The Department of Visual Arts and Art History’s graduate programs offer the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree in Visual Art with a concentration in Painting or Ceramics, and the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in Art in Boca Raton; and the Master of Fine Arts  degree in Visual Art with a concentration in Graphic Design or Computer Arts in Fort Lauderdale. 

The MFA in Visual Art is designed to further the conceptual development, aesthetic presentation, technical skill and career goals of MFA candidates. The MFA is built around the student's concentration, but is designed to incorporate courses in other studio areas (photography, sculpture, printmaking, multimedia, and drawing) should the student desire this type of flexibility.

MFA graduates of Florida Atlantic University have established careers as photographers, ceramicists, printmakers, painters, animators, sculptors, and graphic designers. They have taught the fine arts and art history in colleges and universities, after advanced studies, as well as in grammar and secondary schools. They have been involved in Art in State Building projects and worked as museum directors and gallery personnel. They handle digital imaging for corporate clients, and many are involved in advertising and corporate design.

Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art: Painting or Ceramics

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 baccalaureate degree or
3. 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.
4. Graduate admission application, submitted to FAU's Graduate Admissions Office and available at http://graduate.fau.edu.

Applicants must submit the following to the Departmental Graduate Coordinator, Department of Visual Arts and Art History, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Florida Atlantic University,  777 Glades Rd., Boca Raton, FL 33431.

1. A copy of the admissions application that was submitted to the FAU Graduate Admissions Office.
2. A copy of the transcript that was submitted to FAU's Graduate Admissions Office.
3. A statement of intent (stating area of concentration) and brief résumé.
4. Three letters of recommendation (preferably from previous instructors and/or professionals familiar with applicant’s academic and artistic background).
5. 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 slide should be labeled with name, medium, size, date, and the top of the slide indicated. Slides must be in plastic sleeves. A slide description sheet is required.  CD images must include the applicant's name and the degree program for the application and a printed description sheet with name and degree program at the top.
6. Self-addressed, adequately stamped envelope for the return of slides/CDs.  Slides/CDs will be returned if accompanied by sufficient postage.

The postmarked deadline for applications is April 1 for fall admission.

All of the items listed above must be submitted directly to the Department of Visual Arts and Art History. Only complete admission portfolios/applications will be considered. The Office of Graduate Admissions will be notified by the department of the evaluation results and will notify candidates of the University's decision about the application. 

Program Requirements and Curriculum
This full-time MFA program requires a minimum of 60 credits. The department admits full-time graduate students in the fall of each year.  The required  distribution of credits is listed in the FAU catalog at http://www.fau.edu/academic/registrar/univcatalog/CombAL.pdf. 

All candidates accepted into the MFA program are required to form their graduate committee by the end of the first semester of residency. The committee will be composed of candidate’s major professor (from area of concentration) and a member or members of the department faculty. An additional member may be from outside the department. The committee will meet each semester to supervise the candidate’s progress for the entire period of study.

Upon completion of a minimum of 18 credits, candidates will undergo a review by their committee to determine if they are making appropriate progress in their studio work. Successful completion of this review is a prerequisite for continuing as a candidate for the degree. In the last semester of residency, the candidate will present a graduate exhibition in one of the University galleries.

The exhibition will be curated by the MFA candidate and members of the candidate’s committee. An oral examination, focusing on the candidate’s work, will take place in the exhibition area. Successful completion of this examination is required for receipt of the degree.

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

Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art: Graphic Design or Computer Art

The Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art, with concentrations in Graphic Design or Computer Art, includes studio and seminar courses, creative portfolio / thesis and art history. Three goals are met by the MFA in Visual Art with a concentration in Graphic Design or Computer Art:

1. Advanced mastery of fine arts will provide a firm foundation for a successful launch into a variety of art-based careers, foster new creations, discoveries, theories, and history.
2. State-of-the-art instruction and study in art will prepare artists for cutting-edge careers in industry, as well as secondary and higher education.
3. A program of practical experiences and supervision by artist faculty using professional standards and production requirements will culminate in a professional portfolio of art signaling the achievement of the student-artist well beyond an apprentice stage of development.

