Stony Brook University · United States
Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art
The Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio Art is a three-year terminal degree program at Stony Brook University, combining intensive studio practice with critical inquiry. Located between the art hubs of New York City and the Hamptons, the program offers a unique environment for study, balancing a quiet, spacious setting with close proximity to the vibrant art world.
The program intentionally limits its residency to a small cohort of no more than 20 students, ensuring individualized attention. Students are provided with private studio spaces in the graduate studios at Nassau Hall, which also features common areas, workshops, and computer facilities. Additional resources, including foundry, metals, wood shops, a ceramics studio, darkrooms, a shooting studio, printmaking facilities, and five digital labs with video capabilities, are available in the Staller Center. Various on-campus exhibition spaces are accessible, with students expected to participate in regular solo and group shows, culminating in the annual MFA exhibition in the Zuccaire Art Gallery.
Beyond studio work, MFA candidates are encouraged to broaden their academic experience by taking courses in art history, criticism, or other liberal arts disciplines. The program also offers opportunities to pursue graduate certificates in areas such as Art and Philosophy, Cultural Studies, and Women's Studies. A written thesis is a requirement for degree completion. Students will gain practical teaching experience by observing and later leading undergraduate courses for a minimum of two semesters.