MFA Program | Academic Requirements | MFA/MA Academic Requirements | Courses | Advising and Review Process |
Thesis and Exhibition

M.F.A./M.A. Degree Program
and Academic Requirements

Graduate students have an opportunity to earn both an M.A. degree in art history (through the School of Humanities) and an M.F.A. degree in visual arts at Purchase College. In most cases, obtaining the two degrees requires three years of in-residence study with a total course load of 96 credits. For successful progress through the program, a 3.0 GPA (B) must be maintained.

Apart from preparation for museum and gallery work and writing art criticism, students enrolled in the M.A./M.F.A. Program gain a significant competitive advantage when pursuing a teaching career in studio art. Candidates for both the M.A. and M.F.A. degrees should review the options for thesis exhibition and studio space with their studio sponsor during their third year in residence.

First Year | Second Year | Third Year

First Year: 32 credits
Fall:	16 credits
VIS 5585/Graduate Studio Seminar I	4 credits
VIS 5900/Independent Graduate Studio	4 credits
ARH 5325/M.A. Colloquium I	4 credits
ARH 5---/Art history elective	4 credits
Spring:	16 credits
VIS 5595/Graduate Studio Seminar II	4 credits
VIS 5900/Independent Graduate Studio	8 credits
ARH 5—/Art history elective	4 credits
Second Year: 32 credits
Fall:	16 credits
VIS 5605/Graduate Studio Seminar III	4 credits
ARH 5326/M.A. Colloquium II	4 credits
ARH 5---/Art history electives (two)	8 credits
Spring:	16 credits
VIS 5615/Graduate Studio Seminar IV	4 credits
VIS 5900/Independent Graduate Studio	8 credits
ARH 5---/Art history elective	4 credits
Third Year: 32 credits
Fall:	16 credits
VIS 5900/Independent Graduate Studio	8 credits
ARH 5---/Art history elective	4 credits
ARH 5990/Master’s Thesis	4 credits
Spring:	16 credits
VIS 5900/Independent Graduate Studio	8 credits
Elective	4 credits
ARH 5990/Master’s Thesis	4 credits