MFA Visual Studies at University of Missouri-Columbia

Programme overview

The School of Visual Studies Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program focuses on the creative goals of the individual. Faculty guide all MFA students to find and develop a direction and language as they create a coherent and conceptually unified body of artwork. Through an intense studio-based practice, our MFA program prepares students for advanced professional art careers and provides teaching experience to those interested in teaching at the college level.

Faculty: College of Arts and Science | Department: Visual Studies | Duration: 40 credit hours | Location: Columbia, MO, United States

What you will study

The MFA program is a full-time, three-year program consisting of 60-70 credit hours. Studio Practice and Critique Courses (15 credit hours)

Career pathways

Through an intense studio-based practice, our MFA program prepares students for advanced professional art careers and provides teaching experience to those interested in teaching at the college level.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Fall semester deadline (priority for campus scholarships): January 18. Please note those wanting to compete for A&S Graduate Fellowship Awards need to apply by January 1st. Minimum TOEFL scores: Internet-based test (iBT): 80, Paper-based test (PBT): 550. The preferred undergraduate degree for admission to the graduate program in visual art is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). However, applicants holding a BA, BS or other bachelor’s degree are eligible to apply if they have a minimum of 40 hours of undergraduate studio credits or an equivalent professional experience. Applicants for the Graphic Design Area are required to have a minimum of 2 years professional experience before applying.

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.

Graduate and online programmes bill for Summer, Fall and Spring terms; each programme sets its own application requirements and deadlines, which are programmed into the application for admission.

Degree-seeking graduate applicants pay a non-refundable application fee of $75 (U.S. citizens and permanent residents) or $100 (nonresident internationals); graduate certificate and non-degree applicants pay $40. Applications are valid for three semesters after the original application term.

Graduate programmes apply through the Graduate School online application for admission, which requires a qualifying bachelor degree and at least a 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of baccalaureate coursework; School of Law, School of Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Occupational Therapy Doctorate have their own application processes.

Apply through the official page: https://gradschool.missouri.edu/admissions/

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