Master of Fine Arts

The LSU School of Art offers graduate students seven concentrations leading to the Master of Fine Arts: ceramics, digital art, graphic design, painting & drawing, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The MFA is a three-year program. Students are required to complete 60 hours of coursework, a thesis paper, a public exhibition, and oral defense of their work.

Download the MFA Graduate Student Handbook.

Admission Requirements

Admissions are selective and applicants are evaluated on the basis of GPA, letters of recommendation, and portfolio quality. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree—Bachelor of Arts (BA), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), or a Bachelor of Science (BS)—to be considered for the graduate program. Up to 12 hours of graduate credit may be transferred from NASAD-accredited institutions within the United States. For restrictions, please see the Graduate School Bulletin under “Transfer of credit.” Please note that a GRE score is not required for admission to the MFA program.

Admission Procedures

Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art graduate applicants MUST apply to both the LSU Graduate School and the LSU School of Art.

LSU Graduate School Admissions

Candidates can apply online at the Graduate Admission Application. Please direct questions to the graduate school at 225-578-2311. Application deadline for assistantship eligibility is February 1 for the following fall semester.

The following materials are required:

  • Application for admission to the LSU Graduate School, including a narrative statement of purpose
  • Application fee
  • One set of official transcripts for all previous college or university work
  • Appropriate test scores (for many international applicants, TOEFL)

LSU School of Art Admissions

To apply for the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Art program at the LSU School of Art, candidates must also complete a short online form for admission into the School of Art indicating their proposed concentration at lsuart.slideroom.com.

The following materials are required:

  • Completed online application
  • Letter of intent
  • Resume
  • Twenty images of recent work
  • Three letters of Recommendation

Learn More

MA/MFA Brochure

View past graduate student exhibition catalog: Virtuality

View past graduate thesis work: Thesis Portfolios

More information: School of Art Programs

Follow on social media: Instagram

Contact

Additional questions may be directed to artmfa@lsu.edu.