This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.

Program accreditation
National Association of Schools of Art and Design

Program goal

The program comprises a community of makers/artists who advance the conceptual, historical, technical and haptic aspects of clay, fiber, glass, metal and wood. The program promotes an artistic practice rooted in the values of craft. Students will investigate craft’s inherent relationship to the world with fearless innovation.

Student learning outcomes

  1. Advanced studio practice: Students engage in rigorous research as they definitely recognize and deploy the tools and materials needed to advance their practice. 
  2. Group critique: Students are expected to present their work through a brief oral articulation of the intentions of their studio practice. In addition, they are expected to be able to articulate a critique of their peers’ work.
  3. Applied criticism and theory: Students understand historical and contemporary theories and are able to apply and investigate those ideas in their work. Students can define their practice in relationship to other media and culture.
  4. Advanced professional engagement: Students demonstrate the ability to understand, engage and generate professional contexts for their work.

VCU Graduate Bulletin, VCU Graduate School and general academic policies and regulations for all graduate students in all graduate programs

The VCU Graduate Bulletin website documents the official admission and academic rules and regulations that govern graduate education for all graduate programs at the university. These policies are established by the graduate faculty of the university through their elected representatives to the University Graduate Council.

It is the responsibility of all graduate students, both on- and off-campus, to be familiar with the VCU Graduate Bulletin as well as the Graduate School website and academic regulations in individual school and department publications and on program websites. However, in all cases, the official policies and procedures of the University Graduate Council, as published on the VCU Graduate Bulletin and Graduate School websites, take precedence over individual program policies and guidelines.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on academic regulations for graduate students.

Degree candidacy requirements

A graduate student admitted to a program or concentration requiring a final research project, work of art, thesis or dissertation, must qualify for continuing master’s or doctoral status according to the degree candidacy requirements of the student’s graduate program. Admission to degree candidacy, if applicable, is a formal statement by the graduate student’s faculty regarding the student’s academic achievements and the student’s readiness to proceed to the final research phase of the degree program.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following degree candidacy policy as published in the VCU Graduate Bulletin for complete information and instructions.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on degree candidacy requirements.

Graduation requirements

As graduate students approach the end of their academic programs and the final semester of matriculation, they must make formal application to graduate. No degrees will be conferred until the application to graduate has been finalized.

Graduate students and program directors should refer to the following graduation requirements as published in the Graduate Bulletin for a complete list of instructions and a graduation checklist.

Visit the academic regulations section for additional information on graduation requirements.

Apply online today.

Admission requirements

Degree: Semester(s) of entry: Deadline dates: Test requirements:
M.F.A. Fall Jan 15

Special requirements

Applicants must meet the general admission requirements of the VCU Graduate School. Additionally, they must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution
  2. Have completed a minimum of 36 credit hours of art at the undergraduate level or have equivalent experience

The application to the M.F.A. program must include:

  1. A statement of intent submitted in the “Statement of Intent” section of the application (This 700-1000 word essay sheds light on the applicant's practice and research interests. It should directly place the work being reviewed within the context of contemporary art discourses while also addressing goals with respect to graduate school and what the applicant hopes to accomplish at VCU.)
  2. Three letters of recommendation from instructors or professional references in the applicant’s intended field of study
  3. Academic transcripts 
  4. Curriculum vitae/resume
  5. Portfolio to include 20 still and/or moving images (Each image, film and video can be accompanied by a brief written description that may include the date, materials, dimensions and/or other relevant information about the work. Images submitted should be an accurate representation of finished artwork.)

Additional information for international applicants can be found on the International Admissions website.

Degree requirements

In addition to general VCU Graduate School graduation requirements, the M.F.A. in Fine Arts with a concentration in furniture design requires 60 credit hours and is usually completed in two years of full-time study. Program course work consists of graduate studio and research, graduate seminars, group critique, and other studio/academic electives.

Graduate students must meet regularly with committees composed of three graduate faculty members, both individually and as a group, during each semester. At the end of the second semester students must present and defend their work for candidacy review. At the end of the fourth semester students must participate in the thesis exhibition, defend their work for thesis review and submit a written thesis.

Curriculum requirements

Course Title Hours
CRAF 670Graduate Studio24
CRAF 681Candidacy Research6
CRAF 682Thesis 6
CRAF 690Graduate Seminar12
Studio elective 13
Additional electives (500-level or higher in any subject area) 29
Total Hours60
1

Select credits from CRAF 683, CRAF 691, KINE 671, KINE 692, KINE 695, PAPR 683, PAPR 691, PHTO 691, PHTO 692, SCPT 530, SCPT 691 or SCPT 692.

2

Electives may be chosen from among all university courses listed as 500-level or higher and require approval from a faculty adviser.

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 60.

Suggested course sequence

Semester 1Hours
CRAF 670 Graduate Studio 6
CRAF 681 Candidacy Research 3
CRAF 690 Graduate Seminar 3
Elective 1 3
 Term Hours: 15
Semester 2
CRAF 670 Graduate Studio 6
CRAF 681 Candidacy Research 3
CRAF 690 Graduate Seminar 3
Studio elective 2 3
 Term Hours: 15
Semester 3
CRAF 670 Graduate Studio 6
CRAF 682 Thesis 3
CRAF 690 Graduate Seminar 3
Elective 1 3
 Term Hours: 15
Semester 4
CRAF 670 Graduate Studio 6
CRAF 682 Thesis 3
CRAF 690 Graduate Seminar 3
Elective 1 3
 Term Hours: 15
 Total Hours: 60
1

Electives may be chosen from among all university courses listed as 500-level or higher and require approval from a faculty adviser.

2

Select credits from CRAF 683, CRAF 691, KINE 671, KINE 692, KINE 695, PAPR 683, PAPR 691, PHTO 691, PHTO 692, SCPT 530, SCPT 691 or SCPT 692.

The minimum number of graduate credit hours required for this degree is 60.

Contact
Blair Clemo
Professor and graduate program director
abclemo@vcu.edu

Additional contact
crafts@vcu.edu
(804) 828-1750

Program website: arts.vcu.edu/craft