MFA Overview
The School and ECU offer a variety of resources to support your studies and work at ECU.
Registration & Planning
Each semester, you will meet with your faculty mentors and the Director of Graduate Programs to plan your schedule. Once registration opens, promptly enroll in your courses for the upcoming semester. Timely registration helps ensure you secure the courses you need, maintain your assistantship eligibility, and avoid potential financial aid complications.
MFA Art Curriculum
The Master of Fine Arts is a terminal professional degree in studio art. This is a three-year (60 semester hours) degree. The following are required:
- 18 s.h. Studio Studies Core
- 15 s.h. Academic Studies
- 15 s.h. Art Studio Studies
- 6 s.h. Elective Studies
- 6 s.h. ART 7000 Thesis
- Creative thesis exhibition, written report, and defense.
Sample Sequence
1. Semester One (10 s.h.)
- ART 6002 Proseminar (1 credit)
- ART 6981 Contextualizing Practice and Research I
- ART Studio Studies (1 of 5)
- ART Studio Studies (2 of 5)
2. Semester Two (12 s.h.)
- ART 6982 Integrating Practice and Research I
- ART 6990 Art and Design Pedagogy
- ART Studio Studies (3 of 5)
- Academic Studies (ARTH/ART) (1 of 3)
- Fulfills 18-ART-credit requirement for teaching
3. Semester Three (12 s.h.)
- ART 6983 Contextualizing Practice and Research II
- ART 6997 Career Pathways in Art and Design
- Academic Studies (ARTH/ART) (2 of 3)
- General Elective Course (any 6000-level course including ART) (1 of 2)
4. Semester Four (12 s.h.)
- ART 6984 Integrating Practice and Research II
- ART 6988 PreThesis Research
- ART Studio Studies (4 of 5)
- General Elective Course (any 6000-level course including ART) (2 of 2)
- Thesis Committee established
- Pre-Thesis Research Plan established and approved
5. Semester Five (9 s.h.)
- ART 7000 (1 of 2)
- ART Studio Studies (5 of 5)
- Academic Studies (ARTH/ART) (3 of 3)
6. Semester Six (5 s.h.)
- ART 7000 Thesis (2 of 2)
- ART 6989 Research Writing (2 credits)
- Thesis Exhibition
- Thesis Artist Talk
- Thesis Defense
- Thesis Report Submission VIREO
More Information about the Curriculum
Tuition & Fees
Out of State Tuition Remissions
Federal Financial Aid and Additional Resources
To apply for grants, loans, and some scholarships you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is used to determine your eligibility for federal, state, and university aid programs. Even if you think you may not be eligible, we encourage you to apply. The FAFSA is available on October 1. We encourage you to file your FAFSA online as soon as possible to avoid errors and ensure faster processing. ECU’s priority deadline is March 1.
Graduate Assistantships
A full-time assistantship is 20 hours per week and pays $14,000 per academic year. You will receive your contract one semester in advance outlining the assistantship obligations and supervisor(s).
Studio art teaching assistantships are awarded to students once you have successfully completed 18 hours (6 classes) of studio art (ART) coursework. Prior to teaching you will complete a course focused on art and design pedagogy and mentorship to prepare you for teaching.
During your assistantship, you will receive a mid-point and final evaluation from your supervisor for each assignment/position. If there are any issues with your performance, your supervisor and/or the Graduate Programs Director will meet with you to discuss them. If you do not meet the requirements of your assistantship, do not complete the required hours of work, or are unprofessional you may not receive an assignment the following semester.
For each assignment in your assistantship, you are assigned a supervisor. Your supervisor will direct your work and assign specific responsibilities and tasks. Please note that faculty cannot delegate students to enter grades (utilizing the faculty member’s Pirate ID), utilize a graduate as a personal assistant, or assign tasks beyond the scope of the position. If you believe your assignments are outside the scope of your position, please speak with the Graduate Programs Director.
RCAW
Research and Creative Achievement Week (RCAW) is a great opportunity to practice your presentation skills, refine how you discuss your work with a general audience and get feedback. RCAW is also a required component of the graduate studio art program.
Graduation
You’ve reached the end of this road, and you’re ready for new adventures!
Graduation Requirements and Process
FAQ
We put together a list of answers to the frequently asked questions. Please check it out!
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