MFA Thesis III & IV
LVC Hall (Fine Arts Bldg),
Rooms 2016 / 2019 (Undergraduate Design Lab)
Instructor: Tony McEachern, Assistant Professor
E-mail: tony@tonymceachern.com
Course Level & No.: Graduate
Fall: 81041-302-01, 81042-303-01
Spring: 10152-302-01, 18214-303-01,
Courses Days & Time: TBD
Text: Turabian, Kate L. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. (7th ed.) Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2007.
Introduction to the Master of Fine Arts Program
The MFA Program
The Master of Fine Arts program is a 60 credit hour, two-year professional program in Studio Art. The student is expected to demonstrate mastery of technique and processes in studio art. In addition the student is required to demonstrate written and verbal competency through the preparation and defense of a thesis.
The MFA Thesis
The Master of Fine Arts Thesis is a cohesive body of creative works in studio art accompanied by a written exposition of ideas, analysis, placed in associated context. The creative body of visual work is considered to be of primary importance. It is required that the candidate supports her/his research question or hypothesis with secondary source materials. Again, the studio work of the candidate is expected to be stylistically cohesive and should demonstrate a “mastery” of studio art making methods, materials and processes.
The thesis subject matter may be found in personal autobiographic, ethnographic, historic, and/or conceptual frameworks. It is required that the subject be focused, thereby, in the professional judgment of the thesis committee, be manageable within the time period allocated. Can the proposed work of the thesis, as outlined by the candidate, be brought to fruition in three semesters?
The Thesis Proposal
The thesis proposal must be unanimously accepted by the graduate thesis committee and should bear the signature and date of the acceptance by all members. A copy of the thesis proposal is filed in the student’s folder in the Art Department Office. A copy is also provided to each member of the thesis committee. Any subsequent adjustment or change of the document requires a simple majority approval of the committee. The thesis committee chair, the senior faculty member in the field of concentration or sub-field, will be responsible for the flow of documents, communication among the committee members, and providing progress reports to the Department Chair and faculty. The committee chair, Graduate Advisor, will recommend the candidate to the faculty for approval for awarding the MFA degree.