About Master’s Program,
The three-year Master of Fine Arts (MFA) – Art is studio-based and research-focused with an emphasis on interdisciplinarity, community engagement, and professional development. Each MFA student is provided with individual studio space. Graduate Assistantships in teaching, research, and professional development professionally advance students who have rare opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research, contribute to the development of curriculum, manage studios and shops, and work alongside community members, local organizations, and other departments on campus. As the culmination of the program, each MFA candidate produces a public graduation thesis project.
Through academic and public programming, the Department of Art collaborates with UNLV’s Marjorie Barrick Museum of Art, a network of campus galleries, and the College of Fine Arts which boldly launches visionaries not only in art and design, but also in dance, film, theater, set design, entertainment design, music, architecture, and related disciplines. Graduate students have the opportunity to work with a diverse art/art history faculty whose work engages a variety of media, including site-based installation, sculpture, ceramics, photography, painting, drawing, printmaking, performance, intermedia, graphic design, and digital art. The department regularly presents visiting speakers and hosts artists-in-residence. Engagement with faculty, peers and the Las Vegas cultural community creates an experience-rich environment that guides MFA candidates in their exploration of creative research activities.
Department of Art MFA – Art alumni exhibit and publish their work regionally, nationally and internationally, and contribute to their communities and the field of contemporary art as artists, designers, writers, educators, creative directors, administrators, arts advocates and cultural producers.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
- Bachelor’s Degree– You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
- Grade Point Average– You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor’s degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester hours).
- Additional Factors – Factors that may also be considered by the academic department to which you are applying include test scores (like the GRE or GMAT), the type of course work completed during undergraduate studies, letters of recommendation, and any other supporting documents you may be asked to submit for your application.
- Transcripts– All applicants are required to submit a transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
All applicants are encouraged to apply for graduate assistantships during the application process. Graduate assistantship packages include $21,000 stipends, tuition waivers, and healthcare insurance. Offers for graduate assistantships are contingent on the submitted application and portfolio.
We encourage all applicants to apply for a graduate assistantship during the application process. Graduate assistantships are awarded based on the submitted application and portfolio materials and are awarded to all of our accepted applicants.
Graduate assistantship packages include:
- Tuition waivers*
- $21,000 stipends for 9-month contracts
- Healthcare insurance
*If the candidate enrolls in 9 credits each fall and spring and 3 credits each summer, the GA tuition waiver is the equivalent of a full-tuition waiver,minus fees.
Application Requirement,
Applicants to the program leading to this degree must hold a Bachelor of Arts in Art (or an equivalent degree) from an accredited university.
Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
The application for admission, request for graduate assistantship, 3 letters of recommendation and transcripts should be sent directly to the Graduate College following the respective deadlines .
Additionally, applicants should submit the following materials to the Department of Art at art.gradcoord@unlv.edu in a single PDF:
- Digital Portfolio of 20 recent work samples which represent your strongest work from the past three years, with an emphasis on work from the past twelve months
- A written statement of intent (500-800 words) describing the philosophy, motivations and objectives of your artistic research and how the UNLV MFA Art Program will help you further your work and academic and career goals
- A Curriculum Vitae/Resume
Detailed submission instructions and file/formatting guidelines can be found on the Department of Art website, HERE. A link to these Department of Art supplemental application materials requirements may also be found in the Graduate College’s online application form.
All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.
Application Deadline,
Feb 01, 2025
Application Fee,
A nonrefundable admission application fee, payable check, money order, or online by credit card of $60