The MA in Creative Practice is an adaptable, professionally focused program. It is designed for students with a background in studio art who seek to deepen their expertise across disciplines such as animation, ceramics, drawing, graphic arts, illustration, painting, performance, photography, printmaking, sound, video, and more.

This interdisciplinary program is ideal for those who wish to build on studio experience and gain advanced credentials without committing to a terminal degree such as an MFA. Students can complete the residential program in one year while attending full-time or in 12-24 months while attending part-time.

Program Outcomes

Whether you are looking to advance your career in a creative field, prepare your portfolio for further study in an MFA program, or further develop your art practice, the customizable and flexible nature of this program allows you to focus on your areas of interest and achieve your individual goals. As part of the program’s core requirements, you’ll complete upper-level studio and liberal arts courses at SMFA at Tufts, located in the Fenway neighborhood of Boston, and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Artists will complete a final creative project and participate in a public artist talk.

Application Requirements

In addition to the general application requirements, the program requires the following supplemental information:

Portfolio: Applicants must submit 10-20 pieces of their recent work and/or up to 10 minutes of time-based work. It's important that the work represents your current strengths, interests, skills and experiences. More information about the visual art portfolio can be found here.
Resume/CV: Applicants must submit a resume that chronologically outlines your background in the arts. This should include exhibitions and awards, as well as professional experiences and related activities, such as research.
Personal Statement: The personal statement should not exceed three pages and should address the following questions:
- Tell us about your the work you’ve submitted
- What would you identify as important artistic and intellectual influences on your art work? In addition to artists, this might also include writers, scientists, theorists, and other cultural producers.
- In what ways do you hope to expand and further your art practice at SMFA at Tufts?
Two letters of recommendation are required.

Official TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores, if applicable: A minimum TOEFL score of 90 (iBT), IELTS score of 6.5, or Duolingo score of 100 is required for admission.

Tuition & Fees

GSAS bills tuition using a per-credit billing model, meaning you are billed for the number of credits you take each semester. This billing model is used to provide students better flexibility so they may "pay-as-they-go".

Tuition*	$1,270 per credit
Total Credits Required	30
Enrollment Status	Part-Time: 3-6 credits (typically 1-2 courses) Full-Time: 9+ credits (typically 3 or more courses)

Estimating Tuition Costs for this Program

This example pathway outlines estimated tuition costs per semester using a typical full-time course load. This is one possible pathway to completion; actual credits, costs, enrollment status, and degree completion time may vary based on a student’s course load.

Full-Time Pathway	Fall	Spring	Total
Year 1	15 credits	15 credits	30 credits
Year 1	$19,050	$19,050	$38,100
Estimated Total Tuition Before Aid*			$38,100*

Note: this example does not account for any scholarships that may be awarded at the time of admission. GSAS offers generous merit- and need-based tuition scholarships for qualified applicants. A list of funding opportunities is provided below.

*Estimated based on 2025-2026 tuition rates. Rates are subject to change each academic year. For further information about the full cost of attendance, including health insurance, fees and estimated indirect costs (housing, transportation, etc.), visit Student Financial Services.

Financial Aid & Funding Opportunities

At Tufts University, we believe that every qualified applicant should have the opportunity to pursue graduate study, regardless of financial circumstances. We are committed to helping you navigate the financial aspects of your education and strive to make graduate school accessible through a variety of support options.

Scholarships and Awards Available for this Program

Merit- and need-based tuition scholarships for master’s programs: To be considered, be sure to indicate your interest within the Financial Aid section of your application.
The Future Leaders Fellowship is a full-tuition scholarship for outstanding full-time master’s students and entry-level OTD students. Future Leaders Fellows are selected by the GSAS Dean following their admittance to Tufts.
Fifth Year Master's Degree Program — current Tufts Undergraduates can enroll in this program which has reduced tuition costs and provides a Financial Aid Match with a graduate tuition scholarship proportional to the undergraduate tuition award at the time of application.
City Year Corps members, alumni, and staff are eligible to receive a minimum scholarship award of 25% off tuition.

Work Opportunities and Awards:

There are various graduate assistantships and work opportunities available for Master’s students across Tufts.
SMFA Graduate students may apply for various grants during their study, such as the Dean’s Research Award (up to $500) or the Tufts Graduate Research Competition (up to $1000).
The Graduate Student Open Access Publishing Fund provides financial support to students who want to publish their work open access.
The Graduate Student Research Competition provides funding for expenses including equipment, materials, and supplies; research participant compensation; and expenses of travel to conduct research.
Graduate Student Conference Reimbursement Fund is available for students to travel to present at or attend at a conference or professional meeting.
The Tisch Library Graduate Fellowship in the Arts & Humanities provides funding for MA, MFA, and PhD students conducting research over the summer.

Visit our Graduate Financial Aid page for information on loans and financing options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Creative Practice is an interdisciplinary, studio‑based approach to making art that emphasizes ongoing artistic development, experimentation across media, and professional growth. In the MA in Creative Practice at Tufts, students deepen and expand their existing studio practice through advanced coursework, critiques, mentorship, and a final creative project and public artist presentation. Utilizing the school's interdisciplinary curriculum, students have the option to expand their practice into new areas, or focus their course credits in one area to earn a concentration. Creative Practice encourages students to build an individualized curriculum, exploring form, idea, and method while developing a cohesive body of work and a sustainable professional direction.
The MA in Creative Practice is designed for artists with prior studio experience who want to advance their practice, strengthen their portfolio, or gain an advanced credential without committing immediately to a terminal degree such as an MFA.
This program may be a strong fit for:
- Artists seeking structured time, mentorship, and critique to refine their work
- Working artists pursuing professional advancement or career pivoting
- Students preparing competitive portfolios for future graduate study
- Artists interested in interdisciplinary exploration across media
Graduates of the MA in Creative Practice pursue a wide range of creative and professional paths. The program supports students who want to advance in creative fields, strengthen their artistic voice, or position themselves for further academic study.
Alumni commonly use the degree to:
- Continue developing an independent or professional art practice
- Prepare portfolios for MFA applications or other advanced study
- Work in creative industries, arts organizations, education, or related fields
- Build professional networks, exhibition experience, and presentation skills
The program culminates in a final creative project and public artist talk, reinforcing both artistic and professional communication skills.
Yes. One common pathway for graduates of the MA in Creative Practice is to apply to MFA programs. The MA is intentionally structured to help students strengthen their portfolios, clarify their artistic direction, and gain advanced studio experience that can support future applications to terminal degree programs. At the same time, the MA in Creative Practice is also designed to stand on its own as a professionally focused degree for artists who do not plan to pursue an MFA.
No. The MA in Creative Practice is a non‑terminal degree. It is designed to support professional development, portfolio building, and preparation for further study, including MFA programs.
The MA in Creative Practice is a flexible, professionally focused degree that allows students to advance their studio work over one-year, without the longer time commitment or terminal degree requirement of an MFA.
An MFA takes two years to complete and is considered the terminal degree for studio arts and is often required for teaching credentials or academic careers, while the MA supports a broader range of professional and creative goals.
Students can complete the degree in one year of full‑time study or over 12 to 24 months on a part‑time basis, depending on course load.
SMFA at Tufts undergraduates can complete this degree as part of the Fifth-year Master’s Program.
Students take upper‑level studio art courses through the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts in Boston and liberal arts electives through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at our Medford campus.