(Program Code: ARSA)

The Master of Arts is designed to provide opportunities for further study in one or more of the various studio areas within the Department of Art and Design. The objectives of the program are to foster the artistic growth and competence of the individual, to provide the preparation for a professional career in the visual arts, and to provide a basis for further graduate study in the field.

Admission to the Program

In addition to the general requirements of the university, specific requirements for admission to classified graduate standing are:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum of 30 semester units of upper-division art courses comparable to those required of a major in art at this university. The Department of Art and Design determines which courses are comparable.
2. Completion of a minimum of 12 semester units of upper-division studio art.
3. Completion of a minimum of 9 semester units in art history with a minimum of 3 that are upper-division units.
4. A grade point average of 3.0 ("B") or better in all art courses taken.
5. Admission to the program will additionally be based upon evaluations by the Department of Art and Design graduate committee of the following items:
   1. A portfolio displaying a comprehensive body of work with strong technical abilities and potential for a clear direction in graduate study. A portfolio consists of 15 images of the applicant's artwork in the form of a single PDF. The portfolio needs to be accompanied by a typed list of artworks with the applicant's name, and title, medium, size and date for each artwork.
   2. A 500 word "Statement of Purpose" describing the conceptual and technical aspects of the artwork and the applicant's reason for seeking graduate studies in art. This statement should also demonstrate applicant's knowledge of historical and contemporary art in relation to their work. This statement should be carefully crafted and will also be used to evaluate the student's writing ability and critical thinking skills.
   3. Optional three letters of recommendation supporting the student's application. Letters should be from professionals and/or educators in the field able to assess the student's competence and to make relevant comments on the student's likely success in a graduate art program.

Applicants who have satisfied the general requirements for admission, but who have deficiencies in prerequisite preparation which can be met by specified additional preparation may be admitted to the program with conditionally classified standing. Deficiencies must be made up as early in the program as possible, normally within the first 9 units after conditional admission.

Applications to the M.A. in Studio Art program are reviewed once a year. Contact the Department of Art and Design Graduate Coordinator for further information.

Advancement to Candidacy

Candidacy denotes that the student is fully qualified to complete the final stages of the Master of Arts program in Art, and complete their Master's Project in the form of a culminating portfolio submission. To be formally advanced to candidacy, the student must have:

1. Completed 12 units of graduate coursework, with a GPA of 3.0 (B) or better.
2. Successfully completed an advancement review conducted by the Department of Art and Design Graduate Coordinator in consultation with the Department Graduate Committee.

Requirements for Graduation

1. A minimum of 30 semester units of approved graduate-level work, with at least 21 completed at this university;
2. A GPA of at least 3.0 ('B') in all courses taken;
3. Submission of a portfolio and documentation of the project approved by the Department of Art and Design Graduate Coordinator and the Department Graduate Committee.
4. Any general requirements not cited above and noted  in Graduate Degree and Program Requirements.

Degree Requirements (30 units)

The Culminating Experience is expressed by the Master's Project, a submission of a portfolio and documentation of the project approved by the Department of Art and Design Graduate Coordinator.