Art, MFA
This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- demonstrate proficiency in critical thinking and conceptual problem solving within the particular focus and practice of their field;
- demonstrate a personal vocabulary, approach, and vision in creative work;
- demonstrate knowledge of historical, social, and cultural perspectives in relation to visual art and design;
- demonstrate technical proficiency in relation to the tools, techniques, and materials used in their field; and
- develop a professional package that includes a curriculum vitae/résumé, statement about their work, images of their work, and prepare materials (i.e., teaching and research statement, online portfolio, etc.) for specific careers as a professional emerging artist/designer or in teaching, art, or design-related positions.
The Master of Fine Arts in art requires a minimum of 60 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a Graduate College program grade-point average of at least 3.00. A thesis is required. Students complete the degree with a subprogram in one of the following studio art disciplines: ceramics, drawing, graphic design, jewelry and metal arts, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and intermedia, or three-dimensional (3D) design.
MFA students must hold a BA or BFA in art equivalent to that offered by the University of Iowa. Transfer credit is decided by faculty review. Students must earn at least 24 s.h. of credit in their primary discipline for the MFA degree at the University of Iowa.
All MFA students must participate in the required review sequence, mount a public MFA exhibition, complete a written thesis, and submit the final approved thesis to the Graduate College. If students do not receive clearance at the end of the third semester, they may be eligible to complete the fourth semester and earn a Master of Arts (MA) in art if they meet all MA requirements; see the MA in art in this section of the catalog.
The MFA in art requires the following coursework.
| Requirements | Hours |
|---|---|
| Primary Studio Art Discipline | 24 |
| Secondary Studio Art Discipline | 12 |
| Art History and Theory | 6 |
| Electives | 18 |
| Thesis |
Primary Studio Art Discipline
Students complete 24 s.h. of coursework in their primary studio art discipline, which is the same as their subprogram.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramics | ||
| Ceramics courses (prefix CERM) numbered 3000 and above | ||
| Drawing | ||
| Drawing courses (prefix DRAW) numbered 3000 and above | ||
| Graphic Design | ||
| Graphic design courses (prefix DSGN) numbered 3000 and above | ||
| Jewelry and Metal Art | ||
| Jewelry and metal art courses (prefix MTLS) numbered 3000 and above | ||
| Painting | ||
| Painting courses (prefix PNTG) numbered 3000 and above | ||
| Photography | ||
| Photography courses (prefix PHTO) numbered 3000 and above | ||
| Printmaking | ||
| Printmaking courses (prefix PRNT) numbered 3000 and above | ||
| Sculpture and Intermedia | ||
| Sculpture and intermedia courses (prefix SCIM), sculpture courses (prefix SCLP), and intermedia courses (prefix INTM) numbered 3000 and above | ||
| Three-Dimensional Design | ||
| Three-dimensional design courses (prefix TDSN) numbered 3000 and above | ||
Secondary Studio Art Discipline
Students complete 12 s.h. in one secondary studio arts discipline; this cannot be the same as the subprogram in which they are enrolled. The secondary discipline may be one of those listed above or one of the following.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Book Arts | ||
| Papermaking courses (prefix BKAT) numbered 3000 and above | ||
| UICB:3140-UICB:6520, excluding UICB:3900 and UICB:5550 | ||
| Other | ||
| Courses outside of the studio arts disciplines taken with program permission | ||
Art History and Theory
Students complete 6 s.h. of coursework from ARTH:3000–6999, excluding ARTH:3985, ARTH:3995, ARTH:6020, and ARTH:6040.
Electives
In consultation with an advisor, students complete 18 s.h. of coursework numbered 3000 or above, excluding ARTS:6000.
Committee Review
Students participate in a series of structured reviews that support their artistic development and monitor progress toward the degree. The first major review, the MFA clearance committee review, takes place during the third semester of study. During this review, students meet with their MFA degree committee to discuss their studio work, academic progress, and readiness to continue in the program. Following the committee meeting, students participate in the studio division-wide review, where faculty across the studio disciplines provide feedback and guidance to support the student’s ongoing development. Students must successfully complete both components to continue in the MFA program.
