Art Master's Degree Requirements

Program | Faculty | Master's | Courses

Master of Arts (in Art Education)

Master of Fine Arts (in Studio Art)

Master of Science (in Design)

Master of Arts (in Art Education)

The Art Department's M.A. Program in Art Education offers the candidate two options: 1) a graduate program for candidates who have completed an undergraduate degree in Art (or the equivalent based upon faculty review), and who wish to be certified to teach art in an N-9 or 5-12 school program; 2) a graduate program for candidates who have completed an undergraduate degree in art, are currently certified to teach art, and wish to pursue an advanced degree in Art Education.

Option 1

The M.A. Program for Provisional Certification with Advanced Standing requires a minimum of 48 credits in the following three areas: studio art, art history, art education and student teaching. At least 39 of these credits must be at the 500 level or above, with a minimum of 12 credits at the 600 level or above. Additional courses may be necessary, depending on the individual candidate's previous education. This program is subject to change based upon state certification requirements.

Option 2

Option 2 requires a minimum of 36 credits in the following three areas: 8 credits in studio art and art history; 3 credits in professional coursework; and 9 credits in art education. A minimum of 12 credits must be at the 600 level or above. The remaining credits must be at the 500 level or above. Additional courses may be necessary, depending upon the candidate's previous education. Requirements leading to Standard Certification in Art Education may be taken in addition to the requirements for Option 2.

Admissions

Admissions to the M.A. Program in Art Education requires a bachelor's degree in studio art or art education, or the equivalent based upon faculty review, and a minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA. In addition, admission to Option 2 requires certification as a teacher of art. All candidates must submit the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores, two letters of recommendation from previous professors and/or employers, and a slide portfolio of their own work. (Refer to "Portfolio Submission" information above.)

Master of Fine Arts (in Studio Art)

This degree program is intended for students who are committed to becoming professional artists and who want an intensive 60-credit hour, in-residence preparation for careers in art. The program is organized to be completed in three years, with a two-year program possible under certain circumstances. The three studio areasTwo-Dimensional Studies (Painting and Printmaking), Three-Dimensional Studies (Sculpture and Ceramics), and Computer and Photographic Artsallow a student to select a major emphasis as well as experiment in a range of other areas, using an interdisciplinary approach when desired. Applicants should select an emphasis area, based on their interests and indicate it as well as secondary areas, if any, on the application form, Section II.

Transfer Credit

Up to 12 graduate level credits may be transferred from another institution, subject to approval from the Director of Graduate Programs and the Graduate Dean. A maximum of six credits can be transferred from non-degree graduate work at this University.

Program Requirements

Of the 60 credits required, approximately 33 to 36 credits must be in the major area, 18 of which constitute the master's thesis. The remaining 24 to 27 credits should be taken in other areas, including art history. Up to 21 credits may be taken as independent study. Under special circumstances an additional six credits of independent study may be taken outside of Art, but only upon approval from the Director of Graduate Programs.

Students are also required to have their studio work reviewed by M.F.A. area faculty at mid-semester and the end of the semester for the first two years of the M.F.A. Program. Lack of satisfactory progress towards the completion of the M.F.A. degree, as determined by the area faculty through the review process, may result in a student being placed on probation or a recommendation that the student be withdrawn from the program. Both a positive area recommendation from the student's instructors and grades of 'B' or better are required for a student to remain in good standing. A student is also required to have area faculty approval before beginning thesis work. The thesis (required) consists of a one-person exhibition/presentation supported by a written statement and other documentation, including a slide of each work in the exhibition. The candidate must also make an oral defense of the thesis.

M.F.A. candidates are restricted from using 500-level courses in their major area toward graduation credit. For example, painters cannot use course/credit from the Art 520 series, sculptors cannot use the Art 560 series, printmakers cannot use the Art 540 series. Again, this restriction applies only to 500-level courses in the major area.

