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School for the Contemporary Arts | Faculty of Communication, Art and Technology Simon Fraser University Calendar | Summer 2024

Fine Arts

Master of Fine Arts

This program, leading to a master of fine arts (MFA) in interdisciplinary arts, provides advanced training in music, dance, theatre, film, and visual arts. It furthers cross-disciplinary research, technical skill and artistic creativity, and the development of critical awareness of the relatedness of the arts both in contemporary society and in an historical perspective. The MFA degree is the standard qualifying degree for teaching at the post-secondary level. Courses provide flexibility to accommodate individual differences in background and artistic goals, with emphasis on the production of creative interdisciplinary work. The program cannot be pursued part-time and has a residency requirement due to the nature of the artistic practice.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the University admission requirements as stated in Graduate General Regulation 1.3 in the SFU Calendar. Applicants must hold a bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree, or a bachelor of arts (BA) degree, or a bachelor of music (BMus) degree, or a bachelor of education (BEd) degree in one or more of the art disciplines, with a 3.0 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) or better. In special cases, a candidate may be admitted who does not satisfy this requirement but who either possesses comparable certification (an art school or conservatory diploma) or has exceptional experience as a practicing artist.

Program Requirements

This program consists of course work and a project for a minimum of 35 units.

Students must complete all of

CA 811 - Interdisciplinary Graduate Seminar I (5)

Critical study of contemporary issues in the fine and performing arts, with emphasis on concerns common to diverse artistic disciplines and the interaction between art and society. Students with credit for FPA 811 may not take this course for further credit.

CA 812 - Interdisciplinary Graduate Seminar II (5)

Continuation of CA (or FPA) 811. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 811. Students with credit for FPA 812 may not take this course for further credit.

CA 813 - Interdisciplinary Graduate Studio (5)

A selected topics studio course with an emphasis on interdisciplinary artistic projects. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 811. Students with credit for FPA 813 may not take this course for further credit.

CA 883 - Studio in Contemporary Arts I (5)

Intensive studio work, concentrated in a particular art discipline, but with opportunity to involve interdisciplinary materials and techniques. Students with credit for FPA 883 may not take this course for further credit.

CA 890 - Professional Practices Seminar I (0)

A non-credit course for graduate students working in contemporary arts that foregrounds professional aspects of the discipline. Includes workshops on academic writing, research skills development, pedagogy, proposal and grant writing, peer critique, artistic production and management, academic and public dissemination of work, and presentations of works in progress. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

CA 891 - Professional Practices Seminar II (0)

A non-credit course for graduate students working in contemporary arts that foregrounds professional aspects of the discipline. Includes workshops on academic writing, research skills development, pedagogy, proposal and grant writing, peer critique, artistic production and management, academic and public dissemination of work, and presentations of works in progress. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Prerequisite: CA 890.

and one of

CA 885 - Studio in Contemporary Arts II (5)

Continuation of CA (or FPA) 883. Prerequisite: CA (or FPA) 883. Students with credit for FPA 885 may not take this course for further credit.

CA 887 - Selected Topics in Contemporary Arts (5)

Study of particular artistic techniques or issues. The topic varies from term to term.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 TBD
CA 889 - Directed Study in Contemporary Arts (5)

Students with credit for FPA 889 may not take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 TBD
G200 TBD

and a project

CA 898 - Master of Fine Arts Graduating Project (10)

Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis. Students with credit for FPA 898 may not take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
G100 TBD

Program Length

Students are expected to complete the program in six terms.

Academic Requirements within the Graduate General Regulations

All graduate students must satisfy the academic requirements that are specified in the Graduate General Regulations, as well as the specific requirements for the program in which they are enrolled.