Academics > Graduate Studies > MFA Art Practice

MFA Art Practice Curriculum

Degree Requirements

The MFA Art Practice program’s course of study addresses a wide range of intellectual, aesthetic, technical and practical concerns. An underlying thread across the curriculum is the ability to situate one’s creative practice within a thoroughly considered social context.


The program’s low-residency framework comprises three intensive summer residency periods on SVA’s campus in the heart of Chelsea in New York City, and four semesters of rigorous, highly interactive rich-media coursework that can be completed from anywhere in the world. Throughout the program, each artist also works under the close guidance of an assigned mentor.


Artists in the program engage in research-based practices, and are encouraged to converse and collaborate across subject matters using a combination of traditional and non-traditional media, technologies and techniques. Students combine personal narrative with critical theory to create works that comment on societal issues. The atmosphere is one that promotes experimentation without fear of failure.


General Requirements 

  • Successful completion of 60 credits, including all required courses and the thesis project and written thesis document approved by the Thesis Committee. Documentation of all thesis components must be on file in the Art Practice Department to be eligible for degree conferral. 
  • A matriculation of three summers on-site and four semesters (fall and spring)
  • of low residency. Students must complete their degree within six years, unless given an official extension by the provost. 
  • Art Practice grades on a pass/fail system. Students are required to remain in good academic standing.

  • First Year Requirements

  • Second Year Requirements

  • Third Year Requirements

  • General Course Listing

MFA Art Practice
335 West 16th Street, 5th floor
New York, NY 10011
Tel:  212.592.2781
people talking and pointing to an art piece