Students are responsible for forming the MFA degree committee in preparation for the clearance review. Committees consist of three required members: two faculty members from the student’s primary studio discipline (one of whom serves as chair) and one faculty member from the approved secondary studio discipline. Committee composition must follow Graduate College policy; instructional-track, adjunct, lecturer, visiting, and non–University of Iowa faculty may serve with Graduate College approval, which must be renewed every three years.
Students complete additional degree reviews during the final year. The first degree committee review, which focuses on studio work in the primary discipline, takes place during the fifth semester. The second degree committee review occurs during the week of the MFA exhibition and serves as the final examination for the degree. Students should formally confirm their degree committee by October 1 for spring graduation and March 1 for fall graduation.
Thesis
MFA students in all subprograms are required to write a thesis. They may earn 1 s.h. of elective credit for writing a technical or substantial thesis by registering for ARTS:7000 MFA Thesis with approval of the thesis supervisor, but they are not required to enroll in this course. Thesis credit earned in an MFA program is not applicable to MA requirements.
A thesis abstract is given to all degree committee members and is due by Sept. 15 for spring or summer graduation and by Feb. 15 for fall graduation. The thesis chair is responsible for meeting with the student immediately thereafter to direct thesis content and to coordinate meeting with the full committee.
The complete thesis in final form must be given to all committee members at least four weeks prior to the MFA exhibition week. Graduate College regulations covering the specific requirements of the written thesis are found on the Graduate College Thesis and Dissertation website. The thesis must be as complete as possible, including images (may be black and white or color photocopies) of approved figures that are part of the final thesis. The graduate program coordinator provides a student with complete thesis/artist statement procedures, including the Graduate College calendar.
A thesis defense of the MFA work must be scheduled with the candidate's committee during the final semester in residence. The MFA exhibition is considered the final examination and is where the degree committee reviews the thesis and artwork.
Following the defense, the thesis must be submitted by the Graduate College deadline. Committee members receive an email that provides a link to the finalized (post-format review) thesis and prompts them to verify the manuscript electronically; committee verification happens after the Graduate College format review. Any corrections to the thesis required by the graduate examiner or the degree committee should be completed immediately.
Additional Requirements
Students provide five images of their MFA work for the Grad Archive.
Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Academics
University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.
Admissions
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.
Application materials should be uploaded onto a student's admissions profile. All applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College and the School of Art, Art History, and Design.
The deadline to submit materials to Graduate Admissions is Feb. 1 for studio art programs. Admission is for the following fall.
School of Art, Art History, and Design Requirements
Prospective graduate students must meet the School of Art, Art History, and Design's admission requirements for the specific degree program they plan to enter. They must submit application materials to Graduate Admissions and to the specific program.
All applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Application Procedures
Prospective students may apply online through the Admissions website. After submitting an application, applicants will receive email instructions on how to access their admissions profile on MyUI. Applicants then upload the required supplemental documents through a secure portal.
Required documents include transcripts from all colleges and universities an applicant has attended, contact information for three individuals who are able to assess an applicant's potential for graduate study designated to provide letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
Applicants should consult the Studio Art Graduate Bulletin on the School of Art, Art History, and Design website. No separate application is necessary for scholarships or teaching/research assistantships for studio art applicants.
Studio art applicants' portfolio requirements are in the following list. Images in the portfolio should be uploaded as PDF files no larger than 72 dpi and 1240 by 1240 pixels. File size must not exceed 18 MB. Images must be numbered according to the order they are to be presented to the admissions committee, beginning with 01. Applicants must include an inventory list that includes each image's name, title, medium, size, and approximate date of work, as well as their name and emphasis. They may supply a link to their personal website.
Portfolio contents and submission requirements for each program are as follows.
