About Master’s Program,
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree at the University of South Florida’s School of Art & Art History is an idea-centered program that encourages broad media exploration, interdisciplinary projects, and engagement with current theoretical and cultural issues.
Nationally ranked, our program provides a dynamic atmosphere with ongoing opportunities for dialogue with the faculty, other graduate students and a world-class program of visiting artists, critics and scholars.
Our MFA students enjoy individual studios that provide both privacy and access to learn from one another, with twenty-four24 hour- access to facilities.
We provide generous financial assistance packages, including graduate assistantships with stipends, tuition waivers and the opportunity to teach courses, assist professors — or work alongside some of the most notable artists today at USF’s Graphicstudio and Contemporary Art Museum. We also offer fellowships, full scholarships and annual research and travel awards specifically for our graduate students.
Located in Tampa, Florida, students pursue their MFA amidst a cosmopolitan, multi-ethnic city in an urban area with a population of more than three million. Rich with experiential raw material for art-making, outstanding museums and alternative exhibition and performance spaces, Tampa also beckons you to the lively nightlife of historic Ybor City and the relaxation of nearby beaches. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the school’s field trips to New York, plus study abroad in Paris through our Summer Art Program or join any of USF’s international exchange programs.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited university or art school.
Meet at least one of the following criteria:
Earned a graduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
Earned a “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) average or better in all upper division studies as an undergraduate student. (The GRE is not required but may be used for admission purposes if the applicant chooses to do so.)
Successful acceptance of a portfolio of artworks by the School of Art & Art History faculty (see How to Apply for more information).
Master’s Funding Coverage,
Affording tuition can be challenging for many, let alone the cost of art materials and supplies. Take one step closer to realizing your dreams with the support of the School of Art & Art History. We are committed to helping aspiring artists and scholars by providing undergraduate scholarships and various forms of graduate student financial aid. In addition, the College of Design, Art & Performance and the University of South Florida also provide an array of financial aid opportunities.
Every current graduate student in the School of Art & Art History receives a full tuition waiver plus either a scholarship OR a graduate assistantship. The USF School of Art & Art History offers two graduate degree programs: Master of Arts in Art History and Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art.
About 30 available each semester, for exceptional students to teach or assist classes and work in other capacities in the School of Art & Art History or the Contemporary Art Museum. Amounts vary from about $6,000 to $10,000 per year plus tuition waivers.
Application Requirement,
All official transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Official transcripts from each community college, college or university you have attended are required.
Submit the following materials electronically via SlideRoom. Detailed instructions and a tutorial are available in the link above to assist you in the online submission process. There is a cost of $12 to submit your materials, including your portfolio. You will pay this fee electronically when you submit your materials on SlideRoom;
Artist Statement (For more information about an artist statement, Click Here)
Resume
Letters of Recommendation are to be submitted through Slideroom and are optional
Portfolio
Please submit any combination of the following which best suits your work: Images, video, animation, film, audio works, performance documentation:
Up to 20 Still Images or 12 minutes of time-based medium
Each individual time-based work or documentation of work should be under 3 minutes in duration for a combined total of no longer than 12 minutes (Suggested format for video, animation, film, performance, audio, etc.)
If combining still images and time-based media, please consider each minute of time-based media to be equivalent to two still images. For example: A portfolio that includes 5 minutes of time-based media may also include 10 images.
Application Deadline,
Jan 15, 2025
Application Fee,
You will be required to submit your application fee of $30 US dollars electronically.
