The Department of Art and Art History offers an MA program where students can specialize in diverse disciplines and create engaging artworks as they prepare for a career as a visual artist and educator. Since its inception in 1950, the program has launched numerous artists into creative careers across the globe. Enrollments are modest by design, allowing students to have designated studio space and to work closely with faculty. The MA degree requires 30 hours of coursework in graduate studio classes, seminars, art history, critiques, and electives. All coursework must be successfully completed within six years of entering the studio graduate program.
The primary studio art facilities are situated on Woods Quad. Sculpture and Ceramics are located in the Bureau of Mines building complex. The Sarah Moody Gallery of Art is located in Garland Hall and features a program of changing exhibitions of contemporary art. The gallery is an active collecting institution dedicated to contemporary works on paper and photography. The Sella-Granata Art Gallery in Woods Hall presents a changing schedule of shows including student work as well as other academically focused exhibitions.
Admissions
All studio art students enter the Studio Art graduate program at the MA level. Strong applicants to the program usually hold a BFA in Studio Art or BA in Studio Art with a related minor. However, applicants with different academic backgrounds will be considered. Admissions decisions are based on the strength of the applicant’s portfolio and written statements, and their potential for growth and achievement in the program. Prospective graduate students should have a "B" average in art classes. Residency is required of all studio art students.
Applicants should choose one of the following areas for focused coursework; ceramics, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture. Faculty also specialize in drawing, digital media, graphic design, and installation, offering students the opportunity to work with a broad range of materials and processes. Each studio program applicant must submit a comprehensive portfolio of recent work. This portfolio should include a minimum of 20 works of art in the proposed area of focus. Please contact the department directly for directions on preparing application materials.
Campus visits are highly recommended. Applicants may visit graduate classes, tour studio facilities, and meet faculty and current graduate students. The department webpage offers more information about department resources and faculty activity. Prospective students are encouraged to contact faculty who specialize in their areas of interest.
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Curricular Requirements
All new studio art students enter the MA program. The MA degree in studio art requires completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate work, including at least 6 hours in art history, 15 hours in a major studio field, 3 hours of graduate seminar, 3 hours of graduate critiques, and 3 hours of art studio electives. An Open Studio Review, Full Faculty Review, Committee Review, MA Thesis Exhibition, MA Paper, and MA Oral Review are required for completion of the program. The degree program must be completed within six years.
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ART 511 | Graduate Seminar | 3 |
| ART 525 | Graduate Critiques | 3 |
| ART Electives | 15 | |
| Select courses from ART 502 to ART 622 that align with Major Studio Area 1 | ||
| Art History Elective | 6 | |
| Select courses from ARH 501 to ARH 580 | ||
| Graduate Electives | 3 | |
| Select courses outside the major studio area that are in accordance with research interests. Courses chosen as electives may include ART 502 through ART 622, as well as other graduate-level courses outside the ART area (e.g. HY, EN, etc.). Non-ART electives must be chosen in agreement with graduate advisor. 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| 1 | ART 511 Graduate Seminar, ART 525 Graduate Critiques, or ART 625 Graduate Critiques do not count as ART electives. |
| 2 | ART 511 Graduate Seminar, ART 525 Graduate Critiques, and ART 625 Graduate Critiques do not count as graduate electives. |
Transfer Credit
Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.
Comprehensive Exam/Capstone
MA Exhibition
The MA exhibition is required for all students. The exhibition is scheduled by the student in a venue of their choice and may be a solo, two-person, or group show.
MA Written Paper
The purpose of the written paper is to demonstrate an ability to articulate ideas inherent in one’s studio research, and to place that research into a broader context in written form. The MA Paper should follow the formalized guidelines appropriate for a research-based paper with a recommended length of 5-10 pages. Papers should follow the MLA writing style. Paper’s must include appropriate citations of footnotes, bibliographical references, and an index of images contained in the document. The electronic form of the MA Paper should be in PDF format with accompanying images integrated into the document.
