Master's Degree for the Next Generation of Artists
Point Park University's Conservatory of Performing Arts offers a low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts, one of the few programs of its kind in the country.
The M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts is designed to help artists and creative thinkers develop their passions with consideration of entrepreneurial spirit.
M.F.A. Program At a Glance
Overview
M.F.A. students in this 60-credit terminal degree program experience a six-day in-person learning laboratory with hands-on professional development in our state-of-the-art facilities, followed by qualitative self-designed study while living and working from home.
Each semester, students will be paired with a full-time faculty member from Point Park's Conservatory of Performing Arts, School of Business, Communication or Education, whose one-on-one mentorship aligns with their academic interest and/or artistic focus.
Unique to this program, students will work with and learn from nonprofit and commercial business professionals to gain the tools necessary to develop their artistic visions as industry-ready pitches, publications and/or projects.
Low-Residency Requirements
The 2.5 year program includes a six-day, on-campus residency in the winter and summer. The residency offers featured speakers, themed conversations, design of semester study goals, personal time to reflect and plan, interactive workshops and student presentations.
Students will then continue one-on-one rigorous study from their home with an assigned faculty advisor based on their academic interest and/or artistic focus.
Study and work are communicated through online, email and telephone correspondence throughout the semester to meet the degree criteria.
Eligibility and Artistic Awards
The M.F.A. program is open to a wide spectrum of artists who have earned an undergraduate degree, ranging from socially-engaged activists creating works for intimate settings to commercially-inclined creatives aiming to impact mass audiences.
The cross-pollination of disciplines allows for the further development of artistic interconnection, community collaborations and an entrepreneurial mindset. Students with professional experience may also be considered for admission.
Artistic awards are available. The amount is based on our assessment of your creative potential and will be determined after the review of your admissions file, including the portfolio and the interview.
What is a low-residency Master of Fine Arts program?
The low-residency M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts program is structured so that students can complete their degree while living in their own community and balance work and life commitments. Most of the course work will be completed via distance learning, but students will also come to Point Park to participate in on-campus residencies.
What happens during the residencies?
During the six day, on-campus residencies, students participate in workshops led by teachers and guest artists. Residencies will consist of:
- Advisor group sessions
- Professional development workshops
- Special events
- Presentations
- Performances
How many graduate hours will I need to complete?
The rigorous program, which can be completed in 2.5 years, is a 60-credit terminal degree program.
How much is tuition? Are there artistic awards available?
Tuition is calculated on a per credit basis. See our tuition and fees chart to calculate the total program cost (multiply the graduate cost per credit by the total number of program credits, which is 60 credits).
Note: The residencies have additional housing and meal costs, which are not included in your tuition. For lodging information, please visit the Area Hotels page.
The M.F.A. program does offer artistic awards, which are awarded based on the student application, the portfolio submission and the interview process.
Application Process and Guidelines
Submission deadline: June 1, 2025 (summer residency)
- Apply to Point Park University to be academically admitted. Students may apply with a 2.5 or higher GPA. Two letters of recommendation are required.
- Submit your artistic portfolio via digital submission to app.getacceptd.com/pointpark.
- Schedule a phone interview with Ryan McMasters, interim M.F.A. Interdisciplinary Arts manager: rmcmasters@PointPark.EDU
Please note: Applicants are required to submit an artistic portfolio as part of the application process. You do not have to be academically admitted to Point Park before scheduling a phone interview, but you must have an application on file and have submitted your portfolio via Acceptd.
Artistic Portfolio Guidelines
Your artistic portfolio should include the following:
A. Personal Essay
Your personal essay should be 750-1000 words and should include (but not limited to):
- Professional, personal and artistic goals.
- Types of interdisciplinary works you are interested in exploring, crafting, creating.
- Entrepreneurial goals.
- Current curiosities.
- Why this program is appealing?
- What you hope to gain from this experience?
B. Creative Resume
The creative resume should include all work experience, educational background and all creative projects. Each should include a brief description, year, location and collaborators (if applicable) of creation. In addition, all technology skills, multidisciplinary skills, related works, awards and recognitions should be listed on the resume.
C. Creative Work Sample
Applicants must provide 5-10 samples of your creative work. Curate selections that best demonstrate the scope of your artistic creations. Each sample should be supported by a brief description and overview of the work.
For questions regarding the application process:
conservatory@pointpark.edu or 412-392-3451
For technical questions when submitting your artistic portfolio:
Contact the Acceptd Help Desk online
For program-specific questions:
Contact Daniel Karasik, director, M.F.A. Interdisciplinary Arts: dkarasik@pointpark.edu
Message from Program Founder Kiesha Lalama
Kiesha Lalama, M.F.A., is the interim dean of the School of Theatre, Film and Animation in the Conservatory of Performing Arts and executive producer of the University's Pittsburgh Playhouse.
We welcome you to join the next era of imaginative artists with entrepreneurial spirits.
Point Park University is on the brink of transformation.
Our passions are forged through the intersections of exploration, innovation and collaboration. Our dedication lies in nurturing a synergistic alliance across all six schools of Point Park University.
Through this collective endeavor, we encourage artists of all realms to advance their imagination, artistic exploration and entrepreneurial understanding.
Together, we can cultivate endless possibilities into realities.