Visual Arts Graduate Programs

MFA Requirements | MA/MFA Requirements

  MFA Academic Requirements

The MFA program is designed to be completed in two years with a minimum requirement of 60–61 graduate credits.

This includes 33 credits of studio work (VIS 5210–5220, 5720–5750, and 5801–5804, and one studio art elective), 8 credits of graduate seminars (selected from VIS 5760 and electives), 8 credits of art history, 11–12 credits of elective coursework chosen in consultation with a graduate advisor, and a 2-credit writing tutorial for the MFA thesis. For successful progress through the program, a 3.0 (B) GPA must be maintained.

Notes: 

1. ARH 5325 is required for students who are also enrolled in the art history MA program. Otherwise, MFA students may choose a different graduate art history course in consultation with their faculty advisor.
2. Students may enroll in ARH 5325 or the graduate art history elective in the fall semester of either their first or second year. ARH 5325 and 5326 may be taken in either order.
3. Students must take VIS 5760/Graduate Critical Topics two times.

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  MA/MFA Academic Requirements

In most cases, obtaining both an MA in art history (through the School of Humanities) and an MFA in visual arts at Purchase College requires three years of in-residence study with a total course load of 98 credits. For successful progress through the program, a 3.0 (B) GPA must be maintained.

Notes:

1. Students must take VIS 5760/Graduate Critical Topics two times.

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Updates to the 2020-21 Catalog

• Students now take VIS 5760/Critical Topics two times along with two electives rather than Critical Topics I - IV.