IX. Graduate Programs
Studio Art
MFA Program
The Master of Fine Arts Program in Studio Art equally supports interdisciplinary and media specific practices, such as drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, video, performance, sculpture, and alternative practices. Although studio practice is emphasized, the program also includes courses in art theory, criticism, history and pedagogy. A thesis exhibition is also required. The objective of the program is to prepare students as professional artists and art educators.
The MFA program is intended to produce a high level of professional competence and personal originality in the informed practice of a studio discipline. In response to the numerous and divergent approaches to the making of visual art, the MFA program provides an individually oriented education that is primarily concerned with the development of independent studio work while encouraging a critical awareness of the cultural context and its ideological complexities.
In addition to intense involvement with studio practice, students will be required to demonstrate pertinent knowledge and judgement about the visual arts in presentations, discussions, and written papers within the required course work.
Admission Requirements
Admission to the MFA program in studio art may be granted on the recommendation of the School of Fine Art and Music to the following applicants:
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Holders of a BFA degree (honours equivalent), or an Honours BA (or its equivalent in fine art or visual arts); or
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In exceptional cases, holders of a degree in another field who have completed a minimum of six one-semester courses in fine art or visual arts; or
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Students who have satisfied the requirements for transfer from the provisional-student category.
Specific Application Materials for Admission. Each applicant must submit the following:
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Documentation of artwork: 20 digital images or up to a 10 minutes DVD or a combination of the two. (For detailed submission information please see the 'How to Apply' section of the School of Fine Art and Music website at .)
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A single-page statement that outlines the applicant's interest in art, as well as career objectives and reasons for wishing to study in the University of Guelph's MFA program in studio art.
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Two letters of reference should be written by studio professors who know you and your work well. An acceptable alternative to one such letter may be from the department chair on behalf of the department in which you have studied, or from a professional in the field of contemporary art who is familiar with your abilities.
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A current curriculum vitae, including education, exhibitions, grants, residencies, and involvement in the art community, including volunteer work.
It is highly recommended that applicants complete at least eight semesters of courses in art history, cultural studies, or related areas prior to applying. Serious interest in, and substantial familiarity with contemporary issues in the visual arts is expected.
Program Requirements
The MFA degree at the University of Guelph requires a professional level of studio practice, and a sophisticated awareness of contemporary discourse in visual arts, as well as detailed knowledge of the selected field of specialization. Each degree candidate will complete a thesis. The MFA thesis consists of a solo exhibition, a brief supporting paper, and an oral examination.
The following are some of the specific degree requirements for the MFA degree in studio art (see the Degree Regulations section of this calendar for complete degree regulations):
Minimum Duration
The minimum duration is at least four semesters of full-time study.
Core Courses
A total of 10.0 credits is required for the completion of this program. In addition to individually oriented studio courses, students are required to complete four MFA seminars; two graduate courses in art theory and criticism courses; and two teaching practicum courses.
A maximum of two courses outside the School of Fine Art and Music may be substituted for courses in art history, theory and criticism. The courses selected must be acceptable to the school and the Assistant Vice-President (Graduate Studies) for graduate credit. All 12 "substantive" courses comprise the candidate's prescribed studies, in which the student must obtain an overall average grade of 'B-' or higher.
Additional Courses
In addition to the prescribed studies, the student may undertake to achieve satisfactory standings in ancillary courses supportive of the special discipline. These may be undergraduate or graduate level courses.
Advisory Committee
There will be an Advisory COmmittee of at least three graduate faculty members.
Exhibition/Paper
Each degree candidate must present an exhibition or performance of their studio work, as well as a critical paper between 4,000 and 5,000 words in length that articulates the aesthetic, historical, theoretical, and technical issues pertinent to their artwork. The submitted studio work must demonstrate a professional level of competence and a significant aesthetic investigation, as approved by the candidate's master's examination committee.
The Master's Examination
At the time of the exhibition, the MFA candidate will be expected to successfully complete a final oral examination devoted chiefly to the MFA exhibition with reference to the supporting critical paper. An external examiner from outside the university will be selected to sit on the examination committee and will submit a written appraisal of the oral defence, paper and exhibition. This is a school examination identified as the master's examination.
School Regulations
In addition to meeting the university's MFA regulations regarding thesis format, the candidate must submit appropriate visual documentation of the MFA exhibition as well as the supporting critical paper, to the director of the School of Fine Art and Music for inclusion in the school's archives.