About

The MFA program at Washington State University is a three year program that encourages an interdisciplinary approach to studio practice.

During their time in the program, students meet regularly with a range of faculty members for group and individual critiques. Regular visiting artists and scholars meet with graduate students one on one to provide a diversity of insight into their creative work. At the end of the second semester, MFA students participate in a first year review show in Gallery 2 with one other grad student. The thesis exhibit takes place during April of the third year and is held at the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU. There is an art history/theory seminar each fall semester and a practical seminar the spring of the first year.

Students are assigned private studios and have 24 hour access to the art building, which is located near the center of campus.

The MFA program includes approximately 14 students in total.

Teaching assistantships are awarded on a competitive basis by the faculty and College. Most teaching assistantships include a full tuition waiver (once in-state status is granted), about $13,000 in an annual stipend, and health insurance.

Many of the teaching assistantships include teaching responsibilities as teacher of record for one class per semester. Additionally, 11 hours of service work per week is required of each teaching assistant. Smaller MFA scholarships that range between $1,000 and $8,000 are available annually. In 2014, over $200,000 of assistantships and scholarships were awarded to MFA students.

WSU accepts applications to the MFA program once a year. The deadline for applications is January 15 for a Fall admission.

All questions about the program and the application process should be directed to the department’s Graduate Coordinator, Krista Brand (krista.brand@wsu.edu)