics (600 words maximum).
- Creative work.Describe the form that your work takes and the motivations and influences that drive it.
- MFA expectations and aspirations.Explain why you are pursuing an MFA and what you hope to achieve during your graduate school experience.
- Stamps School.Describe the features of Stamps MFA program that most interest you. name three Stamps faculty you would like to work with and why. Identify what field(s) of inquiry outside of the Stamps School you want to engage while at Michigan, and, if you are able, what faculty in those areas you would like to work with and why.
Note: There is no need to contact any individual faculty members to respond to this portion of the prompt; there is no expectation of a confirmed advising relationship prior to admission. - Personal statement:Provide a statement that describes the journey that led you to seek a graduate degree (500 words maximum).
How have your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan’s Stamps School? - Official transcript.
- Curriculum vitae or résumé.
- Three letters of recommendation.
- Evidence of English proficiencyfor students whose first language is not English.
- Required academic credentials from non-U.S. institutions.
- Application fee.
Application Deadline,
Jan 03, 2025
Application Fee,
- United States citizens and those with permanent resident visa status, $75
- Non-U.S. citizens, $90
