M.A. in Art

The 30-credit M.A. conveys the precepts of contemporary fine art aesthetics and professional practices directed toward the creation of works of art, the application of creative ideas, and the transmission of knowledge about works of art and their interrelationships.

The M.A. is a practice-oriented degree leading to personal creative development and achievement. The summer residency and blended online offerings are designed to accommodate the working art educator who desires a studio-focused degree.

Admission Requirements

Individuals seeking admission to the graduate study within the Department of Art must meet the general admission standards and adhere to academic policies established by the School of Graduate Studies and Research at IUP.

An applicant must either be a graduate of an accredited B.F.A., B.A., or B.S. in Art Education (M.A. only), or be judged to possess the necessary prerequisite studio proficiency. Admission into the M.A. or M.F.A. program of the Department of Art is based on the nature, extent, and quality of the preparation in studio, art history, criticism, and other academic subjects. If an applicant is deemed to be deficient in any of these particular areas, the graduate committee may require satisfactory completion of certain undergraduate courses.

Application for Admission

1. Application Form and Fee
2. Official Transcripts - include all undergraduate/graduate course work
3. Resume
4. Artist/Goal Statement (one page) articulating the subject matter and artistic content of the applicant’s work as well as professional goals.
5. Two Letters of Recommendation—These letters should be written by professional artists or educators in the arts with whom the applicant has recently studied or worked and who can assess the applicant’s studio and scholastic competencies.
6. CD Portfolio - Twenty images representing the applicant’s professional artistic work. Each image should be numbered and identified by medium, size, and date of completion. Please limit jpegs to 1200 x 1600 ppi.

Application Deadlines

All of the application materials must be received by the School of Graduate Studies and Research before a review of materials can take place. Students seeking assistantships must apply by the February 15 deadline for priority consideration. Applications are accepted for:

• Summer only admission to M.A. program
• Fall admission to M.F.A. program

The Department of Art requires:

1. First admission consideration and applications for assistantships - February 15
2. Final admission consideration - April 15

Program Requirements

I. Core Courses (12 credits)

Select one course from the following:

II. Studies in Visual Culture (3 credits)

III. Elective Courses (6 credits)

Select two courses from the following:

IV. Synthesis (9 credits)

Total 30 credits

1. Courses that can count toward the concentration are:

2. Select two Graduate Studio Courses in concert with M.A. Project goals as approved by the student’s M.A. Project Committee.

3. Student will submit a M.A. Project Proposal and undergo a candidacy review by the Art Graduate Committee upon the completion of 12-15 credits.

4. Courses that can count toward the Art Education Electives are:

• School of Graduate Studies and Research
• Stright Hall, Room 101
  210 South Tenth Street
  Indiana, PA 15705-1048
• Phone: 724-357-2222
• Fax: 724-357-4862
• graduate-admissions@iup.edu

• Office Hours
• Monday through Friday
• 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Summer: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.