The MFA program centers on an intensive studio curriculum complemented with liberal arts courses to delve deep into your areas of interest. International travel and research opportunities, exhibition and curatorial experience in our professional galleries, and close guidance from working artists serving as faculty grad advisors will help you to shape and advance your practice as a professional artist.
EARN YOUR MFA, POST-BACC, OR MA IN CREATIVE PRACTICE
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Find out how you can expand your artistic vision and prepare for a creative career at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University.
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Upcoming entry term:
Fall
Priority application deadline:
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Our Students and Faculty
At SMFA at Tufts, you’ll learn in small classes among student artists just like you and faculty from across the country and around the world—and you’ll collaborate with colleagues across Tufts’ School of Arts and Sciences.
10:1
Student-to-teacher ratio
35+
Full-time faculty across 12 departments
650
Students at SMFA
1,000
Students in Tufts’ Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
Create exceptional work through an interdisciplinary degree
At SMFA at Tufts, find all the resources of a tier-one research university and one of the world’s premier art museums.
The Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art program at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University takes an interdisciplinary approach to self-directed coursework, research, and art practice. We believe in the transformative power of art, offering unique perspectives on the history of art, industry, and culture. Explore traditional media and techniques or pioneer a new field at the intersection of technology, liberal arts, and creative work.
New Master of Arts in Creative Practice
Alternatively, the Master of Arts in Creative Practice offers advanced training for artists and creative professionals seeking to expand their practice beyond traditional studio or academic paths. Unlike the exhibition-centered MFA, this one-year, full-time (or flexible part-time) program prepares students for interdisciplinary careers in media, education, nonprofits, design, and community arts.
Whether you're a recent BFA graduate, a working professional ready to pivot, or someone looking to integrate artmaking into a broader career, the MA provides the tools, mentorship, and structure to sharpen your voice and expand your impact. The first of its kind in the U.S., it’s a graduate degree designed to help shape the future of creative work, where interdisciplinary thinking, artistic vision, and cross-sector collaboration are essential.
Or, if you’re looking to deepen your practice through intensive studio course work, seminars, and mentorship as you prepare to take your art to the next level or to position yourself for an MFA, consider SMFA at Tufts’ one-year Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio Art.
Located in the cultural heart of Boston’s vibrant art scene, with unique access to the Museum of Fine Arts, SMFA supports the professional development of visual artists from all over the world.
Why Tufts?
The MFA from the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University is an open- discipline, studio-based program where artists are scholars. We offer extensive program resources for enrolled MFA students, including research grants, project grants, domestic and international travel fellowships, as well as a financial aid program providing need- and merit-based consideration. You will have access to 35+ full-time art faculty across 12 departments. Students benefit from the size and quality of our faculty, including personal attention and individualized mentorship from accomplished artists who are esteemed in their field. Students also benefit from the size and quality of our alumni base—at SMFA, you will build a lifelong network of colleagues and gain access to professional opportunity beginning day one.
Generous Scholarships are Available
Tufts University offers merit and need-based tuition scholarships for graduate programs, as well as fellowships and other special funding opportunities. Be sure to indicate your interest within the Financial Aid section of your application.
Career Opportunities
Position yourself for career success with our professional creative network and a support system that will extend into the alumni experience. You’ll learn from world-class faculty, collaborate with other student artists, and engage with visiting artists, curators, and critics. You’ll attend art openings and networking events and enjoy lifelong access to our career center, deeply connected to Boston’s global art community. Take advantage of exclusive opportunities to exhibit your work or take on a graduate teaching assistantship. In addition to our travel and research grants, we offer extensive career opportunities for our students and alumni.
For International Applicants
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are required, if applicable.
- If admitted, confirm enrollment by April 15 for fall admission.
- The Tufts International Center issues visa document forms and offers support.
“Having the opportunity to be a part of the Hamburg Exchange Program through SMFA truly transformed the way I conduct research prior to beginning a new artistic endeavor. Being surrounded by so many significant historic and cultural sites, coupled with the ability to travel within Europe so easily, allowed me to spend time seeking inspiration in a wide variety of places. I discovered that capturing photographs of the locations and artworks I encountered during my travels served as a guiding force when initiating the artmaking process.”
–Olivia Maday, AG24 (MFA)