MFA Studio Art at University of Massachusetts Amherst

Programme overview

The MFA in Studio Arts is a three-year programme that admits about five new students each year. It covers painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, animation and intermedia (photography and video).

Faculty: College of Humanities and Fine Arts | Department: Department of Art | Duration: 3 years | Study mode: full-time | Location: Amherst, MA, United States

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Department of Art (MFA in Studio Arts): application to the Graduate School including the 600-word short essay, plus a portfolio of 20 images submitted through the online application. Application window November 1 to December 1, 2026. Graduate School (all UMass Amherst graduate programmes): bachelor's degree from an accredited US institution or an equivalent international degree; minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.00 scale (some programmes expect more); most programmes require at least two letters of recommendation; personal statement and resume; 600-word short essay on community; $90 application fee. Applicants whose native language is not English: TOEFL iBT 80 (tests taken before January 2026; combined score of 4 on the new scale for tests from January 2026), IELTS Academic 6.5, Duolingo English Test 115 or PTE Academic 53.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Duration: 3 years

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