MA Oral Review
An MA oral review to evaluate the MA Thesis Exhibition and MA Paper is required for successful completion of the degree. This review is scheduled by the graduate director in the fifteenth week of the fourth semester of study. Students should arrive at their oral review prepared to deliver a formal five-minute introductory presentation, either by projected slideshow or installation, that reviews the student's MA exhibition and plans to continue into the MFA degree, if desired. Students should be prepared to defend the quality of the work presented in terms of concept and craftsmanship and discuss the quality of the MA Paper in regard to content, clarity, cohesion, research, and grammar. Following each review, the student is excused and the faculty assess the quality of the research/creative activity. After a period of discussion, the faculty votes to determine whether or how the student will continue in the program. Students are informed of the decisions of the faculty immediately following the review.
Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements
Graduate School information on Time Limits.
Student Progress Requirement
Full Faculty Review
At the end of the second semester (18-24 hours), a student undergoes a 40-minute candidacy review by the full graduate studio faculty. The student presents a selection of recent work along with a brief (one-half to one page) artist statement. The work is reviewed through a discussion between the student and all members of the graduate studio faculty. Following the discussion, the student is excused, and the faculty assess the quality of the research/creative activity. After a period of discussion, the faculty votes to determine whether or how the student will continue in the program. Students are informed of the decisions of the faculty immediately following the review.
A passing review may result in conditions being placed upon the student's coursework or the withdrawal of GTA or other support. Any stipulations will be communicated to the student in person and in writing.
Students who do not pass the review may be allowed to repeat their candidacy review the following semester or may be immediately dismissed from the graduate program in studio art. A failed initial review may also result in conditions being placed upon the student's coursework or the withdrawal of GTA or other support. Any stipulations will be communicated to the student in person and in writing.
A passing review may result in conditions being placed upon the student's coursework or the withdrawal of GTA or other support. Any stipulations will be communicated to the student in person and in writing.
Students who do not pass the second review will be dismissed from the graduate program in studio art. Such dismissal also results in suspension from the Graduate School. Students will be informed of the results of the review in person and in writing. The Graduate Director will inform the Graduate School of dismissal in writing.
Initial review votes by faculty:
(votes are by simple majority)
Pass without stipulations
Student continues through the program, forms a committee, and prepares for an exhibition.
Pass with stipulations as described
Student continues in the program, forms a committee, and prepares for an exhibition of a body of work. Any stipulations are communicated to the student in person and in writing.
Fail / Not Pass without stipulations
Student continues in the program, forms an ad hoc committee and prepares for a second review at the end of the following semester.
Fail / Not Pass with stipulations as described
Student continues in the program forming an ad hoc committee and preparing for a second review at the end of the following semester. Any stipulations are communicated to the student in person and in writing.
Fail / Not Pass with immediate dismissal from program
Student is dismissed from program and suspended from the Graduate School. They are no longer allowed to enroll in graduate classes.
Second review votes by faculty:
Pass without stipulations
Student continues through the program, forms a committee, and prepares for an exhibition.
Pass with stipulations as described
Student continues in the program, forms a committee, and prepares for an exhibition of a body of work. Any stipulations are communicated to the student in person and in writing.
Fail / Not Pass with immediate dismissal from program
Student is dismissed from program and suspended from the Graduate School. They are no longer allowed to enroll in graduate classes.
MA Committee Review
An MA committee review is scheduled by the graduate director in the fifteenth week of the third semester of study. Students should arrive at their committee review prepared to deliver a five-minute introduction of their research and plans for progressing towards their MA exhibition. The introduction is followed by discussion and Q&A. Students should be prepared to defend the quality of the work presented in terms of concept and craftsmanship and discuss the quality of the written statement in regard to content, clarity, cohesion, research, and grammar. Following each review, the student is excused and the faculty assess the quality of the research/creative activity. After a period of discussion, the faculty votes to determine whether or how the student will continue in the program. Students are informed of the decisions of the faculty immediately following the review.
Academic Misconduct Information
Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.
Academic Grievances Information
Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.
Grades and Academic Standing
Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines Information
Information on Graduate School Deadlines.
Application for Graduation Information
Information on the Application for Graduation.