The Division of Sculpture Dimensional Studies at Alfred University fosters progressive creative growth while stimulating innovative technical and conceptual development in each individual student. The diverse faculty aim to foster thoughtful exploration into a wide range of materials and processes that challenge and examine the ever-expanding field of sculpture.
School/Division
School of Art and Design
Campus Locations
Main Campus - Alfred, NY
Degrees
Sculpture Dimensional Studies (MFA)
The Sculpture Dimensional Studies two-year program is highly competitive; up to five Sculpture Dimensional Studies students are admitted annually. Each accepted MFA candidate is given full tuition funding and a financial stipend as a teaching assistant within the School of Art and Design program.
Each year, candidates of the Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) and Master of Fine Art (MFA) degrees showcase their work in a series of culminating thesis exhibitions.
See Student Work
The MFA program simultaneously prepares graduate students to be both practicing artists and teachers. We are ranked nine among MFA granting schools overall, and our glass art concentration is ranked number three nationally by U.S. News and World Report.
In addition to studio courses, all graduate students take credits in a series of seminars, art history, studio electives and technical courses relevant to their area of study. In the second year, students write a thesis and present an MFA thesis exhibition in the School of Art and Design’s Fosdick-Nelson Gallery, Robert C. Turner Gallery, or an approved alternate site.
Courses for the MFA program in Sculpture Dimensional Studies are listed in our digital Graduate Catalog.
In addition to studio advising and critical reviews of work by the full team of core faculty in Sculpture Dimensional Studies, all graduate students take credits in a series of seminars, art history, studio electives and technical courses relevant to their area of study.
In the second year, students work in seminars and individually with advisors on a written thesis as a supporting document to their MFA thesis exhibition. Thesis exhibitions are in the School of Art and Design’s Fosdick-Nelson Gallery, Robert C. Turner Gallery or an approved alternate site.
Degree requirements include two years of residence and a minimum of sixty graduate credit hours. Critical reviews of studio work and evaluation of progress in the program are scheduled at midterm and the end of each semester.
Applicants for admission should hold the baccalaureate degree with the equivalent of sixty credit hours in studio courses. A portfolio of completed works could be considered the equivalent of some studio courses.
In addition to the transcripts and letters of recommendation required of all students, applicants to the MFA program must present a portfolio showing competency in their art practice. When submitting the portfolio to Slideroom be sure to indicate the program for which you are applying and provide appropriate portfolio.
The School of Art and Design at Alfred University offers graduate study in multiple divisional areas: Ceramic Art, Electronic Integrated Arts, Sculpture Dimensional Studies and Painting. Applicants should make clear to which MFA program they are applying.
All applications are made through the Graduate Admissions Office and all supporting documents and the portfolio must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office by January 15th of the application year. Only completed applications will be forwarded to the Faculty Review Committee. No applications for January enrollment are considered.
Accepted applicants must make a $200 deposit and return a signed contract as directed in the notification of acceptance or their acceptance becomes void.
In addition to a grant for full tuition waiver for both years of residency in the program, each MFA student in Sculpture Dimensional Studies is guaranteed an assistantship for each semester of the two-year program. Graduate assistantships consist of three types: a teaching assistantship, a teaching internship, and a facilities coordinator. In all cases, the student receives a stipend of $7,000 for the academic year.
Graduate teaching assistants are intended to support the graduate candidate by providing fist-hand experience in academic teaching and experience in the oversight of a large and complex facility. All assistants have a commitment of approximately 10 hours/week to meet the requirements of the stipend. Assignments are made in consultation among faculty, students and division chairs at the beginning of each semester.
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