Interdisciplinary, research-based MFA program

The Carnegie Mellon University School of Art MFA Program is an interdisciplinary, experimental, research-based program that provides students with a challenging and supportive context to develop their thinking as artists. Within one of the top-ranked graduate programs in the country (US News and World Report), graduate students are encouraged to employ a comparative and intersectional approach to critical and cultural theories—allowing this inquiry to inform and expand what it means to be an artist within our contemporary condition.

The School of Art invites applications for fall 2026 enrollment, due on January 15, 2026. Register here for the November 20 virtual open house, and explore more virtual and in-person opportunities here.

Financial support
The School of Art provides full tuition funding for all MFA students, regardless of background or citizenship status. While each admitted student will receive financial assistance that covers their entire tuition for all three years, students will still be responsible for University fees and health insurance. In addition to full tuition support, MFA students are able to access additional funding through the School of Art and University for research, resources, and travel.

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
The Program is limited to 18 students, with six students accepted per year to each three-year cohort. Predicated on a belief that direct and continuous discourse between artists fosters the most relevant growth, the Program is committed to supporting ongoing interaction between faculty, students, and our many visiting lecturers and scholars. This close-knit environment enables meaningful dynamics to form between students and faculty, allows research projects to progress from germination to completion, and provides an inclusive and interactive program for the entire graduate community.

Graduate studio complex
The Program is housed in a purpose-built facility exclusively for graduate art students, providing a cohesive space for the community. It includes: 18 individual studios, each approximately 300 square feet with large windows for ample natural light; common study and community areas; a full kitchen; and administrative offices. This facility also includes a 1,200-square-foot flexible-use space that supports varied coursework, group critiques, roundtable seminars, public programming, and more.

For more information, please visit here.