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Graduate instruction for advanced development in selected concentrations leading to the MFA Degree has been provided at Brooklyn College for over thirty five years.

Candidates admitted to matriculation will complete a forty-eight credit requirement for this degree, which shall include classwork in a variety of advanced studio arts workshops and art history electives and provide guidance and evaluations of the progress made in concentrations. All courses of instruction, advisement, and reviews, will be provided or supervised by the faculty of the Art Department.

Full-time graduate study normally constitutes of 12 credits per semester. On this basis, the 48 credit requirement for the MFA Degree can be met in 2 years, or four consecutive academic semesters. No summer graduate Art courses are available at Brooklyn College. However, the length of a program may not exceed four years from the date of admission.

The required courses for this program are offered regularly, each semester, with rare exception. All major art studio workshops, including painting and drawing, printmaking, photography, and sculpture are routinely available on a regular, or alternate, semester basis. (Candidates are always advised to develop studio skills outside their concentrations). Other elective offerings will be varied each semester to allow flexibility and choice in the selection of other studio and art history subject areas.

Independent progress in the concentration has central importance to the achievement of the degree. These developments will be monitored by your selected faculty advisor, and shall be subject to faculty review at regular intervals in your matriculation. This tradition of open criticism and review remains the most valued feature, and the centerpiece, of the Brooklyn College program.

The MFA Degree Program at Brooklyn College is accredited by the Middle States Association of College and Secondary Schools, and is listed in the College Art Association's directory of graduate art schools.

Example of Two Year Program

The following represents a typical outline of courses and credits for a student in the painting and drawing concentration completing the requirements in two years.

Term 1

Term 3

Transfer Credit

The maximum of twelve credits may be transferred from another accredited graduate school when deemed applicable to this degree program, if approved by the division of Graduate Studies of Brooklyn College and the Art Department. Matriculation must be confirmed prior to making a formal request for the transfer of graduate credits earned elsewhere.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate Assistantships are from time to time available for matriculated students. The faculty selects candidates for both teaching and non-teaching assignments. Selections are limited to students who have completed Master Project I.

Cash Awards for Distinction in Graduate Painting

The graduate faculty distributes several awards annually for graduate painting majors under the auspices of the Charles G. Shaw Memorial Fund. Ten or more recipients may receive these awards. Selections are limited to second semester students, following faculty review of the student's work.

Internship in College Art Teaching (course # 784G)

Second year students may elect to participate as graduate interns in undergraduate art courses at Brooklyn College and local colleges. Assignments will be provided by permission of the listed instructor and college. Participation is limited to 3 elective credits. An innovation at Brooklyn College, the internship program has proven a popular experience for students with interests in college art teaching.

Internships may be available for museum work and exhibition assistants. Qualified persons may receive elective graduate credits for the assignments.

Special Problems Courses in Studio Art and Art History

Independent development and research in areas not normally covered in listed graduate offerings may be obtained for graduate elective credits (limited to second year students). Permission to enter "Special Problems" courses will require a written outline and approval from an Art Department faculty sponsor.

Counseling

The Deputy Chairman for Graduate Art (Room 5144B) will assist in planning your art program and can provide general counseling. Students in their first and final semesters of matriculation must review their programs of study with the Deputy Chairman.

Selection of a Faculty Advisor

Students approved for the thesis phase of this program (Master Projects I and II) select a faculty advisor for the guidance and supervision of developments in the concentration. A minimum of two consultations with the listed faculty advisor must occur prior to review, or exhibition, each semester.

Consultations with other faculty members are usually available upon direct requests from students. The Art Department assigns some faculty members to be available for additional consultations with graduate art students.

Faculty Review

Independent progress in the selected concentrations of the matriculated students will be examined by art faculty reviews, usually in the second and third semesters of attendance; advancement in the thesis program requires faculty approval.

The reviews offer students a lively format for individual criticism and guidance. All presentations of art at reviews, and at the final exhibitions, are accompanied by a written "prospectus" or paper.

MFA Thesis Exhibition

At the conclusion of Master Project II exhibitions of the work of eligible candidates are held in the Cadman Plaza Brooklyn War Memorial Gallery with the option of also showing at a private gallery in Manhattan, (at the end of Spring Semester only).

Retention Standards

The B grade average must be maintained to retain matriculated status in this program. Advancement in the program will, additionally, require approved ratings at reviews at all thesis levels.

Maintenance of Matriculation

The failure to register for two consecutive semesters may result in the withdrawal of the student's matriculation, unless permission for the leave of absence is obtained. Notify the Office of the Graduate Registrar and the Graduate Art Deputy if absences of any significant duration may occur. Under special circumstances a "Maintenance of Matriculation" fee can be required by Brooklyn College. (See Graduate Bulletin).

Non-matriculated Study in Graduate Art

Permits for selected graduate art courses may be obtained from the Graduate Art Deputy during the "on-line" registration periods. Prospective students for non-matriculated studies may need to show a record of undergraduate study. The Graduate Art Deputy, or a representative, is available for permits and counseling at the registration area.