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Fine Arts

 

Take your talent to the next level with one of the best and most affordable Master of Fine Arts degrees in the nation at PennWest Edinboro.

The MFA program application deadline is February 1 for concentrations in Metals and Jewelry Making, Painting, Printmaking and Sculpture.

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Nationally Ranked

U.S. News & World Report names PennWest Edinboro's Master of Fine Arts degree one of the best in the nation. GradReports ranked Edinboro's MFA program #1 in 2020 based on tuition, median salaries and achievement.

Why Edinboro Stands Out.

If you are driven to develop your technical, aesthetic and conceptual competencies to the highest level, Edinboro's intensive three-year, 60-credit Master of Fine Arts program is perfect for you.

You'll have the opportunity to develop your skills by focusing your plan of study in Ceramics, Metals, Painting, Printmaking or Sculpture, with supplemental studies in art history, theory, criticism and contemporary practice.

The faculty and facilities of our nationally recognized Art Department ensure you both develop your artistic skills and find ways to market them in the creative economy.

Our alumni boast a record of excellence throughout the U.S. in the fields of art practice, academia and arts administration. All are prepared for lifelong research and routinely exhibit and publish their work in their specific field of study.

PennWest Edinboro has been a NASAD-accredited (National Association of Schools of Art and Design) since 2007. The University recently celebrated its 100th anniversary of education in visual art and art education.

Plan of Study

Distinguished Alumni

William H. "Bill" Campbell, '74, receives this year’s Distinguished Alumni Award for his creativity, business savvy and more than 30 years of service and dedication to making the Edinboro region a place known for creativity.

 

How Edinboro Supports You.

Only a limited number of candidates are accepted into this prestigious program. That means you will work directly with our dedicated faculty every step of the way. You'll have 24-hour access to your own studio, where you can develop your artistic talents.

Your faculty advisor will help you design your plan of study, which includes 30 hours of studio coursework in your areas of specialization plus an additional 30 hours of graduate-level work. You will mount a major studio exhibit and complete a required residency before earning your M.F.A. degree.

You'll receive funding through a full graduate assistantship with stipend and partial tuition waiver.

Join a Dynamic Community of Artists.

You'll thrive as an artist when you're surrounded by other creative talent at PennWest Edinboro. The Art Department has the widest array of studio offerings within the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and is a program of distinction at Edinboro.

Award-Winning Work.

View the portfolios from student competitions and faculty exhibits.

A Place to Create.

Immerse yourself in an exciting, artistic environment. Visiting artists provide inspiration, student organizations offer support, and studio facilities enable you to develop your own personal aesthetic.

Questions About This Program?

Terry McKelvey
Graduate Studio Arts Program Head
201 Hamilton Hall
Email: tmckelvey@pennwest.edu
Phone: 814-732-1155

Fact Sheet

Art Fee

  • Art is one of Edinboro's most expensive programs due to high technology expenses and small-sized studio classes. For classes with an ART course prefix, this fee helps cover some of these expenses and is calculated as 25% (effective 2021-2022 school year) of the tuition rate per credit.
  • The fee covers only a portion of the actual expenses and is set at a minimal level to keep the program affordable relative to other competitive art programs.
  • This fee will not be charged for Art History or Art Education courses.

Start Today.

Take charge of your experience. Ask questions, meet our students and professors, and see the campus yourself.

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Similar Programs

Edinboro offers several other graduate programs in the arts, including:
Master of Arts (MA)
Master of Arts (MA)
Master of Arts (MA)