Degree Requirements

Studio Art
All MFA students register in studio art each semester during years one and two. This represents six three-hour periods (equivalent to two Tufts course credits) of studio art instruction per week and includes the Contemporary Art Practice (CAP) Seminar, class instruction, graduate group critique, colloquium, and studio work. The School awards credit for studio art at the end of each semester during Review Boards. Students complete a total of eight Tufts course credits in studio art and MFA Graduate Seminars. The final exhibition is completed in spring of the second year.

Academics
Academic work consists of four graduate-level courses: two courses in art history and two electives.

Final MFA Exhibition
The MFA Program culminates in a self-curated final exhibition, which includes a statement of the artist's intention and goals and gives students the opportunity to share their work with the wider community at Tufts, SMFA and the greater Boston area. Credit for the exhibition is awarded by the Review Board, which is made up of the student's academic advisor and studio faculty advisor, and one member of the graduate studio faculty from SMFA.

Recommended Course of Study

Year One

Fall
8 credits (4 to 6 courses) of studio art including Graduate Cap Seminar, group critique and colloquium
1 academic course

Spring
8 credits (4 to 6 courses) of studio art including Graduate Elective Seminar, group critique and colloquium
1 academic course

First-year students are reviewed for advancement to year two.

Year Two

Fall
8 credits (4 to 6 courses) of studio art including Graduate Elective Seminar, group critique and colloquium
1 academic course

Spring
8 credits (4 to 6 courses) of studio art including Graduate Elective Seminar, group critique and colloquium
1 academic course

Second-year students are reviewed for advancement to the final exhibition*.

*Once students complete, or nearly complete, all studio art and academic requirements, the final MFA exhibition can take place.