Admission Requirements
Candidates for admission are required to have a bachelor’s 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. Two years’ experience in graphic design practice is preferred for admission to the Graphic Design program.  Candidates from other curricula will be considered based on abilities demonstrated in portfolio, statement of intent, and space available.

Graduate program applicants must meet the minimum standards set forth by the FAU Board of Trustees and the University, as well as the department’s requirements. 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 baccalaureate degree; 2) a minimum combined score of 1000 (quantitative and verbal) on the GRE; or 3) a graduate degree from an accredited institution.

Applicants must submit a graduate admission application directly to FAU's Graduate Admissions Office (http://graduate.fau.edu).

Applicants must also submit the following to the appropriate graduate coordinator.  For the MFA with concentration in Graphic Design, submit the following material to:  Graduate Coordinator, Graphic Design, Department of Visual Arts and Art History, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Florida Atlantic University, 111 E. Las Olas Blvd., AT 314, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.  For the MFA with concentration in Computer Arts, submit the following material to: Graduate Coordinator, Computer Arts, Department of Visual Arts and Art History, Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters, Florida Atlantic University, 111 E. Las Olas Blvd., AT 911, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.

1. A copy of the graduate application form that was submitted to the FAU Graduate Admissions Office.
2. A copy of the official college transcript that was submitted to FAU's Graduate Admissions Office.
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. Résumé.
5. Statement of intent. Candidates need to submit a two-page essay describing their creative aims and reasons for graduate study.
6. Portfolio: Candidates are required to submit portfolios which include examples of their graphic design or electronic media work.

Graphic Design:  Each slide or item should be labeled with media, title, name, address, and phone number. Portfolios should be submitted in one or more of the following formats: 20 numbered slides of candidate’s graphic design work; CD-ROM or floppy disk containing examples of interactive work; printouts from websites, listing the website’s URL on the project description sheet. Candidates must include a project description sheet with their portfolios.  Slides will be returned if accompanied by sufficient postage and self-addressed envelope.

Computer Arts:  The portfolio should consist of ten examples of traditional media that best exhibit the applicant's artistic creativity, technical ability, and conceptual style. These may be any combination of drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and printmaking. In addition, the portfolio may include additional pieces of computer generated animation, art, video, or film may be added to the 10 examples above. Animation, film, or video must be transferred to VHS or BetaSP formats. CDs and DVDs will be accepted, but the applicant should test them thoroughly on consumer and computer DVD players before shipping.  We look for strong artistic content first, and secondly technical expertise.  Send slides or copies rather than original work, as we will not return the material that is submitted.  

Program Requirements
The MFA in Visual Art with a concentration in Graphic Design or Computer Art is offered at the Fort Lauderdale campus and requires a minimum of 60 credits of course work. This includes studio and seminar courses, creative workshops, portfolio / thesis credits, and art history / theory courses and seminars.

The Department of Visual Arts and Arts History reserves the right to select work from graduating MFA candidates for its permanent collection.

Graphic Design Curriculum
The Graphic Design program requires a total of 60 credits of study, including a creative research project. This is a two-year degree program for full-time students. To see a distribution of credits, please visit the FAU catalog at: http://www.fau.edu/academic/registrar/univcatalog/CombAL.pdf. 

Computer Art Curriculum
The Computer Art program requires a total of 60 credits. To see a distribution of credits, please visit the FAU catalog at: http://www.fau.edu/academic/registrar/univcatalog/CombAL.pdf. 

The MAT in Art degree is designed for graduate students who intend to teach art in the K-12 school programs and who wish to pursue an advanced degree to increase competence in a studio concentration and the specialty of teaching art. The program will provide opportunities to develop their interests and talents.  For more information, contact the Department of Visual Arts and Art History at 561-297-3870.