The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Studio Art, offered through the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University, is a one-year program that combines intensive studio work with seminars, studio visits, and engagement with guest curators and artists. This program is designed for students who have completed a bachelor's degree and want to immerse themselves in rigorous studio art-making.

Program Outcomes

Throughout your Post-Baccalaureate year, you'll develop and refine skills that are vital to building and sustaining a professional art practice -- from learning to write grants and residency applications, to identifying and pursuing curatorial opportunities, to building a professional network with gallerists and artist colleagues. You'll also take part in a weekly studio visit with faculty and receive regular feedback and support in developing your studio practice as you prepare for a career as a professional artist.

Whether you have recently graduated or are preparing for a career pivot, the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate offers an immersive studio experience that is excellent preparation for a Master of Fine Art program or for professional practice as an artist.

Application Requirements

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

Portfolio: Applicants must submit 10-15 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 Essay: The personal essay should not exceed three pages and should address the following questions:
- Tell us about your most recent/current art work.
- 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.

Prerequisites

All applicants must hold an undergraduate degree, such as a BA or BFA, from an accredited institution of higher education.

Tuition & Fees

Tuition for this the Post-Baccalaureate certificate in Studio Art is billed at a flat rate semi-annually:

Tuition*	The 2026-2027 tuition for this program is $47,886 (or $23,943 per semester)
Total Credits Required	31
Enrollment Status	Full-Time: 14-17 credits per semester (4-5 courses)

Estimating Tuition Costs for this Program

This example pathway outlines tuition costs per semester using a typical 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	17 credits	14 credits	31 credits
Year 1	$23,943	$23,943	$47,886
Estimated Total Tuition*			47,886*

*Estimated based on 2026-2027 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.

Funding Opportunities

We are committed to supporting students as they explore financing options. This program is eligible for federal loans. Additionally, the following opportunities are available:

The School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences provide merit scholarships to high achieving applicants to the Post-Bacc in Studio Art. To learn more about our process and generous tuition scholarships, contact SMFA Grad Admissions.
City Year Corps members, alumni, and staff are eligible to receive a minimum scholarship award of 25% off tuition.
There are various work opportunities available for students across Tufts.
Additional funding or professional opportunities may be discussed with the Program Director, who can provide individualized guidance aligned with students’ artistic goals.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

A post-baccalaureate art program is a specialized, non-degree certificate program engineered for individuals who already hold a college degree and are looking for intensive studio immersion, technical training, and portfolio amplification before entering the professional industry or an MFA program.
Yes, absolutely. A significant portion of our students utilize the program specifically to transition their work to a graduate-admissions caliber, resulting in a historically high success rate for competitive MFA admissions.
No. SMFA welcomes applicants from all academic disciplines. The admissions committee prioritizes your demonstrated commitment to a creative practice, your structural potential, and the quality of your initial creative portfolio over a specific undergraduate major.
The Post-Bacc focuses heavily on fundamental artistic growth, material exploration, and rapid portfolio generation. The MFA is a terminal graduate degree that demands advanced theoretical research, historical scholarship, and the execution of a formal thesis exhibition.
Yes. Interdisciplinary freedom is the ultimate hallmark of the SMFA at Tufts pedagogy. You are actively encouraged to cross traditional boundaries and combine media like ceramics, digital video, and performance art to match your conceptual goals.
Yes. The Post-Bacc provides an ideal, highly supportive environment for individuals who have spent time in other professional fields and now want to build a serious, credentialed fine art or commercial art practice.