The time when you finish your undergraduate program can be very confusing. There are a lot of options available, and it is a common crossroads point for many young adults. Continuing your master’s program is a choice that you may make, and even that can leave many unanswered questions. When looking to get a master’s degree in fine arts, you can choose to follow the traditional methods, or you can consider a low residency MFA in painting.
Traditional MFA Programs
MFA programs can follow the typical grad school pattern. They require 60 credit hours and are generally completed in two years. In those two years, students will be at the school for two semesters each year, for a total of four semesters. In that time, students have several different department led graduate classes and can work with a diverse course load, which provides a wide base for graduate work and research. The end result in traditional MFA programs will be a major thesis project that showcases the research accumulated over your two-year program.
Low-Residency MFA Programs
Low-residency programs follow a different structure, with the focus being on flexibility. This step follows a three-year plan, with three semesters of on-campus education. Summers will be spent on campus, attending graduate level classes that complement your area of study. During the other two semesters every year, you will be focused on studio work, and taking instruction via off-site methods. Support is still provided to the student during their off-campus semesters, but the focus is on being involved with art in a more organic way. This allows you to learn in an engaging method, and take part in the artistic community. Many artists also find the self-guided learning environment that low residency programs provide to be beneficial.
If you are considering a low-residency MFA in painting check out the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Visit their website at www.saic.edu for more information.
