Art - MFA
Graduate Program Application Information
Graduate Program - Art
Program Website - http://life.umt.edu/grad/name/art
NOTE - BEFORE APPLYING, IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED APPLICANTS REVIEW THE "Admission Section" OF THIS SITE FOR SPECIFIC PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS.
Degree/Major/Option - MFA/Art
Admission Semester(s) and Application Deadline(s):
- Fall - Complete application packet POSTMARKED by February 12.
- Spring - Complete application packet POSTMARKED by October 5.
-If these dates fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the due date is extended to the immediately following Monday.
Assistantship(s):
Graduate School Requirements for Admission
1. Undergraduate Degree Prerequisites for Graduate Study
Admission requirement includes an undergraduate bachelor's degree in Art or an art-related field or an M.A. or M.S. degree in Art or an art-related field. For example, applicants with degrees in an art- related field such as Design, Media Arts, Architecture, Art Education, Photojournalism, Scene Design, or Film, will be considered. Any previously earned degree must include 18 studio semester credits including drawing fundamentals, 2D and 3D design as well as 6 semester credits of art history survey, 3 additional semester credits of specialized art history courses, and 3 semester credits of art criticism (12 art history and art criticism credits total).
For applicants without an Art or art-related degree, there is a prerequisite of 30 semester credits in studio and art history coursework. Additional courses may be mandated by the Selection Committee and/or the Chair of the Department of Art.
2. Undergraduate Grade Point Average
On a 4.0 scale, a 3.0 cumulative GPA is required or a B average in undergraduate major courses.
3. Writing Sample - Statement of Intent for Graduate Study
A 400-word, typed, double-spaced statement of intent clearly stating the area of specialization (Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking or Sculpture) to which you are applying and the academic goals to be accomplished through graduate study at The University of Montana.
International Students will submit the TOEFL, IELTS or MELAB exam. (The requirement is to meet the minimal University of Montana score). See the International Student Admission section on this web site.
Department of Art Requirements for Admission
Application Packet - Please note that incomplete packets not postmarked or hand-delivered to the Department of Art by the deadline will not be reviewed.
The applicant must send in one enclosed packet to the Department of Art the following:
- Three Professional Letters of Recommendation
If sending via hard copy, all letters must be on professional letterhead, in a sealed envelope signed on the back by the professional, and submitted in the applicant's packet. At least one letter must be from a visual arts post-secondary faculty member who addresses the applicant's art work and ability to participate in and complete a graduate program. (We prefer electronic submission through the Admission Application. If electronic method is used there is no need to send paper copies to the department.)
- Official Transcript(s)
Transcripts must be provided from all higher educational institutions attended in a sealed envelope included in the applicant's packet. Sometimes receiving transcripts may take two to three weeks to receive so PLAN AHEAD. Do not send transcripts under separate cover.
- One copy of a visual-arts related resume.
- One copy of a 300-word, typed, double-spaced artist statement addressing the origin and nature of the applicant's submitted portfolio.
- One copy of a numerical inventory list to include title, dimensions, materials and date corresponding to the digital portfolio.
- A disc which includes the resume, statement, and inventory list as a Microsoft Word document or PDF file and a digital portfolio of 20 images using JPEG, 300 dpi, 6" high maximum, collated in a named folder or in a Power Point presentation. All portfolios will be viewed on a MAC platform.
- Graduate Teaching Assistantship
- Graduate Teaching Assistantships (T.A.) are optional. For full consideration upon entry, applicants interested in a T.A. who have previous teaching or related experience must submit, as a typed 8 1/2"x 11" white-paper document, a 15-week course syllabus for one of the following foundations courses: Drawing Fundamentals Art 123, Color and Design Art 125, or Three-Dimensional Design Art 135. If an applicant is interested in teaching a 200-level studio course please consult The University of Montana catalog for the Department of Art course offerings and descriptions. T.A. finalists may be interviewed by the Department selection committee.
-NOTE: The Graduate Teaching Practicum course (G580) is a required course for all teaching assistants, and is offered autumn semester only. Teaching assistants must complete the practicum course prior to teaching or must be enrolled in the practicum course while teaching
Art Department
The University of Montana
Fine Arts, Room 305
32 Campus Drive #5400
Missoula, MT 59812-5400
