MFA and MA/MFA Requirements
MFA Requirements
MFA Academic Requirements
For Students Entering Fall 2026 and Later:
The MFA program is designed to be completed in two years with a minimum requirement of 60-62 graduate credits.
This includes the following requirements:
- 12 credits of the Graduate Studio Critique (VIS5720)
- 12 credits of Independent Studio work with faculty mentors (VIS5801, VIS5802, VIS5803, VIS5804)
- 6 credits of Professional Practice classes (VIS5210 and VIS5220)
- 8 credits of Art History (usually fulfilled as the Graduate Art History Colloquium I ARH5325 & Art History Colloquium II, ARH5326)
- 3 credits, VIS5005/MFA Thesis Tutorial
- 3 credits, VIS5804/Graduate Studio Capstone
- Graduate-level electives 19-21*
Notes*
While these electives are most commonly “making” classes taken in the School of Art + Design, students are welcome to take any graduate-level classes at Purchase College. Either they register directly, (in the case of 5000 level classes) or register for 5000-level Independent Studies, making specific arrangements with faculty to tailor the class to the needs of the student while fulfilling curricular requirements.
Students wishing to teach undergrad classes must enroll in VIS5870/Graduate Teaching Assistant / 2 credits and pedagogy twice (or can request a review to teach after TA’ing once if students have relevant and commensurate experience).
ARH 5325 and ARH 5326 are 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.
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.
Students interested in MA/MFA option which is a three year program should follow the curriculum below:
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 (through the School of Art & Design) at Purchase College requires three years of in-residence study with a total course load of 100 credits. For successful progress through the program, a 3.0 (B) GPA must be maintained.
Requirements:
- ARH 5101/Proseminar: Method and Theory in Art History/ 4 credits
- ARH 5990/Master’s Thesis I/ 4 credits
- ARH 5991/Master’s Thesis II/ 4 credits
- VIS 5150/College Pedagogy or ARH elective/ 3-4 credits
- VIS 5210/Professional Practices: Artists/ 6 credits or
VIS 5220/Professional Practices: Institutions/ 6 credits - ARH 5325/Master’s Colloquium I and ARH 5326/Masters Colloquium II/ 8 credits
- VIS 5720/Graduate Studio Critiques I/ 12 credits
- VIS 5801/Independent Graduate Studio I/ 3 credits
- VIS 5802/Independent Graduate Studio II/ 3 credits
- VIS5803/Independent Graduate Studio III, 3 credits
- VIS 5804/Graduate Studio Capstone/ 3 credits
- Graduate Visual Arts Studio Elective (PAD, PHO, PRT, SCP, VIS) 15 credits
- Free Electives: 8 credits
- ARH 5—/Art history elective**/ 20 credits
- VIS 5005/MFA Thesis Tutorial/ 3 credits
**At least one course elective must deal with art before 1950
Notes:
Students must take VIS 5760/Graduate Critical Topics two times.
For Students Prior to Fall 2026:
The MFA program is designed to be completed in two years with a minimum requirement of 60 graduate credits.
This includes the following requirements:
- 12 credits of the Graduate Studio Critique
- 12 credits of Independent Studio work with faculty mentors, including the Capstone in the final semester
- 6 credits of Professional Practice classes
- 6 credits of Graduate Critical Topics (theory and criticism)
- 8 credits of Art History (usually fulfilled as the Graduate Art History Colloquium I & II
- All remaining credits are completed as Electives. While these are most commonly “making” classes taken in the School of Art + Design, students are welcome to take classes anywhere at Purchase College. Either they register directly, (in the case of 5000 level classes) or they participate in undergraduate classes as 5000-level Independent Study enrollees, making specific arrangements with faculty to tailor the class to the needs of the student while fulfilling curricular requirements.
First Year: 30-31 credits
Second Year: 34 credits