Overview
In our Master of Arts in Art program, you’ll experience a challenging and rewarding journey of artistic growth and exploration. You’ll engage in lively discussions, critiques, and presentations with faculty and peers, and can exhibit your work in our galleries. Our program is designed to help you develop your own artistic voice and style, while gaining the skills and knowledge you need to succeed as a professional artist. Full-time students typically complete the Art MA within four semesters.
The specialization in Studio Art is interdisciplinary, so you can focus in one specific studio discipline or expand into other areas of research. If you choose a specific focus, you may still take courses across studio disciplines. “InterMedia” is intended to be an integrated focus that combines two or more broad disciplines.
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Faculty and Staff
Our inspirational faculty and staff make sure students feel welcome and empowered to think outside the box and explore all possibilities of making art at UWM. Visit the Peck School of the Arts directory to meet these artists, explore their biographies and engage with recent work.
Scholarships and Aid
Financial constraints shouldn’t hinder your artistic dreams. Our comprehensive range of scholarships and aid programs is designed to empower and support artists like you.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Graduate applicants must meet general Graduate School admission requirements in addition to specific program requirements found on the Peck School of the Arts apply page.
To learn more, request a remote audio or video appointment with the UWM Graduate School.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
Admission
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
- An undergraduate major in art, or related field, including at least 40 studio credits and at least 45 academic credits outside the major.
- Submission of a digital portfolio with 20 images of original work.
- Submission of a written personal statement of the proposed program of study.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation.
See the department’s website for more details, including required file formats and submission process for application materials.
Applicants may be admitted to the program with specific program-defined course deficiencies. The student is expected to satisfy deficiency requirements within three enrolled semesters. The Office of Graduate Studies in the Department of Art & Design monitors the deficiencies. Deficiency course credits may not be applied towards the degree.
Credits and Courses
Minimum degree requirement is 30 graduate credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Art Design | ||
| ART 901 | Seminar in Art-Philosophy and Concepts | 3 |
| Select 3 additional graduate credits in art seminars | 3 | |
| Select 18 graduate credits in studio arts | 18 | |
| Art History | ||
| Select 3 graduate credits in art history | 3 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select 3 credits in graduate-level coursework in a discipline related to the student’s research interests | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 30 | |
All graduate students in the Department of Art & Design must be enrolled full-time for at least one semester, earning a minimum of 8 credits during that semester. Graduate students with a PA or TA appointment are considered full-time earning a minimum of 6 credits per semester.
Additional Requirements
Major Professor as Advisor
Upon admission, the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Art & Design in consultation with the Graduate Faculty will assign the incoming graduate student to a First Year Advisory Team. The head Advisor will contact the student and the Advisory Team at the beginning of the student’s first semester to arrange a schedule for meetings to discuss course enrollment and the first-year studio research agenda.
By the end of the student’s second semester in the program, the student must select a Major Professor, and in consultation with the Major Professor, assemble their Graduate Thesis Committee. The committee consists of three or more members (usually not larger than four). At least three members must be UWM graduate faculty, and at least two must be from the Department of Art & Design. At least one member of the committee must be a faculty member in the student’s area of focus. If a student desires, the fourth member of the committee may be from outside the university. The student’s Major Professor will serve as the Chair of the student’s Graduate Thesis Committee.
A student who wishes to change their designated area of focus must first apply and be accepted into the new focus. The student would make this decision in consultation with their Thesis Committee and the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Art & Design. If the student is accepted into the new area of focus, they will assemble a new Thesis Committee and select a new Major Professor, if necessary.
If the student’s Major Professor takes a leave of absence or leaves the University, the student should contact the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Art and Design for advice in selecting a new Major Professor and notify the Director of subsequent changes to the student’s committee.
Comprehensive Examination
The student must pass a final oral and written examination.
Graduate Review
MFA candidates must participate in at least one Graduate Review each academic year.
Thesis Exhibition
Upon recommendation of the major professor the student presents a thesis exhibition of work executed since admission to the program. The exhibition is held during the semester in which the student completes the coursework for the degree.
Time Limit
The UWM Graduate School requires that the student complete all degree requirements within a specific time limit. A student in the 60-credit MFA program must complete all degree requirements within seven years. A student in the 30-credit MFA program must complete all degree requirements within five years.
Transfer of Credits
Upon admission, an applicant may be permitted to transfer a maximum of 12 graduate credits earned at another institution. However, the student must apply to the Graduate School for an evaluation of such credits to determine if they are acceptable for transfer to the MFA program.
Graduate Advising
Individual Peck School of the Arts graduate advisors are assigned upon admission. Your advisor will work closely with you during your time here. To connect with your graduate program representative, please visit the Graduate tab on the Peck School of the Arts apply page.
Art, MA Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with the MA in Art from the Art & Design Department will be able to:
- Utilize necessary oral and written communication skills and engage with the professional standards in their area of specialization.
- Explain the historical and cultural contexts of art and craft production to contextualize their work historically and/or theoretically and within contemporary practices and conceptual concerns.
- Engage in independent inquiry and research strategies, problem-solving and self-reflexivity about the creation of a body of work.
- Build a strong portfolio to enhance opportunities for further education and/or career and entrepreneurial options.
Policies & Regulations
Please review the Graduate School policies and regulations and refer to each specific program for any additional items.