The M.F.A. degree is a 60-credit program and students normally take 16 credits each term. Candidates for the degree are required to present an exhibition of creative work in their final term. In addition, two copies of a written thesis accompanied by CDs, slides, and/or photographs of their creative work are submitted to the Dean's Office after committee approval. This combination of exhibition and thesis with accompanying visual material constitutes the candidate's final examination and is evaluated by the faculty.

All first-year students have their work evaluated by the faculty at the end of each term. At the end of their first year (or after completion of 30 credits), their standing in the program is reviewed. Students are expected to complete the program in two years; however, the faculty may occasionally recommend --or students may elect--continuation of matriculation for a fifth term or third year to allow for a fuller development of their thesis or exhibition.

Requirements

Sixty core, or approved, credits are required for the Master of Fine Arts degree. A normal semester load is 16 credits per semester.

First Year students are required to register for Visiting Artists/First Year Review (081:521-522) both semesters. Visiting Artists/First Year Review is offered as a required course carrying four credits each semester. The course features presentations from artists and critics invited to the school. Each student will participate in a limited number of individual studio visits.

First Year Reviews and Exhibitions of work: The first year class, at the end of their first semester, will present a first year review exhibition, which is critiqued by the faculty. At the end of the second semester, the faculty reviews first year students' work in their studios. Any student, whose work is not satisfactory is informed in writing by the Graduate Director upon recommendation of the graduate review faculty. Passing both reviews is a prerequisite for passing the first year review class which is required to continue in the program. An unsatisfactory review may result in probation and may possibly be followed by artistic dismissal from the school. This decision may be taken independently of a student's grades in courses in which they may be enrolled. There is no appeal of an artistic dismissal.

Second year students must register for the following courses in their final Spring semester: 08:081:703 Thesis and 08:081:704: Exhibition. The thesis exhibition takes place in the Civic Square Building galleries throughout the final spring term. These presentations are subject to committee review, consultation, and evaluation of the thesis committee and other members of the graduate faculty.

The written component of the M.F.A. thesis requirement includes preparation of a thesis abstract of one page or more to be submitted at the beginning of the thesis process. It may define, explain, and conceptualize the artist’s work and reasoning behind it, be more or less research oriented, or function as an extension of the thesis exhibition.  The final document may be longer but not shorter than ten pages.  Graduation is contingent upon successfully completing both the written thesis and the exhibition with faculty approval by all three members of the exhibition committee.

A student may take 4 credits of research projects per semester with the permission of the faculty member. Upper-division undergraduate (300-level and 400-level) courses may be taken for graduate credit with the permission from the Graduate Director. No more than two such courses may be counted toward the degree.

If a student receives a grade of incomplete, the course must be completed to the satisfaction of the instructor within the next two semesters for the grade of incomplete to be cleared.

The program is full time with rare exceptions approved by the Graduate Director. Full-time status is defined as registration for 12 credits or more. To be a Teaching Assistant a person must be enrolled as a full-time student.

Rutgers Courses in Other Departments
Graduate courses outside the Visual Arts Department may be taken for degree credit if they are relevant to the program, on the approval of the graduate director.

Transfer of Graduate Credits
Transfer of graduate credits from another program cannot be considered until the student has completed 12 credits (generally, one semester) in the Mason Gross graduate program. Transfer of Credit forms are available from the Visual Arts Office.

Extra Graduation Credits
Graduate students who have deficiencies in any academic area will be required to pursue extra graduation credits toward the elimination of the deficiency. For example, entering students showing a lack of knowledge of contemporary art may be asked to take a remedial course. The requirement for extra graduation credit will be disclosed by the faculty, through the Graduate Director. All such written statements will become part of the student's file.

Continuation beyond the Normal Two Years
Any student working full time at outside employment or otherwise having difficulty fulfilling degree requirements within two years can apply to the Graduate Director for a third year in which to complete the requirements. In some circumstances the director or the faculty may suggest that a student continue beyond the second year. A studio is not provided to a graduate student in the third year.

If the graduate thesis is the only requirement left unfulfilled and it will be completed by October of the academic year following, the student need not register for a third year. However, if the thesis will not be completed until the end of the Fall semester, the student must register for "Matriculation Continued." Maintaining "Matriculation Continued" status until all requirements are completed is important for avoiding problems of readmission. The time limit for completing the degree is four years from the time of matriculation.

Studios and Studio Regulations
Studio space is issued to students based upon availability. Although every student will receive studio space, studios may have to be shared. Incoming students may move into their studios beginning July 1st. After paying a maintenance deposit fee of $200.00. This deposit will be refunded if the studio is left in satisfactory condition (empty, clean, and repainted), which means you are responsible for spackling and sanding all holes and painting your studio with flat white latex paint.  If oil or enamel paints have been applied to the walls, you must apply Primer Select 1,2,3.  Spot painting is not allowed.  All garbage must be placed in the dumpsters on each floor; nothing is to be left in the hallways or outside of the studios.  The floor must be swept, leaving no possessions behind including old furniture (except department's furniture: black cabinet, chair, stool, table, and red garbage can).  Storage of materials and personal property cannot be granted to anyone beyond the period of full matriculation.  The latest date for vacating a studio is commencement day when the Graduate Director and/or Department Chair representative will inspect the studios to make sure all conditions have been met.  If the Graduate Director and/or Department Chair representative do not feel you have responsibly met these obligations, your studio deposit is forfeited, and there will be no appeal.

At all times hallways must be clean. NOTHING MUST BE PLACED IN THE HALLWAYS. Periodically and without prior notice the Fire Department inspects the building and if necessary will issue warnings and then fines. Studios may be locked with University locks only. This is a University regulation enforced by the Division of Fire and Safety, which also imposes other conditions upon students' use of their studios. ALL ART WORK AND POSSESSIONS USED IN STUDIOS AND THE GALLERY ARE NOT COVERED BY RUTGERS UNIVERSITY INSURANCE. All students must comply with the University's fire-regulation code. Caution should be used with all flammable materials. Studios are not to be used as a place of residence.  No bedding is permitted.  EATING, DRINKING, OR SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED in the studios.  Hot pots are illegal, as are hot plates, toaster ovens, microwaves, and extension cords. The Division of Fire and Safety regularly exercises its right of access to the studios, and violations of the Fire Code may cause the student to lose his or her studio privileges.

Use of studios is contingent upon following EPA Guidelines for the Safe and Environmentally Responsible Use of Art Materials, which are available to students in printed form and is part of the introductory lecture in studio courses where appropriate.  Failure to comply will result in revocation of studio privileges. Clean up procedures include mineral spirits disposed in the 5 gallon drum located in the paint cleanup room on the 4th floor and all excess pain and paint cans (including aerosol) are placed in the same 4th floor cleanup room and not tossed in trash cans or dumpsters.