At a Glance
$551
Cost per Credit
48
Credit Hours
100%
Online
2-3 Years
Program LengthMaster’s in Interdisciplinary Media, MFA
Program Overview
At a Glance
$551
Cost per Credit
48
Credit Hours
100%
Online
2-3 Years
Program LengthWhy Study Interdisciplinary Media?
Lindenwood University’s online MFA program offers the opportunity to take your artistic approach further across multiple artistic disciplines. Small class sizes and the ability to define your creative learning path in one of three emphasis areas, including Fiction, Poetry, and Creative Nonfiction, allows you to nurture your artistry at the next level as it aligns with your professional goals. Take advantage of a fully online MFA interdisciplinary arts environment with a robust collaborative component in the form of creative workshops that help you take your artistry to the next level.
What You'll Learn
Your MFA degree online coursework offers a first-year exploration of the practice of creating art using new and traditional media tools and techniques, and a second-year focus on the student’s individual artistry. The Master of Fine Arts online program culminates in a final portfolio project that synthesizes conceptual and applied learning as a personal, visual statement of a student’s artistry. Course studies cover topics across art, design, media production, history, and theory, such as:
- Research and Scholastic Writing
- Print Design and Production
- Directing for Film and Television
- Audience Analysis and Interactive Age
Essential Skills & Insights
Coursework in this online MFA program covers the following:
- Immersive Learning: benefit from a collaborative, feedback-driven learning environment that offers opportunities to hone artistry in practice through in-program workshops.
- Customizable Curriculum: tailor your program to your goals for your artistic growth through a choice of tracks in Fiction, Poetry, and Creative Nonfiction, and focus on a number of other artistic disciplines in your studies.
- Digital Media Aptitude: gain expertise in new media tools and approaches through an exploration of cutting-edge tech and techniques in this area.
- Portfolio Building: develop a final portfolio as a culmination of individual mastery of learning as well as advancement of artistry.
How Does a Fully Online MFA Degree Work?
The fully online MFA at Lindenwood offers a comprehensive exploration of interdisciplinary studies within the Fine Arts in a small class setting of 12-14 students without the residency requirement of an in-person or low-residency MFA. Students can focus on a number of different disciplines, and declare and emphasis in Fiction, Poetry, Creative Nonfiction and Young Adult and Middle Grade Writing, combining coursework from History, Theory, and Media Electives from at least two disciplines, with a broad offering of courses – from painting and drawing to motion graphics and new production to 3D printing and more.
There are extensive opportunities for collaboration both with other students and with faculty, especially in “workshop” courses that offer peer feedback and assessment of creative work, along with development of creative portfolios. Students are also able to work on the program’s literary journal, The Lindenwood Review. Additionally, the online MFA program hosts the following events that students find interesting:
- Lindenwood Craft Talks - writers of distinction discuss the craft of writing with students.
- Bi-annual MFA Capstone Reading - students who completed/are completing their capstone are invited to give short readings and celebrate together. This event is open to all Lindenwood MFA community, as well as the graduate’s family and friends.
Career Outlook
Graduates of the online MFA program have an opportunity to pursue a number of creative career fields that value a blended background in the Fine Arts, in roles such as Curator, Art Director, Professor, Artist, Creative Director, and Designer. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), art directors can earn a lucrative median annual salary of $106,500, while graphic designers can earn a median annual salary of $58,910.
Tuition Details
The cost per credit hour for this MFA interdisciplinary arts program is $561. Besides being ranked No. 17 on Niche.com’s list of Best Value Colleges in Missouri, we build in unique benefits such as our 20 percent discount per credit hour for returning alumni pursuing their master’s degree.
Admissions Requirements
In addition to the online applications and applicable fees, students must meet the following degree requirements to be considered for admission:
- Transcripts demonstrating completion of undergraduate degree in related field with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in all major coursework.
- The official results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may be required if GPA is below 3.0.
