9 Best Mfa Programs In Milwaukee, WI (2022 Updated)

I decided to transfer. Minimal funding for the humanities, so if your want to major in English, philosophy, history, etc maybe consider transferring for the sake of your education. I'm not exaggerating either- some of the adjuncts who work here have even told me to do this. The student body and some of the staff are incredibly arrogant, rude, and competitive. You will be stereotyped based off of where you come from- especially if you are from Illinois. I found that the people here don't try and get to know you for who you really are, even considering the fact that both you and them ended up at the same university. When I told my advisor I was planning on transferring, he scoffed and told me "Transfer wherever the h*** you want, my commission won't be affected" and then proceeded to tell me he had no clue how the transfer process worked, scoffed at me again, and told me "good luck". The dorm food is low quality, and to eat healthy you basically have to risk your life by crossing an on-ramp to the highway to get to Straz aka the dorm with the healthy food. There isn't much to do in the college town, and Milwaukee is a lot further away and more unsafe to get to than how the brochures portray it.Audrey Gordon

Marquette offers a great college experience and a fantastic education for well rounded young adults. Marquette is located in a fun city that is going through a healthy revival with a large community of people under 40 deciding to live in the city instead the the burbs. It's a Jesuit school, so the school and students are more conservative than public land-grant universities. We were impressed with the indications of community service, tolerance, and good works that we observed practically everywhere we looked. It was the only school we saw that had postings on their student boards for volunteer work and community service. Marquette also offers deep academic resources. Strong Alumni organization.Laleen Doerrer

I just graduated in May 2014, I could not be more grateful for the experience Marquette provided me over the last 4 years. It contains the great campus community of a large school while having the city of Milwaukee in walking distance for an endless amount of activities for weekends. The graduation and job rates are over 50% greater for MU grads compared to many of the local in-state schools, it's well worth the money. Do not let the high price tag published online scare you away, over 90% of students receive a scholarship starting freshman year.Brian Sobon

The acting program at PSOA is outstanding. The professors are not only great teachers, but they're also just greatly empathetic and caring human beings. If you want to learn to act, I highly recommend touring PSOA to see if it's the place for you.Levi Kohlmann

As an adult who went their straight out of high school and one that returned trying to get a degree with a child and one on the way in 2015/2016 school year i can say this. FOR CHILDREN (by which i mean young adults right out of or still in high school) it is perfect for catering only to that age group, ONLY as long your full time and have a vast amount of resources by which to complete projects with all or nearly all of the teachers advertising for Utrecht/Blick the highly expensive art supply store across the street. With the announcement of full time tuition reaching upwards of U.S. $34,000 a school year, I personally could not consider it fiscally responsible to attend said school any longer (especially with places like Alverno/UWMilwaukee/WCTC/Carroll nearby at a portion of the cost). FOR PARENTS OF STUDENTS: The so called mentor system is an extremely laughable joke. For all students enrolled in Understanding the Visual classes they make you attend after class mandatory meetings that are about an hour in length late in the evening, waiting the students valuable project/work time. Some of these classes are about "risk reduction". I am a former student that was older than my mentors. The mentors were perfectly OK with one student attempting to argue that she believed alcohol had no affect on ones actions. Most of the students attending this school have had no influence of being drunk, including the one mentioned above, and therefore do not completely understand what it means. As a parent myself I was appalled at the waste of money put into the mandatory Risk Reduction meetings. Along with the fact that they really do not prepare a young person for the dangers of being out in the world on their own, the examples they chose to give those students and the what should you do responses that accompanied them where completely terrible. To sum it up: This school is only for 18 year olds fresh out of high school that have parents you can pay for every thing and dont have to go out and get a job that takes away from project time. IT IS NOT for working adults with families and rent and bills to pay. With that being said the vast majority of staff here are artists themselves and understand the undying love of creating art. They are pretty good at helping you achieve you're project goals. The deadlines are tight and the workload is heavy. If your going to go I recommend not trying to overload your classes, 18 credits is A LOT for one semester. Just stick to 12. You can always take courses in the summer. This is a good place for beginners that have the money, but not so great for artists already making a go of it or, those that need more financially. You get out of this place what you put in. Buyer BewareCori Iroc

