Graduate Programs
MFA in Art & Social Practice
Advance your creative practice with focused studio time, community-engaged projects, and close mentorship. At Sam Houston State University, the Master of Fine Arts in Art & Social Practice supports artists and cultural producers who explore the social role of art through collaborative, process-based, and community-based work.
The three-year graduate program positions students to lead creative projects, develop conceptual and educational initiatives, and gain teaching experience through graduate assistantships and mentorship. Students engage with Houston’s vibrant arts ecosystem and benefit from opportunities to collaborate with local organizations and visiting artists. Through partnership with SHSU’s Center for Community Engagement, students learn to connect their creative work to real-world impact and leadership in the arts.
Graduate Program Details
Find everything you need to apply to the MFA in Art & Social Practice—details on admission steps, assistantship funding, and the creative facilities that support your graduate experience.
Eligibility
Applicants typically hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or equivalent with a minimum 3.0 GPA in art coursework. Applicants with a degree in another field must have a 3.0 overall GPA and demonstrate a strong record of interdisciplinary creative research in their portfolio.
Application Steps
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Complete the SHSU Graduate Application through ApplyTexas.
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Upload all supplemental materials through the SHSU Self-Service Center, including:
3. Check your application status in the SHSU Self-Service Center once materials are submitted.
A limited number of Graduate Assistantships are awarded each year on a competitive basis. These positions help offset tuition costs and provide hands-on professional experience in areas such as photography, foundations, drawing, XR Lab, university galleries, and the visual resource center.
Assistantships allow students to work alongside faculty and may include teaching undergraduate courses during the second or third year of study.
Priority deadline: Applications received by the end of the first week of January (January 7, 2025) receive priority consideration for assistantships.
Graduate students in the College of Arts and Media may be eligible for scholarships that recognize artistic talent, academic excellence, and creative potential.
Through Scholarships4Kats—SHSU’s centralized scholarship application—students are automatically matched to opportunities they qualify for, including those offered by the university, the College of Arts and Media, and individual departments.
Some departmental scholarships may require additional steps, such as an audition or portfolio submission. All applicants must complete the Scholarships4Kats application and should contact their department directly with questions about specific opportunities.
For details about tuition, payment options, or other forms of financial assistance, visit the SHSU Financial Aid Office.
Graduate students are provided with individual studio spaces in the renovated Natural Science and Art Research Center and have access to facilities in the Dana G. Hoyt Fine Arts Building, including:
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Public galleries and exhibition spaces
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Design, animation, and computer studios
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Photography darkrooms and labs
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Sculpture, ceramics, painting, and drawing studios