- Three academic and/or professional references
- 1,000-word statement of purpose describing applicant’s goals.
- Specific deliverables depending on area of study, such as a writing sample and/or portfolio of work.
TRANSFER CREDITS
Lindenwood offers a generous transfer policy of up to nine credits toward your degree completion to further offset tuition costs. This means you can complete your degree in as few as 39 credit hours at Lindenwood—saving you time and money on your education!
Learn MoreCurriculum Overview
The two-year online master’s in interdisciplinary studies degree program at Lindenwood University offers an innovative curriculum that integrates various media arts disciplines. These comprehensive and efficient online courses will help you develop a diverse skill set through hands-on projects and collaborative experiences. Our experienced faculty specializes in equipping practicing artists and designers with a competitive advantage for careers in a variety of art and design fields. Plus, your degree will culminate in a final portfolio you can use to impress prospective employers after graduation.
Major Coursework – 21 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CAH 50000 | Research Methods | 3 |
| CAH 51000 | Research and Scholastic Writing | 3 |
| CAH 55000 | Graduate Seminar | 3 |
| CAH 56000 | Graduate Seminar II | 3 |
| CAH 60000 | Thesis/Directed Project I | 3 |
| CAH 61000 | Thesis/Directed Project II | 3 |
History and Theory Elective Coursework – 6 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ARTH 55400 | Nineteenth-Century Art | 3 |
| ARTH 55600 | Baroque Art | 3 |
| ARTH 55700 | Ancient Art | 3 |
| ARTH 55800 | Medieval Art | 3 |
| ARTH 56100 | Twentieth-Century Art/Modern | 3 |
| ARTH 56200 | Twentieth-Century Art/Contemporary | 3 |
| ARTH 56400 | Non-Western Art | 3 |
| ARTH 58000 | History of Digital Art | 3 |
| ARTH 58900 | Art Theory and Criticism | 3 |
| ARTH 58901 | Independent Study | 1-6 |
Media Elective Coursework – 21 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AAD 50000 | Portfolio and Career Foundations | 3 |
| AAD 50010 | Research Studies I: Methods in Art and Design | 3 |
| AAD 50100 | Printmaking | 3 |
| AAD 50500 | Painting | 3 |
| AAD 51000 | Design with Illustrator | 3 |
| AAD 51100 | Extended Realities (XR/AR/VR) | 3 |
| AAD 51500 | Studies in Graphic Design | 3 |
| AAD 52100 | Digital Art I | 3 |
| AAD 52200 | Motion Graphics | 3 |
| AAD 53000 | Drawing | 3 |
Career Opportunities
Writing Professor
Teach writing courses at colleges and universities and inspire the next generation of authors while pursuing your own writing goals.
Editor
Work for publishing houses, magazines, or literary agencies, reviewing and editing manuscripts, and providing constructive feedback to authors.
Copywriter
Write advertising copy for marketing campaigns, websites, social media, and traditional media to engage and grow audiences for all types of businesses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are interdisciplinary arts?
As an educational focus, interdisciplinary arts explores topics, concepts, and practices across multiple artistic disciplines within one program of study.
What is an MFA degree?
An MFA is a master’s-level fine arts degree that focuses on a specific artistic field, such as visual arts, performing arts, creative writing, or design.
Can you earn an MFA online?
Yes, you can earn an MFA fully online. Lindenwood’s 100% online MFA program offers the opportunity to gain the advantages of a residency-based MFA without the commitment to an onsite residency.
Is a Master of Fine Arts a terminal degree?
Yes, in most cases an MFA is considered a terminal degree credential.
Is it better to get an MA or an MFA degree?
It depends on what you want to accomplish with your degree as far as your education and career goals. An MA focuses more on research and theory, whereas an MFA emphasizes hands-on creativity and artistry.
Is a Master of Fine Arts degree worth it?
If you are interested in furthering a particular area of artistic practice, an MFA is valuable as it can help you advance your practice through a focus on your area of interest within the Fine Arts.
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