The Thesis Year

The culminating experience of the M.F.A. program is the thesis. Working with a faculty advisor, the degree candidate first develops a paper that provides the theoretical or philosophical basis of the proposed work and then creates a body of work that is presented to the public as an exhibition or performance. Using the artistic and critical skills developed during the M.F.A. study, the student is expected to produce unique and original work expanding and advancing the art form.

Typical Schedule of the Thesis Year

Fall Semester
During the fall semester of the final year, the student will be expected to conceptualize a thesis topic and make substantial progress toward its realization. The student also begins work on the written thesis. Near the end of the fall semester, a faculty panel critiques the thesis project.

Related Coursework in Fall Semester
Artist in a Climate of Change – In preparation for the thesis project, the student begins to research and write the thesis paper.

Current Trends in Media Arts: Thesis in Context – In preparation for the thesis project, the student focuses on influences and issues in his/her art work and begins to develop and produce the thesis presentation.

Spring Semester
The spring semester is devoted to planning and producing the graduate thesis project, which will be presented as a screening, an installation, and/or performance. A typical written thesis includes an artist statement that articulates the nature of the artist’s work and a synopsis of the historical and philosophical context of the work. The culmination of the thesis is a public exhibition at a local gallery in May.

Related Coursework in the Spring Semester
Practicum/Thesis Project: MFA in Media – the student completes works on the thesis project and finalizes plans for the M.F.A. show.

Faculty Advisor assists with the conceptual development of the thesis project and the written thesis.