Cornell University Registrar

Program Description

The M.F.A. Image Text is a low-residency program that brings together critically, culturally, and politically engaged practices in creative writing, visual media, and design for print and digital publication.

Program Policies

Students are expected to follow all university, college, and program policies. Failure to comply with any policy or petition decision may result in review by the program committee.

Academic Standing

To be in good academic standing in the M.F.A. Image Text program, students must:

• Earn a minimum semester grade point average (GPA) of 2.7; and
• Successfully complete the prescribed courses and academic credits each semester, as outlined in the semester-by-semester curriculum.

Grades

• All required classes must be taken under the letter grade or SX/UX grading basis.
• Students who wish to take more credits in any given semester must submit a petition requesting permission. During the fall and spring semesters, enrollment is limited to the prescribed curriculum. Students must follow the online instruction limit policy if they are interested in taking classes that are offered online. Classes completed with an audit grade cannot be applied toward any curricular requirement.

Advanced Standing/Transfer Credit

There is no advanced standing or transfer credit in the M.F.A. Image Text program. All students must complete all curricular requirements at Cornell during the semesters specified.

Program Information

• Program Mode of Delivery: In Person
• Program Location: Ithaca, NY
• Minimum Credits for Degree: 60
• Length of Program: 7 semesters; Part-time study

Program Requirements

Students must complete the following curriculum and degree requirements:

Total Academic Credits: 60

Semester Pathway

University Graduation Requirements

Requirements for All Students

In order to receive a Cornell degree, a student must satisfy academic and non-academic requirements.

Academic Requirements

A student’s college determines degree requirements such as residency, number of credits, distribution of credits, and grade averages. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the specific major, degree, distribution, college, and graduation requirements for completing their chosen program of study. See the individual requirements listed by each college or school or contact the college registrar’s office for more information.

Non-academic Requirements

Conduct Matters. Students must satisfy any outstanding sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed or agreed to under the Student Code of Conduct (Code) or Policy 6.4. Where a formal complaint under the Code or Policy 6.4 is pending, the University will withhold awarding a degree otherwise earned until the adjudication process set forth in those procedures is complete, including the satisfaction of any sanctions, penalties or remedies imposed.

Financial Obligations. Outstanding financial obligations will not impact the awarding of a degree otherwise earned or a student’s ability to access their official transcript. However, the University may withhold issuing a diploma until any outstanding financial obligations owing to the University are satisfied.

Learning Outcomes

Through successful fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts, Image Text, graduates will:

• Demonstrate a command of formal and technical skills and vocabulary as appropriate to the student’s concentration area(s) and ability to synthesize it into finished and compelling professional artworks.
• Demonstrate an informed awareness of the current professional landscape and an ability to identify and pursue opportunities appropriate to their areas and genres of concentration.
• Demonstrate an informed awareness of contemporary and historical image text art practices, and an ability to critically analyze and contextualize them.

Admissions

Application Deadlines 

Please visit the AAP website to view application deadlines and more detailed information on application requirements.

The Department of Art has specific requirements for the M.F.A. in Image Text program:

• Admission is open only to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and individuals with current valid U.S. immigration status. Individuals who would require immigration status and sponsorship to enter the U.S. are not eligible for this hybrid degree. Please note that no Student Status Visa(s) or student immigration documentation can be issued at this time.
• Applicants still enrolled in an undergraduate program at the time of application must have a conferral date no later than May 31 in order to be eligible for admission.

Application and Portfolio Requirements

• Two letters of recommendation.
• Academic Statement of Purpose.
• Official transcripts are required from every college or university you have attended.
• All applicants must meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement 
  • Visit the Graduate School Admissions site for details on the English language proficiency requirement, including standing exemptions. 
• All applicants must submit a portfolio with their application. The portfolio should consist of a PDF of no more than 20 pages. There are no word or image count requirements beyond the 20-page limit. Additionally, applicants may submit links to no more than 3 supplemental work samples in any media (websites, Vimeo URLs, etc.). Portfolios are to be submitted through Cornell AAP SlideRoom. If you have difficulty uploading your portfolio to Cornell AAP Slideroom, please email us at aap-admissions@cornell.edu.
  • Statement of goals. The statement of goals should address why you are applying to M.F.A. Image Text and what you hope to learn and achieve as a graduate student in the program. Please limit to 500 words. Statements should be uploaded via Cornell AAP SlideRoom
  • Statement of creative work. The statement of creative work is an artist statement; it is an opportunity to frame and give context to the work that you are submitting in your portfolio. Please limit to 500 words. Statements should be uploaded via Cornell AAP SlideRoom
• Interviews are not required as part of the initial application process; however, shortlisted candidates will be asked to interview virtually. Applicants interested in meeting with the program directors should contact them directly.

Expected Supply Fees

Art students should expect to spend a minimum of $1,000 and up to $3,000 for expendable supplies each academic year, depending on academic level, courses selected, and projects chosen.