The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Practice is a four-semester program designed for working artists and art educators who demonstrate significant artistic development, are deeply engaged in their individual creative practice. This interdisciplinary program empowers students to work across mediums through an approach that blends theory, experimentation and production. It is designed for creative practitioners who are seeking a terminal degree with both flexibility and rigor. Classes are offered in the fall, spring, and summer terms. MFA candidates are required to complete a creative thesis with both a written and visual component that will be publicly exhibited in their final semester.

 

The MFA in Creative Practice from the University of Mobile is specifically designed to build onto the coursework completed in the MA in Creative Practice program. It is highly suggested that candidates complete the MA in Creative Practice program at UM prior to application. Alternatively, students with a master’s degree in visual arts or design from another accredited institution may apply and have their coursework be evaluated for consideration.* MFA candidates must have earned at least 30 credit hours of graduate coursework in a related field prior to admission. Those 30 hours may be applied towards the MFA degree in Creative Practice, which requires that students have complete 60 credit hours of graduate-level courses.  

Requirements for admission:  

• Master of Art in Creative Practice from the University of Mobile or
• Master’s degree in visual arts, design, or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher education*
• Digital portfolio of 15-20 pieces of work. Please see the portfolio guidelines listed on the Visual Arts Department webpage for specific submission requirements.
• One-page statement of purpose stating the objectives you hope to achieve in the MFA program.
• Resume or CV
• Three Letters of Recommendation from former or current instructors and/or those who can recommend you in a professional capacity. Please provide the names and email addresses for each recommender on your application. Once submitted, your recommender will receive instructions to upload your recommendation letter.
• Completed University of Mobile Admissions Application
• Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts.

 

Admission to the MFA program is competitive and selected candidates must demonstrate significant artistic development in their individual creative practice. Candidates who are not selected but show significant promise may be given specific feedback and encouraged to reapply at a later date.

 

*Exceptional candidates applying with a graduate degree from an outside institution must have their graduate coursework evaluated for consideration. A maximum of six graduate credit hours from an outside institution may be accepted upon evaluation and students may be conditionally admitted and asked to complete additional pre-requisite graduate coursework prior to moving forward in the MFA program. In addition, exceptional candidates whose undergraduate is not sufficient for full admission to the MFA program may be conditionally admitted and asked to complete additional pre-requisite undergraduate coursework prior to moving forward in the MFA program.

 

Residency Requirements:

The MFA in Creative Practice program offers flexible residency options to candidates who can prove they have access to adequate studio space and equipment necessary to complete their studio work within or near their home. Local students are encouraged to attend their required weekly meetings in-person and utilize the shared studio spaces in-order to build peer and faculty-mentor relationships. Low residency students must arrange weekly video conference meetings with their instructors and/or faculty-mentors at a mutually agreed to time and must have consistent access to high-speed internet service, a personal computer, and a high-resolution web camera and microphone. They must also have access to a high resolution digital SLR or mirrorless camera or high-resolution mobile phone camera for documentation of their work. Low residency candidates will be required to physically attend graduate critiques and teaching practicums as necessary, along with their MFA Thesis Exhibition and defense at their own expense. The cost of shipping or transporting any work or supplies is the responsibility of the candidate.

 

Requirements for Graduation

To be awarded the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Practice, students must:

1. Complete a minimum of 60 graduate credit hours, including:
   • AR 660 MFA Seminar (6 credit hours)
   • AR 670 MFA Studio (6 credit hours)
   • AR 672 MFA Critique (4 credit hours)
   • AR 680 MFA Teaching Practicum (6 credit hours)
   • AR 690 MFA Thesis Research (4 credit hours)
   • AR 692 MFA Thesis Presentation (4 credit hours)
   • Additional graduate-level coursework as approved by faculty to reach 60 credit hours.
2. A minimum of 54 of the required graduate credit hours must have been earned at the University of Mobile.
3. All graduate coursework applied toward the MFA in Creative Practice, including transfer credit and pre-requisite courses taken at the University of Mobile, must have been evaluated and approved by the department chair.
4. Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all graduate-level work.
5. Demonstrate satisfactory progress in studio practice and professional development, as assessed through faculty evaluations and semester critiques.
6. Complete a written thesis that articulates the conceptual, historical, and theoretical framework of the creative work.
7. Present and successfully defend a public thesis exhibition demonstrating professional competence, conceptual depth, and technical mastery.
8. Fulfill all residency requirements as outlined by the program (including participation in critiques, teaching practicums, and the thesis exhibition/defense).