A self-designed, low residency graduate program leading to a Master of Fine Arts Degree in photography, film and video, and multimedia.

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This innovative program is for emerging artists or professionals wanting to acquire command over their craft, master the creative process, complete their academic studies and undertake a major creative body of work. Each candidate's program is self-designed with the help of an advisor - the college provides the structure, support and guidance to help the candidates. Mentors provide counsel, encouragement and critiques. A graduate faculty provides technical and academic expertise. Visiting Faculty offer in-depth insights into the process of working as an artist. The structure of the program provides periodic check-points on each candidate's progress, and residencies offer candidates the luxury to work without interruption. The candidates themselves form a valued peer group in which members energize and motivate each other, as each strives to meet and overcome the obstacles that stand in the way of creative success and personal accomplishment.

Areas of Concentration

The MFA at Rockport College is focused in the following areas:

Photography, both fine art and documentary
Film/Video, concentrations in Writing & Directing, Cinematography, Editing & Post Production
Multi-media

Entrance Requirements

A minimum of 36 credits of undergraduate visual and relevant arts are required; and BA, BFA (preferred) or equivalent in your chosen field is preferred for admission. Applicants who have less than the basic academic experience may be required to complete additional undergraduate course work.

Graduation Requirements

The MFA degree itself requires a total of 60 graduate credits, of which at least 15 must be academic and at least 39 must be creative, or studio credits.

Self-Designed Curriculum

Candidates design their own curriculum, with the advice and consent of their advisor. Each candidate's program of study may incorporate summer Master Classes and workshops, weekend retreats, residencies, mentored academic and creative projects and a final thesis. Candidates are also required to complete at least four weeks in residency during their program, either as two 2-week or one 4-week period, or may elect to reside on-campus, living, studying and working in Rockport full-time.

The final thesis may take the form of a book, monograph, film script, short film, television documentary, photographic exhibition or documentary or multi media project.

Applicants are formally accepted at MFA retreats, in May and November, but applications may be submitted throughout the year.

Self-Designed Options

The following is a list of the building blocks available to each off-campus and on-campus Candidate as they design their own MFA Program. A total of 60 credits is needed for the degree.

The following is a list of ways to obtain credits:
*Indicates required courses and credits

MFA Weekend Retreats*
1 credit per Retreat: Required 5 credits

Master Classes/Workshops
1.5 credits per workshop: Maximum 9 credits

Graduate Course Work*
3 credits a class / Minimum 6 : Maximum 12 credits

Academic Mentored Projects*
2-4 credits/project / Minimum 6 : Maximum 13 credits

Mentored Projects*
3, 4, 5 credits per project: Minimum 33 : Maximum 39 credits

On-Campus Residency*
2, 4, 6 credits per term: Minimum 4 credits (counting either toward academic or creative)

Assistantships
4 to 6 credits per term: Maximum 10 credits

Thesis*
9 credits (3 academic, 6 creative)

Learn more about MFA Program Options

Rockport College Graduate Student Profile:

Cig Harvey, MFA, is a working fine art photographer and educator. She is represented by the Robin Rice Gallery, New York City, Watermark Gallery, Houston, Bassetti Fine Photography, New Orleans, and William Ryan Gallery, Belfast, Maine. Her images are held in numerous collections worldwide and her clients include Kate Spade, Bloomingdales, Ralph Lauren and The Wyndham Hotel Group. Her work was recently highlighted in Shots magazine. Cig is a member of the faculty at The Art Institute of Boston and has taught at Maine Photographic Workshops for the past 4 years.

"Being a part of the MFA program at Rockport College has been a life enriching experience. The self-designed program has allowed me the opportunity to further my teaching experiences while continuing my own work. The environment of the college is conducive to concentrating 100 percent on the creative process."

Cig Harvey, MFA Graduate, Rockport College.