“It is the artist’s mission to penetrate as far as may be toward that secret ground where primal law feeds growth.” ― Paul Klee

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In our unique MA in Art, you'll enjoy an intensive, two-semester exploration into studio practice while cultivating a deep connection to yourself through the Transcendental Meditation^® technique. In this creative environment, supported by expert faculty, peers, and prominent guest artists, you’ll create a sustainable studio practice — the best foundation for entering an MFA program or a career in art.

Graduate success

Recent graduates of MIU art programs have attended and/or received scholarships, paid teaching assistantships, or salaried fellowships at the University of Iowa, Penn State, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Cranbrook Academy of Art, and other prestigious graduate schools.

Build your portfolio

Whether you’re planning to apply for an MFA or just want to enhance your own studio practice, our program will give you the time and support you need to create a substantial body of quality work and strengthen your creative voice.

Your studio practice will be supported by a rich peer environment, engaging critiques and seminars, and ongoing interaction with experienced, caring faculty and guest artists.

Grow personally and professionally

Our low student-faculty ratio means you’ll get the individual attention you need. Our faculty will coach you on how to apply to an MFA program, including creating a portfolio, writing an artist’s statement, photographing work, and the interview process.

Our faculty care about your well-being as an artist and as a person. They will help you build a sustainable studio practice that supports a healthy, happy life and maximizes your artistic output. This will give you a strong foundation for an MFA or a career in art.

Get started by contacting Adriene

Adriene Crimson is this program’s admissions counselor for US students. Adriene will provide you with all the details of becoming a student, including connecting you with program faculty when you have questions.

Contact Adriene >

International applicants may connect with us through our international inquiry form.

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Experience great art in person

Our newly-renovated gallery in the Wege Center for the Arts hosts four exhibitions per year that focus on bringing nationally-recognized artists and artworks to campus. Exhibitions are curated to maximize their relevance to the subjects our students are studying in the classroom. Wege Center for the Arts programs like artist talks, workshops, and studio visits bring students in direct contact with professional artists working at the top of their field. Learn more about our exhibitions and gallery programming >

Work with nationally-recognized faculty and visiting artists

Joey Fauerso

Joey Fauerso is a Professor at Texas State. She has exhibited internationally with a recent solo show at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts. She has been awarded numerous residencies including The Drawing Center and Kunstlerhaus Bethanien in Berlin.
painting by Joey Fauerso

Susan Chrysler White

Susan White is a Faculty Emeritus at the University of Iowa. She is a recipient of a Joan Mitchell Foundation grant and has exhibited widely throughout the United States. Her work is in numerous collections including the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
artwork by Susan Chrysler

Yevgeniya Baras

Yevgeniya Baras is a professor at Rhode Island School of Design. She has exhibited and lectured internationally and is a John Simon Guggenheim Fellow. Her work has been reviewed by numerous publications including The LA Times and Art in America.
painting by Yevgeniya Baras

Matt Phillips

Matt Phillips is a professor at Fashion Institute of Technology, has exhibited extensively internationally and is a founding member of TSA gallery. His work has been reviewed in numerous publications including The New York Times and ArtForum.
painting by Matt Phillips

As an MA student, you’ll have the opportunity to work with faculty who are also active professional artists, as well as a rotating roster of Visiting Artists and guest speakers. Learn more about our faculty and see a list of recent Visiting Artists and guest speakers

Meditate and create

As a student at MIU, you’ll practice the Transcendental Meditation technique daily. This evidence-based technique reduces stress, enhances clear thinking, and gets you in touch with the deepest, most authentic part of yourself.

Our students often report that regular meditation helps them be more creative and express their ideas with ease. You’ll notice a difference in your own creative process, too.

Courses may include:

FA 565 Art & Context

Art comes out of a condition that is related to various factors such as social structure, climate and geography. In this seminar, students work with sources that bring to bear questions about the relationship between the physical, social and psychological environment, including the nature and level of consciousness, that art springs from. Discussions are based on readings, videos, podcasts, field trip and talks by guest artists. Lab Fee max $250 (in the term when we visit a major metropolitan area) (2 credits)

FA 566 Currents & Undercurrents

This seminar engages discussions that relate outer to inner components of studio practice. Students work to develop and answer questions that help to relate what they say to what they do. Understanding the relationship of consciousness to the artist’s own experience becomes an important tool for advancing studio work. Discussions are based on readings, videos, podcasts, field trips and talks by guest artists. Lab Fee max $250 (in the term when we visit a major metropolitan area) (2 credits)

FA 567 Artist & Audience

This seminar addresses the richness of the relationship between the artist as creator and the viewer of creation. This seminar addresses questions related to who the creator is and when is the artwork created? Students address experience and understanding of the development of human consciousness in relation to the process of creation. Discussions are based on readings, videos, podcasts, field trip and talks by guest artists. Lab Fee max $250 (in the term when we visit a major metropolitan area) (2 credits)

FA 568 Undercurrents & Currents

This seminar engages discussions that relate inner to outer components of studio practice. Students work to develop and answer questions that help to relate what they say to what they do. Understanding the relationship of the different ways a work of art comes into the world consciousness to the students’ own experience becomes an important tool for advancing studio work. Discussions are based on readings, videos, podcasts, field trips and talks by guest artists. Lab Fee max $250 (in the term when we visit a major metropolitan area) (2 credits)

FA 570 Advanced Contemporary Studio

This ongoing studio sequence is the primary component of the MA in Studio Art program. The course supports the students’ development of process, structure and concepts as they emerge in the day-to-day evolution of their work.

