Master of Fine Arts in Visual Art (Full Residency)

Program overview

The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) program in Visual Art is an interdisciplinary, immersive experience that combines the strengths of both full-residency and low-residency models. Designed as a two-and-a-half-year curriculum, it supports committed artists who seek to deepen their creative practice while engaging in rigorous academic study.

During full-residency semesters at our R1 university, students take advanced coursework in art history, theory, and criticism, while developing original research and significant creative work in their studios.

These intensive semesters are complemented by 10-day summer and winter low-residency sessions - held at the Lake Tahoe campus  - which offer opportunities for place-based research and experimental projects. These sessions foster deeper creativity and expand students’ understanding of the artist’s role in contemporary society.

Low-residency sessions also provide valuable opportunities to connect with faculty and peers in the Low-Residency MFA program, whose participants come from across the country. This creates a vibrant, diverse community and a rich environment for professional networking and artistic exchange.

people sitting in chairs watching an art presentation

Program highlights

  • Extensive one-on-one mentorship with our distinguished professional faculty.
  • Spacious private graduate studios with 24-hour access.
  • Access to specialized art studio labs, including book arts and publication press, ceramics, digital media, drawing, fabrication, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture.
  • A dynamic visiting artist program that includes individual studio visits.
  • Numerous opportunities to exhibit work on and off campus.
people standing in snow on Lake Tahoe campus

Graduate funding

All full-residency MFA students receive a 20-hour Graduate Assistantship and scholarships during their first two years. In the fifth and final semester, students are awarded an increased scholarship amount. These funding packages typically cover the full cost of tuition and fees and provide support for living expenses.

MFA Funding Information
Student stands in art studio mixing paint on table

Apply to the MFA program
Art exhibition on a river

MFA (low-residency)
Bones on wooden blocks displayed in museum

Program information
Negative Images on a lighted background

Graduate student profiles

Follow us on Instagram

Follow us on Instagram to stay up to date on our program, get updates on upcoming events, and explore artwork by our current MFA students.

MFA Instagram
three people holding awards smiling at camera