Overview

While there is a considerable fluidity between media and disciplines, students in the degree program choose one of five options: painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, or combined media/newer technologies.

The Master of Fine Arts degree requires full time residency and concentrated studio work. Over the two-year program, students are also required to take a number of seminars, fine arts electives, and courses outside the department that may include those in PennDesign, in the History of Art, or in the University at large.

The Department offers individual studios to all enrolled graduate students, and provides regular criticism from faculty and Senior Critics who meet with graduate students individually on a weekly basis. As part of studio requirement, graduate students participate in critiques with visiting artists who are engaged by the department each semester. Students also attend slide lectures and evening group critiques held during the spring semester, and participate in required and intensive three-day thesis reviews at the end of each semester.