Fine Arts MFA

MFA Fine Arts – Admissions & Portfolio Requirements

1.     School of Visual Arts

Deadline: January 15

2.     School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC)

Deadline: January 10

 3.     Pratt

Deadline: January 5

 4.     Hunter

Deadline: March 1

5.     RISD

Deadline: January 10

6.     Carnegie Mellon University

Deadline: January 31

7.     NYU

Deadline: January 15

 8.     Yale University School of Art

Deadline: January 1

9. Parsons

Deadline: January 10

10. Columbia University School of the Arts

Deadline: January 10

 

1. School of Visual Arts (SVA)

Contact:

gradadmissions@sva.edu

Office of Graduate Admissions
School of Visual Arts
209 East 23rd Street
New York, NY 10010-3994

Deadline: January 15

Checklist:

• Application
• Declaration of Finances
• English proficiency
• Official translation
• F1 or comparable visa
• Application fees
• Personal statement
• Resume
• Three letters of recommendation
• Interviews

Admission:

1. Application–https://applyweb.collegenet.com/account/new/create?origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.applyweb.com%2Fcgi-bin%2Fapplymenu%3Finstcode%3Dsvag
2. Declaration of Finances (+ Verification of Finances) non-US citizens, Photocopy of your permanent resident card (US citizens)
3. English proficiency requirements (one of the following):
   1. Minimum score of 79 (internet-based) or 213 (computer-based) on TOEFL
   2. Official translation- from all academic documents. All foreign post-secondary (university level) transcripts should be converted into U.S. educational equivalencies. Those records that are not converted into U.S. equivalencies must be evaluated by an external evaluation agency (ECE, WES, AACRAO)
      1. F1 or comparable student visa
      2. Application Fees-Non-refundable application fee
      3. Personal Statement-(250-500 words) describing the applicant’s reason for pursuing graduate study
      4. Resume–include professional experience as well as related activities
      5. Three letters of recommendation–from instructors or practicing professionals.
      6. Interviews-Personal interviews may be scheduled only on a case-by-case basis. Departments will contact applicants to schedule in-person or phone interviews.

2. Minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
3. Minimum score of 6 in all categories of the English proficiency examination administered by the New York University American Language Institute in New York.

Portfolio:

Portfolio: Applicants must submit exactly twelve (12) images (jpeg format for the Macintosh platform) to the Graduate Admissions SlideRoom account or by mailing in a CD. To access the Graduate Admissions SlideRoom portal and find out more information, please click here. Please format images as follows:

• Files must be labeled as follows: First initial, last name, image number (e.g., jdoe_1).
• Digital images must be 1500 pixels in width or height at 72 dpi.
• Video artists and those artists whose work addresses time or motion can also utilize the Graduate Admissions SlideRoom account or submit a separate DVD. DVDs should not exceed five minutes in length and should be labeled with the artist’s name and the title, date and running time of each work on the DVD. Please note: only NTSC DVD discs will be accepted.
• Printed inventory sheet with title, dimensions, materials and date of each piece.

Please Note: The MFA Fine Arts department strongly encourages submission via SlideRoom. No PowerPoint or other type of presentation format will be accepted.

2.School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC)

Contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions
36 S. Wabash Ave., suite 1201
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 800.232.7242 or 312.629.6100
Fax: 312.629.6101
Email: admiss@saic.edu

Deadline: January 10

 

Checklist:

• Application
• Application Fee
• Official transcript
• Statement of Purpose
• Two letters of recommendation
• Interviews
• Resume
• TOEFL / IELTS
• Records of studies, grades, courses
• F1 or comparable visa
• Portfolio

 

Admission:

