This is the only named option within the Human Ecology, MFA. Students interested in the Human Ecology, MFA should apply directly to this Human Ecology: Design Studies, MFA named option.
The focus of the MFA degree is on creative performance in design. Its goals are to promote strong and creative conceptual thinking, exploration, interpretation, innovation, and overall excellence in design execution.
Specializations
Students typically focus their work in one of two general areas:
- Textile and Fashion Design (TFD): TFD students focus on the conceptual, technical, and aesthetic possibilities of textiles and clothing.
- Interior Architecture (IA): IA students typically concentrate on the innovative application of aesthetic, conceptual, and expressive design strategies in interior environments.
There are many students who may work across these areas or have an even more idiosyncratic integrative focus. In every case, students formulate a plan of study to suit their individual needs.
The course of study requires the completion of a minimum of 60 credits and includes a substantial studio work component. The curriculum seeks to create a foundation with flexibility to fit student needs. Interested students can view course requirements on this page.
Admissions
Please consult the table below for key information about this degree program’s admissions requirements. The program may have more detailed admissions requirements, which can be found below the table or on the program’s website.
Graduate admissions is a two-step process between academic programs and the Graduate School. Applicants must meet the minimum requirements of the Graduate School as well as the program(s). Once you have researched the graduate program(s) you are interested in, apply online.
| Fall Deadline | December 1 |
| Spring Deadline | The program does not admit in the spring. |
| Summer Deadline | The program does not admit in the summer. |
| GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) | Not required. |
| English Proficiency Test | Every applicant whose native language is not English, or whose undergraduate instruction was not exclusively in English, must provide an English proficiency test score earned within two years of the anticipated term of enrollment. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Requirements for Admission policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1241. |
| Other Test(s) (e.g., GMAT, MCAT) | n/a |
| Letters of Recommendation Required | 3 |
Human Ecology Admissions Information.
Funding
Graduate School Resources
Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School. Be sure to check with your program for individual policies and restrictions related to funding.
Program Resources
Funding opportunities for Human Ecology graduate students are available and made possible, in large part, by generous donations to SoHE. Every year, these funds are used to fund teaching or project assistantships, award academic excellence scholarships, and provide students doing their masters or doctoral research or final MFA project with conference travel scholarships and graduate research scholarships. See the School of Human Ecology Enrollment Policy on Funding Eligibility and view current funding opportunities on our program website for more information.
Minimum Graduate School Requirements
Review the Graduate School minimum academic progress and degree requirements, in addition to the program requirements listed below.
Named Option Requirements
Mode of Instruction
| Face to Face | Evening/Weekend | Online | Hybrid | Accelerated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | No | No | No |
Mode of Instruction Definitions
Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UW–Madison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.
Curricular Requirements
| Minimum Credit Requirement | 51 credits |
| Minimum Residence Credit Requirement | 31 credits |
| Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement | 30 credits must be graduate-level coursework. Refer to the Graduate School: Minimum Graduate Coursework (50%) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1244. |
| Overall Graduate GPA Requirement | 3.00 GPA required. Refer to the Graduate School: Grade Point Average (GPA) Requirement policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1203 |
| Other Grade Requirements | n/a |
| Assessments and Examinations | Required Milestones
|
| Language Requirements | n/a |
Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Interdisciplinary Human Ecology (InterHE) Courses | ||
| Students must complete the following courses for 2 credits. | ||
| INTER-HE 792 | Theories and Perspectives in Human Ecology | 1 |
| INTER-HE 801 | Special Topics in Human Ecology (Professional Development Seminar) | 1 |
| Material Culture, History and Criticism | 6 | |
| Students must complete at least 6 credits in this category. Courses may include, but are not limited to the following list. See below table for more information. | ||
| Historiography, Theory and Methods in Visual Culture | ||
| Visual Cultures: Topics in Visual Cultures | ||
| Curatorial Studies Colloquium | ||
| History of Fashion, 1400-Present | ||
| History of Architecture and Interiors I: Antiquity through 18th Century | ||
| History of Architecture & Interiors II: 19th and 20th Centuries | ||
| History of Textiles | ||
| Special Topics (History: Object Based Learning) | ||
| Dimensions of Material Culture | ||
| Design Studies Seminar | 3 | |
| Students must complete at least 3 credits of the following course. This is fulfilled by taking at least 1 credit per year for all three years of the program. | ||
| Seminar in Design Studies (MFA Studio Colloquium) | ||
| Non-Studio Elective Coursework | 3 | |
| Students must complete at least 3 credits in this category. The course should be related to the area of research but outside of the arts. Students must choose a course numbered 300 and above outside of the School of Human Ecology. | ||
| Elective Coursework | 5 | |
| Students must complete at least 5 credits in this category. Students may select courses numbered 300 and above from within the School of Human Ecology or other departments across campus. | ||
| Art Colloquium | 6 | |
