Welcome, Admitted Graduate Students

This year’s admitted graduate classes are comprised of thoughtful, curious, and passionate makers, eager to connect scholarship to creative process. You submitted thoughtful work, showcasing your commitment to addressing issues of social justice, gender equality, conservation, sustainability and beyond. You donate your time to local organizations, participate in residencies around the world, work in museums and education, and are bravely setting a course for a lifelong commitment to artistic practice. We are eager to have you join our community. 

Visit the GSAS Admitted Student Web Portal to Connect with Next Steps and Resources for Admitted and Enrolling Students

GSAS Admitted Students Website

Events

Upcoming admitted student events hosted by the Office of Graduate Admissions and SMFA Admissions are available in your applicant portal, including Next Steps for Enrolling Students, (Financial Aid and Housing), International Student Webinar, and program specific events happening at SMFA campus.  Log into your portal to register for upcoming programming!

Below is some additional SMFA specific information you may find helpful as you make your enrollment decision.

Student Employment

Students can learn about and apply for campus employment opportunities at SMFA and Medford Campus through the Handshake platform using their Tufts ID. For additional information on student employment, visit the Financial Services website.

MFA candidates can apply for graduate assistantships (GA) after their first semester. The Graduate Programs Office will communicate which classes need GA positions filled each semester. Students will apply to the faculty member of the class with a cover letter and CV. 

Additional local employment opportunities in the arts can be found on sites such as Hire Culture.

Travel and Research Funding

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 Montague Travel Grant is specifically designed to support MFA students’ thesis research through international travel. Applications are reviewed twice a year by a panel of graduate faculty.
 
The Hamburg Exchange with the University of Fine Arts, Hamburg (HFBK) allows MFA students from select international art schools to participate in a live/work studio experience in Hamburg, Germany while being taught and mentored by HFBK faculty.

SMFA Alumni are eligible to apply for our Traveling Fellowship. Each year, this fellowship provides up to $10,000 to approximately 10 artists to travel, research, and create work. Traveling Fellowship recipients are also considered for a bi-annual solo show at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 

Post-Graduate Teaching Fellowships

MFA graduates who are interested in teaching in higher education can apply for a Post-Graduate Teaching Fellowship (PGTF) for the year following completion of your MFA. PGTFs receive a studio for the full year in the Mission Hill building and are responsible for all elements of their course at SMFA, from course design to preparation, ordering supplies, scheduling models, grading, attendance, awarding credit, syllabus, and 13-weeks of instruction. Due to the structure of the SMFA curriculum, which brings together students of varied skill-sets and ideological backgrounds, the PGTF experience provides a critical foundation for teaching at the university level.

Moving to Boston

SMFA Students tend to prefer living in neighborhoods close to public transportation and the studios. The SMFA campus has buildings in the Fenway and Mission Hill neighborhoods of Boston and many graduate students live in the nearby Allston, Brighton, Jamaica Plain (JP), Roslindale, and Roxbury areas. Learn more about Boston neighborhoods and places of interest.

Once you’ve enrolled, use your university login credentials to access the Tufts Off-Campus Housing Portal.

Ready to Enroll?

Log into your Tufts Portal to complete your Decision Reply Form!

When you accept, you will be prompted to submit a deposit of $300 (Master’s programs) or $100 (Post-Baccalaureate Program).

Note: you are able to accept admission to SMFA and pay the deposit at a later date.

Additional Resources & Tips

• Visit your account in the Student Information System (SIS) for course registration, grades, billing, and more. Begin to browse courses that interests you before meeting with your graduate academic advisor in late summer.
• Once you’ve enrolled, you should reach out to your academic advisor to schedule an advising session in preparation for course registration. MFA and MA students should contact Kenson Truong and Post-Baccalaureate students should contact Mima McMillan.
• Enrolled SMFA students will receive a complimentary Charlie Card, which covers free, unlimited local MBTA subway and bus access, during orientation. Additionally, You may order a discounted commuter rail pass here.    

Connect With Us

If you have questions about your program, please contact SMFA Graduate Admissions. We’re happy to chat via email, schedule virtual one-on-one meetings and program tours, or connect you with a current graduate student!