Visual Arts & Art History

Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art

The M.F.A. in Visual Art is designed to further the conceptual development, aesthetic presentation, technical skill, and career goals of the M.F.A. candidates. M.F.A. degrees are offered in the following studio concentrations: Painting and Ceramics (Boca Raton campus), Graphic Design and Computer Art (Fort Lauderdale campus).

Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art: Ceramics and Painting

These programs are designed to incorporate courses in other studio areas (photography, sculpture, printmaking, multimedia, and drawing) should the student desire this type of flexibility. Graduates of the programs will be prepared for careers as professional artists. The programs will provide opportunities for students to develop their interests and talents at the terminal degree level.

Admission Requirements

1. Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts, or equivalent degree.

2. A “B” average or better in all course work while registered as an upper-division student working for a bachelor’s degree, or a minimum combined score of 1000 (quantitative and verbal) on the GRE or minimum score of 450 on the GMAT. The GRE or GMAT must be taken for admittance.

3. Graduate admission application submitted online to FAU’s Graduate College. Application is available at www.fau.edu/graduate.

4. Official college transcript(s) submitted to FAU’s Graduate College.

Applicants must submit the following to the departmental Graduate Coordinator, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Visual Arts and Art History, AH 52, Room 118, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431.

1. A statement of intent (stating area of concentration) and brief résumé.

2. Three letters of recommendation (preferably from previous instructors and/or professionals familiar with applicant’s academic and artistic background).

3. Portfolio of 20 slides/CD images of recent work in area of concentration. A maximum of four details and/or alternate views is acceptable. Applications for painting must include a minimum of two details. Each image should be identified with name, medium, size, date, and the top of the image indicated. CD images must include ID information on disk and a printed description sheet.

4. Copy of official transcript.

5. CD will be returned if accompanied by sufficient postage and self-addressed envelope.

6. The online and postmarked deadline for applications is February 21st for fall admission only.

Completed admission portfolios must be submitted directly to the Department of Visual Arts and Art History. The Graduate College will be notified by the department of the evaluation results and will notify candidates. Only completed portfolios and application packets will be considered.

Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art: Graphic Design

The Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art, with a concentration in graphic design, engages students in an individual pursuit to expand their knowledge of visual communication design systems with a focus on furthering development towards a career in design education and/or professional practice. Students and faculty from diverse cultural, educational and professional experiences come together to engage in critical discourse that challenges and strengthens each students understanding of communication theory, research methodology and design problem solving approaches. Encouraged to identify and expand their own voice as designer, students take a combination of graduate design studios, seminars, art history courses and directed independent study projects, culminating in a graduate thesis project, exhibition and document. Graduate students are expected to take a leadership role in the department and in their interactions with undergraduate students.

Admission Requirements 

1. Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Arts, or equivalent degree from an accredited college or university or, for international students, an institution recognized in its own country as preparing students for further study at the graduate level. Degrees in graphic design or visual communication design are preferred. Candidates from other curricula will be considered based on abilities demonstrated in portfolio, statement of intent, and space available. Two years’ experience in the graphic design practice is preferred.

2. The minimum University admission requirements are either 1) a “B” average or better in all work attempted while registered as an upper-division student working for a bachelor’s degree; 2) a minimum combined score of 1000 (quantitative and verbal) on the GRE; or 3) a graduate degree from an accredited institution. Applicants will be required to present their GRE scores.

3. Graduate admission application submitted online to FAU’s Graduate College. Application is available at www.fau.edu/graduate.

4. Official college transcript(s) submitted to FAU’s Graduate College.

Applicants must submit the following to Graphic Design, Department of Visual Arts and Art History, Florida Atlantic University, 111 E. Las Olas Blvd., AT 314, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

1. Three letters of recommendation

2. Résumé

3. Statement of intent. Candidates need to submit a two-page essay describing their creative aims and reasons for graduate study

4. Portfolio: which includes 20 examples of applicant’s graphic design or electronic media work. Each item should be labeled with media, title, name, address, and phone number. Portfolios should be submitted on a CD-ROM.
-Website examples should list the URL on project description sheet.

Candidates must include a project description sheet with their portfolios.

5. Copy of official transcript.  

6. CD will be returned if accompanied by sufficient postage and self-addressed envelope.

7. Deadline for applications (online and postmarked): October 31st for spring admissions and February 21st for fall admissions.