Admissions

Fall enrollment is necessary to ensure continuity in the program. The number of graduate students that can be accepted into the studio-art program each fall is limited. The normal requirements for admission to the Graduate School apply except that the GRE is not required for M.F.A. applicants.

M.F.A. applicants also need to submit a portfolio of their own work as well as a resume. The portfolio must be in slide format, submitted in a carousel tray. (See "Portfolio Submission" information above.) The portfolio is the primary criterion for selection.

Interviews

Though not required as part of the admission process, interviews can be helpful to the applicant and are therefore encouraged, especially for Computer Arts and Photography applicants. Contact the Art Department's Graduate Office to make arrangements.

Master of Science (in Design)

This professional program emphasizes interior/environmental design. Two avenues of study are available. The program is designed to provide a professional education to candidates with an undergraduate background in a variety of other disciplines, for example: Fine Art, Art History, Social Sciences, Business, Health Sciences, Education. Candidates who have strong architectural and/or design backgrounds develop special interests and research. Program length is two to three years, depending on the student's background and preparation. The program is interdisciplinary and encourages an allied focus in landscape architecture, the arts, social sciences, or related fields. A master's project or thesis is required.

The Design Area was established as a unit of the Art Department and maintains strong ties with faculty in Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning, Hotel, Restaurant and Travel Administration, the social sciences, education, art, business, and engineering. The two options are as follows:

1. To provide professional education in design for students who have had a general education in liberal arts with minor emphasis in art, design, or architecture. It is designed to permit the development of individualized professional programs in interior design, with a particular focus on architecture, environmental and furniture design areas.

2. To provide graduates with a strong background in art, design, and related fields with the opportunity to develop research, specialized development and interdisciplinary work.

The core curriculum for both options includes work in design studios, research methods, design theory and professional practice. Both options can provide an opportunity to qualified candidates to prepare for a career in teaching interior design at the college level.

Admissions

Candidates must meet all requirements of the Graduate School. Applications and other supporting documents should be sent to the Graduate Admissions Office, 530 Goodell. In addition, the Art Department requires a portfolio which will be evaluated by the Design Area faculty. Portfolio work must be submitted in the form of 35mm color slides and must be in a carousel. A resume is also requested. The slides/portfolio and resume should be sent directly to the Art Department. (Refer to "Portfolio Submission" information above.)

Requirements

The standard M.S. degree in Art/Design requires candidates to complete 45 credits. The exact program of study depends on the student's background and area of specialization. The focus and courses must be approved by both the Design Area and the Graduate Program Director. Regular reviews by M.S. area faculty are integrated into studio coursework. Lack of satisfactory progress towards the completion of the M.S. degree, as determined by the area faculty through the review process, may result in a student being placed on probation or a recommendation that the student be withdrawn from the program. Both a positive recommendation from the student's instructors and grades of 'B' or better are required for a student to remain in good standing. A student is required to have M.S. area faculty approval before beginning thesis work. A master's project (or thesis) of six to 10 credits is part of the total credit requirement.

Master's Thesis/Project

Students may choose a master's project instead of the master's thesis. The project is intended to provide more flexibility than the thesis in terms of format and requirements. The thesis/project is required in the final semester of graduate work. It may be a creative project supported by written documentation or it may be a combination of research, written, and graphic material. Drawings and plans must be incorporated in the form of photographs or slides.

At the time of the master's thesis/project presentation, candidates must be prepared for an oral examination/defense of their projects. The thesis/project committee consists of a chairperson, from the Design Area, and at least one other graduate faculty member from the Art Departmentup to a maximum of five persons.

Transfer Credit

Up to six credits may be transferred from other institutions or from non-degree status at this University. Such credit must be graduate level and must first be approved by both the Graduate Director and the Graduate School.

Undergraduate Deficiencies

A student may be accepted into the program with the stipulation that a specified number of undergraduate courses must be completed as a prerequisite for graduate work. These courses cannot be counted towards the M.S. degree.