Graduate Student Admissions
Master of Art Education
The Master of Art Education (M.A.E.) degree program is comprised of a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate work including 12 semester hours of art education core courses; 9-12 semester hours of related art courses; 6-9 semester hours as a minor (taken outside the school); and 6 semester hours of thesis, professional project, or studio problem leading to an art exhibition. The M.A.E. graduate coordinator will evaluate applicants who have met the minimum entrance requirements of the Graduate School. The applicant for the M.A.E. degree may be asked to submit a portfolio and/or slides of his or her art and, if possible, examples of student art to the preview committee. On the basis of these requirements, the preview committee will make recommendations concerning the acceptance of students to the M.A.E. degree program and will determine and prescribe any leveling work to be completed before or after acceptance.
Master of Fine Arts
The Master of Fine Arts degree (M.F.A.) is the recognized terminal degree in the practice of art. It is offered with a major in art and requires a minimum of 60 semester hours of graduate work.
Specialization is possible in the areas of ceramics, jewelry design and metal-smithing, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture. Drawing may be selected as a secondary studio option or studio elective. Admission to the M.F.A. program normally presumes that students hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in studio art. A graduate preview committee, composed of three graduate faculty members in the school, will examine a portfolio of the student’s work and hold a personal interview, if feasible, with each student who meets the minimum entrance requirements of the Graduate School. On the basis of these examinations, the preview committee will make recommendations concerning acceptance to the M.F.A. program and will determine and prescribe any leveling work to be completed before or after acceptance. Students applying for the Master of Fine Arts degree program do not need to submit scores for the Graduate Record Examination.
MFA Application Packet
Interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Fine Arts – Art Major: Critical Studies and Artistic Practice
Within the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Fine Arts, the major in the School of Art (the art major) is titled “Critical Studies and Artistic Practice.” This major examines diverse discourses in the visual arts, exploring their trans-disciplinary margins as well as their disciplinary strengths. In addition to the Fine Arts Core of 15 hours, students enroll in a Critical Studies and Artistic Practice core of 12 hours, consisting of interdisciplinary topics in the visual arts. Beyond the two groups of core classes, students must complete a minimum of 33 hours of individualized coursework, including 12 hours of dissertation work. Individualized coursework may be chosen, with consent of the advisor, from two of the following fields: History of Art, Art Education, Critical Studies, Museum Studies, Arts Administration, and Studio Art (if the student holds an appropriate master’s), as well as Theatre and Music. Additional course work may be undertaken; however, the state of Texas limits students to 99 hours of doctoral study.
For acceptance into the doctoral program, the applicant must have completed a master’s degree, or its equivalent, with emphasis in some area of the visual arts. Every effort is made to select candidates who show strong scholarship and professional competence. Art doctoral faculty will evaluate each applicant’s professional goals and any evidence of progress toward these goals. More specific qualifications will pertain to specific career directions.
For admission into this program, the graduate art education and art history-criticism faculty review the applicant’s dossier; a personal interview is recommended. Faculty submit recommendations to a three-member preview committee, who upon approval, recommend the applicant to the Graduate Committee of the college for acceptance into the program. Acceptance is also contingent upon satisfaction of all Graduate School requirements for admission. After admission, a specific degree plan is determined.