I took my daughter here for their open house this past summer. We were both highly disappointed. We were both bored the entire time. The people who were there acted like it was the last place they wanted to be. No enthusiasm. No excitement. Watching weeds grow from a crack in the sidewalk seemed more interesting. They couldn't even give a really great reason to go to MIAD, except it had 9 beaches nearby! Most of the 6-8 noted people that had graduated from the school had merely stayed in Milwaukee to work! Wow. So, once you are in Milwaukee, you will NEVER LEAVE! I don't even think any of the faculty is over 30 years of age – at least none that I noticed. The school looks (and is) just an old warehouse that desperatedly needs work. It has no atmosphere. Just throwing a little paint on cement does not make a great school. I've gone to an art school and this place was just dull. The building needs work. The emotions of people running the orientation were equally as so. Also love the "Men's" toilets. For "transgendewed'. Not the women's toilets. If I felt like a woman, I couldn't use that one! Geez. It is claimed to be a safe place. While waiting for my daughter to return from her (overlong – nearly missed lunch altogether) tour, I was approached by a panhandler at the entrance! Safety?!? Not for my child. Not for the type of money that they want. Try another art school.Eric the Nomad

It's a great school for students but not for future students. I'm not sure I'll ever go there. I'm not the first to mention this but if accepting new incomers or visitors was an issue why have tours? It's not welcoming. Have a welcoming team for different kinds of people. I didn't see that. I'm disappointed. It's not what I expected. Who in their right mind has the kind of funds and experience? From my young generation it's quite troubling being the fact no one in my generation can have the network of people of the past generations. You don't need to live on a stupid campus to go to the classes or have an expensive scholarship money.Jhughes505

This might be a great institution for you if you do not have the following: -any impairment mentally, physically, or emotionally that professors can view as "at risk" for any future clientele -if you worry that any personal hardship (such as personal trauma, including any diagnosis formed from that experience) will be used against you in evaluation to be later dismissed from the program -if you want to openly and constructively have opposing views of the professor's perspective on material -if you display any physical, mental, and emotional characteristics that diverge from the norm (race, disability, etc) -if you want the American Disability Association regulations to be properly enforced compared to public and technical colleges -if you want a whole staff of people versus only one person to help you in disability accommodations -if you are one to choose not drop out after the first week and do not want 0% of your payments to be returned -want to have the ability to effectively transfer credits from this institution to another college if things don't work out -if you do not want to give absolute control to the faculty to dismiss you for personal reasons outside of your schoolwork -if you are afraid of the change in advisors changing the requirements to make seniors not be able to graduate as readily -If you are not ok with the idea of student evaluations of a professor going only to that professor to be seen, even if they are someone who isn’t effective amongst the workplace -are uncomfortable with the idea that if you are a student chosen to be possibly dismissed, to be given documents that are made to not be valid for a lawsuit if unfairly treated -if you want your degree to transfer outside of the Mount Mary system, this is not possible in any way Regardless of how pretty it looks like on the outside, does not mean there are not issues amongst the inside. The only way for things to change in the inside is for people to speak up about the problems that are existent so progress can be made. None of these criticisms is focused on any one individual or is wishing any harm to anyone, this is a comment meant to inform those on the outside about fallacies on the inside that otherwise no one would know about unless you are inside.Anonymous Person-1

Mount Mary University is amazing university and the campus is very beautiful too. The staffs and professors are great and serious about your major. There are lots of resources that are available to anyone. If you don't know what you want to major, they will help you..etc.. I encourage you to attend this school if you looking for college. The best part of mount Mary is Student Success Center where you can find help; free tutor, library, career counseling, computer , browning laptop etc…Thachin Tial

I come here every now and again to visit my friend. It's a pretty easy process. The dorm uses keys still, and each floor is locked. So if you're looking for security, Mount Mary is pretty good. But the first floor is the only floor with men's bathrooms (in the dorms), which is the only downside.Eric Hupf (tkoalas)

The student union has always been a special place filled with activity, information, electricity and fun. I'm writing this during covid-19 and the union has transformed into a community location for testing and vaccination. It is truly amazing how well set up it is. I'm really proud of the people who put this together. There is signage everywhere so it's impossible to get lost. The system is put together nearly flawlessly. It's fast and efficient but everyone putting their efforts into keeping us safe, all those amazing people working towards this effort are kind, thoughtful, and willing to answer your questions and make sure you're comfortable and safe. This is a truly amazing operation on all fronts and I congratulate the University, the AWESOME staff, and the innovators who were able to put this together for the good of our community, our state, and our country. It makes me proud to be a panther.Da Sh

I have a lot of Milwaukee Pride and love going to school in my home but I have had many problems with the Advising staff. My current Advisor in the Education Department is wonderful and extremely helpful but the Advisor I had prior to her was horrid. She knew nothing and every time I asked a question she would hand me literature to read myself. Zero help and ended up in the wrong major because of it. Otherwise the school is great and I really do enjoy it. I just run into staff that are bad at their jobs sometimes. My advise is just make sure your advisors know what they are talking about so you don’t waste time and money.Travis Sternhagen

