Photography, M.F.A. (low residency)

Required credits [60]

Robert Lyons, Director M.F.A. in Photography

The low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Photography is specifically designed to meet the needs of practicing photographers seeking the terminal degree in the discipline while maintaining active, full-time professional careers. The mentor-guided program structure requires two academic years (four semesters) and three summers to complete. Students are expected to be in residence at the University for two-week, intensive summer sessions and at one-week, off-campus residencies, in selected cities in the United States and abroad, during both the fall and spring semesters. Off-campus host cities are carefully chosen for their proximity to major photography institutions, practicing artists and professionals in the field. Currently scheduled off-campus locations include New York City and Berlin, Germany. During the nonresident portions of the program, students maintain ongoing contact with the program director, their thesis advisor and faculty through the use of online, fax, telephone, and other means. Thus, the low-residency structure of the program provides nontraditional, working students the opportunity to complete a professional, terminal degree while simultaneously continuing to meet employment and family obligations.

Admission to the Program

Applicants to the M.F.A. in photography are encouraged to have an initial interview with the program director. Please contact the Center for Graduate and Adult Academic Services (860.768.4371) or the Hartford Art School (860.768.4393) for interview contact information. Interested applicants should provide the following materials to the Center for Graduate and Adult Academic Services, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117:

1. A portfolio of work that indicates the applicant is an established artist/photographer. This portfolio should represent the best work, indicate the applicant’s major interest and direction, and demonstrate ability. At least half of all the images should represent work from the last 24 months, and all should be from within the last four years. The portfolio should consist of 20–25 images that can be submitted as jpegs between 150 and 300 dpi and no larger than 8” x 10”, or actual prints no larger than 20” x 24”.
2. A personal letter of intent describing the applicant’s reasons for seeking admission to the program and what the student expects to gain from it. A CD website or link is acceptable.

Upon recommendation of acceptance by the program director, applicants should complete the following:

1. Submit the graduate application form and nonrefundable fee to the Center for Graduate and Adult Academic Services (860.768.4371). Checks should be made out to the University of Hartford.
2. Request all college and other postsecondary institutions to forward one official copy of the applicant’s transcript to the Center for Graduate and Adult Academic Services, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117.
3. Submit a self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of CDs. All other materials become the property of the Hartford Art School, University of Hartford.
4. Request two letters of reference, from persons practicing or teaching in the field, attesting to the applicant’s ability and competence in that field. Recommendations should be completed on the forms supplied and forwarded to Center for Graduate and
   Adult Academic Services, University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford, CT 06117.
5. International applicants must also provide a guarantor’s statement attesting to the resources available for the student and the results of the TOEFL or IELTS exam. International students must score a minimum of 550 on the TOEFL to qualify for graduate study. International transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services (www.wes.org).

See the program website, www.hartfordphotomfa.org, for the latest program and admission information.

Scholarships and Financial Assistance

Some partial-tuition merit scholarships are available for candidates in the program. The awarding of scholarships is determined by the director and Photography Committee of the M.F.A. in photography program at the time of admission. Graduate students in photography may also apply for various loan programs and should consult the Office of Financial Assistance at the University of Hartford for information, procedures, and deadlines.

Candidacy

All Master of Fine Arts in Photography candidates are required to maintain continuous enrollment in the program. Leaves of absence must be approved by the director of the program. Reentering the program will require that students reenter in the missed cycle. Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0, on a scale of 4.0, to remain in good academic standing in the program. Failure to maintain the required minimum GPA may result in the loss of scholarship funding or dismissal from the program.