Explore the rich tradition of painting with PennWest Edinboro's MFA in Painting degree. It's one of the best and most affordable programs of its kind anywhere. At Edinboro, you’ll be encouraged to consider a wide range of approaches to painting, from traditional to contemporary, with guidance from an array of accomplished faculty.
U.S. News & World Report names PennWest Edinboro's Master of Fine Arts degree one of the best in the nation. GradReports ranked Edinboro's MFA program #1 in 2020 based on tuition, median salaries and achievement.
If you are driven to develop your technical, aesthetic and conceptual competencies to the highest level, Edinboro's intensive three-year, 60-credit Master of Fine Arts in Painting is perfect for you.
You'll have the opportunity to develop your painting skills while you explore alternative media in selected studio electives and participate in
intimate graduate seminars in art history, theory, criticism and contemporary practice.
The faculty and facilities of our nationally recognized Art Department ensure you both develop your artistic skills and find ways to market them in the creative economy.
Our alumni boast a record of excellence throughout the U.S. in the fields of art practice, academia and arts administration. All are prepared for lifelong research and routinely exhibit and publish their work in their specific field of study.
PennWest Edinboro has been a NASAD-accredited (National Association of Schools of Art and Design) since 2007. The University recently celebrated its 100th anniversary of instruction in the visual arts and art education.
A limited number of candidates are accepted into this prestigious program. That means you will work directly with our dedicated faculty every step of the way. You'll have 24-hour access to your own studio, where you can develop your artistic talents.
Your faculty advisor will help you design your plan of study, which includes 30 hours of studio coursework in your area of specialization plus an additional 30 hours of graduate-level work in our residential program. You will mount a major studio exhibit to conclude your MFA in Painting degree.
You'll receive funding through a full graduate assistantship with stipend and partial tuition waiver.
You'll thrive as an artist when you're surrounded by other creative talent at PennWest
Edinboro. The Art Department has the widest array of studio offerings within the Pennsylvania
State System of Higher Education and is a program of distinction at Edinboro.
View the portfolios from student competitions and faculty exhibits.
Immerse yourself in an exciting, artistic environment. Visiting artists provide inspiration,
student organizations offer support, and studio facilities enable you to develop your own personal aesthetic.
Terry McKelvey
Graduate Studio Arts Program Head
201 Hamilton Hall
Email: tmckelvey@pennwest.edu
Phone: 814-732-1155
Take charge of your experience. Ask questions, meet our students and professors, and see the campus yourself.