PSU's Art and Social Practice MFA defines what it means to be an artist in society. In our three-year, flexible-residency program, you'll combine individual research, group work, and experiential learning to find new ways to engage with your art and the community. Our program's blend of critical and professional practice, progressive pedagogy, collaborative social engagement, and transdisciplinary exploration produces an immersive educational experience.
We encourage you to shape the direction of your education as you connect your art practice to research in the field of Social Practice through elective coursework and community partnerships, promoting cross-disciplinary engagement.
Graduating students each produce a public graduate project, a publication exploring a relevant connection to their practice, and a public artist lecture that surveys their work in the program.

Study Contemporary Art Practice: Art and Social Practice at Portland State University, a Master degree offered at its main campus in Aberdeen, United States of America. This Full Time program is delivered on campus in English and takes approximately 2 years to complete. Students benefit from a structured learning experience designed to build both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The next intake is scheduled for September 26, 2027.
About Master of Contemporary Art Practice: Art and Social Practice
Disciplines
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Master of Contemporary Art Practice: Art and Social Practice at Portland State University
Entry Requirements
- Copies of official degree certificate/diploma
- Certified translation of transcripts
- Financial documentation demonstrating adequate financial support for at least the first year of study
English Requirements
- PTEMin 60
- IELTSMin 6.5
- TOEFLMin 80
Career Opportunities after Completing Master of Contemporary Art Practice: Art and Social Practice
Alumni from our program have secured tenure track teaching jobs, adjunct teaching jobs, have produced public art projects, and participated in major exhibitions. They work with museum education programs and non-profits, have started businesses, worked with governments, and have received numerous awards, grants, and fellowships.
Tuition and Fee Information for Master of Contemporary Art Practice: Art and Social Practice at Portland State University
How to Apply for Master of Contemporary Art Practice: Art and Social Practice at Portland State University
- Complete the graduate application
- Send the Graduate School’s Admissions office your official academic transcripts
- Submit evidence of English language proficiency
- Provide financial documentation demonstrating adequate financial support for at least the first year of study
- Depending on the individual graduate program that you are applying for, additional department requirements may include:
- Personal essay or statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation
- Standardized test scores, e.g., GRE (not required by all programs)
- Resume
- Writing samples
- Portfolio
United States of America, Aberdeen