1. Online Application-https://app.applyyourself.com/AYApplicantLogin/fl_ApplicantConnectLogin.asp?id=artic-grad
2. Application Fee-Domestic application fee $80, international application fee $100
3. Official transcript from college you have entered- If admitted to SAIC, you must submit a final, official transcript verifying the completion and award of your degree directly to SAIC’s admissions office prior to your matriculation.
4. Statement of Purpose-Write a 500- to 700-word statement that describes your work or research. Discuss how you came to focus on the medium, body of work, or academic area you wish to pursue at the graduate level. Also discuss future directions or goals for your work, and describe how the Master of Fine Arts in Studio (Sculpture) is particularly suited to your professional goals.
5. Two letters of recommendation-from persons who are qualified to write about your potential for success at SAIC.
6. Interviews-The Department of Sculpture conducts interviews by invitation only.
7. Resume
8. TOEFL (85) or IELTS (6.5)-More information: http://www.ets.org/toefl or http://www.ielts.org/
9. Records of studies, grades, courses you completed-Transcripts are records of your studies that list the courses you completed, the grades received, and provide evidence of degree conferral. They may include grade sheets, exam results, final diplomas, degrees, or graduation certificates. Official copies are issued in the original language directly by your university. Copies must bear the official stamp or seal of the institution, as well as the signature of the appropriate official such as the dean, rector, registrar, controller of examinations, or office of teaching affairs. Photos, notarized copies, facsimiles, or email transmissions are not acceptable.
10. F1 or comparable student visa

Portfolio:            

1. ePortfolio-Instructions for submitting ePortfolios will be sent either to the email address associated with your SAIC application, or to the email address associated with your ePortfolio account, if you already have one. You will receive the link to your ePortfolio 24 to 48 hours after you save the first page of the online application.
2. Your portfolio should include samples of your recent work: 15–20 still images OR 20 minutes of interactive or time-based work
   1. Optional support materials may include such items as performance notes and original scores and compositions.

• Images: .jpg, .gif, .pdf (up to 5 MB each)
• Videos: .flv, .wv, .mov (up to 60 MB each)
• Audio: .mp3 (up to 10 MB each)
• Text documents: MUST be in .pdf format (up to 10 MB each)
• Direct all inquiries regarding the ePortfolio to admiss_portfolio@saic.edu, 800.232.7242, or 312.629.6100.

 

 

3.Pratt

Contact:

Pratt Institute
Office of Graduate Admissions
Myrtle Hall 2nd floor
200 Willoughby Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11205

Deadline: January 5

Checklist:

• Application
• Application Fee
• Official transcript
• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Resume
• TOEFL / IELTS
• F1 or comparable visa
• Portfolio

Admission:

1. Online Application
2. Non-refundable $50 application fee
3. Transcripts; International students must have all transcripts officially translated into English (WES)
4. Two letters of recommendation from employers, professors, or others able to judge your potential for graduate study in your specific program.
5. Statement of purpose: your statement should discuss your long range goals and interest in the chosen discipline and reason for applying to the program
6. Resume
7. TOEFL score, Pearson, or IELTS score for international applicants whose native language is not English. This requirement is waived for applicants who have attended a US college for four years.  Unless otherwise indicated under Departmental Requirements, the minimum required TOEFL score is 550 (paper) 213 (computer) 79 (Internet) and the required IELTS score is 6.5. Please make sure that you register for a TOEFL or IELTS test that will enable you to submit your scores by the application deadline or soon after. It generally takes four to six weeks to receive the scores. Check www.toefl.org for information on testing sites.

 

Portfolio:

1.       Portfolio must be uploaded at https://pratt.slideroom.com

  

Fine Arts MFA (fall only) Brooklyn campus

Applicants for admission to the MFA degree program in Fine Art must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, university or art/ design school. It is not required that applicants have majored in studio art in their undergraduate studies, only that they demonstrate their readiness for the challenges of MFA studies. The 60-credit MFA program in Fine Art comprises four consecutive 15-week fall/spring semesters and begins in the fall. Accepted students may defer entry for one year. Those considering applying are strongly urged to visit Pratt and department tours can be arranged by contacting Nat Meade, Assistant to the Chair, 718.636.3792 (nmeade@pratt.edu). In addition to Pratt’s general graduate admissions requirements, applicants to the MFA in Fine Art are required to upload the following materials to pratt.slideroom.com.

