Application
Applicants for admission should hold a baccalaureate degree with the equivalent of sixty credit hours in studio courses. A portfolio of completed works could be considered the equivalent of some studio courses.
In addition to the transcripts and letters of recommendation required of all students, applicants to the M.F.A program must present a portfolio showing competency in the appropriate areas. All applicants must conform to the current area specifications as listed on the Graduate Programs page.
The School of Art & Design of the New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University offers graduate study in four divisional areas: Ceramic Art, Electronic Integrated Arts, Painting and Sculpture/Dimensional Studies (concentration in either glass art or sculpture). Applicants should make clear to which M.F.A program they are applying.
All applications are made through the Graduate Admissions Office. All supporting documents and the portfolio must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office by January 15th of the application year (Note: Painting MFA applicants are due on February 15). Only completed applications will be forwarded to the Faculty Review Committee. It is important to clearly indicate which program you want to enter, as documentation and portfolios are only reviewed by the faculty in the specific program indicated on the application form.
No applications for January enrollment are considered.
Accepted applicants must make a $200 deposit and be asked to return a signed contract as directed in the notification of acceptance, or their acceptance becomes void.
Financial Support
In addition to a grant for a full tuition waiver for both years of residency in the program, M.F.A students in Ceramic Art, Electronic Integrated Arts, and Sculpture Dimensional Studies are guaranteed an assistantship every semester of the two-year program.
Graduate assistantships consist of two types: a teaching assistantship and a graduate assistantship as a facilities coordinator. In all cases, the student receives a stipend of$7,000 for the academic year.
Graduate teaching assistants help faculty members perform their academic duties: a graduate teaching intern teaches one (four credit hour) studio course per semester. A facilities coordinator works with the division head and technicians to organize and manage studio facilities. All assistants commit approximately 10 hours/week to meet the requirements of the stipend. Assignments are made in consultation among faculty, students, and division chairs at the beginning of each semester.
Degree Requirements
Degree requirements include two years of residence and a minimum of sixty graduate credit hours. Reviews of work are scheduled at midterm and the end of each semester.