Resources for Researching MFA Programs
- Guidelines for the MFA Degree in Art and Design - College Art AssociationA useful resource for understanding the purpose, requirements, and resources associated with visual arts MFA programs.
- Chronicle of Higher EducationNews and reports from the world of academia. Useful as a tool to look for news and happenings at schools of interest.
College Directories / Listings
Graduate Programs in the Visual Arts by Call Number: N328 .G73 2015ISBN: 9781939461438Publication Date: 2015 (Revised Ed.)Comprehensive resource for prospective students, listing 350 graduate programs in the visual arts. Entries describe curricula, class size, faculty specializations, admission and degree requirements; focus on programs in U.S., Canada, and U.K.
- NASAD - National Association of Schools of Art and Design - Accredited InstitutionsAccess the directory of NASAD accredited institutions.
- CHEA / CIQG Accreditation Databases and DirectoriesFind colleges that offer specific programs, or that meet certain kinds of accreditation. Includes a tool for searching international accrediting bodies.
- College NavigatorA government search tool that can be used to identify colleges based on program and compare basic data such as costs.
Reconsidering Rankings
There are a variety of websites that rank colleges, universities, and academic programs. When reviewing this information, here are some things to keep in mind:
- There is no one definitive ranking website.
- Each website uses different measures and methodologies to arrive it its rankings.
- The measures that are used might not reflect what is important to you.
- The measures that are used might not reflect the specific program you are interested in.
- Rankings can reflect and reinforce existing structural inequities among institutions.
Further reading:
- Mintz, S. (2022, November 28). What's Really Wrong About The Rankings. Inside Higher Ed.
- Rosenberg, B. (2022, November 22). Higher Ed's Prestige Paralysis. Chronicle of Higher Education