Master of Fine Arts - Application Process
Southwest University of Visual Arts (SUVA) awards master’s degrees from the Fine Arts Department.
Click here for the MFA Programs application.
Eligibility
To be admitted to the Graduate School for the purpose of seeking an advanced degree you must be a graduate of an accredited four-year college or university. All other admission eligibility requirements are determined by each school or department.
Eligible Status Changes
- A admitted graduate student who wants to change majors is subject to review for acceptance per admission guidelines held by the new department. For currently enrolled graduate students a Change of Graduate Major form should be submitted to the new department along with any official documents and materials the new department requires for a review for acceptance into the new department. They do not submit the Graduate Application for Admission form or pay the application fee.
- Graduate students who are not currently enrolled wishing to return to SUVA into a new major should submit a Permission to Re-Register in the Graduate School form to the new department along with the required application materials. They do not submit the Graduate Application for Admission form or pay the application fee.
Graduate Classifications
Initial admission may be either conditional or unconditional. If a conditionally accepted student has not been granted unconditional admission after the completion of 36 credits of graduate course work, the Graduate School may ask why and recommend that a decision on the student’s status be made as soon as possible.
Degree Seeking Classifications
- Unconditional Master’s Students:
Students who have been accepted to an approved SUVA graduate program based on their eligibility and qualifications.
- Conditional Master’s Students:
Students who have been conditionally accepted (conditions of students acceptance is dependent upon the decisions made by each department's graduate admissions criteria and committees).
Non-Degree Classifications
Post baccalaureate (Bachelors degree) non-degree seeking Graduate
An applicant with a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution who wants to take graduate work as an admitted student, but does not intend to pursue a specific graduate degree may apply by submitting the official application form, the $50.00 application fee, a one page statement of purpose, and an official transcript from the college or university for all degrees awarded. Post baccalaureate non-degree seeking students can take up to 15 credits of graduate coursework and may be restricted to specific courses within each department. Fifteen credits taken may be considered by petition for acceptance toward Master’s degree requirements.
Post baccalaureate Non-Graduate Status
This is considered to be an Undergraduate status. If you are not interested in pursuing a graduate degree and want to earn a second undergraduate degree, and intend to take only undergraduate level course work as a graduate, you may apply for admission as a Post baccalaureate Non-graduate student through the Office of Admissions.
Application Process
The process of applying to a graduate level degree at SUVA is specific to each department
Click here for the MFA Programs application.
Each academic department:
- Determines their own application deadlines. (These may be set as early as January 1 for fall term admissions)
- Determines their own specific requirements for graduate admission.
Each applicant must become familiar with these requirements before applying. Inquiries concerning graduate admission should be addressed to Graduate Programs Admissions.
Application Deadlines
Although deadlines are set by departments, SUVA policy requires application submission no less than 30 days before the beginning of the term you have selected for enrollment.
Application Submission Procedures
Application for admission is two-fold. There is a general application to SUVA’s Graduate program as well as a departmental application. Both applications are accessed online at suva.edu graduate admissions and or by request sent to Graduate Admissions, Southwest University of Visual Arts.
If you have problems accessing the web-based application materials, please contact SUVA directly.
Note: If you have any questions, please contact SUVA admissions department. All applications must include the $50.00 application fee and must be submitted to the Office of Admissions.
Other Application Requirements
In addition to the graduate application, additional materials listed below must be submitted to the University.
Submit the following to the Office of Admissions, SUVA, 2525 N. Country Club, Tucson, AZ 85716:
- Official transcripts from all colleges or universities where you received a bachelor’s degree and all subsequent degrees. Transcripts must show degrees awarded. If you have not yet finished the degree at the time of application, please send the most up-to-date transcripts available.
- Letters of recommendation (check department instructions for number of letters required).
*Other materials required by the department. These may include test scores, writing samples, etc. Check with the department for a complete listing of required materials.
Applicants applying for the Masters of Fine Arts must also include:
- Artists Statement
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Portfolio
Painting and Drawing - 20 digital images of your work. Digital images should be 72 ppi, and between 800 and 1200 pixels for longest dimension, submitted on a DVD or CD.
Photography - 20 digital images or prints of your work. Digital images should be 72 ppi, and between 800 and 1200 pixels for longest dimension, submitted on a DVD or CD. Prints must be submitted un-matted and unframed.
Motion Arts - documentation of two completed time-based projects. Digital images (72 ppi, and between 800 and 1200 pixels for longest dimension), video, or web-based projects must be submitted on DVD or CD.
- Additional evidence of work in other creative fields may be submitted.
- List of images (include title, date, dimensions and medium).
- Three academic or professional letters of recommendation.
- Statement of Intent (500 words minimum) outlining interest in pursuing a graduate degree and how your intentions correlate with SUVA’s graduate program offerings.
*Incomplete application files will not be reviewed for admission consideration.
International applicants are also responsible for additional requirements. See Information for International Applicants.
General Graduate Admissions Information
- SUVA is on a semester system. (See the University Academic Calendar for term dates.)
- SUVA admits Master's degree students for fall term only, which begins in early September. Please consult the department for information regarding the appropriate term of admission for any other graduate admission status enrollment criteria.
- Applicants with SUVA Bachelor’s degrees must be admitted formally to the Graduate Program through the same process as a student from any other college or university. However, they do not need to submit SUVA transcripts to the Office of Admissions.
- Applicants with SUVA master’s degrees returning to pursue another graduate degree must comply with the new department’s application requirements and deadlines and submit a Permission to Re-Register form. They do not submit the Graduate Application for Admission form or pay the application fee.
- On rare occasions, a student from an unaccredited institution, or one that offers the equivalent of bachelor’s degree instruction but not the degree itself, may be considered for admission. The Graduate Admissions office has more information.
- You do have to finish the degree by the time you begin your graduate studies at SUVA. If you are still working on your degree at the time of application, you should send the most current transcripts available at the time. If you are accepted and enroll at SUVA as a graduate student, you will be required to show proof of your degree within the first two weeks of your first term.
- All application materials, including the link to the online application, are found at suva.edu. If you cannot find the link on the SUVA website, please contact the Admission’s office for instructions.
- If you plan to take fewer than 8 credits per term, you can enroll through conditional masters.
- If you want to be a full-time non-degree seeking student (enrolled in 9+ credits per term), you can apply as a Post-Baccalaureate Graduate Student. An applicant with a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution who wants to take graduate work as an admitted student but does not intend to pursue a specific graduate degree must submit the official application form, the $50.00 application fee, a one-page statement of purpose, and an official transcript from the college or university for all degrees awarded. Up to 15 credits of the graduate coursework taken may be considered by petition for acceptance toward Master’s degree requirements.
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