Graduate opportunities
By pursuing a Master of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art at the University of North Texas, you can receive a comprehensive education in one of eight concentration areas. Concentrations are available in Ceramics, Drawing and Painting, Metalsmithing and Jewelry, New Media Art, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture. We also offer you:
- An active gallery program
- A caring environment of artists who learn from each other
- A challenging environment for visual and intellectual research
- A creative, productive and supportive faculty
- An extensive visiting artist program
- First-class university resources
U.S. News & World Report consistently ranks our M.F.A. degree program among the nation's best. Our students regularly show their work in professional galleries and win awards at regional and national competitions.
Studio Art faculty members are productive, accomplished and dedicated to quality teaching and service.
Outstanding resources
The College of Visual Arts and Design is one of the nation's most comprehensive visual arts schools, and it's considered one of the best in the Southwest. The facilities include:
- Computer labs with new technology and up-to-date hardware and software
- The Cora Stafford Gallery, focusing on M.F.A. exhibitions
- Specialized classrooms, studios and galleries
- The UNT Art Galleries, which consists of the main gallery and three additional galleries on campus. Other educational assets include the Jo Ann (Jody) and Dr. Charles O. Onstead Institute for Education in the Visual Arts and Design, an extensive art and library collection and the Texas Fashion Collection.
In addition to exceptional studio, exhibition and campus resources, you can participate in a wide variety of cultural and career options available throughout Dallas and Fort Worth. We also offer regular opportunities to study and travel in foreign countries.
Attending UNT
Admission requirements
You'll need to meet the admission requirements for the Toulouse Graduate School® and submit the following documents to the department via Slideroom:
- One-page Statement of Intent indicating your reasons for pursuing graduate studies in your intended concentration
- Portfolio of artwork (15 to 20 images)
- Artist Statement
- Résumé
- Two letters of recommendation from people familiar with your academic record.For graduate school requirements and possible exceptions, visit our website.
Degree requirements
- 30 credit hours of studio art courses (24 credit hours must be in your concentration area)
- 12 credit hours of electives
- 9 credit hours of art history courses
- 3 credit hours of a professional practices course
- 3 credit hours of a creative project course
- 3 credit hours of M.F.A. exhibition
Financial assistance
Our college offers financial assistance with teaching assistantships and fellowships and area assistantships.
The number of appointments and positions vary from semester to semester.
We have approximately 50 teaching assistantships and fellowships and 12 area assistantships available each long semester. Numerous other scholarships, open to all graduate art majors, are offered annually.
New M.F.A. students may be eligible to receive $1,000 Academic Achievement Scholarships for their first year of study. This award qualifies a student for in-state tuition rates and is renewable for a second year if the student makes satisfactory progress in their program. For more information about scholarships, visit the art website.
Faculty
Ceramics
Eliza Au, Assistant Professor; M.F.A., Alfred University.
Brooks Oliver, Assistant Professor; M.F.A., Pennsylvania State University.
Drawing and painting
Laura Beard, Associate Professor; M.F.A., University of Washington.
Matthew Bourbon, Associate Professor; M.F.A., School of Visual Arts (New York).
Jim Burton, Senior Lecturer; M.F.A., University of North Texas.
Brian Campbell, Assistant Professor; M.F.A., Rutgers University.
Christian Fagerlund, Senior Lecturer; M.F.A., New York Academy of Art.
Lauren Lake, Professor; M.F.A., University of Wisconsin.
Annette Lawrence, Professor; M.F.A., Maryland Institute College of Art.
Elaine Pawlowicz, Associate Professor; M.F.A., School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Metalsmithing and jewelry
Ana Lopez, Associate Professor; M.F.A., Cranbrook Academy of Art.
Christopher Meerdo, Assistant Professor; M.F.A., University of Illinois at Chicago.
James Thurman, Associate Professor; M.F.A., Cranbrook Academy of Art.
New media art
Martin Back, Senior Lecturer, M.F.A., University of North Texas.
Liss LaFleur, Assistant Professor, M.F.A., Emerson College.
Printmaking
Andrew DeCaen, Assistant Professor; M.F.A., University of South Dakota.
Lari Gibbons, Associate Professor; M.F.A., University of Nebraska.
Photography
Dornith Doherty, Professor; M.F.A., Yale University.
Paho Mann, Associate Professor; M.F.A., Arizona State University.
Christopher Meerdo, Assistant Professor; M.F.A., University of Illinois at Chicago.
Gustavo Plascencia, Lecturer; M.F.A., University of Colorado, Boulder.
Sculpture
Amie Edelman, Associate Professor; M.F.A., University of Kansas.
Alicia Eggert, Assistant Professor, M.F.A., Alfred University.