Tufts University - Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Post-Baccalaureate in Studio Art
Medford, USA
Postgraduate Certificate
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
About: The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate at Tufts SMFA offers a one-year intensive studio art programme focused on rigorous art-making, portfolio development, and individual mentoring by faculty. It suits recent graduates, career changers, and working artists who want study in painting, sculpture, photography, digital media, and interdisciplinary practice. You’ll get studio access, critique, and prep for graduate study or practice as an artist.
Career Outcomes: Graduates often pursue an MFA, independent practice, or careers as professional artists. They may also work as gallery artists, curators, arts administrators, educators, illustrators, art directors, or industry professionals. Career opportunities include exhibition, teaching, and museum/gallery roles.
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate is a one-year program that offers intensive studio art study and individual development closely advised and supported by SMFA faculty. The program is ideal for students who have completed a bachelor's degree and want to immerse themselves in rigorous studio art-making. Whether you have recently graduated or are changing careers, the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in art or for professional practice as an artist.
The Post-Baccalaureate program attracts applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. Some Post-Baccalaureate students are recent college graduates seeking a year of intensive studio education before beginning independent work as artists. Others come to initiate professional art practice after working in a different field. Still, others are working artists who seek to expand their skills or explore new media.
Why the Post-Baccalaureate Program?
Completion of the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate prepares you for a variety of paths. Some students go on to graduate degree programs, such as the MFA, many others participate as fellows in professional artists' residencies. Whether immediately or after further formal study, most graduates sustain professional practice as artists.
Intensive time in the studio
With a curriculum of courses of your choosing, with guidance from your faculty mentor, your Post-Baccalaureate year allows you to immerse yourself in your studio work. You may choose to focus on one medium—or explore mediums across the curriculum.
A focus on contemporary art
Post-Baccalaureate students actively engage the contemporary art world through field trips and dialogue with visiting artists. Readings, gallery visits, and class discussions focus on contemporary art and examine how each student's artwork and professional aims fit into that historical context.
Studio space
Each Post-Baccalaureate student has the use of an individual studio space in the Mission Hill building at 160 St. Alphonsus St., a short walk from 230 Fenway and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. For most of the semester, students have 24-hour access to studio spaces and facilities.
A close-knit community
Post-Baccalaureate students develop a sense of camaraderie as they work closely with one another and with faculty in weekly seminars, in joint and individual critiques of artwork, and in discussions of students' development and needs.
Coursework & Requirements
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program is a one-year program that consists of two full-time semesters of studio courses (including the Post-Baccalaureate Seminar), plus one Visual and Critical Studies (Art History) course.
Studio art
Post-Baccalaureate students register for 3.5 credits of studio art coursework each semester of the program, chosen from across the SMFA curriculum. SMFA awards credit for studio art at the end of each semester during Review Boards.
Visual and critical studies (Art history)
All Post-Baccalaureate students take a one-credit course in Art History, either in the spring or the fall semester.
Post-Baccalaureate seminar
The Seminar is a mandatory core component of the curriculum during both fall and spring semesters. The Seminar includes professional presentations, student presentations, directed group discussions and writing projects, critiques of work, and visits to museums, galleries, collections, and other sites.
