With this rigorous studio-based program, candidates are challenged to explore new and innovative approaches to materials and techniques while refining skills in their chosen art discipline. We are looking for artists who are interested in pursuing a professional studio practice and the opportunity to teach at the university level.
Lander University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
As an MFA student, you will:
- Academically expand your individual creative practice
- Strengthen conceptual content
- Identify individual studio priorities
- Explore innovative approaches to art making
- Prepare to teach at the university level
- Understand the relationship between art and other visual disciplines
Why our MFA?
- Classes to accommodate current careers
- Most affordable graduate tuition in the state
- Personal studio space
- Graduate with Teacher of Record experience
- Small classes and one-on-one interaction with graduate faculty
- Graduate Assistantships available
2D or 3D Visual Art
MFA students may pursue a degree in 2D or 3D Visual Art. This major is designed to meet the needs of studio artists who are interested in or pursuing a professional studio practice in either 2-dimensional image making or 3-dimensional object making and/or teaching at the college level. Students have the opportunity to work with a broad range of media and in a variety of disciplines, which can be either traditional or experimental.
- 2D Visual Art: Students will be encouraged to consider 2D image making a mindset more than media specific. Traditional disciplines include drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, or experimental and/or mixed media. Experimentation will be highly encouraged.
- 3D Visual Art: Students will be encouraged to consider 3D object making a mindset more than media specific. Traditional disciplines include sculpture or ceramics, or experimental and/or mixed media. Experimentation will be highly encouraged.
- Intermedia Studies: Alongside their chosen area of specialization, students will take intermedia courses where they will focus on the relationship between materials. These courses will require that students deliberately integrate different media to creating innovative ways to work with various media resulting in new unique work.
Teaching Experience
MFA Candidates will have the opportunity to gain teaching experience as part of their graduate studies, both in a team-teaching model and as Teacher of Record. This will include teaching majors and non-major undergraduate students in the areas of studio foundations and art history.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission into the MFA Program at Lander University, applicants must submit the following with their application.
- Undergraduate studio degree in Art or Design (BFA, BA, BS, BDes), and provide official transcripts for all undergraduate or graduate coursework.
- GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
- Statement of Intent: One-page written statement which includes the following: Description of current studio practice, why the applicant is considering an MFA, what they hope to accomplish in Graduate school, and what their professional goals are after graduation.
- Digital portfolio of 20 images (72dpi designed for screen media). Applicants should submit a portfolio of work which includes 15-20 recent creative works. At least 10 should be should represent their chosen area of focus. Portfolio should be submitted in a single PDF file.
Conditional Admission
Applicants not meeting the full admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission. Students admitted conditionally are required to demonstrate successful graduate work with a GPA of 3.0 at the end of the first semester, at which time they would be considered fully admitted into the MFA Program. Students admitted conditionally and not achieving a GPA of 3.0 at the end of the first semester will be required to complete additional studio work outside the program before he/she can move forward. This time of remedial work may not be counted towards total number of degree credits for the MFA, but individual courses may be applied the other graduate degrees.
For more information about the program or assistance with the application procedure, please submit a Request for Information.