Figure walking through large hanging textile exhibit

M.F.A/M.A. in Studio Art

Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s top graduate programs in the visual arts, the School of Art at Kent State University provides abundant opportunities for graduate students to advance their skills in all areas of studio art. 

We offer the only M.F.A. program in northeast Ohio, and the only program in the state of Ohio to offer this breadth of studio specialties. Students are encouraged to work across disciplines and techniques in order to develop a body of work that reflects their independent investigations in their discipline. Studio practice is supplemented with art history seminars, visiting artist lectures, summer workshops, and travel study programs to New York City, culminating in a solo M.A. or M.F.A. thesis exhibition. 

Kent State offers a wide variety of studio art concentrations. 
M.F.A. Studio Art students may select from the following:

Program Highlights
  • Dedicated studio space for M.F.A. graduate students
  • Graduate Assistantships for M.F.A. students that offer tuition remission and a stipend
  • Working with a range of graduate faculty
  • Renowned visiting artist program
  • Kent Blossom Art Intensives - two-week summer studio intensives with visiting artists
  • Access to state-of-the-art facilities, equipment and tools
  • Travel study opportunities every semester to New York City, plus other domestic and international trips offered
  • Access to world-class museums and research libraries
  • School-wide digital fabrication lab (ARTech Studio)
Graduate Assistantship

All newly accepted M.F.A. students will receive a graduate assistantship, which includes a full tuition waiver and a stipend! Fully-funded M.F.A. program with tuition remission, yearly stipend, and a sizable contribution to offset the cost of a health care plan offered to all graduate assistants.   

Application Information

Our graduate application deadline for Fall 2025 admission has passed and we are no longer accepting applications with funding.  If you have questions about an unfunded M.A. degree, please contact the Graduate Coordinator of the School of Art, Professor Shawn Powell at spowel31@kent.edu. The Fall 2026 application cycle will open in September.

For more information or to schedule a visit, contact School of Art Graduate Coordinator, Shawn Powell at spowel31@kent.edu or call 330-672-2192.

 

Student Work

abstract ceramic object, green with scalloped edges
hanging textiles in gallery setting
hexagonal glass grid in a circle
Painting of fish sitting next to a knife on a cutting board.
Performance art piece, person sitting in knitted cover next to objects
grid of prints layed together in abstract, pixel-like layout
black and white drawn figures lounging in a car
person wearing jewelry shroud
© 2025 Kent State University All rights reserved.