Overview Students applying for acceptance into the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology programs must have a cumulative minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for admission into the program. Applicants with GPA ratings between 2.5 and below 3.0 will be considered for admission when in the judgment of the faculty, the applicant's portfolio is considered to be outstanding. The student will be required to take one or two undergraduate courses without graduate credit. In order to remove the probationary status, students must receive satisfactory report from instructors for compensatory courses and obtain a GPA average of 3.0 during their first and second semesters in the MFA program. Failure to maintain the required grade point average(3.0) by any student will result in the denial of admission to candidacy and suspension from the MFA program. Applicants must submit: 1. A portfolio of 20 slides with no more than two views of any one work, presented in a clear plastic slide page. The slides should be clearly marked as to title materials, size, and date. 2. A biographical essay, typed and double-spaced consisting of no more than two pages. 3. Two letters of recommendation. Applicants who wish to specialize in ceramics, design, electronic studio, painting, photography or sculpture must complete 60 credits of graduate coursework. The required categories of coursework includes: 36 credits in Studio (24 credits in concentration area and 12 credits in elective studio courses) 12 credits in Art History 6 credits in Thesis Seminar. 6 credits with the Thesis advisor and Thesis Committee. The Master of Fine Arts Thesis is a cohesive body of creative works in studio art accompanied by a written exposition of ideas, analysis, placed in associated context. The creative visual work is considered to be of primary importance, it is required that the candidate support position and hypothesis with secondary source materials. The studio work of the candidate is expected to be stylistically cohesive and should demonstrate a mastery of studio art-making methods, materials and processes. The thesis outline must be unanimously accepted by the committee and should bear the signature and date of the acceptance by all members. A copy is filed in the student's folder in the Art Department Office and each committee member will be provided a copy. Any subsequent adjustment or change of the document requires a simple majority approval of the committee. The thesis committee chair, a senior faculty member in the field of concentration or sub-field, will be responsible for the flow of documents, communication among the committee members, and progress reports to the Department Chair and faculty. The committee chair recommends that candidate to the faculty for approval for awarding the MFA degree.

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