The M.F.A. in the Maria Manetti Shrem Art Studio Program is a two-year program. Our academic year is divided into three 10-week quarters (Fall, Winter and Spring). View the course plan details here.

Degree progress

Accepted students spend two quarters on a conditional basis. During the second quarter, the student presents a body of work done at UC Davis for faculty review (Art 291). If Art 291 is passed, the conditional status is removed.

In the fourth quarter, the graduate student presents a new body of work for faculty criticism and review (Art 292). Passing Art 292 indicates the student is ready to undertake the production of a comprehensive body of work.

Final exhibition

During the final two quarters, the artist completes a body of independent artwork known as the comprehensive project. It is presented as an exhibition. If the faculty accepts the work, the M.F.A. degree is granted.

The final exhibition/comprehensive project (Art 299D) is a body of original work done instead of a written thesis. The work is required to show involvement and commitment of the highest quality. It should be of the depth and quality of a solo exhibition in a reputable commercial or public gallery or, in the case of site-specific works, of a similar professional quality in consideration of siting, process, and fabrication. The student will place this artwork in one of the galleries either on campus or in the city of Davis. This exhibition is known as the Annual M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition. It is usually scheduled in the month of June. M.F.A. candidates submit a package at the time of their thesis review which includes: an artist statement, a resume, a CD/DVD of 20 images, including the work from the Thesis Exhibition, and an annotated image index.

Typical Course of Study (12 units each quarter)

Miscellaneous course notes:

Courses below represent a typical course of study based on the MFA Handbook and the exact course numbers may change each year.

Foreign language and art history courses are not required.

Art 299 is individual work under a specified faculty member.

First-Year courses

Fall

• Art 221A Critical Exploration and Collaboration (4 units)
• Art 290A Critical Discourse in Contemporary Art (4 units)
• Art 299 Independent Study (4 units)

Winter

• Art 223 Concepts and Critiques (4 units)
• Art 290B Critical Discourse in Studio Practice (4 units)
• Electives – Graduate or Upper Division level in any subject on campus (4 units)
• (First Year Review)

Spring

• Art 224 Theory & Concepts on Critical Issues in Contemporary Art (4 units)
• Art 290C Critical Discourse in Materiality (4 units)
• Electives – Graduate or Upper Division level in any subject on campus (4 units)

Second-Year courses

Fall

• Art 221B Advanced Critical Exploration & Collaboration (4 units)
• Art 290D Critical Discourse in Context (4 units)
• Art 299 Independent Study (4 units)
• (Second year review)

• Winter

Winter

• Art 226 Exhibition Strategy & Thesis Seminar (4 units) or Art 225 Professional Practice in Contemporary Art (4 units)
• Art 290E Critical Discourse on Media (4 units)
• Art 299D Comprehensive Project (4)
• (File Advancement to Candidacy mid-January for second year students)

Spring

• Art 299D Comprehensive Project (8 units)
• ART 290F Critical discourse in Presentation (4 units)
• THESIS REVIEW – THESIS EXHIBITION – COMMENCEMENT