Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)
Master of Fine Arts in Photography and Related Media
Rochester, USA
Master degree
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 41,424 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* $41,424 - $54,974 | based on credits taken
Key Summary
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The masters in photography and related media emphasize a broad interpretation of photography as a conceptual art form, with the intention of inspiring and nurturing the individuality of each student as a creative, productive artist. This photography master's degree program encourages graduate study in photography and related media as a means to personal, aesthetic, intellectual, and career development.
The curriculum provides a focus of study that is continually sensitive to the needs of each student, building upon the strengths each individual brings to the program. Successful completion of the program enables students to seek careers in fields including education, museum or gallery work, or as self-employed visual artists.
Accreditation
The MFA program in photography and related media is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
RIT awards more than $37 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 10% - 40% of tuition. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
Optional Co-Op
Cooperative education is paid work assignments with corporations and organizations around the U.S. and abroad. Co-op allows students to spend one or more semesters employed in a full-time, paid position related to their academic program before they graduate. Many students use co-op earnings to help finance their education.
Work-Study
Graduate students studying full-time may apply to work part-time on campus. RIT has more than 9,000 jobs available yearly, and students typically work 10 – 20 hours per week. International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa may work up to 20 hours per week on campus and 40 hours during break periods.
Distribution of work within these guidelines is subject to modification based upon the candidate’s background, abilities, and interests. Modifications in this prescribed program thereafter must be approved and recorded.
Photography and related media, MFA degree, typical course sequence
First Year
- PHGR-701 Histories and Aesthetics of Photography I
- PHGR-702 Histories and Aesthetics of Photography II
- PHGR-703 Studio Core I
- PHGR-704 Studio Core II
- PHGR-716 Integrated Practices I
- PHGR-717
- Integrated Practices II
- CAD Studio Elective*
- Free Electives
Second Year
- PHGR-721 Research Core I
- PHGR-723 Research Core II
- PHGR-724 Professional Development for the Emerging Artist
- PHGR-890 Thesis
- Free Electives
Electives
Elective courses are available in areas such as, but not limited to, video, printmaking, painting, sculpture, communication design, crafts, bookmaking, graphic design, new media, computer graphics, art history, and archival preservation and conservation. A complete list of graduate electives is available through the student's adviser. There are also graduate electives offered throughout the university. Students also have opportunities to enhance their studies through independent studies and internships.
Thesis
Matriculation from the MFA program is obtained when the student has completed and mounted their graduate thesis exhibition, successfully passed their thesis defense, and submitted their thesis publication. The thesis must be an original body of work appropriate to the major commitment of the degree. The thesis publication is documentation of the thesis project, which must be submitted in digital form. It must contain an extended artist statement and a presentation of the majority of thesis artwork. The thesis defense is a public presentation made by the student, in an explanation of the thesis project, creative research, and exhibition.
The program provides students with the opportunity to use the still and moving image as a means to:
- Develop as a practicing artist.
- Pursue a professional career and earn a livelihood.
- Enrich their personal lives and society as a whole.
- Create a community of creativity, scholarship, and purpose.