MFA students register for 300 credits (three courses at 100 credits each) per quarter. A total of 1800 credits, or eighteen courses, is required for the degree.

Listed below are the basic requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts. The choice of these courses will be determined by the student in consultation with the Graduate Student Advisor.

1. Studio hours/Graduate Studio Project (9 courses / 900 hours)
Students receive course credit for time spent in their studio developing work to present at weekly crit sessions and quarter-end critiques. Students may register for between 100 and 300 hours of Graduate Studio Project (ARTV 40000) per quarter, provided that they are on track for meeting their other course requirements (see Graduate Seminars and Electives).

2. Graduate Seminars (3 courses / 300 hours)
In order to provide a core of common intellectual experience, each student is required to take three quarters of the Graduate Seminar in Visual Arts (ARTV 39200) during their two year program. Seminars may focus on perception, the social context of practice, and issues in contemporary theory and criticism, among other topics.

3. Electives (6 courses / 600 hours)
Students are required to take six graduate-level electives. Students may choose to take up to three of the six courses in the Department of Visual Arts; however, at least three of the six electives must originate in departments outside of Visual Arts. In other words, students may take all of their six electives in outside departments if they wish, but they must complete at least three of their electives in other University departments. To get a sense of the studio-based courses offered in DOVA during the year, please see the Courses and Programs of Study: Visual Arts page. You may also consult the Courses and Programs of Study for individual departments, as well as individual Departmental Websites for course information.

4. Standards of performance
Each graduate student must maintain high standards of studio and academic performance, including evidence of substantial growth in their work. The faculty will review performance on a quarterly basis.

In the final quarter of the two-year program each degree candidate will present an exhibition of their work at a University-identified location that reflects the history and culmination of their activity while in the program. This work will be defended orally and requires approval of a majority of the faculty who review it. A Master of Fine Arts paper that clearly articulates a position on issues central in importance to each student's art practice must be submitted and approved by the faculty. Students consult heavily with faculty on their work and statement prior to this final exhibition.