Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Requirements

Total credits: 60

Independent and Directed Study

• For MFA students, the maximum number of individual study credits is18 (including 9 credits of visual and written thesis).
• A Directed Study shall be designated as ART 596 and will require approval of the relevant paperwork.
• An Independent Study shall be designated as ART 595 and will require approval of the relevant paperwork.
• MFA students who seek to achieve technical or theoretical competencies from undergraduate course content (200-, 300-, or 400-level) shall submit Independent Study paperwork and obtain relevant approvals.  Such undergraduate courses may not count toward the 60 credits required for the MFA degree.
• The following protocol shall be used for independent and directed studies:
  • ART 595 (Independent Study) is used when a MFA student seeks approval of an intensive, original research project that is not otherwise available through an existing course.
  • ART 596 (Directed Study) is used when a MFA student seeks to enroll in an existing graduate course that is not offered in the semester in which the student seeks to take it.
  • ARH 595, FIA 595, DES 595, ATR 595 (Independent Study) is used when the Independent Study is similar to an existing course and where attendance at the existing course is encouraged. No graduate-level Independent Study may require undergraduate course attendance or completion of undergraduate assignments as a significant component of the work to be performed.

Additional conditions

• Graduate-level Independent Study may be used for a specific area of interest or research that is not covered by an existing CVPA graduate course.
• Up to six (6) credits of a 400-level course may count toward toward the MFA degree if the final course grade is “B” or better.
• A maximum of nine (9) studio credits is recommended per semester.
• Waiver of a required course must be approved by the Major Advisor, Graduate Coordinator, and Dean. The waiver of a course is not a waiver of credits, which must be completed fully. Notation of waiver will be entered into a student’s record.
• With relevant approvals, up to six (6) transfer credits may count as elective credits but not as major studio credits.

Graduation

The Major Advisor will conduct a preliminary certification and then forward it to the relevant Graduate Program Director and Department Chairperson for approval and recommendation of graduation to the Dean. Degree completion must include both the visual thesis and written report.

Dismissal

A student is subject to academic dismissal if any of the following occur:

• the cumulative GPA is less than 2.67 after having attempted nine (9) or more credits;
• the cumulative GPA is less than 3.00 at any point in the student’s MFA career;
• three (3) final course grades below “B minus” are earned;
• more than 8 credits graded “C plus” or below are earned;
• the thesis is graded “F”; or
• progress toward developing work of an appropriate level of quality is inadequate in the opinion of the Graduate Committee, the relevant Graduate Program Director and the Dean.

Advisement

The MFA Graduate Program Director (GPD) for each area (Artisanry, Fine Arts, Visual Design) guides all phases of the degree programs within their area and assures uniformity in the administration of their program. The CVPA Coordinator for Graduate Studies & Research exercises authority in MFA-related issues below the level of the Dean. In instances where matters of policy are involved or when consultation is in order, the Graduate Coordinator and GPDs confer with the CVPA Graduate Committee. The Dean of the College of Visual & Performing Arts retains final authority in the College for all graduate programs.

Upon admission to UMass Dartmouth, students are assigned a primary faculty advisor. At this time or before the middle of the second semester, a Graduate Committee (typically, two members of the CVPA faculty in addition to the primary advisor) will be identified. The Graduate Program Director in the student’s discipline takes part in advising, solving problems with graduate committees, dismissals and leaves of absence. The GPD also has discussions with graduate committees and graduate students regarding progress through the program. The GPD reviews, signs and forwards for review directed and independent study paperwork.  The student’s primary thesis advisor must approve all course registrations and programs of study.

It is customary for the student’s graduate committee to remain in place for the duration of his or her studies. To make a change in the committee membership, approval by the primary advisor and other members of the committee is required, as is consent by those faculty the student wishes to add to his or her committee. The Graduate Program Director’s approval is also required before forwarding to the CVPA Graduate Coordinator.
 

The role of the committee is to help students meet the demands of the program and to counsel on the development of their work. Its major task is to review the student’s work. Twice each semester, at the mid-point and at the end, the committee meets to do this. It identifies important problems which need to be addressed and provides verbal and written opinions concerning progress. These reviews are obligatory and essential parts of the total graduate experience. The committee also approves students’ thesis topics and the visual thesis and written reports.