Purpose

The purpose of the Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts program is to provide professional training for students who wish to pursue a variety of careers in the field of art, as working artists and designers, critics, managers, and directors, or in the field of education as teachers and researchers. Students will be provided with the opportunity to build significant skills in the history, research, practice, and discourse of art and design.

Program Learning Outcomes

The student will be able to:

• Generate conceptual artistic solutions using a variety of media.
• Assess the efficacy of design in relation to its context.
• Integrate aesthetic and visual design principles into original compositions.
• Develop a cohesive artistic body of work.
• Formulate research based artistic solutions based on knowledge of the literature/artifacts of the discipline.

Program Specific Admission Procedures

The MFA program will follow the standard admission, curriculum and graduation requirements as stated in the Liberty University Graduate Catalog with the following specific admission procedures:

1. Regionally or nationally accredited bachelor's degree with at least a 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) for acceptance in good standing.
2. Students with a GPA of 2.50 to 2.99 (on a 4.00 scale) may be considered for admission on Academic Caution. 
3. TOEFL scores for students who speak English as a second language (score of 600 paper-based test; 250 computer-based test; 80 internet based test)
4. Artist Statement
   • The artist statement should include your artistic background, area(s) of specialty, and the intended direction of your work. This is your opportunity to provide context for your art and design.
5. Departmental Approval via Master of Fine Arts Portfolio
   • The successful portfolio should include no less than 20 images that best depict the applicant's abilities and interests in their desired field of study. (Please note: applications for the online MFA will only be considered in the area of graphic design).
   • Submitted images should be professionally photographed/composed and be "client" ready.
   • Neat and professional presentation, layout, and image quality should be considered by the applicant when submitting his/her work for review. The submitted work samples should clearly demonstrate the applicant's strong design skills, aesthetic style, and potential for success in the program.
   • All submitted images should be original creative artifacts designed by the applicant. Credit must be given when collaborative works are included.
   • This will be submitted via SlideRoom and there is a $10 non-refundable fee.
     • Provide 20 items.
     • Images (up to 5MB each)
     • Video (up to 250MB each)
     • PDFs (up to 10MB each)
     • Models (Sketchfab)

Transfer Credit

Students may transfer up to 30 credit hours from an accredited institution subject to department approval. In order to transfer credit, students must have earned the minimum grade of B-, and courses must have been completed within 10 years of the start date of the program. Credits from a prior degree on the same academic level earned through Liberty University are considered transfer credits.

Delivery Format: Residential Only

• Art Director
• Exhibition Designer
• Gallery Owner or Director
• Illustrator
• Museum Services Specialist
• Professor