Requirements and Guidelines for MFA Students Wishing to Take an Undergraduate Course

Download as PDF

Graduate faculty members are faculty members whose institution has granted them status to teach graduate-level courses, supervise graduate students, and serve on or chair graduate student committees. Graduate faculty at Alfred must hold a terminal degree in their field (usually a Ph.D., MFA, or equivalent) or be granted special permission by the university provost.

Requirements and Guidelines

1. Undergraduate Studio Courses within SoAD, taken with graduate faculty

  • MFA students must notify the graduate administrative assistant
  • The 500-level course must have a unique syllabus outlining graduate-level work (the amount of work/research expected above the undergraduate requirements) before a student can be registered.
  • All paperwork must be submitted to the graduate administrative assistant, who will then enroll the student in a cross-listed 500-level course.

2. Undergraduate Courses within SoAD, taken with non-graduate faculty

  • MFA students may take these courses at the undergraduate level only.
  • These courses will not count toward the MFA degree.
  • The student registers in the undergraduate course section.

3. Undergraduate Courses Outside of SoAD, taken in CLAS, COB, SOE, or PAD with graduate faculty

  1. The course must be offered at a minimum of the 300-level.
  2. Before speaking to the faculty, the student should contact the Dean, Associate Dean, or designated unit representative to confirm faculty availability and qualifications (this does not guarantee that a graduate section will be added.)
  3. Once approved, the student will reach out to the faculty member.
  4. If the faculty member agrees to offer the course with graduate-level requirements, the faculty member must provide a graduate-level syllabus, including the work/research expected beyond what the undergraduate requirements are.  The faculty member will notify their dean’s office and submit the syllabus for the course offered to the dean’s office.   The dean’s office will request that the registrar create a 500-level course section with the same title and enroll the student.

4. Undergraduate Courses Outside SoAD, taken with non-graduate faculty

  • MFA students may take these courses at the undergraduate level only.
  • These courses will not count toward the MFA degree.
  • The student registers in the undergraduate course section.