Master of Fine Arts (Studio Art or Photography) - M.F.A.

To be an artist is to be burdened and blessed with the “freedom of no choice!” The need to express oneself through art is as essential to the visual artist as food and water. That need only deepens with the passage of time. Art is continually being redefined. Warnborough recognises that much of the work defined as “art” in the history of art, is comprised of crafts and minor arts. Hence, the Warnborough studio art program welcomes artisans as well as fine artists into its graduate programs. Warnborough also recognizes Photography as a fine arts form. Any reference to “fine arts” is meant to include photography.

The M.F.A. program in Studio Art is designed for learners who intend to develop and pursue professional careers in the arts, usually as artists and artisans. The M.F.A. program will qualify the graduate as a professional artist, and will provide a structured but flexible environment in which future artists and arts professionals may develop and realize their potential, in the chosen area of specialization.

The M.F.A. in Studio Art or Photography qualifies the graduate to work as a professional artist in numerous arenas, depending upon the graduate’s area(s) of expertise. Professional opportunities might include fine arts, graphic arts, illustration, fashion and interior design, advertising and teaching (which may require additional credentials). M.F.A. recipients are also qualified to work in a variety of employment capacities in arts administration, program development, travel and tourism, as well as in museums, galleries and a host of arts organizations. The M.F.A. program includes in-depth courses on the business of being an artist. In addition to training learners on how to present their work, strategies for effectively competing in the marketplace will be discussed. Learners will also be given ideas on how to find and/or create niche markets for themselves. Depending upon the nature of the employment, other credentials may also be required. Learners are encouraged to thoughtfully consider their professional goals, prior to applying for the M.F.A. program in Studio Art or Photography.

Learners can work with their mentors to combine courses into customized programs, suited to their interests and capabilities. Read the complete course descriptions for information as well as ideas! Think of them as a set of guidelines, rather than a set of rules. The descriptions will give you a sense of areas in which to proceed, at the graduate level, and professionally.

Learners may be exempt from certain modules (courses) and their equivalents, based on prior courses taken, prior professional experience, ongoing program performance, and their art portfolios. Courses taken at any time during the learner's career may be counted, if they fulfill appropriate requirements. By the time of graduation, a learner must have achieved a minimum grade-point-average consistent with the policies of Warnborough College Ireland.

Elective courses are selected from a wide range of options. Learners may be exempt from elective module pre-requisites, based upon their portfolio, previous course work and experience, and/or demonstrated proficiency in the program.

Because of the enormous flexibility of the WCI program, learners may work with their mentors to structure their program in the context of their individual interests, talents and professional and goals.

This program is offered via distance learning, or via a fully open-learning version (on-site and virtual). Regardless of the venue, M.F.A. candidates will be expected to complete a substantial and significant body of work independently.

Wide latitude, a great degree of flexibility, and numerous avenues of experimentation are available to M.F.A. learners.  M.F.A. candidates will be expected to achieve and demonstrate a high level of proficiency in their declared major area. Candidates for the M.F.A degree will be evaluated on the basis of their ability to effectively render works that articulate unique and well thought out creative visions, executed with skill and artistry. M.F.A. learners must demonstrate their ability to discuss their work critically, and to formally prepare and present their work for presentation. M.F.A. learners must complete 80 credits, and mount an M.F.A. Exhibit. A personal statement on the collected works included in the exhibition will also be required.

The M.F.A. comprises 6 compulsory modules, 8 elective modules, an M.F.A. Project and Exhibit, and an accompanying written personal statement. The M.F.A. candidate does not need to submit a thesis unless the M.F.A. project is research based. Learners may mount their exhibit at a gallery, and are required to mount an online exhibit.

All Cultural Art History learners are also required to actively participate in and contribute to Empyrean—the Warnborough Fine Arts Gallery and Forum, and Moodle—the Warnborough Online Management System (LMS).

14 modules: 56 credits (4 credits each)
Project/Exhibit: 16 credits
Written Component: 8 credits

The following modules are compulsory: (6 modules, 4 credits each, total of 24 credits)
1) ART 501 Studio Methods, Practices and Procedures
2) ART 502 Critical Terminology for Art Studio Majors
3) ART 503 Building a Portfolio
4) ART 504 Cultural History of Art for Fine Arts Majors
5) ART 506 The Business of Being an Artist

6) Choose one from the following module:
      ART 511 Career Development for the Professional Artist
                OR           
      ART 512 Designing and Executing an Exhibit
                OR           
      ART 505 Topics in Critical Analysis

See full module list here.

The following modules are elective: (8 modules, 4 credits each, total of 32 credits)
A Choice of 1 Module selected from CAH 801 through CAH 815
A Choice of 6 Modules in or directly related to the major area of fine arts emphasis
A Choice of 1 Module outside of the major area of fine arts emphasis

See full module list here.

The MFA program can be completed in six terms (24 months) or less. Depending upon exemptions, performance and the work load, it may take more or less time. Students should regard four terms as the average length of the program. Students may shorten that timetable by arranging for high-intensity customised projects and/or by attending special shorter term programs, such as Warnborough College’s International Summer Schools program.

For a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree, students must successfully complete a total of 80 credits. All requirements must be satisfied, unless students are granted exemptions.

Students in the program may work independently or in the group studio setting. Independent work will be expected of all graduate students.

On-site and virtual courses will be taught in atelier style. All graduates will be required to submit a professional portfolio, as per standards established by the art department and Warnborough College, and to complete program projects. In addition, students will be required to participate in a graduate exhibit.

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Students are required to purchase materials needed for successful completion of program projects. The tools and materials needed depend upon courses being taken, and include such items as drawing pencils, paintbrushes, canvases and stretcher frames, sculpting tools and materials, etc. Students will be given materials lists after registration in the program and prior to the onset of each module.

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Note: All fees listed here refer to tuition only. It does not include ancillary expenses such as required materials (see above), textbooks, internet connections, postage, telephone calls, insurance and printing.

Download Application Form.
View admissions information.

Note: Please specify if you wish to do the program by RESEARCH or by INSTRUCTION (modular).

Program Director Jill Kiefer has been designing, coordinating and leading arts programs for over twenty years. She has taught Fine Arts for the University of New Mexico, and has led workshops, tours and presentations in the USA and Europe. Ms Kiefer has developed curricula for hundreds of workshop and presentation programs. She is a published author, editor, artist and illustrator, and is the founder and director of Port-of-Arts, Ltd.

Please contact Jill Kiefer at jkiefer@warnborough.edu or admissions@warnborough.edu