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Yurie Hayashi in MFA studio

Fine Arts: Painting
MFA

We do not teach artists; rather we teach students to become artists.

The MFA in Fine Arts—Painting is a 60-credit, 2- to 3-year program of study for students who wish to advance their creative exploration and professional development. The MFA degree is the credential that signifies a student's capacity to work independently in a discriminating, distinctive, and professional manner.

The Fine Arts program provides an educational context where motivated and creative artists can pursue their own goals, hone technical skills, and advance personal vision through intense, focused individual studio activity. Faculty members generate critical dialogue with graduate students at specific intervals during each semester.

Academic courses in art history, critical theory, philosophy, and a range of university offerings support the cultivation of the individual's intellectual and aesthetic maturation.

Student success

Yurie Hayashi

Student spotlight

Yurie Hayashi MFA '22

Yurie's brightly colored abstract shapes, patterns, and words represent the chaos of relentless information bombarding our everyday lives.

Admissions requirements

To apply please create an account in our Applicant Portal. You will need to submit:

  • Application form
  • $60 application fee (non-refundable)
  • Statement of Purpose (minimum 300 words)
  • Resume
  • Transcripts for all post-secondary institutions attended (regardless of whether a credential is earned or not)
  • English Proficiency test scores:TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, or PTE Academic (if applicable)
  • Letter(s) of Recommendation (see program requirements for more information)
  • GRE/GMAT (not required for most programs, see program requirements for more information)

Unofficial transcripts and test scores are accepted for application review but official documents are required for enrollment, please have documents (ie. test scores) sent prior to the expiration. 

Application dates

Top 29%

of MFA programs in the U.S. - U.S. News & World Report
#54

Best Fine Arts Programs - U.S. News & World Report

Pursue your MFA at UMassD

  • Assistantships: provide stipends, tuition waivers, fee reductions
  • Exhibition opportunities: local, regional, and on campus
  • Faculty: involved in scholarly, creative, and professional projects
  • Individualized attention extended to every student
  • Interdisciplinary projects and committees are encouraged
  • Location: an hour from Providence, Boston, and Cape Cod
  • New Bedford: an active downtown arts community
  • University education: access to faculty in other fields
  • Visiting artists: enrich your artistic and professional development
  • Visual Resources Center: more than 150,000 archived images
  • Workspaces: assigned to each graduate student

A limited number of assistantships are available on a competitive basis. This award is subject to the work needs of the position and department, your satisfactory performance of duties, your academic record, and availability of funds, and may be subject to change.

Learn more about assistantships at UMass Dartmouth