Discover the limitless creative possibilities of the fine arts, combining interdisciplinary research and innovative art practices. Step into an environment of scholarly exploration and creative growth, gaining the skills to become a leader in the contemporary art world and higher education.
Locations
- Statesboro Campus (In Person)
Why get your Master of Fine Arts at Georgia Southern?
Georgia Southern’s MFA program offers a unique blend of rigorous academic study and hands-on artistic practice, providing a dynamic environment to develop your creative vision. With access to state-of-the-art facilities and interdisciplinary research opportunities, you’ll be equipped to push the boundaries of your art practice across various media, from sculpture and ceramics to digital design and printmaking. Our program’s supportive faculty, spacious individual studio spaces, and advanced technology foster an atmosphere of innovation and growth, letting your skills evolve while you prepare for a dynamic art career..
Pursuing your MFA at Georgia Southern means joining a vibrant community dedicated to scholarly practice and creative excellence. Our program’s emphasis on critical thinking and contemporary relevance ensures that graduates leave with not only a refined portfolio but also the intellectual depth needed to engage with the art world at a professional level. Graduate assistantships, including tuition waivers and stipends, provide additional support, making the Georgia Southern MFA experience enriching and accessible.
Ready to Apply?
What Can You Do With a Master of Fine Arts?
With an MFA, you can access a spectrum of career opportunities in the arts, from professional practice as a visual artist to roles in higher education as a professor or lecturer. Pursue positions in museum curation, gallery management, art direction, and arts administration, or even engage in interdisciplinary fields like digital media and design.
Our program helps you cultivate advanced skills in critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and technical proficiency, making graduates well-equipped to thrive in today’s evolving art landscape and contribute significantly to the cultural and academic sectors.
Where our graduates work:
- Museums
- Galleries
- Creative Agencies
- Film and Television
- Post-secondary Education
- Art and Cultural Centers
What our graduates do:
- Graphic Designer
- Arts Educator
- Illustrator
- Arts Administrator
- Museum Coordinator
- Arts Journalism
What You’ll Learn
Our MFA program will engage you in an immersive learning experience that fosters both artistic mastery and intellectual growth. You’ll also explore diverse disciplines such as painting, sculpture, digital fabrication, and ceramics, while developing a critical understanding of contemporary art practices.
Through a mix of hands-on studio work and interdisciplinary research, you’ll refine your creative process, evolve conceptual ideas, and produce a cohesive body of work that resonates in today’s fine art landscape. With access to advanced technology and expert faculty, you’ll gain the skills needed to excel as a professional artist or educator, making significant contributions to the visual arts field.
Build Your Experience
Get Immersed
Underscore your MFA with immersive gallery visits. The Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art is proud to be home to art galleries in both Statesboro and Savannah.
Center for Art & Theatre
The Betty Foy Sanders Georgia Artists Gallery and the Smith Callaway Banks Georgia Folk Art Gallery show two of the Department’s permanent collections. Student, alumni, visiting artist, and faculty exhibitions are shown in the University and Contemporary Galleries.
Visit the Center for Art & Theatre at 233 Pittman Drive |Statesboro, Georgia 30460
Fine Arts Gallery
The Fine Arts Gallery has about 10 exhibitions per academic year, including faculty and student shows, three annual open exhibition times and the annual Georgia U.S. 1st Congressional District Juried High School Exhibition.
Visit the Fine Arts Gallery at the Georgia Southern Armstrong Campus Fine Arts Hall at 11935 Abercorn Street | Savannah, Georgia 31419
Get Involved
We take pride in helping our communities spread their wings. That’s why we offer events and services to provide students with valuable workforce experience. Students and faculty are given the opportunity to showcase their artwork and to be inspired by professional, contemporary works through gallery programming and visiting artists/lectures.
Learn More
Craft Your Thesis
Georgia Southern’s MFA in Arts degree consists of graduate-level courses in studio, art history, and theoretical disciplines. The full-time, residential program requires a maximum of three years for completion.
The program culminates with an MFA thesis exhibition, demonstrating professional-level competency, accompanied by a written support thesis reviewed by a graduate thesis committee. Formal faculty reviews of student work are conducted throughout the semester to guide you forward in completing your degree requirements.
MFA students are offered studio space to create and develop their artwork. The BFSDoArt also offers many graduate assistantships and graduate teaching positions to help cover tuition, fees, and supply costs. These assistantships also provide valuable work experience, giving you an edge in your career goals.
Take Action
Follow these steps to complete the Georgia Southern application:
- Create an application account.
- Complete our online application using the PIN you received after creating your application account.
- Once complete, pay the $30 application fee or upload a valid fee waiver. Previous Georgia Southern applicants and dual enrollment students do not need to pay the fee.
You can check your application status at My.GeorgiaSouthern.edu/admissions three days after completing your application. This page contains live information about your admission status, including a checklist of missing documents we need to make a decision.
Apply as a First-Year Student Transfer to Georgia SouthernGeorgia Southern offers art scholarship opportunities for students who demonstrate strong academic and creative achievement across all three campuses.
All Art ScholarshipsThe Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
Faculty Feature
In addition to teaching Graduate Studio practice and the Grad-level theory courses, Associate Professor Jason Hoelscher, PhD, MFA, is a painter, gallery director, and published author of “Art as Information Ecology”, published in 2021 by Duke University Press.
Following his MFA in Painting from Pratt Institute NY, Hoelscher received his PhD in Art Theory and Aesthetics at the Institute for Doctoral Studies in the Visual Arts.
Related Programs
Take the Next Step
Ready to uncover the limitless creative possibilities of focused fine arts studies? Learn more about getting your Master of Fine Arts at Georgia Southern University.
Contact Us
Betty Foy Sanders Department of Art
P.O. Box 8032
Statesboro, GA 30460-8032
Phone: 912-478-5358
Fax: 912-478-5104art@georgiasouthern.edu