The MFA program at Winthrop University is a full-time studio art program that develops and nurtures the artist's voice. Winthrop's Department of Fine Arts engages artists who can navigate ideas of the contemporary world. The MFA in Studio Art program demands focused research in traditional, interdisciplinary or emerging practices in visual and conceptual art.
Graduate Program Coordinator:
Stephanie Sutton
803/323-3429
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The Winthrop University MFA in Studio Art program satisfies the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) accreditation standards. |
Students have the opportunity to work in their departments and around campus as graduate assistants. |
Travel support is available for graduate student presentations or performances. |
Focused on an interdisciplinary approach to the studio arts, MFA students have their own private studios, access to a range of 2D and 3D studio spaces, and access to the CreatorSpace, the College of Visual and Performing Arts Maker-Space. This program is determined to progress from very narrow specializations and instead, educate students to move fluidly between different media to create a diverse body of innovative creative work.
Time to completion: 2 years
Total Credits: 60
Format: Campus-based
Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art Deadline: February 1 for fall admission
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Note: All admission materials must be received by the Graduate School office before an application will be reviewed |
Submit an online Graduate School application for admission and non-refundable application fee
Have official transcript(s) sent from all institutions you attended for undergraduate and graduate coursework. Transcripts must be sent directly to Winthrop's Graduate School office from the issuing institution(s).
Have an overall undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
Submit a written statement of purpose reflective of their creative and research goals. As writing and communication skills are vital to a candidate's success, this is an important component of the application. The statement should be 1000 words or less and indicate how they envision their work developing, how it relates to contemporary art practices, and why it is important to pursue a graduate degree
Submit a CV or resume
Have three original letters of recommendation submitted directly from art and design professionals
Submit a digital portfolio in PDF format containing up to 20 digital images or media files of the applicant’s strongest work. The artwork should demonstrate the applicant’s point of view through bodies of work and/or show the development of an idea over time. All works should be labeled with title, materials/medium, date, and size of artwork. A brief description (150 characters) may also be included, if necessary.
Arrange and participate in an admissions interview with the MFA advisor and appropriate Fine Arts faculty. The MFA advisor's contact information is: Stephanie Sutton, 803/323-3429, suttons@winthrop.edu.
Message from the Studio Art Department: Incoming MFA students are required to have a comprehensive background in historical and contemporary movements in studio art, advanced technical skills in at least one studio area, and a strong research background. Admitted students who do not show evidence of these criteria may need additional coursework which could include an additional semester or academic year of study, followed by a portfolio review.
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Hear from our MFA students! |
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Rae Goodwin Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art, Class of 2005 Going to school at Winthrop University was a time in my life of great transformation! Shaun Cassidy’s empowering teaching methods were grounded in great skill, risk taking and experimentation...all contextualized in contemporary approaches to making art. I have lifelong friendships from my time working in the sculpture studios and was given permission to create what I needed to create and empowered to create how I needed to create. |
