Our Dual MFA/MA

The Dual Degree MFA/MA program offers a balanced education that emphasizes both creative practice and critical analysis.

Students in the dual degree program earn both an MA in Critical Studies and an MFA in either Visual Studies or Print Media in three years.

The Critical Studies program provides support for research and writing, as well as introducing critical lenses such as feminist and queer studies, and postcolonial and critical race theory. The Visual Studies and Print Media programs emphasize creative practice and experimentation that is framed and enhanced by this critical research and writing.

Deepen your understanding of art, creative practice, and critical analysis with a dual degree program and set yourself up for a variety of career options.

Benefits of a Dual Degree

By combining the academic skills of an MA with the rigorous creative practice of an MFA, students develop a well-rounded perspective on art and culture. Students learn to think critically about their work and the work of others and gain an understanding of the cultural, social, and historic context of contemporary art. A dual degree opens up a wide range of career possibilities, including paths in academia, publishing, nonprofits, and museum work.

Faculty Highlight

Shawna Lipton

Chair of MA in Critical Studies

Associate Dean of Graduate Studies

Shawna Lipton is a scholar who has been invited to speak at the Time-Based Art Festival and is on the Board of Directors of the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art (PICA). She received her Ph.D. in Literature and Cultural Theory from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Her research and teaching interests include visual studies, critical pedagogy, and gender studies. Her critical writing has been published in New Cinemas and QED: A Journal in GLBTQ Worldmaking.

Alumni Spotlight

Ashley Hollan (‘21)

Ashley Hollan holds dual degrees in Critical Studies (MA) and Visual Studies (MFA) from the Pacific Northwest College of Art. She also earned her BA in Public Policy and Visual Art/Art History at Duke University, and attended law school at the University of Denver. In addition to residencies, collaborations, and independent studies, Ashley’s work has been exhibited throughout the Southern and Pacific Northwest regions of the United States and online. She currently serves as a Visiting Professor of Arts Administration and Art at Elon University.