Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Master of Fine Arts - Art


This program (Photography or Sculpture) is accredited by: NASAD. More information can be found at: unlv.edu/provost/vpaa/accreditation

Plan Description


The UNLV MFA degree is a three-year, research oriented and studio based program. It provides each student with studio space and a tutorial system that assures close contact with faculty members and peers, the latter implemented through visiting artist program that exposes new students to an experience-rich environment to help guide them in their exploration to establish and articulate their creative and productive activities. Graduate assistantships are available to defray expenses, and in addition, the city of Las Vegas provides a unique visual, architectural, and cultural setting that many students find to be inspiring.

The UNLV Art Department focuses on various areas of discipline including Drawing and Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking, Photography and Mixed-Media. While these areas are the department’s primary focus, graduate students are encouraged to investigate and research any media discipline.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements


Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

A student working toward the M.F.A. – Art may select a major in ceramics, painting, photography, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, or graphic design. Applicants for the program leading to this degree must hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art (or an equivalent degree) from an accredited university.

To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must submit for approval 20 slides of their work, a statement of intent, a resumé, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation. These materials should be sent directly to the Department of Art. The application for admission, request for graduate assistantship, and an additional set of original transcripts should be sent directly to the Graduate College.

To enter the program, the student should have a baccalaureate in the field in which he or she expects to major and should have completed at least 60 hours in art and art history as a requirement for that degree. A student with less than 60 hours must enroll in undergraduate courses until this requirement is met.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements


See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Post-Bachelor’s Track
Subplan 2: Post-M.A. Track

Subplan 1 Requirements: Post-Bachelor’s Track


Total Credits Required: 60

Course Requirements


Studio Course – Credits: 6


Seminar Course – Credits: 6


Art History or Directed Readings – Credits: 6


Theory Courses – Credits: 3


Complete 3 credits from the following list of courses or another University Theory and Criticism course:

Additional Courses – Credits: 36


Complete 36 credits from the following list of courses or other advisor-approved courses.

Graduate Exhibition – Credits: 3


Degree Requirements


  1.  The M.F.A. candidate must be a full-time student. 9 credits is full time for graduate students; GAs (graduate assistants) are considered full time at 6 credits.
  2. During their second year in the MFA program, the candidate’s work must be presented to their graduate advisory committee for evaluation as a midway exhibition/project. The committee assesses and determines if the student’s progress meets the standards required for advancement to candidacy. 
  3. After advancement to candidacy, students must complete a comprehensive MFA Thesis project consisting of an exhibition of a representative body of creative work and a statement (2,000-word minimum) regarding the intent and underlying conceptualization. The candidate must pass their final evaluation, an oral Thesis Defense presented by the student and conducted by the student’s advisory committee during their exhibition. Digital documentation of the work in the exhibition, along with the 2,000 word minimum thesis statement, must be presented to the department during the exhibition for permanent record.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Post-M.A. Track


Total Credits Required: 45 ​

Course Requirements


Studio Course – Credits: 6


Seminar Course – Credits: 6


Art History or Directed Readings – Credits: 6


Theory Courses – Credits: 3


Complete 3 credits from the following list of courses or another University Theory and Criticism course:

Additional Courses – Credits: 21


Complete 21 credits from the following list of courses or other advisor-approved courses.

Graduate Exhibition – Credits: 3


Degree Requirements


  1. The MFA candidate must be a full-time student. 9 credits is full time for graduate students; GAs (graduate assistants) are considered full time at 6 credits.
  2. During their second year in the MFA program, the candidate’s work must be presented to their graduate advisory committee for evaluation as a midway exhibition/project. The committee assesses and determines if the student’s progress meets the standards required for advancement to candidacy.
  3. After advancement to candidacy, students must complete a comprehensive MFA Thesis project consisting of an exhibition of a representative body of creative work and a statement (2,000-word minimum) regarding the intent and underlying conceptualization. The candidate must pass their final evaluation, an oral Thesis Defense presented by the student and conducted by the student’s advisory committee during their exhibition. Digital documentation of the work in the exhibition, along with the 2,000 word minimum Thesis statement, must be presented to the department during the exhibition for permanent record.

Plan Graduation Requirements


  1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
  2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her M.F.A. exhibition by the posted deadline. The exhibit must be advertised and is open to the public.