MFA FAQ's

MFA FAQ's:

Frequently Asked Questions (and the answers) for MFA applicants

What programs do you offer?

The College of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth offers the MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in the following areas:

• Artisanry:  Ceramics, Jewelry/Metals, Fiber Arts, and Wood/Furniture Design
• Fine Arts:  Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, and Sculpture
• Visual Design:  Digital Media, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, and Typography

For further information see:
http://www.umassd.edu/cvpa/areas/areas-overview.cfm
From this page, use the navigation bar on the left to search for further information about specific areas.

What is the cost of tuition and other fees?

Tuition and fees for Graduate Studies can be found at:
http://www.umassd.edu/graduate/tuition/allcosttables.cfm

Are there teaching assistantships?

Teaching assistantships (TAs) are offered on a competitive basis for second year students once they have completed a course in instructional development in their first year.  A TA receives a tuition waiver, a discount on curriculum support fees and a stipend.  Normally, TA appointments are for one year.

Will I get teaching experience?

For those who want to teach, students must first complete a course in instructional development during their first year of graduate study.  Students are assigned a course in their second year, and in most cases, serve as the instructor of record of that course.

What are the studios like?

Grad studios, facilities and most classes for printmaking, painting, sculpture, metals, ceramics, and textiles are located in the newly renovated Star Store in the historic district of downtown New Bedford, about 20 minutes from Main Campus in North Dartmouth; The design studios and studio courses are located and held on Main Campus.

For descriptions and images of our studios and facilities go to:
http://www.umassd.edu/cvpa/areas/areas-overview.cfm
From this page, use the navigation bar on the left to search specific areas then go to the navigation link on the right marked “facilities.”

Can I defer my entry into the program once I’ve been accepted?

You can defer for one year, with the permission of the MFA Graduate Program Director and the Dean.

Can I enroll part-time?

Our program is full-time.  Full-time is 9+ credits per semester.

Who are the faculty?

To see the list of all faculty, their contact info and details about their work, go to: http://www.umassd.edu/cvpa/contact/facultybydepartment/

For Deans’ office, department chairs and graduate coordinators’ contact info, go to:  http://www.umassd.edu/cvpa/aboutcvpa/administration.cfm

What have graduates done since leaving the program?

To see the accomplishments of our graduates, go to:

• Alumni page
• Ceramics Alumni Accomplishments
• Jewelry/Metals Alumni Accomplishments
• Fibers Alumni Accomplishments
• Wood/Furniture Design Alumni Accomplishments

I am a foreign student. Do I need to take the TOEFL? Do you accept the IELTS?

Yes. We accept either exam.

How do I apply and submit my portfolio?

Applicants submit written materials to the Office of Graduate Studies.  For a detailed checklist and for application procedures, go to:   http://www.umassd.edu/graduate/prospects/waystoapply.cfm

To upload your portfolio, use our web viewing platform SlideRoom at https://umassd.slideroom.com

What should my portfolio include?

A portfolio is the equivalent of entrance examinations that other academic areas often require.  A portfolio must consist of 20 images of original artwork and should represent your processes of thinking, implementation of concepts and studio production. Your images should support your purpose for graduate work in the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

What kind of image files do you accept for the portfolio?

Images (jpg, gif, png) up to 5 MB each
Videos (flv, wmv, mov, mp4) up to 60 MB each
Audio (mp3) up to 30 MB each
Documents (pdf) up to 10 MB each

Technical assistance is available at the SlideRoom help desk at http://slideroom.zendesk.com.

If you cannot submit a portfolio via SlideRoom, contact the Office of Graduate Studies to make other arrangements.

What is the application deadline?

February 1st is the application deadline for priority consideration for admission with assistantship opportunities.  However, applications will be accepted after February 1 on a rolling basis. 

Can I begin Spring semester?

Most students being their studies Fall semester. However, consideration will be given to applications for entry in the spring term contingent upon available space.

Where can I find out more about the program?

Graduate coordinators and others are available to help you:

Artisanry, Graduate Program Director: Susan Hamlet shamlet@umassd.edu
Design, Graduate Program Director: Mark Millstein mmillstein@umassd.edu
Fine Arts, Graduate Program Director: Rick Creighton rcreighton@umassd.edu

MFA program secretary:  Donna Costa Pryor (508) 999-8904