I attended UWM for my Masters in Civil Engineering. I've only good things to say about the school. Wonderful professors. Quality of education at least in my department is good. I took one course from Geosciences department and Prof Timothy Grundl was my instructor. He is awesome! If some students felt, they did not get enough help financially from university, I can understand that as the school went through severe budget cut during 2016-18 period, when I went to school. But, I do hope things will improve. Long live beer city! Long live Milwaukee!MA Bashar

Raymond Roberts is why I quit music. As with many failed aspects of public school systems he did not provide a comprehensive curriculum for students. Instead, favoritism and inappropriate friendships with students took presidente over meeting students where they are and building on their strengths. Those who are continually given solos and other opportunities are rewarded their senior year with being placed in a special jazz group instead of teaching all students about this genre. How music can apply to many careers after high school and/or college is not explored either. Many students who have issues at home or are introverted yet talented are let down with lack of opportunity and interest in refining the skill set they do have. Music selected was often not modern enough to engage all students. Music theory and education not taught. Instead of using class time to teach different genres and skills he instead moves students blindly through choirs until they are favored enough to be selected for special grouping their senior year. This is a failed program. Do better.Former MHSAstudent

I attended this school for a year and a half, which was a regrettable experience that made me change where I went to learn. The school is really only a welcoming environment if you are as outgoing as everyone else in the school, which isn't me. Everybody seems to be loud and disrespectful for the most part. Comparing MHSA to my current school, I now understand why security was on every floor. My major was visual art, and despite my love for the teachers in that area, I think what was assigned was not helpful, but I understand some stuff is mandatory. To summarize: I would rant, but I know my experience was worsened by my anxiety and anti-social personality. I would not recommend going there if you aren't outgoing and social, because I was not prepared for the overwhelming loudness and disrespect of majority of the students.Rowan Caughey

I am a proud 2007 graduate, double majoring in Dance and Creative Writing, and taking as many advanced history classes as possible. MHSA prepared me very well for college and my next chapter of professional studies in the arts. I feel. confident that no matter what I choose to do the rest of my life, I will have a "leg up" having been trained by some of the best teachers and coaches. If you are a bright student and passionate about the performing or visual arts, I highly recommend auditioning for this high school. In my opinion, it is one of the top high schools in the state of Wisconsin.Heidi Marie Kirsch

They dont teach kids anything and my son got burned on purpose with a hot glue gun from this girl and nobody did anything about it the teachers are ghetto they curse children out and there field trips cost 10 dollars and the dances they have are 1-3 dollars and they only sell snacks to 8th graders and they play childish music.Venturia Daniels

This school is horrible, they fight almost every day, teachers don't care about the students, and scores are extremely low. The school has basic classes and after school programs are always loud as hell for no apparent reason amd teachers working afterschool cant get any work done because of it.Isaiah Guiden

This is my son’s 3rd year at the school. The staff is always friendly when I’m there. He has learned so much and has been accepted at two very good high schools. I believe if it was not for his teachers encouraging him and his hard work he may have not made it this far.Its Nene’s Life TV (Nene)

Parents: this is not a safe place for your child. This is by far the worst school I have ever seen! I taught as a substitute in MPS for a few years after college. Elm was loud, chaotic, and violent. When class began, students started SCREAMING, swearing, grabbing and breaking supplies, and punching/kicking each other. As soon as I went to confront one student, another would run across the room and turn off the lights. I was an adult man in a room full of children, and I was afraid. The school went on lock down within the hour because other classes were dealing with similar chaos. None of this is okay. I was there one day. I cannot begin to imagine the trauma a student would experience if they attended the full term of elementary school there.Mike Boelman

Horrible!!! school has too many bullies, A little boy playing way too much tripped my daughter burst her head, Another little girl bit my daughter super deep over a pencil ✏️ the school board gave my daughter. Teacher's don't care they're very abusive, A teacher " Mr.Jay attacked my 6 yr old daughter, repeatedly slamming her on the ground for no reason. "She said it felt like he burst my heart"💔. The school board and I did call the police. So he was investigated. They have no structure at all. The teachers don't care about the kids education. A teacher told my son, "weather y'all get y'all education or not we're still going to get paid".😯 All in two months. What a year 2016-2017Lovely Lady L

What a nice school. My children attended this school this past year. I am excited for them to come back this year. I was really impressed with both of my kids teachers. Ms. Knapp and Ms. Jones are wonderful teachers. I am glad that I switched my kids to this school. They're making a lot of improvements and know i would recommend this school to others. There are a lot of unfortunate reviews on here but most are made from prior students. I think that it wasn't nice of them to leave a review like that. The school has turned around a lot. The school is not perfect but I really like the newer staff they have.No Mia