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Location: Art Building 612
Program number: 403.220.6260
Fax: 403.289.7333
Email address: artgrad@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL:

Master of Fine Arts (MFA), thesis-based

Students applying for the MFA degree offered by the Department of Art may choose to identify one of the following formal specializations:

Specializations:

• Sculpture
• Printmaking
• Photography
• Painting
• Drawing
• Media art and technology

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Department requires:

a) A four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or equivalent qualification.

b) A portfolio of 20 recent works presented in jpeg format on disk.

c) A three to five page written statement of intent.

d) Two reference letters.

Application deadline is available on the Future Students website at .

Not applicable.

The program core for all Master of Fine Arts students is a minimum of 24 units. Within the first twelve months of the program each student must complete 6 units of 600-level studio course; 3 units of 600-level graduate seminar, and Art 611 and 605. Three units of 600-level graduate seminar and 6 units of 600-level studio course must be completed in the second twelve months of the program. In some circumstances, the Department may require a student to complete more than the mandatory 24 units.

Typical course sequence is the following:

Year 1 Fall
Art 611 Research Methods in Art
Art 661.01 Advanced Studio Practice
Year 1 Winter
Art 609 Art Theory and Criticism
Art 661.01 Advanced Studio Practice
Year 1 Spring
Art 605 Critical Study and Research

Year 2 Fall
Art History 615 Conference Course in Art History
Art 661.02 Thesis Studio Practice
Year 2 Winter
Art 661.02 Thesis Studio Practice

Additional requirements for the Master of Fine Arts degree include an exhibition of the student's work, a supporting paper, and an oral examination.

The program requires an initial registration as a full-time graduate student for two consecutive years. A minimum of twenty-four months of full-time study is usually necessary to complete the degree requirements.

Not applicable.

Expected completion time for the Master of Fine Arts degree is two years. Maximum completion time is four years.

9.1 Each new student is assigned an interim advisor to assist in the planning of the academic program and in orienting the student to the Department's physical and academic resources. A permanent supervisor is appointed by January 1 of the first academic year of registration. The approval of a permanent supervisor, by the Graduate Program Director, is made after consultation with the student. Supervisors work closely with students in all phases of the program; they have the principal responsibility in assessing the student's performance, and advising the Department Head of the student's progress.

9.2 The Supervisory Committee should be constituted by the supervisor in consultation with the student. It will normally consist of the supervisor, and one internal or external member. If the student has a co-supervisor, then one additional member is still required. The composition must be approved by the Graduate Program Director (or delegate) and sent to the Faculty of Graduate Studies for information.

Thesis Examination

Final thesis oral examinations are open. In addition to the Faculty of Graduate Studies requirements for Thesis Examinations, the Department requires:

Scheduling of the Examination
All members of the Supervisory Committee must have reviewed the student’s research, including a relevant written sample of the materials related to the thesis, before an examination can be scheduled.

Composition of the Committee
The Internal Examiner may be internal to the home program.

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on awards see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this calendar.

Students applying for scholarships must submit their applications to the Department of Art by January 15.