Graduate Studies: Art Education

Master of Arts degree in Art with Concentration in Art Education

(code ART_MA01, 32 units)

In this degree program, the student develops a personalized program of study within established curricular parameters, and with the consultation and approval of the student’s Thesis or Project committee.

Goals

Our MA in Art with Concentration in Art Education is centered on the following goals for student learning outcomes:

  1. Students develop familiarity with the history of art, and art education in particular.
  2. Students become versed in educational philosophy, with emphasis in the philosophies of art education.
  3. Students become versed in a specific area of specialization, such as curricular issues, teaching methodology, assessment factors, multicultural theory, etc.
  4. Students develop advanced abilities in organizing and disseminating data through research, exhibition, or other demonstration of competency.

Duration

Graduate degree program duration is contingent upon the number of units completed per semester, and time taken to complete Thesis or Project. The MA degree usually is completed in 4 to 8 semesters.

Certificates

The department also offers a graduate-level Certificate Program in Museum and Curatorial Studies (code ART_CT02) and an interdisciplinary program leading to a Certificate in Biomedical Art (code ART_CT01). Either of these Certificates may be pursued independently, or in combination with a program of study directed toward the achievement of one of the department’s degrees.

Admissions Review Process

Admission to a degree program at CSULB is a two-part process that requires application to and acceptance by both the University and the Department of Art into a specific degree program.

For graduate programs, the Department of Art accepts applications for Fall admission only, with applications being accepted January 1 through 31. Application forms are available on the web (www.art.csulb.edu).

Department of Art application materials must be sent to the Department of Art Student Services Office, FA4 Ð 106.

University Application must be made to the CSULB Office of Enrollment Services, Brotman Hall. Call (562) 985-4145 or 1655 to obtain a CSU application booklet, or apply online at www.csumentor.edu There is a $55.00 fee for the University application process. (Do not send the Department of Art this fee; we will send it back to you.)

Program may conduct applicant interviews, in which case they will contact you directly. Acceptance decisions are normally sent out by March 15th.

Acceptance to a degree program in Art: After submitting the Department of Art application materials, those who pass the program review are recommended by the faculty to be admitted as either Classified or Conditionally Classified. A Classified Graduate has satisfied all prerequisites. A Conditionally Classified Graduate has outstanding prerequisites to complete. Acceptance is not complete until the applicant has received both notification of acceptance from the Department of Art and a formal letter of acceptance from the CSULB Office of Enrollment Services.

NOTE: The Department of Art requires a GPA of 3.0 in upper-division (junior and senior level) art prerequisite units for acceptance to our graduate program. All applicants must be accepted by the Department of Art in order to be officially accepted by the University. There is no fee for the departmental application process.

International Students must be accepted by the Department of Art and pass the TOEFL examination (minimum score of 550) before they can be admitted to the University. International students must apply to CSULB through the Center for International Education at (562) 985-5476.

CSU general requirements include: a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution; a grade point average of at least 2.5 in the last 60 semester units taken; and good standing at the last college attended.

General Prerequisites

An applicant may be accepted if, in addition to having satisfied specific prerequisites set by the Department of Art for the degree concentration, the applicant has satisfied the following minimum university standards:

To qualify for admission in conditionally classified graduate standing, a student must:

  1. Applicant holds an acceptable baccalaureate degree from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting association or has, as determined by an appropriate CSULB authority, completed equivalent academic preparation in a university outside the United States;
  2. Applicant has attained a grade-point average of at least 2.5 (A = 4.0) in the last 60 semester (90 quarter) units attempted;
  3. Applicant has been in good standing at the last college attended.

Special Action: In rare and compelling circumstances, an applicant who doesn’t qualify for admission under the previous provisions may be admitted by special action if on recommendation of the appropriate faculty of the department/college concerned and in the judgment of the Associate Vice President for Graduate and Undergraduate Programs or his/her designee there exists acceptable evidence that the applicant possesses sufficient academic, professional, and other potential pertinent to her/his educational objectives to merit such action, as shown through aptitude scores, recent academic performance, and experiential background.

Art Education Prerequisites

NOTE: Courses taken as prerequisites for a graduate degree may not be counted toward the graduate degree program of study.

