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MFA Visual Art Research

A research guide created for students in the MFA program at Lesley University College of Art and Design.

Thesis Writing: An Overview

Mind Mapping an MFA Thesis

Dissection of an MFA Thesis

Thesis Outlines

If you aren't sure how you want to organize your thesis, try reading other MFA theses to see how other people do it!  I've linked some below, but click on Find Dissertations & Theses under Resources in the menu on the left for ways to find and publish theses. 

Abstract vs. Practical

Notice how all the examples below compare in their organization (check out their table of contents!), even when dealing with a similar topic or medium!

Art & Trauma

Notice how the two theses below both center around art and trauma, but how they organize their thesis is different. 

Process-Based Art

If your art is very focused on your process, you may want to find a way to put more focus on that in your thesis. You can have a section of your thesis about your process but for some people their work is very process-based so they speak to process throughout the thesis.