The Yale School of Art opened its doors on October 15, 1869, becoming the first art school affiliated with a university of higher learning in the United States. Today, the graduate student experience is centered on each artist’s own studio practice, supported by faculty, visiting artists and critics, and perhaps most importantly, by one another, as they develop a personal studio practice. The school offers rigorous MFA programs in Graphic Design, Painting/Printmaking, Photography, and Sculpture, fostering a community of critical dialogue and creative exploration.
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The rich academic environment of Yale along with rigorous, structured coursework rounds out an educational experience designed to prepare students for a lifetime of independent work.
The degree of the Master of Fine Arts is only offered by the School of Art, where students remain in residence for a minimum of two years, during which performance is reviewed and academic standing is renewed annually.
The degree is conferred by the University upon recommendation of faculty following the completion of all coursework and a thesis presentation. Participation in the MFA program at the Yale School of Art indicates a level of seriousness and commitment to artistic excellence and scholarship; the conferring of the degree implies confidence in the students’ ability to maintain dedication to their craft.