Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts and Writing

Our Approach

Through classes, workshops, and events, CIIS' Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts and Writing program cultivates a culture of inquiry that helps students refine and articulate their work. Unlike traditional MFAs with a studio component, this program emphasizes dialogue, mentorship, and interdisciplinary exploration as the foundation for artistic growth. We believe genuine discovery happens through conversation across the arts.

The program is uniquely personal and hands-on. Throughout the program, students have individualized sessions with faculty advisers and can enroll in four mentorships with art professionals to hone their craft or develop new skills. This one-on-one support expands students’ creative range and prepares them for the next steps as an art professional.

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Career Paths

The MFA curriculum prepares students to launch or expand their professional lives as artists and makers. Graduates pursue careers in:

• Media
• Coaching
• Editing and publishing
• Arts administration or non-profits
• Education and academia
• Arts advocacy and activism

To explore career opportunities and learn more about MFA graduates, visit the Impact page.

Curriculum

The MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts and Writing is a two-year, 39-unit asynchronous, online program with required virtual meetings for all courses at the start of each fall and spring semester.

We also offer a residential course, Interdisciplinary Arts Seminar (1-2 units), each fall and spring semester that students can take once or multiple times. The course includes a 4-day residency in San Francisco (fall semester) and other locations (spring semester). It provides opportunities to build relationships with cohort members and our MFA community, participate in events with arts organizations, visit local art spaces and venues, and work with guest artists. We also offer shared events with The Arts at CIIS.

Featured Courses

• Creative Inquiry for Interdisciplinary Artists
  This course invites you to approach inquiry both as a specific act — asking pointed questions — and as a tool for exploring broader contexts.
• Arts in Context
  In this course, you’ll explore foundational questions while articulating your artistic heritages and the social, cultural, political, historical, spiritual, psychological, and contemporary influences on your work.
• The Artist in the World: Preparing the Artist’s Portfolio
  This course emphasizes professional practices at work in the world, including external research and the development of key materials such as artist statements, narrative biographies, résumés, and an action plan for creating a stable career.

Entry Requirements

If you would like to learn more about this program, we’re here to help. Explore our program further with in-depth materials, discuss your personal and career goals at one of our open houses, or get in touch with our admissions counselors, who are ready to assist you in navigating the application process.

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Required Application Materials

Your application is your opportunity to share who you are. To be considered essays and written responses must be your own authentic work.

Online Application: Begin the application process by submitting an online application and paying the nonrefundable $68 application fee.

Minimum GPA: A GPA of 3.0 or higher in previous coursework is required. However, a GPA below 3.0 does not automatically disqualify an applicant and CIIS will consider a prospective student whose GPA is between 2.0 and 3.0. These individuals are required to submit a GPA Statement and are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions to discuss their options.

Transcripts: Official transcripts from all accredited academic institutions attended where 7 or more credits have been earned. Transcripts may be sent digitally to materials@ciis.edu or mailed to CIIS in their official, sealed envelope. Transcripts from institutions outside the U.S. or Canada require a foreign credit evaluation through World Education Services (WES). CIIS will also accept foreign credential evaluations that are in a comprehensive course-by-course format from the current members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Degree Requirement: An undergraduate degree (B.A., B.S., or the equivalent) from an accredited college or university.

Admissions Essay: A five-to-seven-page essay incorporating some or all of the following questions:

• What art experiences are central for you and what interests do you bring to the MFA at CIIS?  
• What art projects are you currently working on?
• How would you describe yourself as writer and/or artist?  
• What prepares you for undertaking the MFA now—and what goals do you have for the MFA? 

Art sample: For writers, 15 to 30 pages of poetry, prose, script, or mixed genre work. For visual, performing, sound or interdisciplinary artists: please provide links or URLs (or you may submit CDs or DVDs). Artists working in more than one form may submit samples in multiple forms.

Two letters of recommendation: One from an academic advisor or someone familiar with your ability to do academic work, and one from a professional artist in your general field. Alternatively, one of the letters may be from a supervisor in a recent professional or volunteer setting.

Candidate Selection

You must complete your bachelor's degree before beginning the programs; there is no requirement as to the field of study of the undergraduate degree. You can demonstrate appropriate levels of accomplishment and commitment to your art by means of work samples and personal statements. We welcome students from all backgrounds; however, the Admissions Committee may ask students with limited arts or writing experience to supplement their degrees with some additional CIIS coursework.

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