University of Notre Dame Offers Fully-Funded MFA With Generous Stipend
Notre Dame is accepting graduate applications for fall 2026 in Studio Art (Painting/Drawing, Photography, Ceramics, Sculpture) and Design (Industrial Design, Visual Communication Design).
Notre Dame is accepting graduate applications for fall 2026 in Studio Art (Painting/Drawing, Photography, Ceramics, Sculpture) and Design (Industrial Design, Visual Communication Design).
MFA student Alejandro Mejia Andrade presents his work to the University of Notre Dame faculty and students (photo by Hillary Johnson)
Deepen your practice as an artist within a diverse and nurturing community of outstanding faculty and fellow graduate students. Throughout the MFA program you’ll explore new techniques, refine your artistic philosophy, and gain teaching experience at one of the top universities in the United States. As a global research university, Notre Dame also offers opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and international engagement, including funding for research travel.
As a tier 1 research university, Notre Dame offers students access to world-class scholars and cultural events from across the institution. Our dedicated faculty work closely with graduate students to develop their work in a supportive and critical environment augmented by a program of visiting artists, designers, critics, and art historians.
With easy access to the museums and galleries of Chicago (90 minutes away by car) and museums in Indianapolis, Toledo, and Detroit within a few hours of campus, students have ample opportunity to enrich their research and practice.
We offer full tuition waivers to all students admitted to the MFA program. Additionally, a $28,500 stipend is awarded to all accepted students for each year of the program. A variety of grants and awards are available for students to support travel, supplies, and other research-based costs. These resources and the relatively low cost of living in South Bend, Indiana, help us offer a terminal degree program that doesn’t burden artists and designers with significant debt.
The MFA degree in studio art or design is a three-year, 60-credit program. Graduate students pursue an area of interest through a system of independent study courses with the faculty. The MFA program also allows qualified graduate students to gain college-level teaching experience during their second and third years of study.
Applications for fall 2026 are due February 1.
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