1) A portfolio of up to 20 well-selected images (including detail views) of recent works made in the last 2-3 years. The graduate admissions committee is looking for portfolios that show a serious exploration of an idea through a body of work rather than showing a disconnected sampling of concepts and styles. Applicants may show work in diverse media as long as all of the work shows evidence of a guiding sensibility or idea. 2) A slide list indicating the title, dimensions, materials used, and date of completion for each work submitted; 3) A Statement of Purpose (500 words maximum) outlining the applicant’s interests and goals in pursuing graduate study. Applicants who are notified that they have reached the semi-finalist stage of admissions process will be interviewed on Skype. For international applicants whose first language is not English, a minimum TOEFL score of 580 (paper) 237 (computer) or 93 (Internet) is required.

Submit any print documents you intend to mail in one envelope if possible and mail to:
Pratt Institute Office of Graduate Admissions, Myrtle Hall 2nd floor, 200 Willoughby Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205
Phone: 718 636-3514 Fax: 718 399-4242

 

 

4.Hunter

Contact:

Hunter College Graduate Admissions Office
695 Park Avenue, Hunter North 203
New York, NY 10065

Deadline: March 1

Checklist:

• Application form
• Application fee
• Letters of reference
• TOEFL
• Transcripts
• Personal statement
• Resume
• Project summary
• Portfolio

Admission:

1. MFA applicants must have an undergraduate baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution (BA, BFA, or BS), and MUST HAVE 24 credits in studio art and 9 in art history. Applicants must also have maintained a 3.0 GPA overall, and a 3.0 GPA in art courses.
2. To complete the application, you will need to fill out the Hunter College Graduate Application for Admission here:  https://app.applyyourself.com/?id=Hunter-G
3. Application fee
4. Letters of Reference are only acceptable for applications as submitted electronically directly from the recommender
5. TOEFL test scores (if applicable)
6. Transcripts
7. Personal statement (500 words): Use the personal statement to describe your long-term objectives as a socially engaged media maker. You should also explain your reason for pursuing graduate study, and in particular, why Hunter’s IMA-MFA Program is relevant to your creative goals.  The personal statement is your opportunity to give us a sense of who you are, what you’ve done, and what you hope to do.  Tell us what   you hope to accomplish in the IMA-MFA Program.
8. Resume
9. Project Summary (500 words): Describe a new, non-fiction media project you could envision making in the IMA-MFA Program (an existing project can be discussed in your Personal Statement). How would you explore the subject matter or issue?  What creative tools would you use to tell the story?  How might you present the work, as a film, a website, an audio piece, an installation, or in another form?  How does your past work inform your approach to this imagined project?  In what ways would the piece reflect your personal approach or connection to the material?

 

Portfolio:

1.       To submit your Portfolio and Project Summary online click here for our Online Submission Form

Portfolio (including Cover Sheet)

Your portfolio submission contains examples of your creative work on which you had creative control or a significant creative role.  Your portfolio can include multiple projects, in their entirety or in segments.  Creative work can include films, sound recordings, web pages, game designs, interactive installations, reportage, photographs, etc. The running time of the portfolio should be no longer than 15 minutes.  In the case of creative work that is not time based, estimate how long it will take us to review your portfolio, keeping in mind that we want to give each of your creative samples the attention they deserve.The preferred format for submission of the portfolio is via the web. If you are able to, please provide a URL to your portfolio or to a specific piece in your portfolio.  Make sure the link continues to work and that your portfolio remains accessible throughout the application review period (through April).  If we cannot access portfolio on line, and we don’t receive a hard copy, your application will be considered incomplete. For hard copy submissions, you must complete a Portfolio Cover Sheet (download here) which includes information about your creative submissions to the IMA-MFA Program.  For each piece you submit, provide a brief summary that explains when and under what circumstances you made the pieces (including your specific creative role).  When submitting portions of a work, tell us how what we are viewing fits into the work as a whole.  When relevant, include information about capture and presentation format, project history, and future plans.

Applicants who have had only minimal media production experience should submit an example of their best creative work, in any visual medium.
Applicants with no media production experience should create a visual documentation of a subject using video, photographs, graphics, animation or mixed media.  If you created portfolio work specifically for your application, you should clearly indicate this.  You can also submit an analytical writing sample, particularly if it is a published work.

