MFA Requirements & Application Guidelines
Department of Art & Art History California State University Chico

Requirements
An undergraduate degree, equivalent to a BA degree in Art Studio from CSU Chico is required. No graduate credit is given to classes taken to make up any undergraduate deficiencies. Applicants must meet all University Graduate School admission requirements in addition to the requirements of The Department of Art & Art History.

On the approval of the Graduate Advisor and faculty of student's pattern area, up to 18.0 units of accredited graduate level work may be transferred from another institution towards this 60-unit program. Applicants holding an MA degree in Studio Art from an accredited institution may transfer and count towards the MFA up to 27 units from their previous degree program upon review and recommendation by the graduate advisor and the faculty members in the pattern area, and within the seven-year time limit. No course work from another degree program other than a masters in Studio Art may be applied towards the MFA requirements .

Applicants are required to file two separate applications:

1. To the University Office of Graduate Programs, available in the Graduate Admissions Office of the School of Graduate, International & Sponsored Programs. Admission fees are sent with this application, do not send payment to the Department of Art & Art History

2. The attached Department MFA application form with all requested supporting material is to be sent to the Department of Art & Art History, California State University, Chico, CA 95929-0820.

Application

The deadline for Spring entry is: all material delivered by 5:00pm on October 5th;
for Fall entry is: all material delivered by 5:00pm on March 1st.
All material must be submitted to the Art Department Office; late or incomplete review packets will be returned unprocessed.

The application packet must include:

  1. A completed Department MFA application form. (Microsoft Word Document)
  2. Transcripts (official or unofficial) from all institutions of higher learning attended. These must be submitted with the MFA application. (The department transcript requirements are in addition to the official transcripts required in the application to the University. )
  3. A two-page, double-spaced Philosophical Statement of Intention (Statement of Purpose).
  4. Three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to testify to the applicantıs capabilities and readiness to enter graduate study in studio art. These letters are to be sent directly by the recommender to the Department of Art & Art History.
  5. Creative work review (submit only completed work): 20 slides in a Kodak 80 carousel, and / or work samples in VHS videotape or CDROMs (MAC format only). Prepare with a combined total viewing time of ten minutes.
  6. An annotated list for non-print material submitted indicating name, title, media and date of completion.
  7. Return postage & packaging labels (stamps) if not picked up in person.

Notification will take place by mid April.