- Ceramics: 10 to 20 images.
- Three-dimensional (3D) design, and jewelry and metal arts: eight images in the primary studio art discipline and two in a second discipline.
- Graphic design: documentation of 15 to 20 projects. Applicant should include a brief description of each work, illustrated with embedded still images and supplemented by links to online media. The precise number of images varies according to the nature of the work. Contact the School of Art, Art History, and Design with questions.
- Painting and drawing: eight images in the primary studio art medium (either painting or drawing) and two in a second medium.
- Photography: 15 to 20 images.
- Printmaking: 10 to 20 images.
- Sculpture and intermedia: applicants submit the following depending on their preferred area of emphasis.
- Sculpture: 20 images in sculpture, including details, and two or three images in a second medium. Video links may be included.
- Intermedia: documentation of 5 to 10 projects, including a brief description of each work illustrated with embedded still images and supplemented by links to online media. The precise number of images varies according to the nature of the work; contact the School of Art, Art History, and Design with questions.
Graduate Admissions notifies all applicants by mail of admission decisions.
Many graduates pursue careers that match their degree specializations, for example, commercial or graphic designer, conservation or museum curator or administrator, art educator, public artist, or community art center coordinator or instructor.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Art, MFA
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 60 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a, b | ||
| Graduate College program GPA of at least 3.00 is required. c | ||
| Students complete the degree with a subprogram in one of the following studio art disciplines: ceramics, drawing, graphic design, jewelry and metal arts, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture and intermedia, or three-dimensional (3D) design. | ||
| An MA in Art may optionally be earned en passant to the MFA. d | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Primary studio art discipline course e | 4 | |
| Art history and theory course f | 3 | |
| Elective course g | 3 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Spring | ||
| Primary studio art discipline course e | 4 | |
| Secondary studio art discipline course h | 4 | |
| Elective course g | 2 | |
| Hours | 10 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Primary studio art discipline course e | 4 | |
| Secondary studio art discipline course h | 4 | |
| Art history and theory course f | 3 | |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| Primary studio art discipline course e | 4 | |
| Elective course g | 3 | |
| Elective course g | 2 | |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Primary studio art discipline course e | 4 | |
| Secondary studio art discipline course h | 4 | |
| Elective course g | 3 | |
| MFA Committee Review i | ||
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| Primary studio art discipline course e | 4 | |
| ARTS:7000 | MFA Thesis j | 1 |
| Elective course g | 4 | |
| Exam: Master's Final Exam k | ||
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 60 | |
- a
- Students provide five images of their MFA work for the Grad Archive.
- b
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- c
- Graduate College program GPA is comprised of all courses that are approved degree requirements. If a student takes more than the minimum required number of semester hours to complete the degree, but all courses taken are eligible to count toward the degree, those courses will be included in the Graduate College program GPA.
- d
- Students must earn at least 24 s.h. at the University of Iowa after admission to the MFA.
- e
- Students complete 24 s.h. of coursework in their primary studio art discipline, which is the same as their subprogram. See the General Catalog for list of approved courses.
- f
- Students complete 6 s.h. of coursework from ARTH:3000-6999, excluding ARTH:3985, ARTH:3995, ARTH:6020, and ARTH:6040.
- g
- In consultation with an advisor, students complete 18 s.h. of coursework numbered 3000 or above, excluding ARTS:6000.
- h
- Students complete 12 s.h. in one secondary studio art discipline; this cannot be the same as the subprogram in which they are enrolled. See the General Catalog for list of approved courses.
- i
- Students are reviewed by their committees at the end of the semester prior to the semester they intend to graduate.
- j
- MFA students in all subprograms are required to write a thesis. They may earn 1 s.h. of elective credit for writing a technical or substantial thesis by registering for ARTS:7000 with approval of the thesis supervisor, but they are not required to enroll in this course. Thesis credit earned in an MFA program is not applicable to MA requirements.
- k
- Thesis defense.