To submit your portfolio as a hard copy (DVD, CD, etc.), you must mail two copies directly to:MFA/IMA Program Office
c/o Hunter College Film and Media Studies Department
695 Park Avenue, Hunter North 482
New York, NY 10065.

Those selected for an interview will be contacted by the Art Department by early March. Please do not contact the Art Department to inquire about the status of your application. 

 

5.RISD

Contact:

Graduate Admissions Office
Rhode Island School of Design
Two College Street
Providence, RI 02903
USA

admissions@risd.edu
401 454-6300
or
800 364-7473

Deadline: January 10

Checklist:

• Application form
• Application-fee
• Official transcripts
• Statement of Purpose
• TOEFL or IELTS
• Letters of Recommendation
• Graduate Record Exam

Admissions:

1. Application form
2. $60 application-fee
3. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and/or graduate study indicating satisfactory completion, or evidence of anticipated completion, of an undergraduate degree program from an accredited college or university. If you are attending a school in a non-English-speaking country, your academic credentials must be translated into English by an approved translator.
4. Statement of Purpose:  Graduate applicants must submit a written statement (500–750 words) outlining their interest and goals in pursuing graduate study. Certain programs suggest more specific ideas or written requirements as outlined below.
5. TOEFL or IELTS:All applicants who speak English as a second language, including US citizens, must submit results from either TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Since proficiency in English is a prerequisite for acceptance, applicants must attain an acceptable score on either test; RISD requires a minimum result of 93 on the TOEFL or 6.5 on IELTS. Plan to take the TOEFL or IELTS well in advance of the application deadline since it may take six weeks for your scores to be sent to RISD. The language test requirement may be waived for applicants who are enrolled in an institution where English is the language of instruction.
6. Letters or Recommendation:  Applicants are required to submit three letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters should be written by teachers or other professionals who have firsthand knowledge of your art or academic achievements and can comment on your potential for graduate study.
7. Graduate Record Exam (GRE): Results from the Graduate Record Examination are not required, but MA, MAT and MLA candidates are encouraged to submit their scores.

Portfolio:

1. Graduate applicants are required to submit 10–20 examples of visual work, with certain programs suggesting more specific ideas or portfolio requirements
2. You must submit your portfolio through SlideRoom, an online portfolio service that charges a $10 fee.

 

SUBMITTING YOUR MATERIALS

• Submit your application and fee online.
• Make sure your college(s) mails official transcripts to the address listed below for the RISD Admissions Office.
• Upload your portfolio through SlideRoom. Applicants to the Architecture department should also mail a book format portfolio to the Admissions Office.
• Upload your Statement of Purpose through SlideRoom or mail it to the Admissions Office.
• Make sure your recommendations are submitted through SlideRoom or mailed to the Admissions Office.

 

6.Carnegie Mellon University:

Contact:

School of Art

CFA 3000-5000 Forbes Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412.268.2409

Graduate Admissions, email kjefferson@cmu.edu

Deadline: January 31

Checklist:

• Application
• Application fee
• Official transcript
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Visit to the campus
• F1 or comparable student visa
• TOEFL

Admission:

1.       Application-https://cmumfa.slideroom.com/#/Login (Slideroom)

2.       Application fee- non-refundable $50

3.       Official transcript-of all college work

4.       3 letters of recommendation

5.       Statement of Purpose-two pages

6.       Visit to the campus-highly recommended

7.       F1 or comparable student visa-

8.       TOEFL- A score between 20-27 on each section of the new TOEFL IBT is required for admission. Minimum traditional TOEFL scores of 250 computer based / 600 paper are required for admission. Carnegie Mellon University Institution Code: 2074

Portfolio:

1.       completion of the MFA portfolio/creative work review on Slideroom

 

7.NYU

Contact:

Office of Graduate Admissions
NYU Steinhardt
Joseph & Violet Pless Hall
82 Washington Square East, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10003-6680
steinhardt.gradadmissions@nyu.edu
212 998 5030
212 995 4328 (fax)

Deadline: January 15

Checklist:

• Application
• Application fee
• Official transcript
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Interview
• Resume
• F1 or comparable student visa
• TOEFL