An applicant who has deficiencies in prerequisites for a concentration, but who in the judgment of the Department of Art can meet these prerequisites with additional preparation specified at time of admission, may be admitted with conditionally classified graduate standing. Students who have deficiencies in prerequisites for a concentration, but who are willing to engage in additional preparation to meet prerequisites, are encouraged to apply.

Applicants must complete 36 units of coursework approved by the Art Education faculty, and to include: 15 upper-division units approved by the Art Education faculty 9 upper-division units of Art or Education electives 12 units Art History (6 may be lower-division, 6 must be upper-division). Applicant must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in prerequisite courses.

Departmental Application Requirements

January 1 through 31 prior to the fall term for which the applicant seeks admission, applicant must submit departmental application materials as follows:

  • Department of Art Application
  • Statement of purpose
  • writing sample
  • portfolio of student work
  • transcripts
  • two letters of recommendation

Acceptable portfolio formats

  • We are no longer accepting slides as part of the Graduate admissions process.
  • Portfolio of JPEG images, no more than 20 total, and no larger than 800x600 pixels each, contained in a folder, and accompanied by an image list as a Microsoft Word file contained in same folder as JPEGs. Image list must include clear thumbnail images, title, medium, dimensions, and date for each work in portfolio. JPEG portfolio must be accompanied by a printed copy of the image list on 8½ X 11" paper.
  • PDF file containing portfolio of no more than 20 images total, either with captions under each image or an image list included in the PDF. Title, medium, dimensions, and date for each work in portfolio must be provided. PDF portfolio must be accompanied by image list including clearly printed thumbnail images, complete with captions on 8½ X 11" paper
  • We do not accept files of images in other formats, and we do not accept portfolios in PowerPoint, Keynote, or other presentation software files.
  • Works in film, video, or other time-based digital media, or recorded documentation of works in installation, performance, or other time-based work may be submitted via DVD portfolio. Maximum of five videos and maximum of ten minutes total. Longer works must be excerpted. QuickTime, Flash or Shockwave are the acceptable formats. Standard menu-driven DVDs may be also used. DVD submissions must be accompanied by a printed list of works that includes a thumbnail still, title, date, and description for each work.

Transcripts

When you formally apply to the University, two official (sealed) sets are required; send one to Enrollment Services and one to the Department of Art.

Transfer Units

Transfer units are allowed on a case-by-case basis. With faculty approval, up to 12 post-baccalaureate units from another university may be accepted into the MA degree program.

General Degree Requirements

  1. A minimum overall GPA of 3.0, with no grade below a "C".
  2. Successful fulfillment of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) by passing the Writing Proficiency Examination (WPE), usually completed in the first semester in residence at CSULB and required to be fulfilled prior to Advancement to Candidacy. Students unable to pass the WPE may be able to fulfill the requirement by completing a special GWAR course.
  3. Successful completion of an Advancement to Candidacy review. Reviews generally occur when a student has completed between one third and one half of the units required for the degree, and require the submission of a complete list of coursework for the degree. Additional advancement requirements: Art Education majors must satisfy assigned written topics and prepare an oral defense of their research.

If all scheduled units for the MA degree have been completed but the final written component has not been approved and submitted, registration in GS-700 (I unit, no credit) through University Extension is required in order to maintain in enrollment until the semester of graduation. Care should be taken not to exceed the University limit of seven years for all masters’ degrees.

Additional information may be found in the ÒDepartment of Art Graduate Guidelines,Ó given to each student accepted into a master’s program.

Art Education Concentration for the MA

  • 32 units of approved graduate and asterisked (*) upper-division units to include:
  • 2 units ART 509A or 509B Research in Art Education
  • 6 units ART 601A and 601B Seminar in Art Education
  • 6 units Art 695 (field problems) or 697 (directed study)
  • 6 units of graduate level Art History beyond the 12 units taken as prerequisites, to complete a cumulative total of 18 units
  • 6 units elective Art, Art Education, or Art History
  • 6 units ART 698A Thesis or Project, with student completing a Thesis, or combination of Project, Project Report and Comprehensive Exam, as culminating experience within degree program.
  • At least 20 of the 32 units must be 500/600 level courses taken at CSULB.