About Master’s Program,
The mission of the Art Department at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is to educate students in studio art and design to form lasting contributions to knowledge and culture. Our mission mirrors the guiding principles of the University, whose outreach efforts influence lives within the classroom, the state of Wisconsin, and beyond.
Seated within the School of Education, the MFA curriculum allows students to join their academic and studio disciplines to source the potential of the University. Research offerings at the University of Wisconsin rank among the highest in the world, including our libraries, museums, laboratories, collections, faculty, staff, and visiting scholars. Student learning and curriculum are also supported on campus by the Chazen Museum of Art, Tandem Press, and the Division of the Arts. Our prominent and diverse faculty work across creative disciplines to teach hands-on skills, critical thinking, observation, and innovation.
Graduate students engage with interdisciplinarity, professional practices, and standards for scholarship to develop meaningful research and social engagement in the visual arts. The Art Department values the diverse contributions, backgrounds, and experiences of each student who serves as a catalyst for the extraordinary within the contemporary practice of art at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the world.
Students can study with any of our distinguished faculty, drawing from a wide breadth of instruction or focusing on a particular discipline. Students partner with faculty to develop a thesis body of artistic work. A strength of the graduate program lies in the diversity of its faculty and its strong commitment to student mentorship. The program places artists in the upper tier within any visual arts specialization.
Our department is well-equipped to support student studio ambitions. Students benefit from having access to the studio facilities, state-of-the-art shops, and equipment. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves and their research through the program’s unique interdisciplinary approach to studio practice.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
The Graduate School sets only the minimum requirements. Academic program admission requirements are often more rigorous than those set by the Graduate School. Please check your program’s website for details.
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from an international institution is required. International applicants must have a degree comparable to a regionally accredited U.S. bachelor’s degree. You must have completed your undergraduate degree, or similar, before starting graduate school.
For specific information about comparable degrees in your institution’s country, and which academic documents are required,
A minimum undergraduate grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 on the equivalent of the last 60 semester hours (approximately two years of work) or a master’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required. Applicants from an international institution must demonstrate strong academic achievement comparable to a 3.00 for an undergraduate or master’s degree. The Graduate School will use your institution’s grading scale. Do not convert your grades to a 4.00 scale.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
There are resources available to help you fund your education. You may be offered a teaching, project, or research assistantship; fellowship; or traineeship that will help defray some or all of your expenses. Assistantships or fellowships may provide tuition remission in addition to a monthly stipend and health insurance. Assistantships are offered by programs only, not through the Graduate School. Be sure to ask about the funding landscape in your intended program. Program data will tell you the percent of students in the program that are supported and the types of support they receive.
Tuition cost and segregated fee information is available at the Bursar’s Office website.
Application Requirement,
Application changes and fees
Transcripts
Checking your application status
Test scores: TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, and GRE
International students and visa process
Financial aid and tuition
Letters of recommendation
Requirements
Accept or decline offer and enrollment
Application Deadline,
Jan 05, 2026
Application Fee,
The application fee is $75 U.S. It is non-refundable and can be paid by credit card (MasterCard or Visa)