Admission:

1. Application- http://steinhardt.nyu.edu/application/
2. Application fee- non-refundable $75
3. Official transcript- Must be obtained from all undergraduate and graduate institutions, if applicable.
4. 3 letters of recommendation- Should be obtained from academic and professional sources related to your background in art and/or education and teaching.
5. Statement of Purpose- (500-words): In this Artist Statement, please describe your current work and the influences in any disciplines that have been important in shaping your practice.
6. Interview- A personal interview by invitation only is required; for those who are unable to travel to New York, an interview will be conducted via Skype.
7. Resume
8. F1 or comparable student visa
9. TOEFL- Applicants holding or completing only a graduate degree from an English speaking institution are still required to submit a TOEFL score unless the graduate program was four or more years in duration.

Portfolio:

1. Portfolio fee $10
2. Your Portfolio will be uploaded as part of the online application process.  You will be instructed to submit 20 digital images of recent work in JPEG FORMAT ONLY, sized no larger than 1280 x 1024 pixels (maximum 4MB).  Each image must be numbered, titled (if applicable) and include your name.
3. All portfolios MUST be submitted via https://nyusteinhardt.slideroom.com/

In addition to images applicants are required to upload to SlideRoom the following:

• Artist’s Statement
• Resume/CV
• Transcripts from all institutions attended or attending

 

8.Yale University School of Art

Contact:

Yale University School of Art
1156 Chapel Street, POB 208339
New Haven, Connecticut, 06520-8339
(203) 432-2600

Deadline: January 1

Checklist:

• Application
• Application fee
• Official transcript
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Standardized examinations
• F1 or comparable student visa
• TOEFL /IELTS

Admission:

1.       Application- https://www.yale.edu/graduateschool/admissions/apply_online.html

2.       Application fee- non-refundable $100

3.       Official transcript- A transcript from each college or university is required. Applicants who have attended international institutions where transcripts/academic records are in a language other than English, must submit those transcripts with certified English translations.

4.       3 letters of recommendation- are required from individuals who can evaluate your academic work, intellectual ability, and/or academic potential for graduate work. At least one recommendation should originate from a faculty member of the last institution you attended as a full-time student.

5.       Statement of Purpose-A 500-1000 word statement concerning your past work, preparation for the intended field of study, relevant background and interests, academic plans, and career objectives is required.

6.       Standardized examinations Official scores must be submitted for all required standardized examinations prior to the deadline for the program to which you are applying.

7.       F1 or comparable student visa

8.       TOEFL/IELTS

Portfolio:

1. Portfolios are submitted online as part of the online application.
2. Upload a total of twenty (20) still images and/or moving image files. A significant number of the images should represent work done within the last twelve months. Three-dimensional works should show the surrounding space and context. If you are presenting both still and moving images, please present them in two groups with all still images followed by all moving images. Within these groups, place all still and/or moving image files in chronological order starting with the oldest and ending with the most recent work. Chronological order of year is embedded in our system, and you will not be able to override it.
3. To conform to our viewing format, each still image file may be no larger than 16 MB. Do not format images in any presentation program (e.g., PowerPoint, Keynote), or include composite images (more than one work per file). Still image files may be sent in jpeg, png, bmp, or tiff format.
4. Videos will be accepted in QuickTime, AVI, FLV, MP4, or WMV format. Video files should be no longer than two minutes in length, and the size of your video uploads is limited to 64 MB. If you upload a video that is longer than two minutes, it will automatically time out at two minutes. Please note that videos are considered as part of your selection of twenty files and should not be used as a method of showing examples of additional still images. Do not include titles or credits within the video files.

 

9. Parsons

Deadline: January 10

Checklist:

• Application
• Transcripts
• Resume
• Statement of intent
• Recommendations (2)
• TOEFL
• Portfolio

SLIDEROOM SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

1. In addition to submitting the online application, Parsons requires that you submit a portfolio through Slideroom.
2. Finalize your portfolio at the same time you submit your application. This will help prevent any delays with reviewing your application, as we must receive all required materials before we can place your application under review.
3. Once you have submitted all required portfolio materials in Slideroom, a confirmation number will be emailed to you. Save it for your records and enter it on the online application when requested.

