Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art

The MFA program is dedicated to helping students understand both the making and theorizing of art against the background of the diverse intellectual environment of a major university, and within the context of local and international art communities. The MFA degree is also the standard qualifying degree for teaching visual arts at the post-secondary level. Most students are given the opportunity to teach foundation courses as Teaching Assistants, thus providing them valuable experience in visual arts instruction.

Each MFA student receives his/her own private studio (approximately 250 square feet) and access to the department's extensive facilities including a state-of-the art Photo/Digital lab, Printmaking unit, and Workshop. MFAs participate in an intensive weekly studio seminar that is also a forum for critical discussions about leading issues in contemporary art, visual culture, and cultural theory. Students take additional academic coursework to enrich their particular focus, and present their Major Paper research and artwork to peers, faculty, and the public at their final oral presentation (occurring in the summer of their final year) and at a final critique (occurring during their graduation exhibition). Open Studios, interdepartmental critiques, and organised exhibitions showcase the students' art production and broaden their exposure to the local art scene and beyond.

Applicants to the MFA in visual art normally hold a BFA, BA, or BEd degree with a major in studio arts. This bachelor’s degree normally requires four years of study with a B+ average in third and fourth year-level coursework. From Quebec, a three-year bachelor’s degree is acceptable provided the Diplome d’Etudes Collegiales (D.E.C.) has been previously awarded. It is strongly advised that, at minimum, an applicant has 18 academic credits of non-studio courses at the 300 level or above, with at least a B+ (76%) standing in each. This is to ensure that, if admitted, the student will benefit from the academic components of the program.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

TOEFL (IBT) OVERALL SCORE REQUIREMENT

100
ibT Reading 22
ibT Writing 21
ibT Listening 22
ibT Speaking 21

IELTS OVERALL SCORE REQUIREMENT

7.0
IELTS Reading 6.5
IELTS Writing 6.5
IELTS Listening 6.5
IELTS Speaking 6.5