Skip Navigation
Umass Home


Graduate Programs

The Department of Art, Architecture and Art History offers four graduate programs, the M. F. A. Degree in Studio Art, the M. Arch. Degree in Architecture, the M. S. Degree in Interior Design, and the M. A. Degree in Art Education.

Studio Art

The M.F.A. program in Studio Art is intended for students who are committed to becoming professional artists and who want an intensive, full time, 60-credit hour, in-residence preparation for a career in art. The program is organized to be completed in three years, with a two-year program possible under rare circumstances. The studio program allows a student to select a discipline as well as experiment in a range of other areas, using an interdisciplinary approach when desired. Applications are accepted and reviewed once a year, with a postmark date/deadline of February 1st.

Disciplines within Studio Art:
Animation
Painting
Printmaking  
Photography
Digital Media: Still Image
Digital Media: Time Based
Sculpture
Ceramics 

Applicants may declare a discipline, as well as a secondary area of interest if appropriate, on the application form in Section II.

General Portfolio Guidelines: A portfolio of 20 pieces should demonstrate independent thought and the diversity of your experience in the visual arts.

Slide Portfolio Guidelines:

If your portfolio consists of 35mm slides of artwork, please load slides into a standard circular Kodak carousel ready for projection. Please also provide a reference sheet or key to the slides with a thumbnail image of each work; for each slide list media, scale, and date. Please number your slides to correspond to the reference sheet and include your name and address.

Digital Portfolio Guidelines:

You may choose to submit your portfolio in a digital format instead of 35mm slides.

Please organize your digital files as a slide show, Keynote or PowerPoint, so that the viewing order is clear. We do not recommend that you send folders that contain image files, as the viewing is too haphazard.

Be sure to print a checklist and include thumbnail images that represent your digital portfolio on a separate page along with the media and scale of each work.

Your digital portfolio files must be both Macintosh and PC compatible, on CD-R or DVD-R with the following formats:  PDF file, Photoshop, Keynote or PowerPoint.

Please write your name and discipline (s) interest directly on the disk.

Web portfolios can also be reviewed; be sure to send your URL as a link.

Video or time based pieces (no longer than 10 minutes) may also be submitted if on a DVD-R with tested navigation.

The Department of Art, Architecture and Art History is not responsible for reviewing materials that are not readily accessible. Please test and retest your CD-R or DVD-R on multiple computers and playback devices, including consumer quality DVD players using a remote control, before mailing.

Include a self-addressed mailer with sufficient postage if you want the portfolio returned.

Applications are accepted and reviewed once a year, with a postmark date/deadline of February 1st.

Digital Images Basics

Adobe Photoshop Basics

Adobe InDesign Basics

Adobe Acrobat: PDF Basics

PowerPoint Basics

Presentation Design

2D Studies:
View Printmaking Studios
Link to sample course web site: Digital Media: Time Based
Link to course web site for Art 720/740
3 D Studies:

Art Education

Architecture+Design

Art History

Master of Fine Arts Degree Program

Graduate Program: How to Apply

Graduate Art Student Association


For Prospective Students

Application Guidelines

For Current Students

Galleries on Campus

Department of Art Facilities Map

Art Resources

Art History Web site

Architecture+Design Web site

University Maps

UMASS People Finder

Back to Top

© 2008 University of Massachusetts Amherst 413.545.0111. This is an official page of the
University of Massachusetts Amherst and is designed and maintained by Michael Coblyn and Rosanne Retz