REQUIRED MATERIALS

You may download these instructions (PDF).

Parsons graduate programs use a self-managed application process: You apply online and then mail any supplemental application materials, preferably in a single packet, to the Office of Admission. The Materials Cover Sheet, which can also be downloaded from the Supplemental Forms section of the online application, should accompany all mailed application materials.

Applicants must submit the following items to the Office of Admission:

1. Application form: Complete the online application.
2. Application Fee: Pay the $50 nonrefundable application fee. A credit card is required to submit the online application. A $10 Slideroom fee is also required.
3. Transcripts:

• Unofficial Transcripts: You must upload an unofficial transcript or academic record for each institution (even if you didn’t receive a degree) in the Educational Background section of the online application. These copies must be uploaded before you submit the application. Non-English transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation. Make sure your name appears on the transcript/record. Scans must be clear and legible. Email or fax copies will not be accepted.
• Non-English transcripts must be accompanied by an English translation. Records from non-U.S. Institutions must have grades or marks and contain a copy of diploma if the degree has been conferred.
• Official Transcripts: Applicants offered admission will be required to submit official transcripts (as well as official certified translations and evaluations of the transcripts or mark sheets and degree certifications if the degree was earned outside of the United States) to The New School.
• By Mail: Official transcripts should have an original signature or a raised university seal, and must be in a sealed envelope that has been signed or stamped by the issuing university’s registrar or records office. Applicants may send official transcripts with an Application Materials Cover Sheet, or applicants can request that institutions send transcripts directly to the Office of Graduate Admission.
• Foreign Credentials: All transcripts not written in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
• Foreign Credentials with Transfer Credits: Applicants who would like to transfer academic credits earned at non-U.S. institutions are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by World Education Services (WES), our preferred provider, or by another member of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). A course-by-course evaluation must be prepared for each transcript.
• If using WES, visit http://www.wes.org for instructions and to begin the application process. The “Required Documents” section will explain what to send. If you request your report online, search for “New School Parsons” when selecting our institution. WES will send your completed evaluation directly to The New School.
• Electronic Transcripts: The New School will accept electronic transcripts sent from the following approved vendors:

• National Student Clearinghouse
• Naviance by Hobsons
• Parchment, which includes Avow Systems Inc. and Docufide Inc.
• SCRIP-SAFE International

4. Résumé: Submit a brief resume/vitae summarizing your academic qualifications, relevant work experience, volunteer/community work, travel, exhibitions, public speaking, or any other relevant experiences as they may relate to your field of study, including dates and positions held. Please also note any special language or computer skills that you have.
5. Statement of Interest and Intentions: Please outline your reasons for applying to this program. In what ways will you contribute to the subject matter of the program? You should include a thoughtful description of your background, tentative plan of study or area of inquiry in the field as you now envision it, your professional goals, and how this graduate program will help you realize those goals. If you have not been enrolled as a student in the past five years, please address anticipated opportunities and challenges in pursuing the degree, and future career expectations upon completion of the program. (500-750 word limit.)
6. Recommendations: You are required to submit two letters of recommendation from faculty or people with whom you have worked professionally. Recommenders may submit recommendations online, and instructions are included with the online application. If preferred, the recommendation form may instead be sent by mail in a signed, sealed envelope. To send by mail, download the PDF recommendation form found in the online application, complete personal information, save the form, and forward to recommender for completion and submission. Applicants may also send signed and sealed recommendations to the Office of Admission using an Application Materials Cover Sheet.
7. TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE: If English is not your native language, submit results of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), or PTE (Pearson Test of English). The minimum scores required for acceptance to this program are: TOEFL 92 (internet-based exam), IELTS 7.0, PTE 63.
8. Portfolio: The portfolio must be completed in Slideroom only. Submit 20 images of fine art work, which may include painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography, video, installation, or performance. You may also submit up to four three-minute clips of time-based work in any medium. Be prepared to provide title, medium, dimensions (height first), date, and description for each image.
Interview: All finalists for the Fine Arts MFA program must be interviewed by the graduate faculty