Graduate Programs
Graduate Programs
Pursue an Art Graduate Degree
Give yourself the time you need to work on your craft and develop your voice. Build a portfolio. Advance your career in the arts. Whatever your reasons for considering our Master of Fine Art (M.F.A.) or Master of Arts (M.A.) degree programs, at NJCU you'll benefit from:
- Flexible scheduling study full-time or part-time.
- Close personal mentoring from faculty.
- Access to classrooms and workshop spaces.
- Dedicated studio space for M.F.A students.
The M.F.A. Program
Our 60-credit M.F.A. degree program is the terminal degree for those who wish to pursue a college or university teaching position and is the predominant degree track for those pursuing professional studies in art and design. The M.F.A. is designed to offer a thesis track in studio art courses in either a single discipline, such as painting, sculpture, printmaking, etc, or the flexibility to conduct projects in multiple disciplines.
The core of the program is structured around self-initiated/faculty directed studio work, group critique, and art theory courses.
Each M.F.A. student receives an assigned studio space and access to all the main classroom workshops of associated courses.
M.F.A. Concentrations:
How to Apply
Application for admission is done through the NJCU Office of Graduate Studies.
*Note: There is no requirement for the GRE or GMAT when applying to the M.F.A.
General Admission Requirements:
An application for admission to graduate study and an application for matriculation.
A non-refundable graduate application fee of $55.
A 250- to 500-word essay discussing your goals and objectives for pursuing your area of planned study. This will also serve as a writing sample.
Official transcripts from all previous U.S. colleges attended or official course-by- course evaluation of any foreign transcripts.* An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 point scale is required for admission.
Two letters of recommendation, preferably from previous instructors or professionals in Art, sent directly from those making the recommendations.
*Note: NJCU does not evaluate international transcripts. In lieu of a transcript, applicants with a non-U.S. degree need to submit a course-by-course evaluation from a that includes U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalency information for their coursework.
*Note: International students have additional admission requirements; see the Graduate Studies webpage for details.
Priority Deadlines for Domestic Applicants:
Fall Start : April 1

Spring Start : November 1
Priority Deadlines for International Applicants:
Fall Start : March 1

Spring Start : October 1
Portfolio Requirement: In addition to submitting the application forms, the Art Department requires that each applicant submit a portfolio, containing 20 images of art/design works you have completed. The portfolio images may be presented in digital form (jpegs on a CD/DVD; PDF portfolio; URL link to a static online portfolio/website). Do not send original artwork. The Art Department graduate faculty reviews portfolios on an ongoing basis throughout the academic year.
All portfolios (or portfolio site links) should be sent to: Ashley Lyon, Graduate Coordinator, Art Department, New Jersey City University, 100 Culver Ave. Jersey City, NJ, 07305 Email: alyon@njcu.edu
The M.A. Program
Our 39-credit M.A. degree program is for professionals in the field who wish to upgrade their skills and knowledge for career advancement or who wish to engage a new direction in the studio arts. It offers our students a thesis track in studio art specialized courses. The M.A. Academic Planning sheet outlines the course groupings and electives.
M.A. Specializations:
- Communication Design
- Design and Crafts
- Fine Arts
Designed to accommodate both full-time and part-time/working students, classes are offered in the evenings and some meet at individually scheduled times. Each M.A. student receives access to all the main classrooms and workshops for their associated classes.
To Apply:
- Application for admission is done through the NJCU Office of Graduate Studies. NOTE: There is no requirement for the GRE or GMAT when applying to the MA.
General Admission Requirements:
- An application for admission to graduate study and an application for matriculation.
- A non-refundable graduate application fee of $55.
- A 250- to 500-word essay discussing your goals and objectives for pursuing your area of planned study. This will also serve as a writing sample.
- Official transcripts from all previous U.S. colleges attended or official course-by- course evaluation of any foreign transcripts.* An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.75 or better on a 4.0 point scale is required for admission.
- Two letters of recommendation, preferably from previous instructors or professionals in Art, sent directly from those making the recommendations.
*Notes:
- International students have additional admission requirements; see the Graduate Studies webpage for details.
- NJCU does not evaluate international transcripts. In lieu of a transcript, applicants with a non-U.S. degree need to submit a course-by-course evaluation from a that includes U.S. bachelor’s degree equivalency information for their coursework.
Priority Deadlines for Domestic Applicants:
Fall Start : April 1

Spring Start : November 1
Priority Deadlines for International Applicants:
Fall Start : March 1

Spring Start : October 1
Portfolio Requirement:
In addition to submitting the application forms, the Art Department requires that each applicant submit a portfolio, containing 20 images of art/design works you have completed. The portfolio images may be presented in digital form (jpegs on a CD/DVD; PDF portfolio; URL link to a static online portfolio/website). Do not send original artwork. The Art Department graduate faculty reviews portfolios on an ongoing basis throughout the academic year.
All portfolios (or portfolio site links) should be sent to: Ashley Lyon, Graduate Coordinator, Art Department, New Jersey City University, 100 Culver Ave. Jersey City, NJ, 07305 Email: alyon@njcu.edu