Site Navigation
Welcome
Important Notice and Disclaimer
Faculty of Graduate Studies General Information
Graduate Students' Association (GSA)
Academic Schedule
Faculty of Graduate Studies Degrees Information
Admissions
Awards and Financial Assistance for Graduate Students
Tuition and General Fees
Academic Regulations
Program Descriptions
Anthropology ANTH
Archaeology ARKY
Art ART
Biological Sciences BISI
Biomedical Engineering BMEN
Chemistry CHEM
Communication and Media Studies CMMS
Communications Studies COMS
Computational Media Design CMD
Computer Science CPSC
Culture and Society CUSP
Data Science and Analytics
Drama DRAM
Economics ECON
Education Graduate Programs
Engineering Programs ENGG
Engineering, Chemical and Petroleum ENCH
Engineering, Civil ENCI
Engineering, Electrical and Computer ENEL
Engineering, Geomatics ENGO
Engineering, Mechanical and Manufacturing ENME
English ENGL
Environmental Design EVDS
French, Italian and Spanish FISL
Geography GEOG
Geoscience GEOS
German GSEA
Greek and Roman Studies GRST
Haskayne School of Business: Management MGMT
History HIST
Interdisciplinary Graduate Program IGP
Kinesiology KNES
Languages, Literatures and Cultures LLAC
Law LAW
Linguistics LING
Mathematics and Statistics MTST
Medicine Programs
Military and Strategic Studies CMSS
Music MUSI
Nursing NURS
Philosophy PHIL
Physics and Astronomy PHAS
Political Science POLI
Psychology PSYC
Public Policy PPOL
Religious Studies RELS
Social Work SOWK
Sociology SOCI
Sustainable Energy Development SEDV
Veterinary Medical Sciences VMS
Interdisciplinary Specializations
Courses of Instruction
Student and Campus Services
About the University of Calgary
Graduate Studies Calendar 2018-2019 Program Descriptions Art ART
Art - ART
Contact Information

Location: Art Building 612
Program number: 403.220.6260

Fax: 403.289.7333
Email address: artgrad@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL: art.ucalgary.ca/graduate

1. Degrees and Specializations Offered

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
2. Admission Requirements

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.

3. Application Deadline

Application deadline is available on the Future Students website at ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/explore-programs/art-master-fine-arts-thesis-based.

4. Advanced Credit

Not applicable.

5. Program/Course Requirements

The program core for all Master of Fine Arts students is a minimum of 24 units (4.0 full-course equivalents). Within the first twelve months of the program each student must complete 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) 600-level studio course; 3 units (0.5 full-course equivalent) 600-level graduate seminar, and Art 611 and 605. Three units (0.5 full-course equivalent) 600-level graduate seminar and 6 units (1.0 full-course equivalent) 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 (4.0 full-course equivalents).

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

6. Additional Requirements

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.

7. Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Not applicable.

8. Time Limit

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

9. Supervisory Assignments

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.

10. Required Examinations

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.

12. Financial Assistance

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.