The Master of Fine Arts is the terminal degree in studio art.

Concentrations (Required) and Options Available

Ceramics — Project
Painting/Drawing — Project
Printmaking — Project
Sculpture — Project
Time-Based Art — Project

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

• To become a candidate, the applicant must be admitted by the Office of Graduate Admissions and approved by the School of Art. In addition to the minimum admission requirements, the School of Art specifically requires the following.
  • A detailed letter of intent including statement requesting assistantship, if desired.
  • Three letters of recommendation from former professors or professionals in the field.
  • An undergraduate major in art or evidence of equivalent proficiency.
  • A portfolio to be evaluated by the faculty.

Academic Standards

• First-year evaluation: At the end of the first two semesters in residence, the student must present a portfolio for evaluation by the faculty and receive permission to continue in the program.
• Second-year evaluation: With completion of all coursework, the student must present work for evaluation by the faculty and receive permission to register for Project in Lieu of Thesis.
• If, in a review by the student’s major area faculty, the student’s progress is deemed insufficient, the faculty may recommend a work period without advancement toward the degree, probation with specific goals set for a specific time, or dismissal.

Credit Hours Required

60 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• A minimum of 60 credit hours to include the following.
  • A minimum of 16 credit hours of studio courses in a concentration area. Including the following for each concentration
    • Ceramics Concentration: ART 521 , ART 525   
    • Painting/Drawing Concertation: ART 511 , ART 512  
    • Printmaking Concentration: ART 561 , ART 562  
    • Sculpture Concentration: ART 541 , ART 542  
    • Time-Based Art Concentration: ART 551 , ART 552  
  • A minimum of 9 credit hours of graduate-level academic (non-studio) courses of which at least 6 credit hours are to be in art history (ARTH).
  • ART 504  (1 credit hour)
  • A minimum of 14 credit hours of electives consisting of any combination of courses selected based on students’ research in consultation with area professors.  Courses must be in the graduate catalog.
    • Students with a GTA are required to successfully complete ART 503  (3 credit hours). These credit hours are considered to be elective.
    • A concentration area may have course requirements that reduce the number of elective credit hours. Consult with your advisor for more information on available electives.
  • A third year of semi-independent study, students must have completed all required coursework prior to taking 20 credit hours of ART 599 .

Non-Course Requirements

• In lieu of a comprehensive exam, MFA students must complete a Project in Lieu of Thesis with written statements and accompanying documentation.