Hartford Art School

Hartford Art School
University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117

860.768.4827
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Office of Admission and
Student Financial Assistance
University of Hartford
200 Bloomfield Avenue
West Hartford, CT 06117

860.768.4276

Graduate Students

Candidates for admission are expected to be graduates of Bachelor of Fine Arts programs at accredited colleges or universities. In some cases, equivalent training and/or professional activity may be substituted for the BFA degree. Admission to the Master of Fine Arts program is based upon the following criteria:

Applicants must submit the following:

1. Completed Application
2. Portfolio
3. Undergraduate Transcripts
4. 3 Letters of Recomendation
5. Statement of Intent
6. Interview

Details of Required Items

Portfolio

The portfolio will be judged for the quality of its work, a coherent vision and a clear direction in content/subject area. It should be accompanied by an artist’s statement that demonstrates the applicant’s ability to articulate ideas about their work in clear, concise language. The portfolio should consist of 20 slides (or CD format) that are clearly numbered and/or labeled, stating title, dimensions and medium.

Undergraduate Transcripts

The undergraduate transcript should reflect extensive preparation in the student’s discipline, indicating an ability to succeed at the graduate level. Strong preparation in the history of art is required.

Three Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required from former art faculty and/ or other qualified professionals to assess quality in artistic production and collegiality.

Statement of Intent

This statement should reflect the applicant’s purpose in deciding to pursue graduate study in visual art. The statement should reflect how the applicant sees his/her work within the context of contemporary art.

Interview

It is recommended that a candidate visit the Hartford Art School and arrange to have a personal interview with a faculty member in the Graduate Program. If a visit is not possible, it is recommended that the candidate have a phone interview with a faculty member in the program.

Residency Requirements of Full-time and Part-time Students

MFA degree requirements may be completed on either a full or part-time basis. Full-time graduate study is defined as a minimum of nine credits and a maximum of 15 credits of graduate course work during an academic semester. Part-time study is defined as three to eight credits of graduate course work in an academic semester. Studio/workspaces are provided to all full-time students as they are available. Part-time students will receive studio/workspaces at the discretion of the faculty only when available.

Candidates for the Master of Fine Arts degree are expected to be in residence for most of their program of study. Residency is defined as being actively registered and participating in course work during an academic semester.

Graduate students are expected to maintain continuous registration during the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. All degree requirements must be completed within seven years of the date of admission to the program.

Graduate students may request a leave of absence in writing, and, if approved by the Graduate Director and Dean of the Hartford Art School, this time will not be counted against the residency requirement.

Graduate students on approved leave of absence must register for leave of absence through the Office of the Registrar, University of Hartford. In some instances, graduate students completing remedial work prior to beginning graduate study, or during the course of their graduate program, will be considered on leave of absence and such time will not be counted against the residency requirement.

Because of the nature of tutorial instruction, graduate students may not register for tutorials in semesters other than the fall or spring. Students may register for elective credits and/or art history credits during academic periods other than the fall or spring semesters.

Thesis exhibition credits must also be taken during the fall or spring semesters, and the thesis exhibition must be presented in the semester in which the 60 credit hours are completed.

Scholarships/Assistantships:

Scholarships for study in the Master of Fine Arts program are determined at the time of admission into the program. The Graduate Director, in consultation with the Dean of the Hartford Art School, will determine the financial value of a graduate scholarship.

Graduate teaching assistantships are not required as part of the degree program but may be arranged for those students interested in pursuing a career in teaching at the college level. Assistantships are unpaid appointments for elective credit and are arranged through the Graduate Director with the approval of a faculty member. Teaching Assistants will be required to attend and assist in all class sessions.

Assistantships are limited to six credits, and these credits may be used only to fulfill elective requirements. Assistantships cannot be used as a substitute for seminars, tutorials, art history, or any portion of the thesis requirements. Students interested in assistantships should consult with the Graduate Director during the semester prior to undertaking the assistantship.