| Students must complete at least 6 credits of the following course by taking 1 credit each semester (recommended). | ||
| Colloquium in Art | ||
| General Studio Work | 9 | |
| Students must complete at least 9 credits to develop a strong foundation in studio-based inquiry and applied scholarship. Choose from any studio course numbered 300 or above from any of the following departments (Art, Communication Arts, Creative Writing, Design Studies, Dance, Landscape Architecture, Music, or Theater); or other studio (applied scholarship) courses as determined by the faculty advisor. | ||
| Focused Area Studio Work | 17 | |
| At least 8 credits must be with the faculty advisor (1-3 credits recommended each semester). Remaining credits may be with the faculty advisor and/or faculty members on the MFA committee. Students must complete the following course to meet the minimum credit requirement. | ||
| Research and Thesis | ||
| Total Credits | 51 | |
Material Culture, History and Criticism Requirement
DS 920 Seminar in Design Studies may fulfill a portion of the requirement. Students may also select other courses in the following departments focusing on material culture, history and/or criticism:
- African Cultural Studies
- African American Studies
- American Indian Studies
- Art History
- Asian Languages & Literature
- Design Studies
- Gender & Women's Studies, or History
- Other departments focusing on material culture, history and/or criticism as determined by the faculty advisor.
Graduate School Policies
The Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures provide essential information regarding general university policies. Program authority to set degree policies beyond the minimum required by the Graduate School lies with the degree program faculty. Policies set by the academic degree program can be found below.
Named Option-Specific Policies
Prior Coursework
Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions
With program approval, students are allowed to transfer up to 20 credits of graduate coursework taken at other institutions. Prior coursework taken at other institutions may not be used to satisfy the minimum graduate residence credit requirement. Credits earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master's degree are not allowed to satisfy requirements.
Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a Professional Student at UW-Madison (Law, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Veterinary careers)
Refer to the Graduate School: Transfer Credits for Prior Coursework policy.
Credits Earned as a University Special Student at UW–Madison
With program approval, students are allowed to transfer up to 9 credits as a University Special student in coursework numbered 300 or above. These credits are not allowed to count toward the 50% graduate coursework minimum unless taken in coursework numbered 700 or above or are taken to meet the requirements of a capstone certificate and has the “Grad 50%” attribute. Credits earned ten or more years prior to admission to a master's degree are not allowed to satisfy requirements.
**Students can transfer in a total of 20 credits from all categories combined.
Probation
Refer to the Graduate School: Probation policy.
Advisor / Committee
Every graduate student is required to have an advisor. An advisor is a faculty member, or sometimes a committee, from the major department responsible for providing advice regarding graduate studies. An advisor generally serves as the thesis advisor. In many cases, an advisor is assigned to incoming students. Students can be suspended from the Graduate School if they do not have an advisor.
To ensure that students are making satisfactory progress toward a degree, the Graduate School expects them to meet with their advisor on a regular basis.
A committee often accomplishes advising for the students in the early stages of their studies.
Credits Per Term Allowed
15 credits
Time Limits
Refer to the Graduate School: Time Limits policy.
Grievances and Appeals
The School of Human Ecology Graduate Program Handbook outlines the conduct expectations and grievance process.
These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:
- Bias or Hate Reporting
- Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
- Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
- Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
- Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
- Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
- Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
- Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
- Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
- Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
- Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)
Other
n/a
Professional Development
Graduate School Resources
Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.
Program Resources
The School of Human Ecology Graduate Program values the professional development of graduate students and provides financial awards to those who are invited to present at professional conferences/exhibits. The purpose of the support is to encourage participation in professional development, scholarly research, and/or creative endeavor and to help cover expenses not covered by other sources. Students may receive a maximum award of $650 for travel ($750 for international travel) to support conference participation in a single academic year. Students are encouraged to seek conference and travel funding from the Graduate School as a first step and apply for supplemental funds through SoHE as needed.
In addition, each academic department within the School of Human Ecology may offer additional professional development grant opportunities. See the program Events Calendar for the most up-to-date information on professional development opportunities.
People
Human Ecology Directory: listing of all faculty, staff, and graduate students; searchable by association, department, and name
Department of Civil Society & Community Studies (Civil Society & Community Research: CSCR graduate program)
Department of Consumer Science (Consumer Behavior & Family Economics: CBFE graduate program)
Department of Design Studies (Design Studies: DS graduate programs)
Department of Human Development & Family Studies (Human Development & Family Studies: HDFS graduate program)