About Master’s Program,
The Newcomb Art Department offers a Master of Fine Arts degree in an intensive, interdisciplinary, two-year residency program that emphasizes close interaction with dedicated faculty and peers, and engagement with New Orleans’ unique cultural landscape. The graduate curriculum is focused on individual studio practice while also engaging students in cross-disciplinary seminars on art theory, professionalism, pedagogy, and practice-based research, as well as courses in the history of art.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
The Master of Fine Arts requires sixty (60) hours of graduate level courses. Two courses in Art History (6 hours) at the graduate level are required, as is attendance in the MFA seminar courses (12 hours) that are held each semester and rotate in theme (Pedagogy, Professionalism, Studio Practice, Art Theory). Of the remaining courses (42 hours) 30 hours must be in studio disciplines and are designed to meet individual needs and interests. These are mainly of a “workshop” or “atelier” nature. During the second year, all students are required to present a thesis exhibition in the Carroll Gallery and complete a written thesis contextualizing the exhibition. In addition, an oral examination is conducted by an appointed faculty thesis committee.
All MFA students TA for a professor in their area both semesters of their first year, and have the opportunity to teach their own undergraduate course both semesters of their second year.
Although an undergraduate degree is required, it is not required that is was undertaken as an art major.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
All MFA students are accepted with full scholarships comprised of a tuition waiver and an additional assistantship stipend. The tuition waiver covers the full cost of tuition for both years of the MFA program. The additional stipend is divided up into 20 bimonthly payments each year, beginning at the end of August and ending in May.
Application Requirement,
- Portfolio (in a single PDF that includes an artist statement and CV-further instructions below under PDF portfolio) and corresponding Inventory List
- Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages addressing interests, influences, a brief bio as it relates to current direction of work, and reasons for applying to graduate school at this time)
- Letters of Recommendation (3)
- Unofficial academic transcripts of all undergraduate and/or graduate study (Official transcripts are required upon admission to the program)
- CV/Resume optional
Application Deadline,
Jan 10, 2025
Application Fee,
The application fee is $30 payable by credit card or checking account transfer at the time the application is submitted.
