School of Fine Art

MFA Program Learning Outcomes

The MFA curriculum in Fine Art allows students to concentrate on Painting, Printmaking or Sculpture with a focus on technical and conceptual development. The departments provide graduate students with studio space, exhibition galleries and state of the art facilities and equipment. The program encourages interpretations and exploration of imagery in either figurative or non-objective art. The courses are taught by a faculty of professional artists and focus on combining technical mastery with personal vision.

The resulting independently conceived portfolio/body of work is critically appraised and subject to evaluation by faculty and professionals at the graduate student's Final Review, and is professionally exhibited to the fine art community in San Francisco's gallery district.

MFA graduates of the School of Fine Art will meet the following student performance criteria:

• MFA Thesis Project

  • Present an original thesis concept worthy of the MFA degree
  • Demonstrate the feasibility of their thesis project
  • Produce a body of professional-level artwork warranting a professional gallery exhibit, demonstrating personal vision, rigor and cohesiveness in style, group and concept

• Visual Communication

  • Work with advanced level skill in a chosen medium or mediums.

• Planning and Conceptual Development

  • Conduct project-related research
  • Explore ideas and articulate concepts.
  • Choose appropriate materials and techniques to support concepts.

• Critical Analysis

  • Critically evaluate their work using objective criteria: describing facts, analyzing composition, interpreting content, and judging results.
  • Improve their work based on critiques and committee feedback.
  • Sculpture: Place their work in historical and contemporary context in their proposal, final paper and directed study journals.

• Communication Skills

  • Give clear and concise professional presentations (verbal and visual).
  • Professionally present their ideas in writing.

• Professional Readiness

  • Produce a gallery-ready professional portfolio.
  • Produce professional promotional materials for their own work.

Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:

1. Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
2. Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
3. Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
4. Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
5. Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
6. Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
7. Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.

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