To graduate, students must also satisfy the general requirements for a master’s degree

What our alumni say

Genevra Bell is an alum of our MA in Studio Art and is currently a graduate student at the University of California at Davis with a full scholarship.

“It wasn’t until I was halfway through my MFA that I realized how much I had gained through the MA in Studio Art. It created an environment that gave me the tools, support, and challenges necessary to develop a sustainable studio practice that has been my lifeline during grad school.”

Taj Matumbi is an alum of our BFA in Art and is currently a graduate student at the University of Wisconsin at Madison with a full scholarship.

“I declared an art major at MIU in painting and ceramics my third year of college. During my time in the program I was impressed with the wonderful faculty and the strength of the block system for art majors. From the studio spaces to the unmatched support and care each faculty puts into students’ success. MIU’s art department is like a second family and I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the time I spent at this wonderful program.”

Cost & Aid, 2023-24

US Students

US On-Campus MA in Studio Art

This program is typically two semesters (one academic year).

One Academic Year Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees	$16,530
Federal student loans	-$16,530
Your payment	$0

Federal student loans are also available for approximately $14,000 for housing, meals, books, and personal expenses.

Additional Financial Aid Information

Federal Student Loans

Your FAFSA automatically qualifies you for the majority of federal student loans for this program. The remaining portion is composed of Federal Graduate PLUS loans that require “no adverse credit” or an endorser. Repayment begins after your enrollment ends.

Education Tax Incentives

There are a variety of money-saving tax benefits to assist in reducing the cost of education expenses. More about education tax benefits.

Veterans

Veterans should contact the VA for information on Veterans Education Benefits. Veterans eligible for BAH monthly benefits: The VA utilizes a scale of credits per block of courses; therefore, the VA sometimes pays part-time benefits for an individual month while the university delivers full-time federal aid for an entire semester. Our Veterans Certifying Official is our Director of Financial Aid.

Loan Repayment Options

Standard

Payments are a fixed amount that ensures your loans are paid off within 10 years (within 10 to 30 years for Consolidation Loans).

Extended

Payments may be fixed or graduated and will ensure that your loans are paid off within 25 years.

Graduated

Payments are lower at first and then increase, usually every two years, and are for an amount that will ensure your loans are paid off within 10 years (within 10 to 30 years for Consolidation Loans).

Income-Based

Your monthly payments will be either 10 or 15 percent of discretionary income (depending on when you received your first loans), but never more than you would have paid under the 10-year Standard Repayment Plan.

Income Contingent

Payments are recalculated each year and are based on your updated income, family size, and the total amount of your Direct Loans. Any outstanding balance will be forgiven if you haven’t repaid your loan in full after 25 years.

Income Sensitive

Your monthly payment is based on annual income, but your loan will be paid in full within 15 years.

Tuition, other fees, scholarships, and financial policies are subject to change prior to the entry date. For more information, contact us at finaid@miu.edu for a quick reply — normally one business day — or see more about financial aid.

International Students

International On-Campus MA in Studio Art

This program is typically two semesters (one academic year).

Annual Cost
Tuition and fees	$16,530
Housing (single room) and meals	$7,400
Health Insurance (estimate)	$1,992
Personal expenses, books, unexpected needs (estimate)	$3,500
Estimated net price	$29,422

Tuition, other fees, scholarships, and financial policies are subject to change prior to the entry date.

Entrance requirements

BFA or BA undergraduate degree with 3.0 or higher GPA from an accredited college or university
Portfolio of 15-20 images:
- each optimized for the Web with a screen resolution of 72 pixels per inch
- the portfolio should demonstrate a focused body of work
- include a list of slides that designates: title (optional), materials, size (dimensions), date
Before being accepted, students will be interviewed by the faculty program directors

Additional requirements

English language verification

International applicants must submit official English proficiency test scores within the past 2 years of at least 110 on Duolingo, 6.5 on IELTS Academic, 90 on TOEFL iBT or 58 on PTE.

All MIU students practice the Transcendental Meditation^® technique. If you have not learned it yet:

Once accepted as a US student, the cost of TM instruction is covered through a grant offered by MIU
Students can either learn TM upon arrival or prior to enrolling
Contact your admissions counselor for details
Find information on the TM technique or search for a TM teacher at TM.org

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Feb 2024 and Aug 2024

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MA in Studio Art