Masters of Fine Arts (MFA)
Kate Ward (MFA2016)
Division: Art History and Contemporary Culture / Craft / Design / Fine Arts / Media Arts
Degree: Master of Fine Arts
Program: Master of Fine Arts (Studio)
Program Length: 20-24 months of study or 4 to 6 semesters (see Degree Requirements)
Campus: Fountain Campus
Applicants normally have in-depth training and experience in ceramics, digital media, drawing, film, installation, jewellery/metalsmithing, painting, performance, photography, printmaking, sculpture, sound, textiles/fashion or video.
Program Requirements
The MFA in Studio program is available for both full-time and part-time study, both must earn the following credits to meet the requirements of graduation:
- Studio (30 credits) discipline-specific or Interdisciplinary work in studio
- Liberal arts and science (“LASC”) (12 credits) Includes seminars and research activities
- Open credits (12 credits) Liberal arts and science and/or studio courses
- Graduate forum (6 credits)
Over a 20-to-24-month period, or 4 to 6 semesters, full-time MFA students accumulate 60 required credits towards the MFA degree. Full-time MFA students take a minimum of 30 credits per academic year, with a minimum of 9 in fall and winter semesters. MFA students pay tuition per credit.
Full-time students should normally register for at least 15 credits each semester in the first year to ensure that the LAS requirements are met.
Standard Full-Time Plan of Study
| Semester 1: Fall (9 – 15 credits, which may include the following) |
| MFAR 6006/6009 Graduate Studio (6 or 9 studio credits) |
| MFAR 6100 Pedagogy Seminar (3 LASC credits) |
| MFAR 620X Graduate Seminar [Topic] (3 LASC credits) |
| OPEN (3 credits) An undergraduate/graduate course approved by program director |
| MFAR 6501 (1.5 credits) Graduate Forum |
| First-Semester Review (non-credit) |
| Semester 2: Winter (9 – 15 credits) |
| MFAR 6006/6009 Graduate Studio (6 or 9 studio credits) |
| MFAR 6600 MFA Research/Creation (3 LASC credits) |
| OPEN (3 credits) An undergraduate/graduate course approved by program director |
| MFAR 6501 (1.5 credits) Graduate Forum |
| One of AHIS 6700 Independent Research in Art History (3 credits) |
| FHIS 6200 Independent Research in Film History, Theory and Criticism (3 credits) |
| CULT 6110 Independent Research in Contemporary Culture (3 credits) |
| GRAD 6603 Research Internship (3 credits) |
| First Year Review (non-credit) |
| Semester 3: Summer (0-15 credits) |
| Optional studio or LASC courses |
| Semester 4: Fall (9 – 15 credits) |
| MFAR 6006/6009/6012 Graduate Studio (6, 9 or 12 studio credits) |
| MFAR 620X Graduate Seminar [Topic] (3 LASC credits) |
| OPEN (3 credits) An undergraduate/graduate course approved by program director |
| MFAR 6501 (1.5 credits) Graduate Forum |
| One of AHIS 6700 Independent Research in Art History (3 credits) |
| FHIS 6200 Independent Research in Film History, Theory and Criticism (3 credits) |
| CULT 6110 Independent Research in Contemporary Culture (3 credits) |
| GRAD 6603 Research Internship (3 credits) |
| Third Semester Review (non-credit) |
| Semester 5: Winter (9 – 15 credits) |
| MFAR 6006/6009/6012 Graduate Studio (6, 9 or 12 Studio credits) |
| OPEN (3 credits) An undergraduate/graduate course approved by program director |
| MFAR 6501 (1.5 Credits) Graduate Forum |
| Final thesis exhibition, thesis statement and thesis review |
| Semester 6: Summer (0-15 credits) |
| Optional studio or LASC courses |
Over eight semesters, and with the possibility of extending research and study up to five years, part-time MFA students accumulate 60 required credits towards the MFA degree. Part-time MFA students take 3 to 6 credits each fall and winter semester, and 3 to 15 credits optionally in the summer semester.
Please visit the Academic Calendar for a description of all courses available at NSCAD University.
MFA Thesis
Kaitlyn Bourden (MFA 2014)
The MFA degree is awarded after successful completion of full-time course work over a two-year period, or part-time course work within a period of five years or less. Other requirements include four reviews by committee, a thesis exhibition and a thesis statement.
The final review to fulfill MFA requirements takes place in the student’s second year before the end of the second winter semester, in conjunction with the MFA thesis exhibition.
The MFA thesis review includes the thesis exhibition, thesis statement and an oral presentation and discussion to their advisory committee. The thesis statement normally consists of a thorough and articulate written discussion of the work presented in the thesis exhibition, and topics and information (autobiographical, critical, historical, technical and theoretical) that help to situate the work within a broader context. The main portion of the review meeting with the student’s advisory committee is for discussion and questions about the thesis exhibition and thesis statement.
During their first semester, all MFA students select a program advisor from among full-time and prorated faculty members in any Division. MFA program advisors are full-time or prorated faculty members of NSCAD University and must be in residence at NSCAD during the residency of any MFA student for whom they are acting as a Program Advisor. The program advisor remains with the student throughout the duration of the program and performs the following tasks on behalf of the student:
- Advises the student on course selection in respect to degree requirements and the student’s particular interests
- Helps the student prepare for all reviews, including selecting members for their Thesis Committee
- Acts as chair of the Thesis Committee
- Summarizes and distributes commentary from the reviews
- Reviews drafts of the thesis statement
- Oversees required revisions to the thesis statement
- Reports to the MFA director on the student’s eligibility to graduate
Faculty
Faculty members are accomplished artists, scholars, educators and leaders in their craft. Dr. Karin Cope is the Director of the Master of Fine Arts program. For a list of full faculty, click the button below.
Karin Cope
Director