Master of Fine Arts

PAFA’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) is an interdisciplinary, two-year program. Students are not divided by area of study, instead further discovering their voice in various media.

Through work in private studio spaces, one-on-one discussion with critics, and group critiques, MFA candidates develop their work and ideas into a sustainable, thoughtful artistic practice.

The curriculum structure helps students improve their abilities to see and make, while also broadening and deepening their conceptual framework and skills to discuss and write about art. At the core of the MFA program is an individual's studio practice, along with seminars in theory, contemporary art, writing, and professional practices. The two years culminate in a written and visual thesis; the latter of which is presented at PAFA's Annual Student Exhibition with thousands of annual visitors in the museum galleries.

The PAFA MFA program is not bound by the conventions and traditions of academic and technical systems, but is informed by them and aims to engage in a critical framework that strives for authenticity and open discourse. We privilege studio development, critical research, and professional practice. In their studio work, students are encouraged to be independent, self-motivated, and open to the new possibilities and ideas that arise through the course of making. MFA candidates contribute to and benefit from PAFA's diverse community of artists, museum curators, writers, and problem solvers.

stuart shils

Outstanding Faculty

A low student-to-faculty ratio and individualized mentorship are PAFA's trademark. 

All PAFA faculty members are working artists and in a unique position to understand and nurture students. Our faculty’s diverse skill sets, from artists working in traditional modes to those working in new media expose students to a vast range of opinions, artistic expertise, and individual artists’ points of view.

Kennedy Yanko visiting critic

Visiting Critics Program

One of the key components of PAFA’s graduate programs, the Visiting Critics Program brings a roster of distinguished artists to campus three times each semester for one-on-one discussions with students about their work. This experience provides an invaluable opportunity for students to receive in-studio feedback on their work as it develops. Artists in the Visiting Critics Program have included Colleen Asper, Charles Burwell, Vincent Desiderio, Titus Kaphar, Virgil Marti, Mika Tajima and more.

Amy Sherald VAP lecture

Visiting Artists Program

The student-run Visiting Artists Program selects and invites a wide variety of national and international emerging artists to the school, creating connections that can propel and inspire an artistic career. Visiting artists spend one-on-one time with PAFA graduate students and critique their work, allowing an unparalleled experience of interacting with established artists. Past participants in the Visiting Artist Program have included Amy Sherald, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Polly Apfelbaum, Eileen Neff, Gary Panter, and Zoe Strauss.

Take the Next Step

With our outstanding faculty-to-student ratio, a bustling local arts community, plus an array of visiting critics and artists each semester, PAFA's Master of Fine Arts is the next step in furthering your artistic development.

Graduate Student Art Work

Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith
Sean Hildreth
Sean Hildreth
Claire Huber
Claire Huber
Travis Grant
Travis Grant
Kathy Putnam
Kathy Putnam
Ben Grzenia
Ben Grzenia
Jordan Lance Morgan
Jordan Lance Morgan
Ryan Busch
Ryan Busch
Melanie Delach
Melanie Delach
Sam Schetina
Sam Schetina

More Stories from the MFA

Jess Aquino Commencement speach

“I intentionally sought out hard critics who I felt could push me to explore the roots of my practice."

Sara Havekotte in her studio

Sara Havekotte initially came to Philadelphia in 2018 to study painting and making paintings for collage. But as Havekotte took classes, her work stayed in a material and textile base. She now weaves and sculpts with found objects.

Charles Mason III (MFA '19) at his thesis presentation.

“Artwork really isn't for artists. It’s for us and the community or audience that we’re thinking of when we make it,” Mason said. “That's why we put things in galleries, that's why we put things in museums, that's why we put things outside like public sculpture. It’s not just for a select few people who understand the history of painting or the history of photography. That’s a very elitist way of thinking.”

Curriculum

The Master of Fine Arts degree at PAFA requires 60 credits.

First Year Curriculum

Critiques     18.0 Credits
Visiting Critic Fall & Spring MFA 700 1.5
Core Critique Group Fall & Spring MFA 710 7.5
Seminars     6.0 Credits
Seminar: Reframing Theory Fall MFA 730 3.0
Seminar: Contemporary Art Spring MFA 731 3.0
Studio Courses     6.0 Credits
Graduate Studio Electives Fall & Spring MFA 740 3.0
Electives     0-3.0 Credits
Total First Year Credits     30.0

 

Second Year Curriculum

Critiques     18.0 Credits
Visiting Critic Fall & Spring MFA 700 1.5
Critics (3 at 2.0 Credits) Fall & Spring MFA 700 6.0
Core Critique Group Fall & Spring MFA 710 1.5
Seminars     6.0 Credits
Seminar: Studio and Beyond Fall MFA 730 3.0
Seminar: Special Topics Spring MFA 731 3.0
Written Thesis Fall MFA 850 3.0 Credits
Thesis Exhibition Spring MFA 851 3.0 Credits
Electives     0-3.0 Credits
Total Second Year Credits     30.0

✝Graduate students may take one undergraduate course as an elective that will count towards graduation credit. Students may also audit one undergraduate course per semester to develop particular skills.