Interdisciplinary Media, MFA
Get Creative with Your Future
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.
Program at a Glance
2-3 years
Duration
48
Credit Hours
$561
Cost per Credit
100%
Online
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.
Course Spotlight
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.
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.
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.
Tuition
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.
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!
Related Programs
Interested in discovering related programs? Explore the following programs to find the best fit for your future:
- Master’s in Art & Design, MA
- Master’s in Art History & Visual Culture, MA
- Master of Fine Arts in Writing, MFA
If you aren’t sure which program is right for you, filling out the form on this page and speaking to a Lindenwood representative is the best way to determine your path forward!
Frequently Asked Questions
As an educational focus, interdisciplinary arts explores topics, concepts, and practices across multiple artistic disciplines within one program of study.
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.
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.
Yes, in most cases an MFA is considered a terminal degree credential.
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.
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.
Why Choose Lindenwood University Online?
Since 1832, Lindenwood University has served students worldwide with affordable, high-quality academic programs providing real experience and real success. After nearly 200 years of academic excellence, Lindenwood is committed to a set of core values, including integrity, dedication, excellence, creativity, and community.
Quality
We evolve our online degree programs to reflect the latest in academic research and innovation and to meet the top standards of higher education.
Affordability
We are committed to offering our students studying online low tuition rates on top of multiple ways to save on your education.
Career-Focused
Our programs align curriculum to industry realities from experienced instructors who share real-world insights.
Support
We employ experts who are dedicated to helping our students with financial aid planning, enrollment counseling, tutoring services, and more.
We are committed to helping you succeed.
Throughout each step of your online degree program, you will receive support. From enrollment and tuition planning to staying on the right track, your support team is there to ensure your success.