Master of Fine Arts in Photography

NYFA’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Degree in Photography program provides a creative, energizing setting for photographers to develop, challenge, and master their skills and talents. By combining lectures and critiques with intense learning, students acquire an in-depth understanding and appreciation of still photography, its history, and photographic theories, learning to integrate knowledge and creativity with hands-on experience. Throughout their time at NYFA, students engage with a diverse international student body and a core faculty of working professionals. Through challenging, practical coursework, instructors help students keep pace with technological and industry changes, pushing them to excel in all the areas needed to advance in an ever-evolving art form.
In NYFA’s MFA program, students choose a fine art, fashion, documentary, journalistic or commercial approach and are evaluated by the professional standards established for those genres. As NYFA embraces all lens-based media, the MFA program offers a unique curriculum that includes digital and film-based photography, stills and moving images, as well as:

Introductory and advanced coursework in classes such as Lighting, Imaging, Printing, as well as a selection of courses in Business, Marketing, Theory, History, and Art Practice. Classes stress critical theory, history, and technical aptitude and center on contemporary issues
Instruction by expert photography faculty and staff who actively work in commercial or fine art photography
Access to a wide selection of professional-grade cameras and lighting kits
Guest lectures and critiques by Photographers, Artists, and Curators, are ever-present opportunities for additional learning and inspiration

To be admitted into the Master of Fine Arts program at NYFA, students must possess a Bachelor\u2019s degree from a post-secondary institution recognized by the United States Department of Education or a college or university outside of the U.S. that is recognized as a degree-granting institution by their respective governments. The ideal applicant must demonstrate a sincere passion and aptitude for visual storytelling and the ability and desire to pursue graduate-level work and scholarly research in his/her chosen discipline. No particular major or minor is required as a prerequisite for admission, but applicants with a strong background in the visual arts are preferred. While an applicant\u2019s GPA will be taken into consideration and is an important component of the admissions process, the strength of the candidate\u2019s Narrative Statement and Creative Portfolio is a significant determining factor for admission. All students pursuing a graduate degree from the New York Film Academy must submit an official, final undergraduate transcript in order to complete their application. MFA applicants must submit a minimum of three (3) letters of recommendation verifying the applicant\u2019s ability to successfully take on graduate study in the relevant field. MFA applicants must submit a portfolio TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 or higher (213 for computer-based test or 79 for internet-based test); IELTS 6.5 or the equivalent. A report from a valid English Language School verifying completion of course level equivalent to a 550 Paper-based TOEFL Score.