MFA, Visual Art

Lander University is accredited by the National Association of Schools in Art and Design (NASAD). This rigorous studio-based program is designed to engender contemporary art practice by challenging students with new and innovative approaches to materials and techniques while fostering growth within their chosen area of specialization. Students gain in-depth knowledge and professional competence in one or more disciplines through creative endeavor, inquiry, and investigation.

Students can pursue an MFA in 2D Visual Art or MFA in 3D Visual Art. Each program of study will provide:

Opportunity to create studio art or design work that shows specific intent, content, methodology, and product
In-depth professional competence in one or more discipline of studio art and design
Opportunity to investigate the relationship between materiality, technique and conceptual content.
Opportunity for research and scholarship in the areas of art and design history, theory, criticism, and pedagogy
Opportunity to contextualize art and design research on a larger social, cultural, educational, economic and technological scale
Opportunity to contribute to the body of knowledge and practice in art and design.
Opportunity to enlarge breadth of competence between areas of art and design specialization
Opportunity to teach undergraduate majors and non-majors at the university level

2D or 3D Visual Art Concentration

MFA students may pursue a concentration 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

Students must submit an application to Lander University for graduate studies by March 1 for the following Fall semester.

To be considered for admission into the MFA Program at Lander University, applicants must submit the following with their application.

Undergraduate degree in Art (BFA, BA, BS), and provide official transcripts for all undergraduate or graduate coursework.
GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
Statement of intent. This should include an intended focus during graduate school.
Record of exhibition.
Three letters of recommendation from art professionals
Digital portfolio of 20 images (72dpi designed for screen media)
Interview with graduate faculty.

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 would be dismissed from the program.

Curriculum

The MFA is recognized as the terminal degree for art practitioners and educators which requires 60 semester hours of graduate study. Students graduating from Lander University with a MFA degree in 2D or 3D Visual Art will have demonstrated the professional intensity and high standards expected of a terminal degree program. Graduates will demonstrate exceptional skill in studio art and design within a well-developed personal aesthetic. Specific standards outlined by the National Association of School of Art and Design include:

Demonstrate a high degree of knowledge and professional competence in contemporary studio art practice through a significant body of work.
Demonstrate a breadth of understanding in one or more art disciplines through independent thought and studio practice, and art historical contextualization-both past and current.
Demonstrate an understanding of contemporary art practice and ideals in primary area of focus in order to actively contribute to the growth of current knowledge base in the field of art and design.
Demonstrate breadth of competence and engagement in areas beyond the major area of specialization, the ability to connect art to other fields, and an understanding of art historical context, art theory and criticism.
Plan and execute an exhibition of a cohesive thesis body of work in chosen area(s) of emphasis in studio art, to be accompanied by a formal published thesis statement and an oral presentation.
Demonstrate advanced capabilities with technology in areas of specialization and resources associated with the field of art, art studio practice, and pedagogy.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Note: The information below provides convenient links to some of the courses required for this degree; however, it should not be used as a course registration guide. Please refer to the official Lander University Academic Catalog for the most accurate and up-to-date program requirements.

MAJOR PROGRAM STUDIO REQUIREMENTS 3D VISUAL ART		CREDIT HOURS
	Art Studio 3D ART 624, ART 627, ART 750	6
	Art Studio 3D ART 724, ART 727, ART 750	6
	Art Studio Thesis Research I ART 824, ART 827	3
	Art Studio Thesis Research II ART 834, ART 837	3
ART 629	Intermedia Studies	3-6
ART 729	Intermedia Studies	3-6
ART 829	Intermedia Studies	3
	Art Studio Elective ART 623, ART 624, ART 625, ART 626, ART 627, ART 723, ART 724, ART 725, ART 727, ART 750, ART 823, ART 824, ART 825, ART 827	3-6

MAJOR PROGRAM ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS		CREDIT HOURS
	Art History ART 653	3
	Graduate Seminar (each 1-hour course taken twice for credit) ART 641, ART 741, ART 841	6
	Thesis ART 851, ART 852	6

Total Major Program Studio Requirements		57
Additional Electives		9
TOTAL FOR MFA DEGREE		60

MAJOR PROGRAM STUDIO REQUIREMENTS 2D VISUAL ART		CREDIT HOURS
	Art Studio 2D ART 623, ART 625, ART 626, ART 750	6
	Art Studio 2D ART 723, ART 725, ART 750	6
	Art Studio Thesis Research I ART 823, ART 825	3
	Art Studio Thesis Research II ART 833, ART 835	6
ART 629	Intermedia Studies	3-6
ART 729	Intermedia Studies	3-6
ART 829	Intermedia Studies	3
	Art Studio Elective ART 623, ART 624, ART 625, ART 626, ART 627, ART 723, ART 724, ART 725, ART 727, ART 750, ART 823, ART 824, ART 825, ART 827	3-6

MAJOR PROGRAM ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS		CREDIT HOURS
ART 653	Aesthetics and Art Criticism	3
	Graduate Seminar ART 641, ART 741, ART 841	6
	Thesis ART 851, ART 852	6

Total Major Program Studio Requirements		51
Additional Electives		9
TOTAL FOR MFA DEGREE		60

Contact Us

For more information about the program or assistance with the application procedure, please submit a Request for Information.

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