Graphic Design Curriculum

The M.F.A. in Visual Art with a concentration in graphic design is offered at the Fort Lauderdale campus. The graphic design program requires a total of 60 credits of study; it includes the following distribution of credits. The Department of Visual Arts and Art History admits full- and part-time graduate students in the spring and fall of each year.

Area of Concentration	Credits
Graphic Design Studio and Seminar courses	24-32
Art Electives (may be in area of concentration)	12
History and Theory of Art and Design	12
Free ElectivesFree Electives	4
Research Project (Design Thesis and Exhibition)	8

All candidates accepted into the M.F.A. Graphic Design track are required to form their graduate committee prior to candidacy review. The committee will be composed of the candidate’s major professor (thesis advisor) and two members from the department faculty. An additional member may be from outside the department.

Upon completion of 30 credits, candidates will undergo a candidacy review by their committee to determine appropriate progress in the Graphic Design track. Successful completion of this review is a prerequisite for continuing as a candidate for the degree.

In the last semester of study, the candidate will present a thesis exhibition. The exhibition will be curated by the M.F.A. candidate and members of the candidate’s committee. The M.F.A. candidate is required to produce written documentation of research, including a detailed explanation of the thesis exhibition. Copies of thesis documentation must be presented to the committee no less than three weeks prior to the thesis exhibition. An oral examination, focusing on the candidate’s work, will take place directly following the presentation of thesis exhibition. Successful completion of this examination is required for awarding of degree.

The Department of Visual Arts and Art History reserves the right to select work from thesis exhibitions for its permanent collection.

Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art: Computer Art

The Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts with a concentration in Computer Arts provides graduate study in computer graphics, design, and animation for artists who wish to use sophisticated computer software and hardware for artistic expression. The MFA is an advanced creative degree requiring initiative and independence on the part of the student.

Graduate research and study focuses upon the fine art of 3D graphics and animation in a 60-credit program combination of studio work, creative workshop and seminar discussions. For students unfamiliar with 3D software, study begins with training courses in Alias/Wavefront Maya software. Mastery of software gains students entry to creative workshop critique and the department’s extensive video, audio, and computer editing suites.

Admission Requirements 

3. Graduate admission application submitted online to FAU’s Graduate College. Application is available at www.fau.edu/graduate.

4. Official college transcript(s) submitted to FAU’s Graduate College.

Applicants must submit the following to MFA in Computer Arts, Department of Visual Arts and Art History, Florida Atlantic University, 111 E. Las Olas Blvd., AT 812, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

1. Three letters of recommendation.

2. Résumé

3. Statement of intent.

4. Portfolio which includes examples of applicant’s electronic media, animation and/or 3-D modeling work. Candidates must include a project description sheet with their portfolios.

5. Copy of official transcript.  

6. Portfolio will be returned if accompanied by sufficient postage and self-addressed envelope.

7. Deadline for applications (online and postmarked): October 31st for spring admissions and February 21st for fall admissions.

Computer Art Curriculum

This M.F.A. program includes the following distribution of credits:

Course	Credits
Studio in Computer Arts, ART 6688C	16
Creative Workshop in Computer Arts, ART 6692C	16
Computer Arts Seminar in Contemporary Art, ARH 6931	4
Computer Arts Seminar in General Theory, ARH 6932	4
Electives (may be in the concentration)	12
Portfolio/Thesis, ART 6693C and ART 6971C	8
Total	60

After completing thirty credits and two short animations to demonstrate artistic and technical proficiency, students are eligible for MFA candidacy. Students are then required to complete another thirty credits and two more animations. Award of the Master of Fine Arts degree is based upon completion of sixty credits and acceptance of an artistic portfolio that meets the criteria of publishable quality commensurate with professionals in the field of computer arts. Many of the animations created by our graduate students have won international recognition from video festivals and their work is regularly aired on educational television.

In addition to a residential program, the department offers a distance learning MFA in Computer Arts. This virtual degree is open to accomplished artists with knowledge of 3D software and the ability to study independently. The degree takes approximately three years to complete. At least once a semester, distance learning students participate on campus with the residential students in creative workshop and seminar sessions, including special event seminars and personal critical analysis of graduate student work by professional animators.

The Department of Visual Arts and Art History reserves the right to select work from thesis exhibitions for its permanent collection.

Students from Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, may be eligible to attend our program at FAU at in-state tuition rates through the Academic Common Market.