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M.F.A. in Studio Art Program

While at UNT, students in the M.F.A. in Studio Art program immerse themselves in sustained studio practices, critical dialogue, and professional growth, preparing them for a lifetime of accomplishment and meaningful contributions as culture creators. Our alumni pursue rewarding careers as artists, educators and creative professionals.

We support a multiplicity of student investigations and welcome applicants into one or multiple areas of study, including ceramics, drawing and painting, metalsmithing and jewelry, new media art, photography, printmaking and sculpture. Once accepted to the program, students form an interdisciplinary cohort working and studying alongside each other as they develop their creative practice. 

Our graduate program is led by engaged artists and educators recognized nationally and internationally for their intellectual and creative research. The studio art faculty members are passionate and work tirelessly to ensure students realize their potential. Housed in a world-class Tier-1 research institution, CVAD is a short drive from the vibrant cultural and art centers of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas.

Facilities, Studio Spaces and Equipment   

In Fall 2022, we celebrated the grand opening of CVAD's new Art Annex building with 40 individual graduate studios. As an M.F.A. student, you will have access to world-class facilities, including ceramic studios, the latest digital and textile fabrication tools, an immersive video installation space, metalsmithing studios, professional photographic capture and printing studios, wood and metal shops, printmaking studios and student galleries. 

Catalogs of M.F.A. Student Work

20252024 |  2023  |  2022  |  2021  

Financial Support 

Studio Art M.F.A. students can receive generous support through individual studios and appointments as graduate student assistants, teaching assistants, and teaching fellows. These appointments provide financial support and opportunities to gain professional career experience. Additional competitive scholarships and travel funding are periodically available to support professional development and research. For more information on funding, visit CVAD's Paying for College webpage

Curriculum and Coursework

The M.F.A. degree in Studio Art is a 60-credit-hour program culminating in a solo exhibition. Our curriculum supports both depth within studio concentrations and interdisciplinary exploration across media.

SEE THE CATALOG'S COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Visiting Artists Program

Visiting artists, scholars, and critics are integral to our program's pedagogy. Students gain direct exposure to nationally and internationally renowned artists and scholars through lectures, private studio visits, critiques, and seminars. Past visiting artists include the following.

Magdalena Abakanowicz 
Tsuyoshi Anzai 
Be Another Lab 
Marion Belanger 
Katie Bell 
Alexandre Birchler 
Erika Blumenfeld 
Clarissa Bonet 
Emmy Bright 
Louis Cameron 
Annette Carlozzi 
Valerie Cassel 
Nick Cave 
Bethany Collins 
Chika / Mappathon™ 
Lia Cook 
Kyle deCamp 
Dan Dicaprio

Mark Dion 
Jill Downen 
Natasha Egan 
Jeff Elrod 
Asya Geisberg 
Dorothy Gill-Barnes 
Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds 
Susan Goethel-Campbell 
Gary Griffin 
Ann Hamilton 
Trenton Doyle Hancock 
Ana Lisa Hedstrom 
Anna Hepler 
Dave Hickey 
Pat Hickman 
Teresa Hubbard
Sophie Khan 

Mark Klett 
Andrew Kuebeck
Lady Tech Guild 
Derek Larson 
Tim Lazure 
Beili Liu 
Sharon Louden 
Whitfield Lovell 
Roberto Lugo 
Mary Ellen Mark 
David McGee 
Frances Adair McKenzie 
Robyn O'Neil 
Richard Patterson 
Sondra Perry 
Chris Ramsay 
Alan Reid 
Minna Resnick 

Lee Renninger
Matthew Ritchie
Dario Robleto 
Alison Saar 
Christine Sun Kim 
H Schnenck 
Jean Shin 
Kiki Smith 
Laura Splan 
Sarah Sze 
Demitra Thomloudis 
Penelope Umbrico 
Michael Velliquette 
Liz Wilson 
Fred Wilson 
Martha Wilson 
Bhakti Ziek 

Questions and More Information

For more information, please email Paho Mann, Paho.Mann@unt.edu, professor of Studio Art and graduate director for the Department of Studio Art.

M.F.A. in Studio Art Graduate Application Process

The priority deadline for all application materials: Feb. 1 for Fall enrollment.

Note: The GRE is not required for the M.F.A. in Studio Art.

M.F.A. in Studio Art Graduate Application Deadline

The priority deadline for all application materials is Feb. 1 for fall enrollment.

Note: The GRE is not required for the M.F.A. in Studio Art.

Follow the Application Steps

Complete both of the following steps in advance of the annual deadline.

Step 1: Application to the Department of Studio Art

Submit the following to UNT SlideRoom.

Portfolio of artwork: 15-20 images of your recent work. Your portfolio should present your best and most recent work, reflecting committed and coherent projects from one or two bodies of work. Faculty reviewers look for evidence of focus, curiosity and the ability to work independently at the graduate level. While our program supports interdisciplinary practices, applicants should identify one or two primary areas of concentration to list on their UNT SlideRoom application. Use high-quality documentation of your artwork — .jpg or .png and .mp4 files are preferred. Include the title, medium, size and year completed for each work submitted in the fields provided in UNT SlideRoom. 

Artist Statement: A brief statement addressing the artwork submitted.

Statement of Intent: A brief statement about why you are interested in attending graduate school and a declaration of your intended concentration in art.

Resume or Artist CV: Your resume should include relevant professional experience and an exhibition record if you have one.

Two letters of recommendation: Applicants must provide contact information for at least two recommenders with their application materials in SlideRoom. Your recommenders will receive an email from SlideRoom to enter their recommendation.

All non-image documents — resume, artist statement, letter of intent — should be saved as PDF files and included with your media upload to UNT SlideRoom.

Step 2: Apply to UNT

Apply to UNT through the UNT Apply Now webpage.

Note: If the minimum GPA requirements are met, the Admissions Office will forward your admissions packet to our department for further review. You must meet the admission requirements of UNT, including a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a bachelor's degree if applying without a master's degree.

Important Note: Admission to the M.F.A. Program in Studio Art is not guaranteed because UNT Admission accepts you. Admission to the graduate program in Studio Art is competitive and not determined by any single criterion but by the decision of the faculty members in the department based on all the materials and information submitted.

Contact Information

Department of Studio Art: 940-369-7671, cvad.Studio@unt.edu, Art Building, Room 230. Important: Be sure to make an appointment before dropping into the office.

Graduate Students: Please visit the web page for Graduate Program Advisors.

Note: Should you need reasonable accommodation due to a disability to fully participate in a CVAD event, please contact the CVAD Dean's Office, cvad@unt.edu, 940-565-4001. For voice access, dial 1-800-RELAYTX (735-2989). Please make the request as soon as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.