Application Requirements for the MFA program:

Detailed information regarding the application process can be obtained in the MFA Brochure here(PDF)

• Students apply to the MFA program at Maryland in one of the following areas of concentration:

• Drawing
• Painting
• Printmaking
• Sculpture
• Digital Media/New Genre

• An undergraduate degree with a major in Art from an accredited college, university or art school, or its equivalent, is encouraged, but not required, for admission to graduate study in the Department of Art. The applicant should have a minimum of 30 credit hours of undergraduate work in studio art courses and approximately 12 credit hours in art history. Other humanities courses should be a part of the candidate's undergraduate preparation.

• General graduate admission application forms can be requested from the Graduate School, University of Maryland, College Park 20742, (301) 405-4198. An application for admission with transcripts should be sent directly to the Graduate School. Please note under "Application Instructions" on page 2 of the Graduate School application that: Applicants are solely responsible for making certain that their transcripts have, in fact, been received.

• All application submissions MUST arrive in the Department by January 16th. Students are only admitted for the Fall semesters. Three letters of recommendation and documentation of your best work (see requirements below) should be sent to: Danielle Curtis, Graduate Administrator, Department of Art 1211E Art/Sociology Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742. Applicants are solely responsible for making certain that all letters of recommendation arrive on time. Each recommender should be given a stamped, addressed envelope for the recommendation form provided in the Graduate application packet. NOTE: If you wish to have your submission returned, please include a stamped, self-addressed envelope with your application. You may also pick up your submission in person. No other submissions will be returned.

• All decisions made by the Graduate Review Committee of the Department of Art are final. Please be assured that each applicant receives thorough consideration by every member of the committee. All aspects of the application will be reviewed, including the slide portfolio, statement of purpose, academic strength, art related background, and recommendations.

• Upon acceptance of admission, the student should notify the Department of Art and schedule an appointment to meet with an advisor and make initial plans for a course of study. This may be done by phone or upon arrival prior to the beginning of the semester. General information is available from the Graduate Administrator. Studios will be assigned by August 15. Check with the Graduate Administrator after this time to obtain assignment.

Submission Requirements for MFA Application:

Submission of Digital Images:

The following requirements apply to still image submissions:

• All images must be in TIFF or JPG format, 20 images maximum.
• No image should exceed 1280 pixels in width or 1024 pixels in height.
• All images should be stored inside a folder labeled LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME
• Individual images should be labeled: LAST NAME_FIRST NAME_xx.ext (i.e.: Smith_John_01.tif, Smith_John_02.tif)
• Place the folder containing your images on a standard size CD
• Unreadable CDs will not be considered
• All submissions must be accompanied by a Microsoft Word formatted numbered image list containing: name, title, medium, dimensions and date. Place this file inside the folder with the images. List should be labeled: LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME_LIST.doc

Submission of Websites or Software:

The following requirements apply to website and software submissions:

• The webiste or portion of website to be considered must be viewable from a CD (do not send a URL)
• Interactive or software art must be playabell on a Macintosh computer
• Place software or website inside a folder labeled: LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME
• All submissions must be accompanied by a Microsoft Word formatted numbered list containing: name, title, medium, and date. Place this file inside the folder with the work
• All work must be contained on a standard size CD

Submission of Video or Video Documentation

The following requirements apply to video and video documentation submissions:

• All video must be submitted on DVD (NTSC or PAL)
• DVDs should be encoded either as 'region free' or 'region 1' to allow for playback on US systems
• Total length of video on DVD should not exceed twenty minutes
• DVD should encompass a representative sampling of your work (i.e. excerpts from several pieces as opposed to one longer piece)
• DVD should be clearly and legibly labeled: LASTNAME, FIRSTNAME (DVD)
• DVD should be accompanied by a one-page, printed numbered list of works indicating: name, title, year, duration (label the piece 'excerpt' if excerpted from a longer work) and medium (if applicable).

Information for prospective students:

If you are considering applying, or have questions regarding your application status, click here.

Contact the Director of Graduate Studies:

To arrange a visit, or inquire about the application process, email Prof Morse: bmorse1@umd.edu