Emerging Media (MFA) - Studio Art and Design

Program Overview

The Studio Art and Design track of the MFA in Emerging Media provides a concentrated studio experience in contemporary practices, such as performance art, installation, experimental time-based media, and fine arts. The program fosters innovative creative talent in both traditional studio and industry practices, combining backgrounds in traditional art or computer-related disciplines within a conceptually driven, interdisciplinary environment. Students complete a thesis consisting of a body of artistic work accompanied by electronic documentation and a culminating exhibition.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Studio Art and Design track of the MFA in Emerging Media provides a concentrated studio experience to enhance creative approaches using 21st Century experimental practices. The Studio Art and Design MFA degree produces innovative creative, professional talent in both traditional studio and industry practices. With focused study in contemporary studio practices, such as performance art, installation, experimental time-based media, and fine arts, graduate faculty inspire students to be citizens of the arts both as contributors and professionals. Students in the program are invited to combine their backgrounds in traditional art or computer-related disciplines within a conceptually driven, interdisciplinary environment. Courses provide exposure to time-based media, performance art, video art, sound works, kinetic sculpture, computer-based art, and art using the Internet to understand how these forms are driving 21st century artistic practice and informing our understanding of contemporary cultural identities.

Outline:

The Studio Art and Design MFA track is composed of a minimum of 60 credit hours, to be acquired in three years (six full-time semesters excluding summers). Degree credit is obtained in theory courses, studio art courses, electives, and supervised research. All courses must be approved by the Graduate Program Director. The thesis consists of a body of artistic work accompanied by electronic (Internet) documentation and a culminating exhibition and Thesis Defense.

Required Courses (24 Total Credits):

• ARH5897 - Advanced Seminar in Art History (3)
• ART6687 - Research Concentration (3)
• ART 6911C - Studio Concentration (12) - Should be taken 4 times for a total of 12 credit hours.
• ART 6930 - Graduate Seminar (6) - Should be taken 6 times for a total of 6 credit hours.

Elective Courses (18 Total Credits):

• Students should choose from graduate-level courses within the School of Visual Arts & Design that are not already required for their program.
These courses include those with the following prefixes: ARH, ART, GRA, and PGY.
• If approved by the Graduate Program Director, there are many graduate-level courses in the College of Arts and Humanities that can be used as electives in addition to other graduate courses.
• These courses must be selected to ensure that at least one-half of the courses in the student's plan of study are taken at the 6000 level.
• Normally, at least half of the selected electives should be taken within the School of Visual Arts and Design.

Restricted Electives (9 Credit Hours):

• ART5280 - Serial Content (3)
• ART5284 - Design Theory and Methods (3)
• ART5696 - Art, Design and Human Interactions (3)
• ART5811 - The Professional Practice of Art (3)
• ART6683 - Time Arts (3)

Unrestricted Electives (9 Credit Hours):

• Graduate students enroll in three graduate ART/ARH/GRA/PGY split-level courses (graduate courses stacked with corresponding undergraduate courses).
The graduate-level syllabus distinctly highlights the increased research, production, and evaluative criteria.

Thesis (18 Total Credits):

• ART 6971 - Thesis (18 Credit Hours) - The thesis consists of a body of artistic work accompanied by electronic (Internet) documentation and a culminating exhibition.
The final oral review before the supervisory thesis committee occurs at the end of the sixth semester. At the same time, the graduate student presents a thesis exhibition of selected works from the cumulative body of works produced during his/her three years of residency. In addition, the thesis requires an artist's statement and documentation. The thesis will contain research intentions, results, and the body of the creative works produced. Students are required to submit an electronic version of the thesis to the UCF College of Graduate Studies. After approval by the UCF College of Graduate Studies, the UCF Library will add it to its archives and make the electronic version of the thesis accessible on the web. The required thesis is the independent learning experience in the degree program.

Equipment Fee (0 Total Credits):

• Students in the Emerging Media MFA program pay a $90 equipment fee each semester that they are enrolled.

Independent Learning (0 Total Credits):

• A thesis is required.

Course Schedule:

The Emerging Media MFA is a full-time 3-year cohort program that requires students to abide by the following course sequence. Students must remain with their cohort to remain in good academic standing and graduate.

Year 1:

• Fall: 10 Credit Hours
• ARH 5897 - Advanced Seminar in Art History (3 Credit Hours)
• ART 6911C - Studio Concentration (3 Credit Hours)
• ART 6930 - Graduate Seminar (1 Credit Hour)
• Unrestricted Elective: (3 Credit Hours)
• Spring: 10 Credit Hours
• ART 6911C - Studio Concentration (3 Credit Hours)
• ART 6930 - Graduate Seminar (1 Credit Hour)
• Unrestricted Electives: (6 Credit Hours)

Year 2:

• Fall: 10 Credit Hours
• ART 6911C - Studio Concentration (3 Credit Hours)
• ART 6930 - Graduate Seminar (1 Credit Hour)
• Unrestricted Electives: (6 Credit Hours)
• Spring: 10 Credit Hours
• ART 6687 - Research Concentration (3 Credit Hours)
• ART 6911C - Studio Concentration (3 Credit Hours)
• ART 6930 - Graduate Seminar (1 Credit Hour)
• Unrestricted Elective: (3 Credit Hours)

Year 3:

• Fall: 10 Credit Hours
• ART 6930 - Graduate Seminar (1 Credit Hour)
• ART 6971 - Thesis (9 Credit Hours)
• Spring: 10 Credit Hours
• ART 6930 - Graduate Seminar (1 Credit Hour)
• ART 6971 - Thesis (9 Credit Hours)

Assessment:

• Graduate students must maintain a 3.0 or better GPA in all course work to complete the program.
• Continuation in the MFA program requires a positive annual evaluation by the Program Director of the School of Visual Arts and Design and by the Graduate Committee of the School of Visual Arts and Design.

Careers:

• Art Faculty / Professor
• Art Gallery Director
• Digital Artist
• Painter
• Performance Artist
• Sculptor / Kinetic Sculptor