RIT's graduate degree in photography emphasizes an expansive interpretation of photography as a conceptual art form, with the intention of engaging and nurturing the individuality of each student in their continued development as innovative, critical artists in the world. Successful completion of the MFA in photography enables you to become a successful visual artist and to seek careers in education, archives, museum or gallery work, and as a professional photographer.

RIT's MFA in photography is among the best photo schools in the country. We are ranked 6th by U.S. News & World Report (2022) as one of the best fine arts school for a graduate degree in photography.

In the photography MFA, you'll refine your technical and artistic photographic skills while you create a new body of work. Ample time is spent creating work and refining your personal artistic vision. Elective courses are available in dynamic areas such as video, printmaking, painting, sculpture, communication design, crafts, bookmaking, graphic design, new media, computer graphics, art history, and archival preservation and conservation. Students also have opportunities to enhance their studies through independent studies and internships.

Graduate Photography Thesis

Your MFA in photography culminates in a graduate thesis exhibition, where you will install and exhibit an original body of work. The thesis publication is documentation of the thesis project, which must be submitted in digital form. It must contain an extended artist statement and a presentation of the majority of thesis artwork. The thesis defense is a public presentation made by the student, in explanation of the thesis project, creative research, and exhibition.

Learn from ten full-time faculty members who exhibit and publish in renowned national and international forums.
Access to experts in the fields of the photo sciences, photojournalism, and advertising photography.
Scholarships and graduate assistantships that include opportunities to work as teaching assistants, archival and library assistants, faculty research assistants, gallery assistants, and more.
Dedicated graduate studio spaces, computer labs, and printers.
World-class photographic facilities, which are undergoing a multi-million-dollar renovation in 2021.

Photography and Related Media, MFA degree, typical course sequence
Courses    Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
PHGR-701    Histories and Aesthetics of Photography I    3
PHGR-702    Histories and Aesthetics of Photography II    3
PHGR-703    Studio Core I    6
PHGR-704    Studio Core II    6
PHGR-716    Integrated Practices I    3
     
CAD Studio Elective*
3
     
Professional Elective**
3
     
Open Elective
3
Second Year
PHGR-721    Research Core I    3
PHGR-723    Research Core II    3
PHGR-724    Professional Development for the Emerging Artist    3
PHGR-890    Thesis    12
     
Open Electives 9
Total Semester Credit Hours    60

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Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MFA program in photography and related media, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an online graduate application. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for information on application deadlines, entry terms, and more.
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
• Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Three letters of recommendation are required. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
• Not all programs require the submission of scores from entrance exams (GMAT or GRE). Please refer to the Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements page for more information.
• Submit a portfolio. Refer to Graduate Portfolio Requirements for more information.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
• Participate in an individual interview.
• International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for additional information on English requirements. International applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver. Refer to Additional Requirements for International Applicants to review waiver eligibility.

Applicants who are capable of graduate level academic work, as well as artistic visual expression, and who demonstrate an interest in the exploration of new artistic ideas and experiences will be recommended.

Scholarships and Graduate Assistantships

All accepted applicants are awarded a university scholarship. Level of scholarship support is based on merit of application materials. Concurrently, the MFA program faculty grants graduate assistantships to accepted applicants. Assistantships include a variety of positions, including team teaching introductory photography courses, faculty assistantships in the classroom and with research projects, gallery management, and working in an archive. Upon acceptance into the MFA program, applicants are notified by the MFA director as to level of support for both the university scholarship and the graduate assistantship. Both scholarship and assistantship are renewable in the second year of graduate study if students remain in good standing with the university.

Tuition fee-2 years1,06,000

Total fee-2 years1,44,000